How Will Labadee Hold Up?

[Ex-Airbalancer]

13 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Does the insurance even cover such a situation.  I know that most of the insurance I have seen has exclusions for insurrection, terrorism, etc.  At what point does the insurance company say it was negligence due to the level 4 State department travel warning and not cover claims?

I cannot see the insurance company covering anything in a know hot spot 
If the cruise company can’t insure the ships in an area they wouldn’t be going 

[hcat]

7 minutes ago, prmssk said:

Interestingly RC has started cancelling a lot of excursions for the next couple weeks in Labadee (jet skis, kayaks, snorkeling, boat rides, etc.) yet hasn’t cancelled any stops. The Adventure of the Seas is there now. 

maybe the workers are staying home!

[hcat]

 from online article:

Ariel Henry became Haiti’s acting leader in July 2021 when Colombian mercenaries assassinated the country’s president, Jovenel Moise.

Henry’s government was widely viewed as corrupt and also illegitimate because it repeatedly failed to hold elections.

 

Haiti has not had an election since 2016. Under the 74-year-old’s rule, gangs seized control of much of the country and regularly terrorised civilians, cutting off food and fuel supplies and blocking roads. Armed criminals now control 80% of the capital, Port Au Prince. Nearly half the population – or 4.35 million Haitians – regularly go hungry. ( The Guardian)

 

As usual the Haitian people suffer no matter who runs things!

[NMTraveller]

45 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

I cannot see the insurance company covering anything in a know hot spot 
If the cruise company can’t insure the ships in an area they wouldn’t be going 

Perhaps they are self insured ...

 

This kind of reminds me of the time I was on a Royal cruise.  The week before the captain had taken the ship out into a storm with 30 footers and burned out one of the azipods ...  Our cruise still went on the week after,  but the crew was a little spooked.

Edited March 12 by NMTraveller

[hcat]

Off topic story:

 

Some years ago we cruised on Royal C. to the .Mex Riviera  .One stop was Acapulco where there had been ongoing gang wars.

 

A few days before we stopped there, a tourist was shot and killed in the crossfire in the port area..  Our Captain sent a long letter about port safety etc,  but left the choice of getting off to indiv cruisers.

 

We went ahead with our Royal C excursion to a beach resort.

(beautiful property  with water views, sumptuos lunch ,  very upscale,  great  service)   Felt like the rich and famoymys for the day!

 

BUT,   our tour was escorted by a Security Van ( the "gun car"),  and we passed through double  armed security check points to get there.  The beach itself was off limits... rough water..and had soldiers along the perimeter with guns and bullet belts.

 

We felt secure there, and coming and  going but grabbed a few gifts at Port and hurried back to our ship..

 

At this point in our lives we are not looking for adventure tourism..just a nice cruise!

 

Prayers for Haiti!

[Salt Lifer]

2 hours ago, hcat said:

Off topic story:

 

Some years ago we cruised on Royal C. to the .Mex Riviera  .One stop was Acapulco where there had been ongoing gang wars.

 

A few days before we stopped there, a tourist was shot and killed in the crossfire in the port area..  Our Captain sent a long letter about port safety etc,  but left the choice of getting off to indiv cruisers.

 

We went ahead with our Royal C excursion to a beach resort.

(beautiful property  with water views, sumptuos lunch ,  very upscale,  great  service)   Felt like the rich and famoymys for the day!

 

BUT,   our tour was escorted by a Security Van ( the "gun car"),  and we passed through double  armed security check points to get there.  The beach itself was off limits... rough water..and had soldiers along the perimeter with guns and bullet belts.

 

We felt secure there, and coming and  going but grabbed a few gifts at Port and hurried back to our ship..

 

At this point in our lives we are not looking for adventure tourism..just a nice cruise!

 

Prayers for Haiti!

Hcat, I had a similar type of experience about 15 years ago in Mexico.  I was awarded through work a vacation to a beautiful all inclusive gated resort in the Riviera Maya. 5* all the way and certainly more than I could afford to spend on my own.  It all felt very safe in the resort.  One night we walked down to the beach and encountered armed guards with machine guns patrolling the beach. Another day we took an excursion and our bus had to pass through multiple double armed security gates manned by guys with big guns along the public roads.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have never seen, but I have no desire to go back.  I enjoy adventure, but there is a limit to how much risk I will allow.

