Which Caribbean Ports are Protected? Are There Ports You Ought to Keep Onboard? – Frequent Floaters | Digital Noch

We simply received again from a visit to Bogota, Colombia and I have to say, it’s in all probability the journey that garnered probably the most curiosity from family and friends, with the most typical query being – was it secure?  It’s an fascinating query, that nobody has ever requested me a few journey inside the US.  With upcoming Caribbean cruise season, I wished to discover the subject by means of the Frequent Floaters lens by asking – Which Caribbean ports are secure?

We now have an upcoming cruise that was supposed to start in Cartagena, Colombia and the embarkation was modified to Panama Metropolis, Panama; you’ll be able to learn extra about that right here.  A variety of the feedback across the change in embarkation cities theorized that it needed to do with the safety circumstances in Colombia, although after some analysis the difficulty is extra prone to do with the drought in Panama cancelling sure cruises.

With that prolonged preamble out of the way in which, let’s bounce in and see which Caribbean ports are secure amongst the 12 hottest amongst cruisers.

#1 – Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Cape Canaveral

So #1, this isn’t a single port and technically none of those ports are within the Caribbean, however give me just a little leeway if you’ll as an enormous proportion of Caribbean cruises both start or finish in certainly one of these three ports in Florida.

Now numerous Individuals depend on the Journey.State.Gov Journey Advisories web page to find out the place it’s secure to journey and if any particular precautions needs to be taken.  Given all three of those are US home ports the US State Division doesn’t present any steering.  So I’m trying to our associates to the north in Canada for recommendation on these ports, different ports in US territories, in addition to the rest of the record.  Very similar to the US, Canada has journey.gc.ca devoted to offering steering concerning journey precautions.

All through this put up we’ll be referring to the U.S. Division of State and The Authorities of Canada Journey Advisories.  For reference, listed below are each ranking programs:

So what do they are saying in regards to the US?  Canada offers the US their most secure ranking of Take regular precautions, however goes on to warning:

Felony incidents related to drug trafficking are extra frequent on the border with Mexico, within the following states: Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.  

Inside giant city areas, violent crime extra generally happens in poor neighbourhoods, significantly from nightfall to daybreak. It typically entails intoxication.  Incidents of violent crime are primarily carried out by gangs or members of organized crime teams however may be perpetrated by lone people. Though violent crime hardly ever impacts vacationers:

• be aware of your environment in any respect time
• confirm official neighbourhood crime statistics earlier than planning an outing
• if threatened by robbers, keep calm and don’t resist

The speed of firearm possession within the US is excessive. It’s authorized in lots of states for US residents to brazenly carry firearms in public.

Incidences of mass shootings happen, ensuing most frequently in casualties. Though vacationers are hardly ever concerned, there’s a danger of being within the fallacious place on the fallacious time.

Familiarize your self on how to reply to an lively shooter state of affairs.

This final warning actually stung.  And, spoiler alert, Canada doesn’t give a mass or lively shooter advisory for any of the opposite nations on our record, although they do have warnings for spiked drinks and meals.

Happily none of those Florida ports are listed among the many 15 most harmful cities within the US in accordance with Forbes, however nor are they among the many 15 most secure.  In accordance with Insider Monkey’s record of the Most Harmful Cities in Florida Miami ranks #2, Orlando ranks #3 (airport for Port Canaveral), and Fort Lauderdale ranks #7.  Taking a broader perspective, the incidence of violent crimes relative to the inhabitants in these cities, they’re about common for comparably sized cities within the U.S.

#2 Cozumel, Mexico

Let me begin by saying we’ve taken land-based in addition to cruise holidays to Cozumel and the encompassing areas numerous occasions prior to now few years.  Regardless of the media headlines and a few scary movies of gangs on jet skis within the Vacationer Zone of Cancun, our experiences there have at all times felt 100% secure.

The U.S. has taken a state-by-state method to our neighbor to the south ranking states as “Don’t journey to,” “Rethink Journey To,” “Train Elevated Warning When Touring To,” and “Train Regular Precautions When Touring To.”

Cozumel is situated within the state of Quintana Roo together with different vacationer hotspots like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the stretch of shoreline generally known as the Riviera Maya.  This state is classed below “Train Elevated Warning When Travelling,” the equal of a Degree 2.  The State Division lists the explanation for the ranking, and within the case of Quintana Roo it’s due to “crime” which is notable as a result of it leaves off the opposite motive listed for numerous states – “kidnapping.”  The US State Division cautions:

Crime: Felony exercise and violence might happen in any location, at any time, together with in widespread vacationer locations.  Vacationers ought to preserve a excessive stage of situational consciousness, keep away from areas the place illicit actions happen, and promptly depart from probably harmful conditions.

