Miami, US.- Royal Caribbean, the renowned shipping company, has temporarily halted its stops at the private resort of Labadee in northern Haiti due to the escalating crisis in the Caribbean nation, as confirmed by the cruise line to EFE.
“In light of the situation in Haiti, we are prudently adjusting trips visiting Labadee to ensure the safety of our guests and crew,” stated a company spokesperson on Friday.
Headquartered in Miami, USA, Royal Caribbean is closely monitoring the situation in Haiti, where rampant gang violence has disrupted normalcy in various regions of the country.
Labadee, the company’s private resort, lies approximately 206 kilometers (128 miles) north of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, requiring over six hours of road travel.
To compensate for the suspension, affected travelers are offered a stopover in the Turks and Caicos islands or an additional day at sea aboard the cruise, as reported by US media outlets.
Initially set for a week, the suspension may extend further depending on circumstances, with customers notified three days in advance if Labadee is part of their itinerary, as shared by Michael Bayley, President of Royal Caribbean International, on Facebook.
Thursday witnessed renewed unrest in Port-au-Prince, with armed gangs carrying out attacks, looting, and arson against both public and private properties.
These incidents unfold amidst ongoing discussions about forming a transitional presidential council to appoint a new prime minister and pave the way for presidential elections. Earlier this week, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his intent to step down once the transitional council is established, in a message to the nation from Puerto Rico.
Source: EFE