NCL Pearl Crew member killed in Roatan?

If I understand everything correctly, similar responses (NCL and others) seemed to have had a positive impact in the Mexican Riviera and particularly, places like Mazatlán...although it took several years.

I remember a couple years ago they skipped ports on the Mexican Riviera cruises for the same reason. It forces the law enforcement folks to stop looking the other way. I am sure most of the merchants like a safe work environment too.

I did read on another roll call coming up that they called NCL and they had confirmed that they had cancelled Roatan for this coming week. However, they also said that they had not cancelled after that. So I guess there's no actual confirmation yet as to cancelling the port all together, or just for now.

 

The sad thing is, this kind of stuff happens all the time and not just when cruising. However, there have been plenty of reports with things going on (robberies and killings) of cruise passengers on various ships and in various ports. The cruise lines never pulled out of any of those ports. It has even happened on a cruise ship sponsored tour. It makes me wonder why the only reason for cancellation was due to an actual cruise employee of the ship being murdered instead of all of the other people that were passengers that had the same things happen. :cool: I'm pretty sure that the cruise lines are aware of how a lot of people do not feel safe or hate certain ports (for instance the gripes about Jamaica or Nassau) and still the cruise ships continue to take their passengers there.

 

While I realize this can happen in any country (including the US), it just strikes me as weird that they don't decide to call on a port when it's an employee that this happened to. I'm not debating whether or not they should and definitely not trying to start a debate on how it's safer there than the various US cities and so on. Just stating my observation that's all.

I don't think pulling out of Roatan has anything to do with the crime being committed on a crew member. This is an issue of the escalation of violent crime in Honduras. Things have progressively gotten worse there over the past couple years. This decision is by no means a knee jerk reaction to a single crime.

This is just terrible. I read that he had a baby back home, and I feel for that child having to grow up without her father.

Not to sound crass and skip over such a tragedy, but should we be concerned for our stop in Roatan on April 22nd? We currently have a private excursion booked with Victor Bodden, but now I'm wondering if we should stay on board the ship like we plan on doing for Belize City.

I am on the Dawn right now and we would have been docking right now but the captain announced that we will have a sea day instead. I wish we could have gone to Belize for two days since the seas in the last couple days have been ROUGH. This boat has been rocking and rolling since Tampa. Weather is nice though.

First, to the 'animal' poster..I too felt you were referring to anyone who'd kill a person for a phone and not the general population.

A couple of months ago I read that a family from a Carnival ship was robbed at gun point. And who knows what else goes on that we don't hear about. Perhaps NCL feels that the authorities there are not stepping up and doing their best to prevent crime and thinks this will be a wake-up-call. And I bet it is! Nothing moves mountains like a hit to the pocketbook! Good move NCL.

This is just terrible. I read that he had a baby back home, and I feel for that child having to grow up without her father.

 

 

 

Not to sound crass and skip over such a tragedy, but should we be concerned for our stop in Roatan on April 22nd? We currently have a private excursion booked with Victor Bodden, but now I'm wondering if we should stay on board the ship like we plan on doing for Belize City.

I don't think you will be stopping at Roatan. Sheehan is pretty firm when he takes a stand.

As for Belize, I think you will miss some very nice attractions at that port if you stay on the ship. Altun Ha ruins are outside the city and are impressive.

The biggest problem in Belize is within the city itself, and if you book a tour with one of the locals, they will normally go outside the city with their tours.

The port area is very secure and is walled and gated. It has several shopa and restaurants within the geted area. A small flea market is usually set up just outside the gates and you will see many security officers there.

The tender ride from the ship to the port is a thrill. The tenders run very fast and it is a pretty long ride.

This is just terrible. I read that he had a baby back home, and I feel for that child having to grow up without her father.

 

 

 

Not to sound crass and skip over such a tragedy, but should we be concerned for our stop in Roatan on April 22nd? We currently have a private excursion booked with Victor Bodden, but now I'm wondering if we should stay on board the ship like we plan on doing for Belize City.

