Let’s be honest, not every cruise destination is the safest. Cruises visit ports all over the world, and many of them are in third world countries, some of which are known for their crime, infighting, political instability, and more.
There are definitely places I wouldn’t choose to cruise to due to the political climate of the area. I would love to take a cruise to the Holy Lands, but I wouldn’t feel safe going to some of the areas and ports where ships often stop. Last year some cruise lines stop going to Ensanada, Mexico for awhile due to cartel violence. However, there is one port that is often considered one of the most dangerous in the Caribbean, and I have been there more than once. Roatan.
Almost every port cruises stop at will have some amount of crime. Anywhere there are lots of tourists, there is an opportunity for criminals to take advantage of travelers who don’t take precautions. In most ports cruisers just need to be aware of pick pockets and scammers, which really isn’t that bad in the grand scheme of things. However, there are some ports where the violence takes on a whole new level.
Roatan is often brought up as one of the most dangerous ports in the Caribbean. I really think this is because it is part of Honduras, which the US Government has issued a Level 3 travel warning on due to high levels of violent crime the country has as a whole, stating that, “Violent crime, such as homicide, armed robbery, and kidnapping, is common… [and] Local police and emergency services lack sufficient resources to respond effectively to serious crime.” However, Roatan is a small island off the mainland, and it just doesn’t have the same level of crime that the rest of the country has. Of course that doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t happen or that cruisers don’t need to be wary when in port.
Another Caribbean port that cruisers need to be extra careful in is Belize. The US State Department has Belize listed as a level 2, which is “Exercise increased caution.” Their website states that “due to high crime, travelers are advised to exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.”
I’ve been to both ports and have never felt unsafe, so what is the secret to enjoying these Caribbean destinations? How do cruisers stay safe in ports with travel advisories?
- Never go off on your own – The best way to stay safe while exploring the area around the port is to book a tour. Whether that tour is through the cruise line or if you book a local tour company through a reputable booking site, you will be in a group with a local that knows the area. While I would recommend sticking with tours, even if you do decide to explore the area without a tour, be sure that you don’t do so on your own. I would go so far as recommend that in some areas women shouldn’t even go off in pairs.
- Stick to known tourist areas – While tourist areas can be a hotspot for pickpockets, more dangerous crimes are rare. It is harder to get someone alone in the crowds of the tourist areas. There is safety in numbers. Cruise ports will also usually have more security than areas farther from the port.
- Stay vigilant – It is important that cruisers take precautions and be aware of their surroundings. Keep the majority of your cash in a place that is hard for pickpockets to get to. Take a few ones and fives out for tips and small purchases so that you aren’t getting out your entire wallet when you go to pay for something. If you have a bag or backpack, don’t set it down anywhere that someone could easily grab it and run. On my last cruise I remember seeing a guy in port who had his cruise lanyard around his neck and there was a $100 bill visibly folded up and stuck into the sleeve on the end of the lanyard. I still can’t get over how stupid that was.
The recommendation for Belize is to not go past the port unless you are on an official tour of some kind. I was even been told by a local to never travel without a guide. I think this same advise is good for any third-world country where there is a lack of law enforcement. It is unfortunate, but sometimes there are areas where law enforcement is corrupt, so not only can you not trust they will be there to help, but they can be part of the problem.
The only time I have felt unsafe while in a Caribbean port was in Progresso, Mexico. When you get off the ship you will need to board a bus to get into town. You are let off in an area where tour busses converge and there are quite a few stands with locals selling their wares. While you can pay for a bus to take you to the beach, it is just a few blocks away, so mom and I decided to walk it. I would never do that again. It was sketchy to say the least. Walking to the beach and back was the most uncomfortable and unsafe I have ever felt while on a cruise. Progresso is a newer port stop and isn’t as developed as other Caribbean ports, and it is obvious. Even after we got to the beach we were constantly harassed by people trying to sell us stuff, worse than anywhere else I have ever been. One even got angry when I ignored his pleas to buy something. I now try to avoid cruises that stop there, but if I did book one, I would either stay on the ship or book an excursion.
Let me know in the comments if you have ever had a bad experience in port. Have you ever had something stolen from you or worse?
On our next cruise, which is less than 60 days away, we will be visiting both Roatan and Belize, but we have excursions booked in both ports. In Roatan we will be going back to the Manawakie Park to hang out with sloths and monkeys. We did this in January, but are cruising with friends of ours this time and are going to take them for some one-on-one time with a sloth. Probably the thing I’m looking forward to the most is our excursion in Belize. I booked us a day of cave tubing! I am so excited for this. I will be disappointed if something happens and it gets cancelled. This just checks all the boxes for me when it comes to a perfect excursion: Unique – Visual – Relaxing! Everything I want out of my vacations!
Cruising From The Ozarks 