A U.S. State Department travel warning does not automatically mean you should not visit a country. In most cases, it’s guidance to be cautious and sometimes to avoid certain areas.
Many countries that are considered tourist destination remain under Level 1: Exercise normal caution or Level 2: Exercise increased caution warnings. Those are official statements telling Americans to be careful.
Related: Every cruise ship port under a US ‘do not travel’ safety advisory
In many cases, cruise ports are considered safe areas even in countries with more severe Level 3: Reconsider travel or Level 4: Do not travel advisories.
It’s very rare that a cruise line would stop in a country with a Level 4 warning, but Royal Caribbean has made an exception in Labadee, Haiti. That’s because the cruise line’s private destination is an isolated area far from Port au Prince, which is where the worst of the civil unrest has occurred.
Multiple cruise lines are also calling on ports in Mexico that are subject to Level 3, and in one case Level 4, warnings from the State Department, but passengers are urged to stay in the port area and to stick to cruise-line-sponsored excursions.
Now, another country that pretty much all major cruise lines call on has been placed under a U.S. State Department advisory.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Chile has multiple ports where cruise ships dock.
Image source: Pixabay.
Pacific nation offers multiple cruise ports
Chile is located along the western coast of South America and it borders the Pacific Ocean. It offers multiple cruise ports with Valparaíso perhaps being the most famous.
“When you visit Valparaíso on your cruise vacation, immerse yourself in the city’s magic,” Royal Caribbean posts on its website. “If you’ve just spent time amid the concrete jungle of Santiago, devote your time in Valparaíso to discovering the city’s coastal appeal. Dine waterside on seafood caught fresh from the Pacific, or lay out a towel on the sand and get some color to take with you on your cruise.”
Holland American Line, a Carnival-owned brand, stops in multiple ports in Chile.
“Chile is long, lean, and loaded with astonishing wonders, which Holland America Line reveals during your South America voyage,” HAL’s website says. “Raft the Petrohue River in Puerto Montt, visit the Unesco-designated churches of Chiloe from Castro, and make celestial discoveries at the Cerro Tololo Observatory near Coquimbo.
“Holland America Line opens cellar doors at wineries in the Rosario and Casablanca valleys near San Antonio, while Puerto Arenas serves as gateway to cool adventures in Patagonia and Antarctica.”
Norwegian Cruise Line calls on Chilean ports as well and even touts their safety.
“San Antonio is your gateway to Valparaiso, just 30 miles up the coast,” it posted on its website. “There, enjoy the charm and color of the hillside old quarter, or visit lovely nearby Viña del Mar and its famed floral clock.
“Head inland to Chile’s scenic Central Valley, the country’s breadbasket, and on to the Andes with their world-class vineyards and ski resorts. Or spend the day in metropolitan Santiago, considered the safest city in Latin America.”
US State Department issues warning for Chile
The State Department has placed Chile under a Level 2: Exercise increased caution travel advisory as of Jan. 16. The federal agency issues the warning due to crime and civil unrest.
“Street crime (e.g., muggings, pick-pocketing, theft) is common in Chile. Rates of violent crime, such as assaults, homicide, carjackings, and residential break-ins, are increasing,” it warned.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise).
Have questions about booking a cruise? Schedule a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner Postcard Travel Planning.
The advisory also warned Americans about other problems that can take place in the coastal nation.
“Large-scale demonstrations periodically occur in Santiago and other cities in Chile. Demonstrations can take place with little or no notice, and often result in disruptions to transportation, including public bus and Santiago metro services,” it shared.
The State Department also shared the following advice for American travelers who visit Chile:
Do not leave luggage unattended, even in locked vehicles.Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.Avoid demonstrations.Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions and obey all curfews.Find a safe location and shelter in place if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
Americans visiting Chile, even on a cruise ship, are also advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Are you taking a cruise or thinking about taking one? Visit our Come Cruise With Me website to have all your questions answered.
