Royal Caribbean International continues to bring three of its largest and most modern cruise to Labadee, Haiti, a private island just 80 miles from Port-au-Prince. So, we have the sight of well-fed cruise ship passengers frolicking in the sun, parasailing, snorkeling and relaxing, protected by armed guards to prevent desperate, starving, homeless and injured Haitians from accessing the island.
Yes, Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and the Liberty of the Seas have been delivering relief supplies along with the tourists.
“Labadee is critical to Haiti’s recovery and hundreds of people rely on Labadee for their livelihood,” says RCCL executive John Weis. It’s just that there is a disconnect between the luxury on Labadee and the horror on the Haiti mainland.
The Canadian Broadcasting Company reports tourism officials in neighboring Dominican Republic are asking tourists not to cancel their vacations or cruises to Haiti or to DR, saying tourist dollars are needed now more than ever. What do you think?
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