Whereas not directed at vacationers, shootings between rival gangs have injured harmless bystanders.  Moreover, U.S. residents have been the victims of each non-violent and violent crimes in vacationer and non-tourist areas.

There are not any restrictions on journey for U.S. authorities workers in Quintana Roo state. Nonetheless, personnel are suggested to train elevated situational consciousness after darkish in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to stay in well-lit pedestrian streets and vacationer zones.

Authorities of Canada – Train a Excessive Diploma of Warning (additionally they have regional advisories to Keep away from Non-Important Journey)

#3 Nassau, Bahamas

U.S. Division of State – Degree 2: Train Elevated Warning  The U.S. Division of State cautions:

Crime: The Division of State charges the legal risk stage in New Windfall Island (consists of Nassau and Paradise Island) as important. The overwhelming majority of crime happens on New Windfall (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) Islands. Felony exercise on the outlying Household Islands does happen, however to a a lot lesser diploma than on New Windfall or Grand Bahama. In Nassau, train warning within the “Over the Hill” space (south of Shirley Road). Violent crime akin to burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults happen, however usually not in vacationer areas. For the newest safety messages, go to our web site.

Journey Tourism: Actions involving business leisure watercraft, together with water excursions, usually are not persistently regulated. Watercraft are sometimes not maintained, and lots of corporations should not have security certifications to function in The Bahamas. U.S. residents looking for to interact in journey tourism-related actions, together with boat excursions, are strongly inspired to verify the next with any tour operator:

• Credentials and certification to function in The Bahamas
• Legal responsibility within the occasion of an accident
• Security and rescue protocols for guides

Jet-Ski Operators: Jet-ski operators have been identified to commit sexual assaults towards vacationers. Consequently, U.S. authorities personnel usually are not permitted to make use of independently operated jet-ski leases on New Windfall and Paradise Islands.

Authorities of Canada – Train a excessive diploma of warning  The Authorities of Canada cautions:

Crime: There was a lower in violent crime for the reason that starting of 2018. Crime, nevertheless, together with violent crime, nonetheless happens, primarily on the islands of Grand Bahama and New Windfall.

Armed robberies, burglaries, purse snatchings, theft, fraud and sexual assaults are the most typical crimes dedicated towards travellers in Freeport and Nassau. Incidents of theft additionally happen in cruise ship terminals and in and round widespread resort areas, even in daylight. Crime will increase through the holidays.

• Keep away from Nassau’s “over the hill” (south of Shirley Road) and Fish Fry (Arawak Cay) areas, particularly at night time
• Keep alert to your environment always
• Don’t stroll alone, significantly after darkish
• Don’t carry giant sums of money or put on costly jewelry
• Make sure that your private belongings, together with your passport and different journey paperwork, are safe always
• Keep away from abandoned seashores
• In case you are threatened by robbers, keep calm and don’t resist

Ladies’s Security: Sexual assault happens ceaselessly in The Bahamas, significantly close to lodges, in resort rooms, in casinos, on cruise ships and on the seaside. Reported incidents are on the rise in Nassau, together with on Paradise Island. In some circumstances, the sufferer was drugged.

• Be cautious when embarking on jet-ski rides with licensed or unlicensed operators, as a number of incidents of sexual assault have been reported
• Keep away from extreme consumption of alcohol and keep away from utilizing medicine
• Don’t settle for rides from strangers or from unlicensed taxi drivers

Spiked meals and drinks: By no means depart meals or drinks unattended or within the care of strangers. Be cautious of accepting snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These things might comprise medicine that would put you liable to sexual assault and theft.

#4 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

U.S. Division of State – Degree 1: Train regular precautions  The U.S. Division of State cautions:

The Cayman Islands are a secure place with little legal exercise affecting vacationers.

Crime: Crime of alternative akin to pick-pocketing and purse snatchings sometimes happen. Police within the Cayman Islands implement legal guidelines towards unlawful medicine, weapons and ammunition.

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions  The Authorities of Canada Cautions:

The crime fee may be very low. Petty crime, akin to pickpocketing and purse snatching, sometimes happens. Use your resort secure to retailer your valuables, however ensure it’s bolted to the wall or the ground.

