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The Caribbean nation of Haiti is at the moment present process an excessive political disaster as a result of violent gang exercise in its capital metropolis of Port-Au-Prince. The nation’s Prime Minister has been pressured to resign because the gangs have taken over the town and toppled the federal government.

Because the chaos continues, many vacationers are questioning how which may have an effect on their travels to Haiti and its neighboring nation, the Dominican Republic. Effectively, Haiti is at the moment at a Stage 4: Do Not Journey within the U.S. State Division’s journey advisory system. Because it pertains to cruising, just one cruise line calls in Haiti — Royal Caribbean Worldwide. And the cruise line has made strikes to make sure that its passengers are secure amidst the disaster.

Royal Caribbean suspends calls to Labadee, Haiti

Royal Caribbean has its personal personal vacation spot, Labadee, on the northern coast of Haiti about 130 miles away from Port-Au-Prince. On March 14, 2024, Royal Caribbean launched a press release saying it suspended calls to Labadee efficient instantly. “Because of the evolving scenario in Haiti, and in an abundance of warning, we’re quickly suspending our visits to Labadee for our total fleet. We proceed to watch and assess the scenario with our World Safety & Intelligence Staff.”

Royal Caribbean Worldwide President and CEO Michael Bayley posted the same assertion on his Fb web page. He states, “We’ve got suspended calls into Labadee, Haiti for the following 7 days and can proceed suspension on a rolling foundation with 3 days advance notification to our company crusing on itineraries impacted and adjusted as we monitor and consider the scenario in Haiti.”

Ships with scheduled visits to Labadee this month included Symphony, Grandeur, Odyssey, and Mariner of the Seas, amongst others. The cruise line changed this name in Labadee with both one other port (many within the Bahamas) or a sea day.

About Labadee

Labadee is a 260-acre personal vacation spot that was leased to and developed by Royal Caribbean within the late Nineteen Eighties. It underwent large renovations in 2009, which included upgraded port services that would accommodate the docking of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships within the Oasis class.

Regardless that it’s a peninsula on mainland Haiti, Labadee operates very like a cruise line personal island and even has its personal personal safety. Solely company and workers of Royal Caribbean are in a position to make use of the resort services there.

Many company use their day in Labadee as a seaside or watersports day. They’ll benefit from the heat waters and actions like jet-skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, and parasailing. Guests also can participate in fishing, speedboat, and catamaran excursions. Children can benefit from the floating water park full with trampolines, water slides, and pyramids.

For greater thrills, Labadee provides the Dragon’s Tail alpine coaster. There’s additionally the two,600-foot lengthy Dragon’s Breath zip line and Dragon’s Hearth zip line.

Lunch at Labadee is complimentary at three completely different spots all through the resort space. There are additionally a number of bars on the property.

Is it secure to go to ports within the Dominican Republic?

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola. This implies the Dominican Republic is the one nation that shares a border with Haiti. Thus, some vacationers have been questioning if the Dominican Republic is secure to go to given the dimensions of destruction and chaos that’s going down in Haiti.

The intense stage of present gang violence is sort of totally in Haiti’s capital of Port-Au-Prince. And there are not any cruise ports within the Dominican Republic which can be anyplace near Port-Au-Prince… and even near the border in any respect.

For reference, the closest to Port-Au-Prince are the Don Diego Terminal within the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo on the south, and Amber Cove Cruise Port within the Puerto Plata province within the north. Santo Domingo is a few six-hour drive from Port-Au-Prince. Amber Cove, although about the identical distance because the crow flies, is definitely a few 8.5 hour drive from Port-Au-Prince.

Additional, the border is at the moment closed between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which is partly divided by a river. There are heightened ranges of safety on the border as nicely.

The U.S. State Division’s journey advisory for the Dominican Republic is at the moment at Stage 2: Train Elevated Warning. This has been the case since June of final 12 months. Which means the State Division has not elevated its DR journey advisory as a result of present battle in Haiti.

All of that is to say that if you happen to’re taking a cruise quickly that has a name to the Dominican Republic, don’t be overly involved about whether or not your security is at stake as a result of what’s occurring over the border a whole bunch of miles away.

Deal with the go to as you’ll a go to to the DR every other time of the 12 months. Concentrate on your environment, don’t convey or put on costly jewellery or equipment ashore, and stick with the extra touristy areas as a lot as doable.

Feedback

What are your ideas on the latest information that Royal Caribbean suspends calls to Labadee, Haiti? Have you ever had issues about cruising to the Dominican Republic since this latest political disaster? Drop us an anchor beneath to share your ideas on these latest occasions.