The U.S. government rarely bans Americans from visiting a country. In rare cases, such as Cuba and North Korea, travel is severely restricted, but in most other cases the State Department merely issues warnings.
A Level 1 warning simply calls for “normal precautions.” This works in almost any American city and is not something to worry about too much. Level 2 is more serious, as U.S. travelers need to be “more cautious.”
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In both cases, Level 2 or Level 2 warnings may come with recommendations about specific places to avoid or scams to watch out for. Cruise lines often ignore Level 1 and Level 2 warnings because so much of the world is under them.
“Level 3: Reconsider Travel” and “Level 4: Do Not Travel” are much more serious, but even when these rules are issued, cruise lines often ignore them. Typically, this is for special circumstances where the cruise ship port is far from the area where the warning is issued.
In many cases, a country may be dangerous but its top tourist areas are well protected. That’s one of two cruise ports currently under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department.
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Royal Caribbean still visits Haiti
State Department’s warning to Haiti leaves little room for maneuver
“Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited health care,” the federal agency said.
Despite the seeming danger in the country, Royal Caribbean did temporarily stop visiting its private resort in Labatee, Haiti.
“Since March 2024, Haiti has entered a state of emergency. Crime involving guns is common in Haiti. These include robberies, carjackings, sexual assaults and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnappings are widespread, with U.S. citizens becoming victims, injured or killed.
However, Labadee is nearly a six-hour drive from Port-au-Prince, where the fighting is fiercest.
“Port-au-Prince Airport can become a focus of armed activity. Armed robberies are common. Carjackers attack private cars stuck in traffic. They often target lone drivers, especially women. Therefore, the US Embassy requires its staff to use official transportation To and from the airport,” the federal agency added.
Royal Caribbean insists Labadee is far enough away from the fighting that it can be evacuated if danger approaches. In fact, Carnival Cruise Line’s cruise port in the Dominican Republic, which is on the same island as Haiti, is much closer to the fighting in Haiti.
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Mexican ports also issued level 4 warnings
While several Mexican ports are under some level of warning from the U.S. State Department, only Manzanillo, a region in the Mexican state of Colima, is under Level 4: Do Not Travel warning.
Royal Caribbean has stopped sailing to the port but is still promoting it on its website.
“Manzanillo may not be the first place you want to visit on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, but its golden beaches, lively fishing ports and verdant rainforest will create memories that will last a lifetime,” the cruise line said.
Royal Caribbean does market the destination heavily, although it has no plans to stop there in the future.
“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,” it added.
Carnival-owned Princess Cruises still has ships scheduled to call at Manzanillo in January and February.
The warning contained stronger language.
“Do not travel for crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shootings between criminal groups result in bystander injuries or death. U.S. Citizen and permanent residents have all become victims of kidnapping,” according to the State Department.
The port area is an exception and U.S. government officials are still allowed to travel there.
“U.S. government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. Employees traveling from Guadalajara to Manzanillo must use federal toll road 54D during the day,” the advisory warns.
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