Travel to Labadee Haiti, concerns

[Angelbysea]

I read this article and thought I would share it with fellow cruisers. I considered this itinerary but got scared as I researched more about it, I know its a section of the island reserved for RCCL and is fenced off surrounded with armed guards, but Americans are warned to stay away. Just putting this here as a precaution for those who might want to know this.

 

Americans warned against travel to Haiti

 

 

WASHINGTON (CNN) --With Haiti wracked by civil unrest, the United States urged Americans Tuesday to leave the country "if they can do so safely."

"The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer travel to Haiti and urges American citizens to depart the country if they can do so safely," the travel warning said.

In issuing the warning, the State Department said families of diplomats and non-emergency workers of the U.S. Embassy have been authorized to leave on a volunteer basis.

Haiti has been wracked by violence in recent weeks with armed opponents of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide taking control of several cities. (Full story)

Authorities believe the rebels are a combination of former paramilitary troops and former supporters of Aristide, who was ousted in a military coup in 1991 but won a new term as president in 2000.

The rebels seized Gonaives, a city of about 200,000 on the Caribbean coast north of Port-au-Prince, Thursday after a battle with police. Since then, witnesses said, the rebels have taken control of the nearby port town of St. Marc, the towns of Grand Goave and Petit Goave in southern Haiti, and the northern towns of Trou du Nord and Listere.

The Red Cross has put the death toll in Haiti at 40 over the last week.

The State Department said Americans in Haiti should be aware that the U.S. Embassy has banned travel by its staff outside Port-au-Prince and that the embassy's ability to provide emergency services outside of the city is "limited and decreasing."

The State Department said Aristide has used government resources to "pay for violent gangs to attack opposition demonstrators" and that the violence is spiraling.

"The government has failed to maintain order in Port-au-Prince or in other cities and in some instances has assisted in violently repressing the demonstrators," it said.

American citizens who remain in Haiti are advised to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy.

[Sue L]

Labadee is extremely safe. Check the date on the FULL STORY, Feb 10 2004

 

 

 

[cruisinfanatic]

If it were dangerous, ships wouldn't go there. You are worrying about absolutely nothing.

[max227]

4 years is a long time.

[clearwaters]

I feel confident the cruise line officials will not take us to an unsafe place. I figure the officials do this week in and week out, week after week after week, month after month after month.

 

They've GOT to be good at judging the political climate by now!

 

I'm looking forward to the Labadee Zipline!!! Now, THAT's scary! ;) YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[clearwaters]

I feel confident the cruise line officials will not take us to an unsafe place. I figure the officials have done this week in and week out, week after week after week, month after month after month, year after year after year...

 

They've GOT to be good at judging the political climate by now!

 

I'm looking forward to the Labadee Zipline!!! Now, THAT's scary! ;) YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[clearwaters]

I feel confident the cruise line officials will not take us to an unsafe place. I figure the officials have done this week in and week out, week after week after week, month after month after month, year after year after year...

 

They've GOT to be good at judging the political climate in ports by now!

 

I'm looking forward to the Labadee Zipline!!! Now, THAT's scary! ;) YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[cb at sea]

You are not in Haiti, in the real sense of the word! Labadee is leased by RCI--Haitians can't go there at all, unless they are employeed by RCI. And most of the civil unrest takes place near Port au Prince, which is on the other side of the country!

You will be perfectly safe in Labadee!

[drb_2000]

Labadee is extremely safe. Check the date on the FULL STORY, Feb 10 2004

 

 

 

 

Agreed. Labadee is one of the best and most picturesque RCI ports of call.

 

DrB

[negc]

The OP must have done a lot of "research" to come up with this out-dated story from four years ago, but it is school vacation week and I imagine we may encounter more of this type of post on the boards.:rolleyes:

[2theship]

Royal Caribbean did stop going to Labadee for quite a while during the time frame that the story's from. We were on the Voyager in the summer of 2005 and she only started going back to Labadee a few weeks before we sailed on her. But, the political situation is much calmer now and not a concern.

[Smiling Cruiser]

We were also there in Aug 2005 and RCCL posted their policy on safety on their website at that time. I'm sure if unrest became a problem the ship would cancel the port just as they did in the past. We had a wonderful time there. Remember-a lot of crew members are working on the island while you are there-you will be well cared for. Wishing you happy sails and safety on your travels. :) :)

[Angelbysea]

thanks, I did not see the date of that story as I was researching Labadee, so I stand corrected and glad to hear its a safe and beautiful place.

[HorrorFan]

We were on Labadee in feb of 2005. I remember hearing a few things about RCI not stopping there for a while in 2004. I also remember them assuring us it was perfectly safe to go there, when we went. It was a nice day. Beautiful spot.

