Cruise-ship line defends calls on Haiti after earthquake

Royal Caribbean International, which last week pledged at least $1 million in relief for quake-ravaged Haiti, this week defended its decision to continue cruise-ship calls on its private Labadee resort on the country’s northern coast, which was undamaged.

In a blog post, Adam Goldstein, the company’s president and chief executive, referred to a Sunday story in the Guardian newspaper in Britain that said the decision to continue Haitian port calls had divided passengers.

Among passengers quoted by the Guardian was one who it said posted on Cruise Critic’s online forum: “I just can’t see myself sunning on the beach, playing in the water, eating a barbecue, and enjoying a cocktail while [in Port-au-Prince] there are tens of thousands of dead people being piled up on the streets, with the survivors stunned and looking for food and water.”

But Goldstein said that by supporting the economy, “People enjoying themselves in Labadee helps with relief.”

Continue reading "Royal Caribbean defends cruise-ship calls on Haiti after earthquake" on the Daily Travel & Deal Blog.

-- Jane Engle

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Photos: Earthquake hits Haiti

Panoramas:
Destruction at Notre Dame Cathedral of Port-au-Prince
Tent city across from the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince

Comments

[Joseph]

I agree with Royal Caribbean. The ships, in my opinion, should try to sail into port all the more and help the islands economy with whatever business they can give them.

People say they feel guilty laying on the beach while others are suffering elsewhere on the island? Well, then take the opportunity to volunteer for the day you are in port, or offer some donation. But, to decide not to pull into port in Haiti is only robbing them further during a time of great need. They already lost so much, are people going to take away one of their greatest means income? Tourism is very important to them, don't take that away too.

[Edward]

That is a strange argument. I'd rather sun myself on a beach injecting money into the Haitian economy than anywhere else.

[Jessica Edwards]

It is tragic what happened in Haiti and completely understandable why many would not want to continue vacation plans there in the unaffected areas. But one thing that needs to be remembered is that in a crisis such as this, Haiti will need its tourist income the most to help with the floundering economic crisis this disaster has created. As long as there country is still making money they have the means to support themselves as best they can in this situation. It may feel wrong to enjoy yourself in such a situation but this country has always relied on its tourism and if that stops abruptly now then those areas unaffected physically by the earthquake will start feeling it economically and the areas that have been damaged will suffer all the more.

[kevin johnson]

The cruise line could of easily when to another island - they are not that hard to find. I give them credit for sticking with the port of call, every cruise ship guest will remember Haiti much longer than the rest of the world.

[Theresa]

I whole heartily agree with RCCL's decision, this is NOT a matter of profits over people...this is a matter of keeping local economies stable in unstable times...think about it, when Katrina hit would the US have wanted people to stop going to Orlando? Tourism is the second largest industry in the world and for the country of Haiti a very important one.