New Caribbean travel alert: Cruise line cancels more visits to popular tropical resort

A cruise line has canceled more visits to its private resort due to violence in the country and a new U.S. travel alert.

Royal Caribbean first suspended stops at its private resort in Labadee, Haiti in March. The suspension will now last through at least fall, the cruise line confirmed to USA Today.

“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority,” a spokesperson for the cruise line told USA Today. “Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution we have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide through September 2024.”

Royal Caribbean will continue to “monitor and reassess calls as needed,” the spokesperson said.

READ MORE: State Department issues worldwide travel alert

Haiti is currently under a Level 4 “Do Not Visit” advisory, the highest warning from the U.S. State Department, due to gang violence and riots. According to the United Nations, more than 2,500 people were killed or injured as a result of gang violence in Haiti in the first quarter of the year. Earlier this month, Dave and Natalie Lloyd, missionaries from Missouri who were working with youth in the country, were attacked and fatally shot by gang members as they were leaving a church service.

In its latest alert, the State Department said the security situation is Haiti is “unpredictable and dangerous” and any travel there should be “conducted at your own risk.”

“The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders or during any onward travel” the alert said. “You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so.”

Among the risks cited were violent crimes, including kidnapping for ransom.