[eetonaee]

Here's a more up to date story

 

Haiti and Royal Caribbean Cruises signed a deal to build a $27 million pier and extend the company's lease until 2050

 

Posted on Sat, Feb. 16, 2008

 

 

BY JACQUELINE CHARLES

 

JOE KAFKA/AP FILE, 2006

Passengers from Royal Caribbean International's Mariner of the Seas relax on a beach at Labadee, Haiti.

 

 

 

When Royal Caribbean Cruises launches the world's largest cruise ship -- the 220,000-ton Genesis -- late next year, passengers traveling to Labadee, Haiti, will get an added bonus: They no longer will have to be ferried across the idyllic sea.

After months of negotiations, the Haitian government and the Miami-based cruise line have signed an agreement to build an 800-foot long, $27 million pier that will allow cruise passengers easier access to the secluded beach.

Haitian President René Préval's government also has agreed to extend the company's current lease of the 260-acre peninsula along Haiti's north coast from 2026, when it was due to expire, to 2050.

''This is a big thing for Haiti, a really big thing, and we are hopeful this will be somewhat of a catalyst to get the government to understand the potential for viable tourism in Haiti,'' said Craig Milan, president of Royal Celebrity Tours, which arranges land-based excursions in conjunction with cruises on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise lines.

Milan and John Weis, director of private destinations for Royal Caribbean Cruises, flew to Haiti for a few hours one day last week to sign the memorandum of understanding with Préval, who has spoken about the importance of tourism to Haiti's weak economy but has struggled to attract visitors and new ventures amid Haiti's security woes.

''The extension of Royal Caribbean's activities here will bring us more tourists and it sends a positive statement to investors,'' said Haiti Finance Minister Daniel Dorsainvil, the government's lead negotiator on the deal.

Royal Caribbean employs about 300 workers who, on cruise ship days, work as bartenders, cabana boys and musicians. Hundreds of other Haitians find employment as hair braiders, folkloric dancers and artisans in an arts and crafts market.

Last year about 500,000 passengers visited Labadee, and provided more than $3 million in revenue to the Haitian coffers.

Passengers currently pay a $6 government ''head tax,'' which under the new agreement will be raised to $10 to help finance the pier, and used to develop Haiti's tourism market, government officials say.

''There will be many new opportunities for entrepreneurship, tour operators and other vendors who want to supply goods and services for the site. We are very excited about it,'' Weis said.

Once a popular tourist getaway in the Caribbean, Haiti has been struggling to rebuild its troubled image amid years of political instability and unrest. Aside from the cruise ship passengers, who don't really get to see the mountainous country during their eight-hour stays, visitors are mainly Haitians returning home, diplomats, peacekeepers, journalists and missionary workers.

While both sides still must hammer out the final details of the deal, supporters say they hope the investment will spark confidence in the country by other investors, while leading to jobs and a transformation of Haiti's northern corridor as a tourist destination once more.

''The development of the north as a destination depends on our capacity to receive the Genesis cruise ship,'' said Haiti Tourism Minister Patrick Delatour, a supporter of the deal, who has been working on a tourism master plan that includes a new airport for Cap-Haitien and new roads leading from the city to the Dominican Republic border. ``Before the end of 2010, the north will be a serious destination.''

But such a goal will take more than plans. It also takes money and commitment, say Haiti-watchers. In a country often criticized for missed

opportunities and its slow pace, the Royal Caribbean deal stands out because it occurred over a matter of months rather than years.

But critics say now is the time for the government to step up, and provide, among other things -- the building and maintaining the road between Cap-Haitien and Labadee Village, establishing a police presence in the village due to the growth in population and finding a way to build other excursions around the pier, such as making it easier for tourists to visit the historic Citadelle fortress, built by slaves.

''What they need to do is bring a big developer to the northern area and look from the site to the Citadelle and see what can be developed. That would bring jobs to the private sector,'' said Maryse Kedar, a former Haitian tourism minister who is president of Societe Labadie Nord, known by the acronym Solano, which runs the Labadee operation. ``This is a huge opportunity for Haiti. Now the government needs to get organized with the private sector.''

[ehfl]

Labadee is very safe...no problems there.

[EatonDoolittle]

The OP must have done a lot of "research" to come up with this out-dated story from four years ago, but it is school vacation week and I imagine we may encounter more of this type of post on the boards.:rolleyes:

 

To the OP - either stay in New Jersey, or if you want another shopping mall, go to St Thomas.

 

To the other posters who have sent a semblance of sanity - I have not to been this port yet, going in April, and I cannot wait, I am VERY anxious to see Labadee and yes, Haiti.

 

I booked my itinerary because it includede Haiti, and we do travel to see something differant, don't we?