I would be very surprised if you were not safe with Bodden.

The victim was targeted due to using a tablet as a phone on the open street. For some reason phones, tablets and small hand helds are high value items.

Not so long ago friend of my was attacked in Africa for her Ipod.

I don't think you will be stopping at Roatan. Sheehan is pretty firm when he takes a stand.

 

As for Belize, I think you will miss some very nice attractions at that port if you stay on the ship. Altun Ha ruins are outside the city and are impressive.

 

The biggest problem in Belize is within the city itself, and if you book a tour with one of the locals, they will normally go outside the city with their tours.

 

The port area is very secure and is walled and gated. It has several shopa and restaurants within the geted area. A small flea market is usually set up just outside the gates and you will see many security officers there.

 

The tender ride from the ship to the port is a thrill. The tenders run very fast and it is a pretty long ride.

The only reason we were skipping Belize was because we have excursions booked in the other 3 ports and wanted a breather.

Presently on the Jewel. Got a letter from the Captain last night that our stop in Roatan is cancelled on Thursday replaced with a sea day instead.

Presently on the Jewel. Got a letter from the Captain last night that our stop in Roatan is cancelled on Thursday replaced with a sea day instead.

Wonder if future port stops to Roatan will be cancelled as well?

LuLu

Wonder if future port stops to Roatan will be cancelled as well?

LuLu

I also am very concerned about how long NCL will not be visiting the island. And if other cruise companies are going to follow.

The hard working honest Islanders are going to be greatly effected by the loss of revenue.

This in no way takes away from the tragedy of the crew member's murder. It is a horrible thing indeed.

I also am very concerned about how long NCL will not be visiting the island. And if other cruise companies are going to follow.

 

The hard working honest Islanders are going to be greatly effected by the loss of revenue.

 

 

This in no way takes away from the tragedy of the crew member's murder. It is a horrible thing indeed.

One of our cruisers on the Dawn May 22 stop called NCL last night and was told the only official skip was this week. They have yet to determine future visits to the port. My guess is we will have to wait until at least the end of this week to see NCLs next move. On the one hand NCL doesn't want to eliminate ports stops OTOH they make about 50k for every hour you are on the ship and not at port.

One of our cruisers on the Dawn May 22 stop called NCL last night and was told the only official skip was this week. They have yet to determine future visits to the port. My guess is we will have to wait until at least the end of this week to see NCLs next move. On the one hand NCL doesn't want to eliminate ports stops OTOH they make about 50k for every hour you are on the ship and not at port.

Thank you so much for the info! Indeed time will tell. :)

OTOH they make about 50k for every hour you are on the ship and not at port.

Just curious at how this amount is derived? An 8 hour port stop would mean if staying on the ship they would be making $400 off of me. Just do not see this for myself or the average passenger.

Rochelle

Just curious at how this amount is derived? An 8 hour port stop would mean if staying on the ship they would be making $400 off of me. Just do not see this for myself or the average passenger.

 

Rochelle

The you is the passenger you. This number was given to me by an owner of a port excursion based on beverage sales, casino revenues, photos, specialty dining etc. The number may be a little high but probably close. 50K/2000 passengers=$25 an hour or $200 for a day.

I read a little about this horrible occurance on another sight and garnered the following...and I'm hoping it is correct since I'm passing it along!

He was 27, worked as a cook and had only been on the Pearl a few months. As stated here, he was married with a small child...perhaps trying to commucate with home when these nuts (one report said there were 2) attacked him. On this particular blog, another NCL crew member who was in the area said no police were anywhere near when it happened, allowing these 2 murderers to run away on foot...leaving their bike. They (some bloggers were actually on the island) also said the culprits were in custody. I hope this fact at least is correct!

