Roatan Open or Closed?

[SailMeAwayEveryday]

Veendam is scheduled to visit Roatan today. Has anyone heard if they will be making the stop?

 

The port was closed yesterday due to civil unrest and the Carnival Glory was evacuated.

[SailMeAwayEveryday]

Latest News

 

The power company is still shut down and the situation has not been contained by the Honduran Army COBRA troops.

 

Has anyone heard from the Veendam?

[RuthC]

Has anyone heard from the Veendam?

I'm sure we will get an update later, as Copper John is doing a "Live from..." thread.

[SailMeAwayEveryday]

I'm sure we will get an update later, as Copper John is doing a "Live from..." thread.

 

Where will he be posting? Looks like a lot of people will want to read what he has to say.

[fireman845]

Where will he be posting? Looks like a lot of people will want to read what he has to say.

 

"Live from New York no i the Veendam...."

[Copper10-8]

We were NOT able to "do" Roatan, Honduras today. Veendam arrived at the pilot station at 6:30 AM this morning and stayed there for 2 1/2 hours while the Captain was being kept up-to-date of the situation ashore by the HAL port agent. At 9:00 AM while most who had booked tours, including yours truly, were assembled in the Rubens Lounge, Capt. Schoonderbeek came on the PA system and told us in a very lengthy brief (appreciated by all in attendance) that due to still ongoing civil unrest, we would not be going into Roatan's harbor today. Instead, we are doing a complete circum-navigation of the island for some sightseeing and making this a Sea Day.

The capt. added that the local police had cleared the streets but that the possibility of renewed violance between protestors (they are having a fee dispute with the local power company and protestors had set up road blocks) and police was not to be discounted for later in the day. The Capt. stated that under no circumstances would he expose his passengers to potential violence ashore so he made the decision to cancel Roatan as a port of call today. His decision, although disappointing, is completely the correct one and was met by applause by those of us assembled in the Lounge. Those of us who have shore excursions for Roatan will get those credited back to our shipboard accounts.

 

Still having a good time!:)

[SailMeAwayEveryday]

Thanks for the update John. It looks like the Captain made a safe choice. Latest reports from Roatan are that the "protesters" are paid insurgents from the mainland. There have been numerous reports of gunfire in the streets. The power remains shut off and the port and airport are closed.

 

Everyone please remember that the people causing the problems are not native to Roatan. The islanders are warm, friendly people who are having their economy ruined by this situation.

 

It is a big mess.