[negc]

To the OP - either stay in New Jersey, or if you want another shopping mall, go to St Thomas.

 

To the other posters who have sent a semblance of sanity - I have not to been this port yet, going in April, and I cannot wait, I am VERY anxious to see Labadee and yes, Haiti.

 

I booked my itinerary because it includede Haiti, and we do travel to see something differant, don't we?

 

Just don't expect to see much of Haiti or anything more than a beautiful beach and some lush foliage and high hills as a backdrop. If you are expecting to gain some insight into life or living conditions in Haiti, you will not get that out of your visit to Labadee. Perhaps, if the hoped for private development of the northern section of the island occurs, visitors and tourists will gain access to more of the island, but for now, you will be pretty much limited to the isolated and fenced off area that is Labadee.:)

[EatonDoolittle]

Just don't expect to see much of Haiti or anything more than a beautiful beach and some lush foliage and high hills as a backdrop. If you are expecting to gain some insight into life or living conditions in Haiti, you will not get that out of your visit to Labadee. Perhaps, if the hoped for private development of the northern section of the island occurs, visitors and tourists will gain access to more of the island, but for now, you will be pretty much limited to the isolated and fenced off area that is Labadee.:)

 

I totally agree and understand, yet am happy to see the little I can- in the way of arts, and people, as much has RCCL will let on the peninsula (actually stoping on a Celebrity cruise, but I assume it is the asme)

 

 

Also, count me in as one who will be on the first "legal" cruise to Cuba.

I live in the US - do not need to see "more of the same" when I travel.

[Jimmers]

thanks, I did not see the date of that story as I was researching Labadee, so I stand corrected and glad to hear its a safe and beautiful place.

 

Don't worry about it, an easy mistake to make. I've been there twice and I can assure you it's a very safe and welcoming place. Kind of like this forum. NOT.:)

[Jungle Jane]

It's not real Haiti, more like "Haiti-Lite." It was one of my fav ports, very beautiful, safe and relaxing... go there without fear. Enjoy :)

[KatieGator]

It's not real Haiti, more like "Haiti-Lite." It was one of my fav ports, very beautiful, safe and relaxing... go there without fear. Enjoy :)

 

2nd. Visitors to Labadee get very little, if any, sense of the "real" Haiti (for better or for worse). Cruisers will likely never realize they're in the poorest, least developed nation in the western hemisphere. My political and historical whining aside, have no fear about a visit to Labadee, it is quite safe!

[OttoCal]

And for a bit of a taste of the 'Real Haiti', I suggest taking the excursion there that is the 'Historic Walking Tour' $15 each I think, and take the last one, so you can have more time for a bit of a chat with the tour guide- ours was happy to tell us about such things as the Hatians/Dominican Republic folks and how they don't get along, how far money goes in Haiti, what people really do for a living, and some more fabulous insight into the area. While the literacy rates there are still pretty bad, they are improving in Labadie Village, and many of the workers you see in the Labadee beach area speak 3 languages- the Creole they learned at home, the French they learned if they did go to school, and English to get a job with the company that RC contracts with in Haiti.

 

Truly educational stuff for those interested and willing to take the time to look past the pretty blue (overfished) waters.

 

Oh, and you do get a glimpse of the security if you take the Zipline excursion, as the Range Rovers that drive you up to the top of the lines do go right along the back areas of the compound so you can see a bit of the rougher edges, and possibly some of the armed guards.

 

I am excited to learn of the pier to be built! I know the tenders can be a big pain.

[Amlee]

I totally agree and understand, yet am happy to see the little I can- in the way of arts, and people, as much has RCCL will let on the peninsula (actually stoping on a Celebrity cruise, but I assume it is the asme)

 

 

Also, count me in as one who will be on the first "legal" cruise to Cuba.

I live in the US - do not need to see "more of the same" when I travel.

 

It is the same, but I'm really afraid you might be setting yourself up for a disappointment. They do have the Haitian Flea Market, but alot of the stuff looked to be mass produced from other areas. While there are some things made in Haiti, you have to be very careful. These people are also the worse when it comes to hounding you about buying. Yes, I know about the country and how poor it is. Just giving you a heads up about it all.

 

I'm not really sure how much of the "arts" and "people" you will see like you want.

[kingsgirl]

I would just like to add that Canadians have a similar travel warning for Haiti.

 

I wouldn't RELY on the cruiseline to take me somewhere safe. You need to know for yourself. Technically, Labadee is Haiti but I thought they "rent" the land basically for tourists for cruise ships. That isn't the REAL Haiti. Ppl are often kidnapped for ransom in the real part of Haiti - no joke. It's a rampant problem - so bad that our government says that if you have to travel there, they recommend someone be waiting for you at the airport and that you never go anywhere without them.