Cruise operator Royal Caribbean is suspending sailings to Haiti for at least a week, the company’s CEO has announced, amid an armed rebellion in the Caribbean republic.
No more port calls to Labadee
Royal Caribbean port calls into Labadee, on Haiti’s idyllic north coast are off for the next seven days, CEO Michael Bayley wrote in a Facebook post, on Thursday 14 March. He said the suspension would be reviewed “on a rolling basis with 3 days advance notification to our guests sailing on itineraries impacted and changed as we monitor and evaluate the situation in Haiti.”
Insurgency, violent crime and kidnapping
The move comes after a socio-economic crisis and an armed uprising led by notorious gang leader “Barbecue”. The rebellion involved prison breaks and there has been a surge in crime. This situation and the subsequent resignation of the sitting Prime Minister have prompted governments around the world to issue “Do Not Travel” warnings for Haiti. Among the dangers highlighted are the risk of being caught up in the gang insurgency, or being the victim of violent crime or kidnapping.
A marine anti-terrorism squad has been sent to protect the American embassy in Port-au-Prince and the U.S. has warned any citizens already in Haiti to “shelter in place” and take the first opportunity to get out “by commercial or other privately available transportation options”.
However, getting out is not easy, with flights suspended due to airport closures.
“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority,” a Royal Caribbean representative told FOX Business, adding, “Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we are temporarily making adjustments to sailings visiting Labadee.”
Anthony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State has called for “functioning democracy as well as humanitarian and developmental assistance” in Haiti as the only way to end the country’s suffering.
Other troubled itineraries
Cruise companies are also being forced to take avoiding action elsewhere. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas War in October, the Red Sea has been the site of heightened tensions amid hijackings and drone attacks on shipping by Houthis who say they are acting in support of Gaza.
Royal Caribbean is one of those operators who had already made adjustments to its Red Sea itineraries, including its viral “ultimate world cruise” being rerouted to a choice of African destinations.