 

My heart breaks for the people of Haiti.  I often think as Americans we forget how easy our lives are.

[phoenix_dream]

11 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Does the insurance even cover such a situation.  I know that most of the insurance I have seen has exclusions for insurrection, terrorism, etc.  At what point does the insurance company say it was negligence due to the level 4 State department travel warning and not cover claims?

Exactly.  People need to read the fine print.  Most policies exclude the things you mention,  especially if the area is already declared unsafe by the US government,  in the case of US insurance plans.  I worked 30+ years in that industry,  albeit not in the travel insurance side. But I know enough to read the fine print on all my policies. 

[PTC DAWG]

5 hours ago, Salt Lifer said:

Hcat, I had a similar type of experience about 15 years ago in Mexico.  I was awarded through work a vacation to a beautiful all inclusive gated resort in the Riviera Maya. 5* all the way and certainly more than I could afford to spend on my own.  It all felt very safe in the resort.  One night we walked down to the beach and encountered armed guards with machine guns patrolling the beach. Another day we took an excursion and our bus had to pass through multiple double armed security gates manned by guys with big guns along the public roads.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have never seen, but I have no desire to go back.  I enjoy adventure, but there is a limit to how much risk I will allow.

 

My heart breaks for the people of Haiti.  I often think as Americans we forget how easy our lives are.

I’ve never had any issues near Cancun, and especially Cozumel

 

[Davechipp74]

Haitian gang leader Barbecue speaks, and issues a warning to the world: "Today, we are taking the occasion to tell the international community to give Haiti a chance. Because what is happening in Haiti now, we Haitians have to decide who is going to lead the country and what model of government we want. We are going to figure out how to get Haiti out of the misery it is in now." "Today it's clear that the people who live in the shanty towns are the ones who know what they are going through. It is the Haitian people who are going to take their destiny into their own hands. Haitian people will pick the person to govern them."

[Charles4515]

 

5 hours ago, Salt Lifer said:

Hcat, I had a similar type of experience about 15 years ago in Mexico.  I was awarded through work a vacation to a beautiful all inclusive gated resort in the Riviera Maya. 5* all the way and certainly more than I could afford to spend on my own.  It all felt very safe in the resort.  One night we walked down to the beach and encountered armed guards with machine guns patrolling the beach. Another day we took an excursion and our bus had to pass through multiple double armed security gates manned by guys with big guns along the public roads.  It was one of the most beautiful places I have never seen, but I have no desire to go back.  I enjoy adventure, but there is a limit to how much risk I will allow.

Been on the Riviera Maya a few times and never saw armed guards patrolling the beach. Went to Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba and didn’t encounter armed security gates. Took the shuttle from the resort to Playa Del Carmen and never saw armed guards. The resorts I stayed were fenced in and gated but I didn’t see any automatic weapons.

Edited March 13 by Charles4515

[Charles4515]

17 minutes ago, Davechipp74 said:

Haitian gang leader Barbecue speaks, and issues a warning to the world: "Today, we are taking the occasion to tell the international community to give Haiti a chance. Because what is happening in Haiti now, we Haitians have to decide who is going to lead the country and what model of government we want. We are going to figure out how to get Haiti out of the misery it is in now." "Today it's clear that the people who live in the shanty towns are the ones who know what they are going through. It is the Haitian people who are going to take their destiny into their own hands. Haitian people will pick the person to govern them."

I mentioned in some of the closed threads that Barbecue was not a gang leader in the way we might be visualizing. His intention seems to be to seize state power. His forces are still thugs but they have a political goal. To accomplish what he says would need support of from the Haitian people. I really have not seen evidence they have such support. 

[Salt Lifer]

1 hour ago, Charles4515 said:

 

Been on the Riviera Maya a few times and never saw armed guards patrolling the beach. Went to Tulum, Chichen Itza and Coba and didn’t encounter armed security gates. Took the shuttle from the resort to Playa Del Carmen and never saw armed guards. The resorts I stayed were fenced in and gated but I didn’t see any automatic weapons.