This should and will open some eyes in Roatan. They pointed out that Carnival was kind of an entity unto itself. They have a private beach and shopping area and so it's mostly tours that leave the "guarded" port area built by Carnival. RCCL seems to be the only other cruiseline that sails into Roatan, and I don't have a clue as to how many or how often. NCL may be a very big block of tourism for the island. Perhaps the threat of NCL leaving will bring about some changes for the best!!

Just to add a bit of perspective from a resident of Roatan...

First, the American government is chasing the drug cartels out of Mexico and that is why they are coming into Honduras and creating gang wars for control. This is an international problem that is not being handled well.

Second, Roatan IS a really safe place to live and visit. Like any place that permits gun ownership, incidents are bound to occur occasionally, and they are mostly drug related.

Third, pulling cruise ships from the Coxen Hole dock completely for six months of the past two summers has largely caused the dire economy which causes impoverished people to steal for survival.

Fourth, if the cruise lines who make huge sums of money from the attractive beauty of Roatan would contribute some of that wealth to effect the economic stability of the actual island and not their own cruise port shops, their would be less occasion for petty theft. It is important to see both sides of an issue and I don't feel Norwegian has been involved enough (or at all) in helping remedy the problems endemic to all the Central American countries it feeds itself from. Only by working together rather than threatening can we all prosper together...let's find a better way to ensure the safety not only of the cruise ship passengers, but the impoverished of the places they visit too.

Just to add a bit of perspective from a resident of Roatan...

First, the American government is chasing the drug cartels out of Mexico and that is why they are coming into Honduras and creating gang wars for control. This is an international problem that is not being handled well.

Second, Roatan IS a really safe place to live and visit. Like any place that permits gun ownership, incidents are bound to occur occasionally, and they are mostly drug related.

Third, pulling cruise ships from the Coxen Hole dock completely for six months of the past two summers has largely caused the dire economy which causes impoverished people to steal for survival.

Fourth, if the cruise lines who make huge sums of money from the attractive beauty of Roatan would contribute some of that wealth to effect the economic stability of the actual island and not their own cruise port shops, their would be less occasion for petty theft. It is important to see both sides of an issue and I don't feel Norwegian has been involved enough (or at all) in helping remedy the problems endemic to all the Central American countries it feeds itself from. Only by working together rather than threatening can we all prosper together...let's find a better way to ensure the safety not only of the cruise ship passengers, but the impoverished of the places they visit too.

It's not the cruise line's responsiblity to solve a country's economic and social problems.... If the country can not provide a safe place for tourists to visit, they simply lose tourism business...

Just to add a bit of perspective from a resident of Roatan...

First, the American government is chasing the drug cartels out of Mexico and that is why they are coming into Honduras and creating gang wars for control. This is an international problem that is not being handled well.

Second, Roatan IS a really safe place to live and visit. Like any place that permits gun ownership, incidents are bound to occur occasionally, and they are mostly drug related.

Third, pulling cruise ships from the Coxen Hole dock completely for six months of the past two summers has largely caused the dire economy which causes impoverished people to steal for survival.

Fourth, if the cruise lines who make huge sums of money from the attractive beauty of Roatan would contribute some of that wealth to effect the economic stability of the actual island and not their own cruise port shops, their would be less occasion for petty theft. It is important to see both sides of an issue and I don't feel Norwegian has been involved enough (or at all) in helping remedy the problems endemic to all the Central American countries it feeds itself from. Only by working together rather than threatening can we all prosper together...let's find a better way to ensure the safety not only of the cruise ship passengers, but the impoverished of the places they visit too.

You can't be serious. If you are, you have some nerve blaming us americans for chasing drug cartels out of Mexico for your troubles. I am sure the impoverished have been that way far before this incident. WE BRING YOU MONEY EVERY WEEK WITH THE CRUISELINES! We do that because it is a safe environment, but not anymore. Maybe the HONDURAN GOVERNMENT could deal with its own poverty problems. Now you will see what it's like to not have that money for awhile. Sorry, I can't muster up one bit of sympathy for Roatan today.

