ROYAL Caribbean bosses are to remove a popular tourist destination from the company’s travel itineraries.
Officials said the decision was made out of caution.
Royal Caribbean bosses have paused trips to a popular coastal destination[/caption]
Royal Caribbean bosses are continuing to pause visits to Labadee – a plush, private resort located off Haiti’s northern coastline.
Trips to Labadee have been paused at intervals over the last year.
Last summer, bosses at the cruise company paused trips to Labadee until September 2024.
In April, chiefs announced visits to the Haitian island would be halted.
And, now this pause has been extended to October, according to USA Today.
The move was made out of “an abundance of caution,” a spokesperson told the outlet.
“We have communicated with guests directly on this change.”
Americans are urged not to travel to Haiti.
The State Department has issued a Level 4 travel advisory.
Level 4 travel advisories are issued because of the life-threatening risks posed to travelers.
Syria, Iraq, Russia, Venezuela, Lebanon, and Somalia are other countries under a Level 4 warning.
Officials have warned how Americans who visit Haiti may be at risk of kidnapping.
Kidnappers on the island are known to target and attack convoys.
Travelers have been warned not to cross the land border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
THE State Department uses a four level system to issue travel advisories.
Here is what each level means.
- Level 1 – Exercise normal precautions – This is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international travel, and conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States.
- Level 2 – Exercise increased caution – Be aware of increased risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.
- Level 3 – Reconsider travel – Reconsider your travel to the destination due to serious risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory.
- Level 4 – Do not travel – This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.
Source: US Department of State
And, the families of kidnapping victims have been forced to pay up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to ensure people have been released.
Americans have been told not to travel to the island due to the threats of crime, terrorist activity, unrest, and limited health care resources.
Officials have also warned about the risks of gang violence outside the main airport in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024.
Americans considering traveling to Haiti are encouraged to set up a point of contact before leaving for the island.
And, they should create a will before leaving the US.
Travelers should also leave DNA samples with their medical provider just in case they are needed by family members, according to the State Department.
Drivers should always keep their cars locked, be alert, and never travel alone.
Trips to the private resort of Labadee, Haiti, have been suspended until the fall[/caption]
