Haiti Travel Warning

Here is a copy of the State Department's travel warning about Haiti. Based
on this, I would not be surprised if Royal Caribbean substitutes Labadee for
another port.

BEGIN QUOTE

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520


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This information is current as of today, Wed Feb 11 22:20:47 2004.
Haiti
February 10, 2004
This Travel Warning is being issued to inform American citizens that, due to
heightened levels of civil unrest, including violent confrontations between
pro- and anti-government forces, the Department of State has authorized the
departure of family members and non-emergency employees of the U.S. Embassy
on a voluntary basis and urges American citizens to depart the country if
they can do so safely. American citizens should be aware that the U.S.
Embassy has banned travel by its staff outside of Port-Au-Prince and that
the Embassy's ability to provide emergency services to American Citizens
outside of Port-Au-Prince is limited and decreasing. This Travel Warning
supersedes the Travel Warning issued January 30, 2004.

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.
Americans are reminded of the potential for spontaneous demonstrations and
violent confrontations between government supporters and students and other
groups that oppose the government of Haiti. American citizens who remain in
Haiti, despite this Travel Warning, should register at the Consular Section
of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince and enroll in the warden system
(emergency alert network) to obtain updated information on travel and
security in Haiti. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at
104, rue Oswald Durand, Port-au-Prince. The telephone numbers are (509)
223-7011, 223-6440, 223-6443, 223-6421, 223-6426, 223-6424, 223-6407,
223-7008, 222-0200, the fax number is (509) 223-9665, and the email address
is .

There has been significant political tension over recent weeks in
Port-au-Prince, Gonaives, Cap Haitien, St. Marc, Petit Goave, Grand Goave,
Jacmel, and other parts of Haiti. The U.S. Embassy was closed several times
due to civil unrest. From time to time, the Embassy may again close
temporarily to assess its security posture. The Embassy's Regional Security
Office has recommended that persons associated with the Embassy not remain
in downtown Port-au-Prince after sunset and has at times advised Embassy
personnel to remain in their homes when violence has flared.

Since the beginning of the year, some international organizations have
decided to draw down their staffs in Haiti. Groups opposed to the government
have mounted demonstrations and attacked government facilities around the
country. Haiti 's security environment has been deteriorating as President
Aristide has continued to politicize the Haitian National Police and used
government resources to pay for violent gangs to attack opposition
demonstrators. The government of Haiti has failed to maintain order in
Port-au-Prince or in other cities and in some instances has assisted in
violently repressing the demonstrations. Due to severe limitations on travel
and communication inside the country, the Embassy's ability to assist U.S.
citizens in Haiti is very limited at this time. American citizens who elect
to remain in Haiti should remain vigilant.

As the Department continues to develop information on potentially dangerous
demonstrations and political unrest in Haiti, it shares that information
through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the
Internet at http://travel.state.gov/haiti.html. U.S. travelers can also get
up-to-date information on security conditions in Haiti by calling
1-888-407-4747 in the U.S. or Canada or on a regular toll line at
1-317-472-2328.

END QUOTE

Source: http://www.travel.state.gov/haiti_warning.html

--
Tom Smith

Had a great day at Labadee last week. Haiti has has continueing unrest for 40
yrs and if it gets too bad you will probably have an extra day at sea or maybe
Nassau.

On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 15:06:00 GMT, mgb wrote:

Anyone know if
they have avoided Labadee in the past?

Hi,

Yes, Royal Caribbean has canceled this port of call when they felt it
was not in the best interest of their clients.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com

We did go to Labadee in 1990 on SOTS but RCL skipped the stop in 1993. By
that time they had their own private island.

I know that Danni has a doll and a mahogany carving that she bought in
Labadee in 1990.
--
DG in Cherry Hill, NJ

ABB

"Lee Lindquist" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 15:06:00 GMT, mgb wrote:

We are going on February 28th on the Explorer to Labadee. Anyone know if
they have avoided Labadee in the past? I'd love to stop at Nassau but

We were on the Soverign OTS in 1992, and skipped the planned
stop at Labadee, due to political unrest.

There may well be more current empirical data.

--
- Lee

On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 21:20:44 -0500 (EST), (Surfer
E2468) wrote:

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has a habit of cancelling a lot of their ports on a whim

Hi,

I am curious. What do you base the above statement on?
TIA

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has a habit of cancelling a lot of their ports on a whim

In article , Surfer
E2468 wrote:

ROYAL CARIBBEAN has a habit of cancelling a lot of their ports on a whim

You have a habit of posting a lot of your whims. And that is all they
are, whims.

--
Charles