Safety concerns

Talk to your Port And Shopping Guide, they will know the ports (especially the shopping areas) better than anyone. Part of their job is to make sure that you're safe in port, and they're usually visible somewhere in the shopping district.

Other than that, unless you have an excursion, don't let the cruise ship leave your sight! Stay within walking distance of the ship where there's customs agents and crew there to help keep you safe.

When we're unsure of a port, we stick with the ship excursions. There are some places we've visited multiple times and feel comfortable - others - not so much.

US State Department Threat Levels (Keep in mind, France and the UK are Threat level 2) range from 1-4:

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Level 4: Do Not Travel

Roatan - No known issues. Threat Level 2. only small areas of the Eastern portion of the Honduras mainland are under Threat level 3. Roatan is an Island off the northern cost of Honduras.

Harvest Caye - Norwegian Cruise Line Private Island - Threat Level 1. Some portions of the Belize mainland are under Threat Level 2

Costa Maya - No known issues - Threat Level 2

Cozumel - No Known Issues - Threat Level 2

Those are probably 4 of the most visited ports in the W. Caribbean. On a good day, sometimes I think there are more tourists in those places than locals.

I plan on doing all those. Was only curious if anybody knew of any issues in any of the ports.

[quote=spider22]

We have a cruise booked out of Miami with stops at Roatan Bay, Harvest Caye, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. I am curious if there are any safety issues that we should be concerned with in any of these ports. I assume they will stop in safe areas but assuming sometimes can get you in trouble.

We are also thinking about not doing an excursion in one or two of the ports and spending a few hours around the port and enjoying the ship the rest of the day. Anybody have opinions on what ports might be the best option for that?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Just to add to AuntPinkie and OpusTGreat here's something else you may do. Register with the Department of State whenever I'm traveling out of the country. They send you alerts if any thing is happening also it alerts them that you are in the country should something happens while you're there. https://step.state.gov/step/

FYI:

What is STEP?Benefits of Enrolling in STEP The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

That be how they earn a Darwin award

OPUS, you can't fix stupid. People want to save that buck, or do something "off the beaten track", well then...

Very sound advice given here. Common sense when in port, stick to the populated areas and when in doubt don't wander about.

Since I am a Public Safety Professional, I will pose this question:

Where in the world is actually "Safe"?

Safety is 75% Based on YOU and YOUR situational awareness.

If you place yourself in a situation where you are feeling uneasy, or unsafe, Theres a good chance that you shouldn't be there.

These ports and Islands survive on Tourist Dollars, so as long as you dont travel down back alleyways, and stay in tourist areas, you will find yourselves safe

When taking a excursion booked through a cruise line, the companies have been thoroughly vetted by the cruiseline, because they don't want to get sued if something happens to you.

With that being said, be aware of your surroundings, and keep your head on a swivel. Dont make yourself an easy target.