#5 St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions (identical as Continental US)

Crime: Petty crime, akin to pickpocketing and purse snatching, happens.

• Make sure that your belongings, together with your passport and different journey paperwork, are safe always
• Keep in lodges and resorts with good safety
• Keep away from remoted seashores and unpopulated areas, particularly after darkish

Violent crime is uncommon but in addition happens.

Ladies’s security: Incidents of sexual assault happen.  Ladies travelling alone could also be topic to some types of harassment and verbal abuse.

#6 Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

U.S. Division of State – Degree 1: Train regular precautions The U.S. Division of State cautions:

Crime: Petty avenue crime, together with purse snatching, does happen. Don’t depart valuables unattended in public areas, unsecured resort rooms, rental properties, or seen in automobiles.

Don’t purchase counterfeit or pirated items. These are unlawful in the USA, and you may additionally be breaking native legislation.

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions

#7 Falmouth, Jamaica

U.S. Division of State – Degree 3: Rethink Journey  The U.S. State Division cautions:

Crime: Violent crime, together with sexual assault, is a major problem all through Jamaica, significantly in Kingston and Montego Bay. Jamaica’s police power typically doesn’t reply successfully to critical legal incidents. When arrests are made, circumstances are sometimes prosecuted to a conclusive sentence. Households of U.S. residents killed in accidents or homicides ceaselessly wait a yr or extra for closing dying certificates to be issued by Jamaican authorities. Gated resorts usually are not proof against violent crime.

Sexual Assault:  Rape and sexual assault are critical issues all through Jamaica, together with at resorts and lodges. Date rape medicine could also be used at personal events and resorts.

In case you are sufferer of a sexual assault, contact the police and the U.S. Embassy in Kingston as quickly as potential. In a resort, administration ought to help you with these communications.

Victims of sexual assault in Jamaica mustn’t anticipate the identical help routinely supplied in the USA. Rape kits usually are not at all times accessible, and victims should typically ask for medicine to keep away from STD transmission and cut back the probabilities of being pregnant. Counseling is unlikely to be supplied. Legislation enforcement shortcomings exist in assortment of proof. Prosecution of rape circumstances strikes very slowly, and victims might have to return to Jamaica through the authorized course of.

Authorities of Canada – Train a excessive diploma of warning

Violent crime: Violent crime, together with armed theft and homicide, is an issue in giant cities and vacationer areas, together with components of Kingston and Montego Bay, regardless of the presence of police to counter legal exercise. The provision of firearms is widespread, and most violent drug- and gang-related crimes, particularly homicide, contain firearms. There’s a danger of turning into the sufferer of crossfire in these areas. Vacationers are additionally liable to crimes of alternative, particularly theft and robberies.

Crimes are usually concentrated inside what the police consult with as “conventional sizzling spots” or “high-risk communities”, however can happen wherever and at any time.

The next areas have a major gang inhabitants and excessive incidences of violent crime:

Larger Kingston: Arnett Gardens, August City, Balmagie, Cassava Piece, Delacree Park, Denham City, Drewsland, Felstead Pen, 4 Miles, Glendale, Grant’s Pen, Greenwich City, Hannah City, Harbour View, Hunts Bay, Jones City, Decrease Cockburn Gardens, Maverly, Mountain View, Nanse Pen, Olympic Gardens, Payneland, Portmore, Rennock Lodge, Riverton Metropolis, Salmagie, Seaview Gardens, Tavares Gardens, Tivoli Gardens, Tower Hill, Trench City, Waltham Gardens, West Kingston, Whitfield City

St. Catherine: Central Village, Ellerslie, Homestead, Ravensworth, Spanish City, Tawes Pen

Montego Bay: Backside Pen, Canterbury, Flankers, Hart Road, Mount Salem, Norwood Gardens, Rose Heights, St. Clavers Avenue

South Coast: Might Pen

#8 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions (identical as Continental US)  The Authorities of Canada cautions:

Crime: Petty crime, akin to pickpocketing and purse snatching, are prevalent. Violent crime additionally happens.

Make sure that your belongings, together with your passports and different journey paperwork, are safe always.