So are you implying I am lying? Because I can 100% assure you what I and others within our group experienced is the truth.

 

Regarding the armed guards at the beach at the resort at night, you need to understand that the clientele at this resort was high end (as I said, this was a earned trip and not one I could ever afford) and I suspect the security was in place by the resort itself.  But they 100% patrolled the shoreline in 4 wheelers with machine guns strapped to their backs.  The person that was with me was freaked out enough they wanted to go back to the room  - I told them at that particular moment we were probably in the safest area of the resort!  

[NMTraveller]

10 minutes ago, Salt Lifer said:

So are you implying I am lying? Because I can 100% assure you what I and others within our group experienced is the truth.

 

Regarding the armed guards at the beach at the resort at night, you need to understand that the clientele at this resort was high end (as I said, this was a earned trip and not one I could ever afford) and I suspect the security was in place by the resort itself.  But they 100% patrolled the shoreline in 4 wheelers with machine guns strapped to their backs.  The person that was with me was freaked out enough they wanted to go back to the room  - I told them at that particular moment we were probably in the safest area of the resort!  

Mexico has had violence down there.  The drug cartels go where they go.  There is more violence on the west coast of Mexico though.

 

My view of the Mexican army/police was in Puerto Vallarta.  They told us,  "We know where the banditos are".

Edited March 13 by NMTraveller

[sfaaa]

Mexico takes security issue seriously in order to protect its tourism industry. That's why the Mexican navy, national guard and police always put on a show of force when a cruise ship is in town.

[NMTraveller]

6 minutes ago, sfaaa said:

Mexico takes security issue seriously in order to protect its tourism industry. That's why the Mexican navy, national guard and police always put on a show of force when a cruise ship is in town.

If they took it seriously there would not be the cartels...

 

Certain regions in Mexico are on the State Department list.

 

For example:

Do not travel to

• Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping

Edited March 13 by NMTraveller

[sfaaa]

Unless cartels want to engage in a heavy fire fight with Mex national guard rolling around in gun trucks mounting M2 Browning and M249, it would be wise for them to stay away on the day a cruise ship is in port. Cartels can have the run of the town again after the cruise ship leaves and Mex NG returns to their barrack..

[Liao]

The port cities and high tourist areas/resorts put on a we’ll make you feel safe show for us gringos.  It works!

[phoenix_dream]

Maybe those who wonder why they might want cruise passengers should read this. Think of all the ransom money.  I'm sure they have considered it.  A few hours driving and overwhelming a handful of security staff is a small detriment. 

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/6-nuns-kidnapped-bus-haiti-catholic-organization-says-rcna134837

[doghog]

As of today.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2997374-a-day-at-labadee-haiti-march-13-2024/?do=getNewComment

 

[sfaaa]

On 3/12/2024 at 1:19 AM, sfaaa said:

"the transitional presidential council will operate by majority vote and be made up of seven voting members and two nonvoting members. The latter group will include one member of civil society and another of the interfaith community. It will exclude anyone under indictment or U.N. sanctions, or anyone who has been convicted of a crime."

 

No deal. This unrealistic proposal has now been rejected by various factions in Haiti besides BBQ.

[prmssk]

People with stops in Labadee over the next few days are starting to get notified of a port substitution.  

[Liao]

8 minutes ago, prmssk said:

People with stops in Labadee over the next few days are starting to get notified of a port substitution.  

Not surprising but I did hear that so far RCL is only cancelling excursions.

[WrittenOnYourHeart]

4 minutes ago, Liao said:

Not surprising but I did hear that so far RCL is only cancelling excursions.

 

Multiple threads on the RCCL boards. They are subbing Perfect Day for all Labadee stops for the next bit of time.

[Liao]

2 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

 

Multiple threads on the RCCL boards. They are subbing Perfect Day for all Labadee stops for the next bit of time.

UGH...I'd rather Labadee

[gerelmx]

There reports that Oasis is going to Grand Turk instead of Labadee