Cruise line cancels further visits to popular tropical resort

A cruise line has canceled further visits to its private resort due to violence in the country and a new travel warning for the USA.

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

“The safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is our top priority,” a cruise line spokesperson told USA Today. “Our global security and intelligence team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti and out of an abundance of caution, we have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide until September 2024.”

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

READ MORE: Foreign Ministry issues global travel warning

Haiti is currently under a Level 4 travel advisory, the highest alert issued by the U.S. State Department, due to gang violence and unrest. 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 this year. Earlier this month, Dave and Natalie Lloyd, missionaries from Missouri who worked with youth in the country, were attacked and shot by gang members as they left a church service.

In its latest warning, the State Department said the security situation in Haiti was “unpredictable and dangerous” and that travel there should be “at your own risk.”

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

The risks cited included violent crimes, including kidnapping for ransom.