A Sudden Shift in Cruise Plans
For others, the thrill of setting out for a Caribbean cruise is with the hope of traveling to tropical havens such as Belize and Labadee. However, new alterations to travel arrangements have left countless travelers on Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas upset.
The U.S. State Department presently has Haiti under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for widespread gang activity and civil disturbance, which caused stops at Labadee, a private Haitian port run by Royal Caribbean, to be suspended. What’s the impact? Belize City and Labadee, the private Haitian resort that a lot of Caribbean itineraries feature, are being skipped for now.
Why Belize and Labadee Are Affected
The U.S. travel advisory raised concerns of increased crime, especially in Belize City. Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, have preemptively canceled scheduled calls in Belize City as a precautionary measure. For some, this switch also impacts the Labadee stop, since that’s part of the same itinerary.
In response to the situation, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily suspended our future visits to Labadee. We have already spoken with guests directly.”
Labadee, though a private resort, has been added to most cruises as a relaxing port, featuring beautiful beaches and water sports. The rerouting of ships, though, has had passengers missing out on these favorite stops.
Impact on Tourists and Local Businesses
For tourists, the itinerary change has been frustrating, particularly for those anticipating visiting the rich culture and natural beauty of Belize or spending a day at Labadee’s beaches. Most are having to find other activities to occupy the time, though it is not as originally planned.
Local businesses in Belize, which rely on cruise passenger traffic, are particularly feeling the loss. From tour guides to small vendors, many have seen a drop in bookings as cruise ships bypass the port. Similarly, Haiti’s Labadee, which depends on cruise visits for tourism income, is also feeling the effects of canceled stops.
What’s Next for Belize and Labadee?
As Voyager of the Seas reroutes, it still remains uncertain when Belize and Labadee will show up on its route again. Belize wants to improve its security measures, while Haiti still promotes Labadee as a safe, private destination for future cruises.
For now, cruise passengers will have to explore different destinations, but both Belize and Labadee are expected to make a comeback once safety concerns are addressed.