Just to add a bit of perspective from a resident of Roatan...

First, the American government is chasing the drug cartels out of Mexico and that is why they are coming into Honduras and creating gang wars for control. This is an international problem that is not being handled well.

Second, Roatan IS a really safe place to live and visit. Like any place that permits gun ownership, incidents are bound to occur occasionally, and they are mostly drug related.

Third, pulling cruise ships from the Coxen Hole dock completely for six months of the past two summers has largely caused the dire economy which causes impoverished people to steal for survival.

Fourth, if the cruise lines who make huge sums of money from the attractive beauty of Roatan would contribute some of that wealth to effect the economic stability of the actual island and not their own cruise port shops, their would be less occasion for petty theft. It is important to see both sides of an issue and I don't feel Norwegian has been involved enough (or at all) in helping remedy the problems endemic to all the Central American countries it feeds itself from. Only by working together rather than threatening can we all prosper together...let's find a better way to ensure the safety not only of the cruise ship passengers, but the impoverished of the places they visit too.

So true

Sorry, I can't muster up one bit of sympathy for Roatan today.

The local islanders of Roatan are not it's government. They are kind and caring and hard working.

Visitors need to take far more responsibility for themselves instead of pointing fingers.

I am a solo female traveler.. I have been visiting the island for up to three months at a time annually for almost 14 years. I have traveled solo to Turkey, Syria, South East Asia, Virgin Island and Portugal. I have never had so much as a whisper of trouble.. sure a few adventures but never thought my person was in danger.

I dress way down, I don't wear any kind of bling and I don't expose my electronics to the public.

Just to add a bit of perspective from a resident of Roatan...

First, the American government is chasing the drug cartels out of Mexico and that is why they are coming into Honduras and creating gang wars for control...........

Only by working together rather than threatening can we all prosper together...let's find a better way to ensure the safety not only of the cruise ship passengers, but the impoverished of the places they visit too.

Unfortunately, NCL, nor any other cruise line, can afford to knowingly put their passengers and crew in danger. There are times when they, the CEO's of the major cruise lines have to make swift and decisive moves in order to protect those who might be at risk. No one wants to stop going to a specific port at the whim of someone who is bored with what is offered there, I for would hate to recommend someone visit a port only to have them suffer dire consequences.

If villains are allowed to rule the government or, if the powers that be, can not control outlaws then how is that the fault of the cruise lines who bring much needed revenue?

Perhaps the government needs to take some of the money the cruise lines already bring and increase the police presence in public areas where

tourists are.

We are currently on the Jewel, in Cozumel berthed next to the Pearl. Last night we had a letter in our cabin explaining that NCL had cancelled Rotan due to the murder of a crew member. The overwhelming response that I have witnessed from passengers has been supportive of this decision. Although Rotàn is our favorite port for snorkeling, we don't fault NCL for their decision. This is a sad tragedy and our support for all the NCL crew members is critical at this time.

Now back to our regularly scheduled margaritas.

Bob and Melissa

You can't be serious. If you are, you have some nerve blaming us americans for chasing drug cartels out of Mexico for your troubles. I am sure the impoverished have been that way far before this incident. WE BRING YOU MONEY EVERY WEEK WITH THE CRUISELINES! We do that because it is a safe environment, but not anymore. Maybe the HONDURAN GOVERNMENT could deal with its own poverty problems. Now you will see what it's like to not have that money for awhile. Sorry, I can't muster up one bit of sympathy for Roatan today.

...just stating a fact my friend...are you saying I shouldn't have flown into New York or Houston last week because someone was killed in those cities? Yes, NCL has to respond and I respect that...and feel VERY sad for the victim and his family, but only two incidents on an impoverished island over the years deserves SOME sympathy for an island of very kind and giving people, who have their share of troubled youth, just like wherever you are from....try not to be so quick to condemn a whole island because of one act of tragedy. If we lived by your logic...you would not be living anywhere in the world, because something bad happened there before you came...