#9 Basseterre, Saint Kitts & Nevis

U.S. Division of State – Degree 1: Train regular precautions  The U.S. Division of State cautions:

Crime: U.S. residents usually are not particularly focused for crime within the Japanese Caribbean islands. Nonetheless, crimes of alternative akin to petty larceny, housebreaking, vehicle break-ins; in addition to incidents of violent crime, akin to homicide, sexual assault, theft, shootings, and drug associated crimes do sometimes happen.

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions  The Authorities of Canada cautions:

Crime: Petty crime, akin to pickpocketing and purse snatching, happens. Violent crime, akin to armed theft and sexual assault, additionally happens.

• Make sure that your private belongings, together with passports and different journey paperwork, are safe always
• Keep away from exhibiting indicators of affluence, akin to flashy jewelry
• Carry solely small quantities of cash
• Be cautious if you find yourself in crowded areas, particularly through the vacation season or when attending festivals
• Keep away from remoted areas and unpatrolled seashores after darkish
• Maintain automotive doorways locked when driving

Spiked meals and drinks: By no means depart meals or drinks unattended or within the care of strangers. Be cautious of accepting snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These things might comprise medicine that would put you liable to sexual assault and theft.

#10 Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

U.S. Division of State – Degree 2: Train Elevated Warning  The U.S. State Division cautions:

Crime: Americans usually are not particularly focused for crime within the Japanese Caribbean islands. Nonetheless, crimes of alternative akin to petty larceny, housebreaking, vehicle break-ins; in addition to incidents of violent crime, akin to homicide, sexual assault, theft, shootings, and drug associated crimes do sometimes happen.

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions  The Authorities of Canada cautions:

Crime: Petty crime happens, together with theft from rental automobiles. Muggings and armed assaults additionally happen, largely in areas widespread with vacationers. Be particularly vigilant on Providenciales, which has a better crime fee than the opposite islands.

• Make sure that your private belongings, together with your passport and different journey paperwork, are safe always
• By no means depart valuables akin to cash, bank cards and private electronics unattended, particularly on seashores and in automobiles
• Don’t carry giant quantities of money
• Be cautious when utilizing ATMs, particularly after nightfall
• Keep away from secluded, remoted areas, akin to roads, parks and seashores, after darkish

Residence Break-ins: Armed invasions and assaults at personal villas with insufficient safety have been a rising concern since 2016. In case you’re the sufferer of an armed theft, adjust to the perpetrator’s calls for with out resistance to keep away from harm and instantly report the incident to native police.

• Keep in busy, respected and well-protected lodging
• Maintain your doorways locked always
• At all times confirm the identification of a customer earlier than opening the door
• Use the resort secure for storage of valuables and journey paperwork

Spiked meals and drinks: By no means depart meals or drinks unattended or within the care of strangers. Be cautious of accepting snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These things might comprise medicine that would put you liable to sexual assault and theft.

#11 Oranjestad, Aruba

U.S. Division of State – Degree 1: Train regular precautions  The U.S. State Division cautions:

Crime: Crime towards vacationers consists primarily of theft. The principle targets are valuables left unattended in public areas (seashores, vehicles, resort lobbies, and so on.). Purses, cameras, passports, telephones, and different handheld electronics are probably the most ceaselessly stolen objects. Take regular precautions to safe private property. Don’t depart valuables in vehicles in plain view or unattended in unsecured resort rooms and rental properties. Make a copy of your U.S. passport in a safe location in case the unique is misplaced or stolen.

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions  The Authorities of Canada cautions:

Crime: Petty crime, akin to pickpocketing and purse snatching, happens in Aruba.

Residential break-ins and theft from automobiles, resort rooms and rental models additionally happen.

Crime sometimes will increase throughout annual celebrations akin to Carnival, which takes place from January to March.

• Make sure that your private belongings, together with your passport and different journey paperwork, are safe always
• By no means depart valuables akin to jewelry, cell telephones, electronics, wallets or baggage unattended on the seaside or in your car
• Keep away from unpopulated areas and unpatrolled seashores after darkish
• Verify with native authorities to find out which seashores are secure

Ladies’s security: Ladies travelling alone could also be topic to some types of harassment and verbal abuse.

#12 Bridgetown, Barbados

U.S. Division of State – Degree 1: Train regular precautions  The U.S. State Division cautions:

Crime: U.S. residents usually are not particularly focused for crime in Barbados. Nonetheless, crimes of alternative akin to petty larceny, housebreaking, vehicle break-ins; in addition to incidents of violent crime, akin to homicide, sexual assault, theft, shootings, and drug associated crimes do sometimes happen.

