Comments on: Royal Caribbean makes a tough, difficult decision

By: Haiti: All hands on deck, not business as usual

Haiti: All hands on deck, not business as usual — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:39:46 +0000

[...] (RCCL) decision to go forward on schedule with visits to Labadee. Ned Levi came forward with a story supporting the efforts. Janice Hough offered her thoughts on the issue. Now, we hear from a non-profit the Center for [...]

By: laura townsend elion

laura townsend elion — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:07:26 +0000

My agency actually considered RCCL’s offer to use Labadee in the first days when the airport was still pretty crippled. While not close to P-a-P, it was at least as close as the locations in the Domincan Republic we were mobilizing supplies and personnel from.

And, ironically, my husband builds boats for a living – there are floating dock systems, even heavy duty versions, that could be instituted to build a bridge out from a damaged shoreline, or a docking facility without a deep enough channel. I believe that sort of thing will be inprovised in the near future to increase the capacity of the port at P-a-P, but it could be used at Labadee and other locations.

By: Ned Levi

Ned Levi — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:29:09 +0000

It is my understanding that the logistical problems of the dock a Labadee for freighters, the lack of any facilities for unloading containers, the type of dock, etc. make Labadee essentially unsuitable for freighters. In addition, the roads down to Port au Prince from the Labadee area are pretty bad making the trip a whole day affair. It doesn’t appear as though any aid organization or the government of Haiti even considered the use of Labadee, but then of course, I’m not privy to their deliberations. The arrival of the first freighter, the Crimson Clover, in Port au Prince signals that ships can now at least dock there. With the big cranes down, we’ll see how well they can unload ships. They are still inspecting the damaged piers there and apparently only 17% of the pier space is currently considered safe, but that’s apparently enough to get things at the port started. At least they have the width for big vehicles on the pier to haul the cargo.

To me, what’s disheartening about the supplies situation is the mess at the airport, where at least the supplies can get in.

By: Dalit

Dalit — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:44:16 +0000

I am against RCL discontinuing Haiti as port of call, but believe yes, it is too soon to resume stops there (1 week!!!), and yes, 100 miles is too close.
The people of Haiti are devastated right now, many of them in mourning over dead family members, and they know ahead of them is a very dim future. I think it’s a very insensitive idea for tourists to be vacationing around them , I also don’t think tourists would enjoy their time there (which should also be a concern, people are paying for those vacations with hard earned money) knowing the devastation around and the grief the people giving them service are going through.
I think RCL should discontinue Haiti as port of call for at least a few months, while continuing donating money, resources, and paying their 230 employees their salary.
My feeling is that RCL, while have some good intentions, just do not want to discontinue this port for commercial reasons.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:25:20 +0000

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By: Marge Foulks

Marge Foulks — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:31:59 +0000

Is the cruise line allowing emergency ships to dock at Labadee? It seems this would be really helpful in getting necessary people and supplies closer to the disaster. It is my understand that Port au Prince currently has no docking ability. Although privately owned, it would be a nice gesture to allow this if it is not already being allowed.

By: DaveS

DaveS — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:03:58 +0000

This is VITAL to the Haitian economy. I suppose some people are well meaning, but they have no idea how cruel their thinking is to the Haitians who desperately need jobs. I hope Royal Caribbean sticks to its determination to help out by providing work to people who need it the most.

By: Sandra Sheldon

Sandra Sheldon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:28:56 +0000

When Biloxi was hit with Katrina, many questioned the haste to rebuild the casinos. I only understood this when I visited there and the casino employees thanked us for our business and explained that tourism was so important to bringing money and jobs to the residents who both worked in and supported the gaming industry. I think I would also feel uncomfortable stopping there but would try to contribute to the local economy at Labadee in some way – buying souvenirs and so forth. I applaud RCL’s decision.

By: TJ Thornton

TJ Thornton — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:56:40 +0000

As a former accredited PR counselor and now an Episcopal priest, I say, “God bless them.” Those 500 people and their families certainly will. Every time they put food on their tables, they certainly won’t think Royal Caribbean is damned for being there. Nor will God.

For those who are concerned about traveling there, tell them to bring something to donate. If they still don’t want to go, maybe they could donate their cabins to some of the missionaries or orphans that need to get back to the US. When all those rescue folks and TV cameras leave, and the inevitable long-term process of rebuilding begins, it will be companies such as Royal Caribbean that will be instrumental in the rebuilding of the Haitian economy and culture.

It was undoubtedly a hard, and tortured, decision. But, this person thinks it’s the right one. I’ve never been much for wanting to cruise, but I’m thinking that Royal Caribbean is changing my mind.

Ned, if you can, please let them know that at least one person is praying for them as they get the inevitable grief for this.

By: Marilyn Long

Marilyn Long — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:07:18 +0000

I’m glad to know that RC was helping to build up Haiti’s tourism business before this disaster and am even happier to know that they have the courage to continue their stops there. In the long run, if Haiti can be rebuilt, perhaps their share of Caribbean tourism can be much greater similar to their DR neighbor. Before the earthquake, I had been planning a trip to Haiti for 2011. I had looked in vain at one of our larger book stores for a travel book about Haiti. The fact that there was not one book with even a chapter or a mention of Haiti said a lot. With the same climate and potential for beauty to be found in other Caribbean nations as well as a rich history, Haiti should not be left out as a destination. RC is to be congratulated for promoting Haiti instead of being criticized, particularly now with Haitians so desperate for economic help.