Is the Caribbean becoming more dangerous?

[stevenr597]

We are scheduled to cruise on Sun Princess, West Caribbean in several months and we had read about increasing crime on many of the islands and countries widely visited by tourists 

Tips for Travelers on You Tube has an excellent piece on the rising crime in many of these areas.

Of course Haiti, including Laberdee is now Level 4, meaning "don't go."

But in addition the State Department has listed Jamaica and Honduras as Level 3, meaning heightened risk.

In addition, note was made of increasing crime in Cozumel, once a safe port.  The Mexican Government has now called in the Federal Police to try to bring down the crime rate.

Other islands which are Level 2 include Nassau as well as the country of Belize

Thinking about it, my wife and I will stay close to the ship and we want to travel into the countryside, will book a tour through Princess. 

 

[kywildcatfanone]

We were in Cozumel two days ago, Belize yesterday and Roatan today.  Port areas seem very safe to me.  I would only venture out on a ship excursions or reputable excursion company.

[skynight]

Princess does not sail to Labedee. You always had to be cautious in Nassau, but your ship is not going there. Same for Belize, it's not on your itinerary.

Roatan Island is a beach stop basically. There are some places on the island some cruise ship passengers go.

Cozumel???

 

[Wishing on a star]

We just got back from Turks and Caicos. (Provo, not Grand Turk)

There has been a lot of crime there, as in many places.  But, it is not focused on tourists.  It is usually a more domestic/internal problem.

We stayed close to our resort in a developed and safer area...  Did walk back to our resort before the last faint glow of sunset turned into darkness.   We felt safe enough!  

Common sense and precautions!

NOTE:  with the situation on the Island, in general, not just crime - we are not planning to return.

 

I think the advice to stay in more developed and controlled (safer, not out of the way areas) is the way to go.    We used to venture out a bit further....  But, now we don't.

We would stick with Princess excursions, or a known reputable tour/excursion outfit.

You shouldn't need to worry!

 

[stevenr597]

40 minutes ago, skynight said:

Princess does not sail to Labedee. You always had to be cautious in Nassau, but your ship is not going there. Same for Belize, it's not on your itinerary.

Roatan Island is a beach stop basically. There are some places on the island some cruise ship passengers go.

Cozumel???

 

My quote including a story from Trips for Travelers on You Tube, which talked, in general, of an increase in crime and warnings from the State Department in respect to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean. 

[Senga]

Hasn't YOUR state experienced increased crime?  Unfortunately, it's a world wide problem, not likely to improve in the near future.

[stevenr597]

13 minutes ago, Senga said:

Hasn't YOUR state experienced increased crime?  Unfortunately, it's a world wide problem, not likely to improve in the near future.

When one says that a "State has an increase in crime" it is generally not homogeneous but rather in specific locations.  One would, in most cases, try to avoid those locations.  

Same holds true in respect to travelling to the Caribbean. 

[IndyKid]

Truth be told, if the US State Department's safety criteria for cruise ports was applied domestically, Galveston, New Orleans and Miami would be Level 3 or 4....

[Redwing55]

I do wonder about those ratings.  We visited Trinidad this last February and US had a level 3 advisory.  We never felt threatened.  True, we were only there during the day and were with a tour group, but one never got a threatening vibe.  I recall a visit to Jamaica felt a bit uncomfortable with the aggressive merchants and drug peddlers.  Trinidad may have had those issues, but we didn't come across it.  And we had no issues at the other 8 ports we visited.

 

So, not really sure how these warnings are set.  Like others have mentioned, be prudent, and one should be fine.  

Edited May 12 by Redwing55