Authorities of Canada – Take Regular Safety Precautions  The Authorities of Canada cautions:

Crime: Petty crime, akin to pickpocketing and purse snatching, happens. There are additionally incidents of violent crime, together with armed theft and sexual assault.

• Make sure that your private belongings, together with your passport and different journey paperwork, are safe always
• Concentrate on your environment and train warning, particularly when strolling alone, even through the day
• Keep away from remoted or poorly lit areas, particularly on seashores
• Maintain your automotive doorways locked, home windows rolled up, and private belongings, together with purses, safely saved at visitors lights, the place you can be a goal for thieves
• Don’t depart valuables unattended on the seaside
• Don’t carry giant quantities of money or jewelry
• At all times lock and safe your resort room doorways and home windows

Demonstrations: Demonstrations happen on occasion.

Even peaceable demonstrations can flip violent at any time. They will additionally result in disruptions to visitors and public transportation.

• Keep away from areas the place demonstrations and huge gatherings are going down
• Observe the directions of native authorities
• Monitor native media for info on ongoing demonstrations

Spiked meals and drinks: By no means depart meals or drinks unattended or within the care of strangers. Be cautious of accepting snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These things might comprise medicine that would put you liable to sexual assault and theft.

So after exploring which Caribbean ports are secure and to deliver this all full-circle again to our current go to to Bogota, let’s put Colombia by means of the identical assessment.  The U.S. Division of State has given Colombia a Degree 3: Rethink Journey ranking.  The U.S. Division of State had some fairly particular cautions:

Terrorism: Terrorist teams and people impressed by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. residents overseas. Terrorists are more and more utilizing much less subtle strategies of assault – together with knives, firearms, and automobiles – to extra successfully goal crowds.  Steadily, their purpose is targeted on unprotected or weak targets, akin to:

• Excessive-profile public occasions (sporting occasions, political rallies, demonstrations, vacation occasions, celebratory gatherings, and so on.)
• Inns, golf equipment, and eating places frequented by vacationers
• Locations of worship
• Colleges
• Parks
• Buying malls and markets
• Public transportation programs (together with subways, buses, trains, and scheduled business flights)

In Colombia, the Nationwide Liberation Military (ELN), the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – Folks’s Military (FARC-EP), and Segunda Marquetalia terrorist organizations proceed plotting and executing assaults.

Crime: Crimes and scams towards vacationers, and people perceived to be rich, are widespread and well-coordinated in city areas, together with in prosperous neighborhoods. Firearms and knives are prevalent in Colombia and infrequently utilized in muggings and robberies below the specter of violence. Drive-by motorcyclist snatchings of cell telephones, baggage, and valuables are extraordinarily widespread. Victims are sometimes recognized nicely prematurely of the theft based mostly on seen jewellery, excessive worth wristwatches, and normal apparel whereas in public locations akin to procuring malls, eating places, and airports.

Narco-trafficking teams, together with the Clan del Golfo ceaselessly interact in violence towards civilians and safety forces.

So did we really feel secure visiting a “Degree 3” nation, the identical because the lowest rated Caribbean ports on this record?  The reply is sure, however we additionally took some fundamental precautions.  We didn’t put on something flashy, leaving jewellery and watches safely at house.  We restricted the amount of money and bank cards we carried with us.  We solely took taxis that have been booked prematurely or picked-up from a serious resort bell stand.  We didn’t stroll alone after darkish.  We booked a tour information for an exhaustive strolling tour of the town fairly than making an attempt it on our personal figuring out that we’d be our telephones and never as conscious of our environment.

To be trustworthy, probably the most regarding a part of the journey, was strolling off the aircraft again in Atlanta to be greeted by 5 armed border brokers in full tactical gear pulling individuals out of the road asking them about their journey.  Did we’ve any issues in “Degree 3” Colombia?  Completely not.  Will we return to Colombia? Completely! – Michael

• Disclaimer – The US and Canadian security “rankings” are typically for complete nations and never for particular ports.  The knowledge contained on these authorities websites is exhaustive and is ceaselessly up to date.  Within the curiosity of holding the put up a manageable size I solely included choose language.  If you wish to be taught extra in regards to the nations you propose on visiting make use of probably the most present info accessible by visiting these sources at these hyperlinks: Journey.State.Gov Journey Advisories web page  and journey.gc.ca.