Louisiana Cruise Guests Warned – Avoid Two Popular Ports of Call

As the calendar moves into February in Louisiana those of us who call cities like Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, and New Orleans home are focusing on three major occurences. There is Mardi Gras. The parades are already rolling across most of Louisiana even though Fat Tuesday is still a week away.

Then, there is Valentine’s Day which this year falls on Ash Wednesday. Many restaurants are having to rethink their strategy because of that quirk in the calendar. Some places are offering Valentine’s deals on both Wednesday and Thursday nights just in case a romantic evening on Ash Wednesday does not fit your sensibilities.

The third aspect of consideration for this time of the year is spring break, which will be coming soon. And since many school systems in Louisiana shut down for Mardi Gras, you could say there are “two” spring breaks happening very shortly. And for many Louisiana residents that means an ocean-going getaway.

Louisiana Cruisers Warned of Dangers in Certain Ports

Many cruises that begin and end in Louisiana have a Caribbean flair to them. Most of the itineraries that sail out of New Orleans include stops like Cozumel, Cancun, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. And while violence and trouble along the border with Mexico have been reported, the areas visited by tourists are still relatively safe.

The same statements can’t be made for Louisiana cruisers who are planning a stop in Nassau in the Bahamas or at any of the ports in Jamaica. The reason for the concern? Crime.

Both Jamaica and The Bahamas are now included in U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories. The advisories not only warn of crimes and potential crimes but the advisory for Jamaica suggests that medical care could be very spotty on the island. That is certainly something to consider before going ashore.

The U.S. Department of State advisory for Jamaica goes as far as saying “Travelers should reconsider their plans”. And while most guests in both The Bahamas and Jamaica can expect a certain amount of security in the well-guarded resort areas, it’s those areas outside the gated resorts where tourists could find themselves and their security compromised.