This is not a very safe world. This becomes apparent when you go to the U.S. Department of State website and see how many countries are under some form of travel warning.
However, not all warnings are created equal. The two lightest travel advisories issued by the State Department are Level 1: Normal Caution and Level 2: Enhanced Caution, which is the equivalent of the government telling you to be careful.
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For Level 1 and Level 2 travel warnings, it usually makes sense to read the specific warning issued by the department. Sometimes it includes advice on areas not to visit or how to be cautious in the area.
Cruise lines often ignore Level 1 and Level 2 warnings because so much of the world is under them. In some cases, the captain may advise on where not to go or what not to do in certain ports, but these warnings are often rarely heeded.
“Level 3: Reconsider Travel” and “Level 4: Do Not Travel” are much more serious, but even when these rules are issued, cruise lines don’t always follow them. Typically, this is for special circumstances where the cruise ship port is far from the area where the warning is issued.
That’s why Royal Caribbean is still visiting its private destination in Labatee, Haiti, despite a Level 4 warning across the country; and why Royal and Carnival are still stopping in Roatan, Honduras, even though it’s under a Level 3 warning.
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Image source&col;Royal Caribbean
Mexican port under ‘do not travel’ warning
Royal Caribbean Cruises has stopped flying to Manzanillo, a region in the Mexican state of Colima that is subject to a U.S. State Department Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory.
The cruise line still lists the port on its website, describing it as follows:
“Manzanillo may not be the first place you want to visit on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, but its golden beaches, bustling fishing ports and verdant rainforests will create memories that will last a lifetime.
“Flash on Miramar Beach as seagulls dive into the waves in front of you to catch your lunch, or learn from a local expert how to fish for striped marlin, sailfish or tuna in the depths of the Pacific.”
Carnival-owned Princess Cruises still has ships scheduled to call at Manzanillo in January and February.
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The U.S. State Department warned against traveling to the area “due to crime and kidnappings.”
“Violent crime and gang activity are widespread,” the agency released. “Most homicides are targeted assassinations targeting members of criminal organizations. Shootings between criminal groups result in the injury or death of bystanders. U.S. citizens and permanent residents became victims of kidnapping.”
However, the warning does provide some exceptions for actual cruise ship port areas.
“Travel by U.S. government employees is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo,” it added. “U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to other areas of Colima state.
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Port of Chiapas under warning level 3
Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises usually visit the port of Chiapas, but currently only Princess Cruises plans to stop there.
All Princess cruises docked at the port are under the “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory and are longer cruise ships, and cruise lines have not yet canceled port calls.
“The Port of Chiapas is the southernmost port on Mexico’s Pacific coast and is named after the state in which it is located,” the Holland America Line website describes. “It is relatively new, built in 1975, and is the main hub for the region’s agricultural products, including coffee, to be shipped abroad.
“For travelers arriving by cruise ship, the town of Puerto Chiapas is a starting point for exploring the surrounding area, including Tapachula, Chiapas’ second largest city.”
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The U.S. State Department urges Americans to reconsider travel to Chiapas, including the port of Chiapas. “Reconsider travel for crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur across the state,” the federal agency said.
When you visit any cruise port, it is important to know if the port is under a U.S. Department of State travel warning and to read the warning carefully.
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