Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival and MSC Cruises all regularly call at Roatan, Honduras, despite the U.S. State Department issuing a Level 3: Reconsider travel advisory for the country.
In fact, there are multiple cruise ships visiting Roatan most days, and the cruise lines have done nothing to restrict excursions out of the closed port area. Despite travel warnings, passengers can still leave the closed section on foot or take local transportation, making the dangers in Honduras very clear.
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“Violent crimes such as homicides, armed robberies, and kidnappings remain common. Violent gang activity such as extortion, violent street crime, rape, and drug and human trafficking are widespread. Local authorities may lack sufficient resources to effectively respond to serious crime incidents,” the State Department wrote in the advisory.
This advice does provide some comfort to visitors to Roatan.
“Resources are concentrated around resort areas in the Gulf Islands, including Roatan, Utila and Guanaja, and security is better in these areas,” the report added.
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Rodan Travel Agency fights back
However, the State Department did warn that in some areas the law does not actually apply.
“In December 2022, the Honduran government declared a ‘state of exception’ in response to high rates of extortion and other crimes. The declaration remains in effect and has been modified to include more cities. It allows police to suspend the constitution in the following circumstances Entitlement: 226 of the country’s 298 municipalities,” it shared.
This is both disturbing and comforting, as the heavily armed soldiers will be very visible if you choose to leave the port area.
None of the major cruise lines calling at Roatan have changed their port schedules. Separately, AT21 Tours Roatan, a popular excursion operator in Roatan, has issued a letter trying to reassure tourists.
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AT21 TOURS Roatán general manager Bryan Tejada posted the letter on his company’s Instagram page.
“We know that recent news about the U.S. Department of Justice’s advisory regarding Honduras may have caused you concern about your upcoming travel. However, it is important to note that the island of Roatan you will be visiting is fundamentally different from mainland Honduras , both in terms of safety and overall travel experience,” he added.
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Roatan is an island
Tejada makes the same point in many ways Royal Caribbean (RCL) The company defended its decision to continue stopping at the Haitian port of Labadee, its private destination, despite the country being under a level 4 “do not travel” warning.
Basically, both the cruise line and Tejada are trying to separate destinations from problem areas.
“Roatan is one of the Gulf Islands, about 40 miles off the north coast of mainland Honduras. It is a renowned tropical paradise known for its vibrant coral reefs, pristine beaches and warm and welcoming local communities. Tourism is a key component of the The lifeblood of the country.
Tejada also made a distinction that went beyond the State Department’s claims about Rodin.
“The recommendations you read concern the mainland, and there are certain challenges in areas that are geographically and environmentally distant from Roatan. In contrast, Roatan is very focused on maintaining its reputation as a premier tourist destination, which includes increasing security The agreement is in areas frequented by tourists,” he added.
The general manager did offer a basic warning.
“That said, as with all travel (regardless of destination), we always advise travelers to take basic precautions, such as protecting personal belongings and being aware of your surroundings. These are just common sense measures to help ensure a seamless travel experience ,” he wrote.
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Tejada said he did not believe visitors to Roatan were in any danger.
“Thousands of tourists visit the island safely every year, discovering not only the stunning scenery but also the warm and friendly locals who make their trip special. We are confident that you will enjoy the island’s A visit to the Isle of Atan will be everything you could wish for and more.
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