Dangerous Caribbean Cruise Ports That Are Better Avoided
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
Bahamas
In early 2024, the U.S. State Department raised the travel advisory for the Bahamas to Level 2 due to an increase in gang violence, murders, and other violent crimes.
In addition, many water activities lack proper regulation, and the country has one of the highest shark attack rates on the planet per the International Shark Attack File.
Labadee, Haiti
This peninsula is a Royal Caribbean-owned area, but even as a privately managed space, decades of instability have made Haiti too dangerous to visit.
The State Department lists Haiti as Level 4 — the worst rating. It received this designation due to widespread kidnapping, civil unrest, violent crime, and lack of healthcare.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has a Level 2 travel advisory due to violent crime, drug trafficking, issues with weapon control, and a general lack of criminal justice.
Canada also lists the Dominican Republic at its second-highest threat level for violent crime. In addition, scams run rampant, and there have been assaults reported in the country.