As a popular cruise port, Roatan, Honduras, welcomes more than one million cruise guests annually. 

But, due to a recently updated travel advisory by the US Government, many soon-to-be cruisers have become worried about visiting the port on upcoming sailings. Afterall, the advisory puts Honduras at a Level 3 – which means tourists should reconsider travel. 

However, doing so would be detrimental to the economy and livelihood of many in the tourism and hospitality industries who rely heavily on cruise ship calls. 

Just for context, 1.4 million cruise passengers visited the Western Caribbean destination in 2023 – which was an increase of 47.6%. 

The Port of Roatan and the Mahogany Bay Cruise Port accommodate calls from several mainstream cruise lines year-round – including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival-owned ships – welcoming guests to Roatan’s capital city of Coxen Hole.

With this in mind, Bryan Tejada, the general manager of AT21 TOURS Roatan, has issued a letter explaining why Roatan is still safe to visit – and how it’s different from the rest of the country. 

As a leading operator of shore excursions for cruise guests in Coxen Hole, as well as all-inclusive vacation packages for other visitors, Tejada and his team are very familiar with the island.

Worth Reading: New Rules in Roatan Impact Carnival Shore Excursions

“We understand that recent news regarding a US Department of Justice advisory for Honduras may have raised concerns about your upcoming trip. However, it’s important to note that Roatan, where you will be visiting, is fundamentally different from the mainland of Honduras, both in terms of safety and overall travel experience,” Tejada wrote. 

Further reinforcing this, even the US travel advisory noted that tourism hot spots are safer than other parts of the country – including Roatan. 

“Around resort areas in the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, there is a concentration of resources, and these areas are better policed,” the travel advisory reads, in part.

That said, this would likely be a port call where it would be prudent to book with a reputable tour operator – such as AT21 TOURS Roatan – that knows the island well and is aware of current safety information. 

Roatan is Located Away From Danger

One of the key distinctions that Tejada wanted to make is that Roatan is not part of mainland Honduras – which is where the crime and violence that triggered the travel advisory is more rampant. 

“Roatan is one of the Bay Islands located about 40 miles off the northern coast of mainland Honduras. It is a well-known tropical paradise, celebrated for its vibrant coral reefs, pristine beaches, and welcoming local communities,” explained Tejada. 

“The advisory you’ve read pertains to the mainland, where certain challenges exist in areas far removed both geographically and contextually from Roatan. In contrast, Roatan has a strong focus on maintaining its reputation as a premier tourist destination, which includes heightened safety protocols in areas frequented by visitors,” the business manager added.

Indeed, local authorities work closely with law enforcement, tourism organizations, and business owners to keep visitors safe and happy – bringing in extra security as required. 

Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation

This situation actually sounds quite similar to the current situation in Labadee, Haiti – which is Royal Caribbean’s 260-acre private destination on the north coast of Haiti. 

While Haiti is under the most severe Level 4 travel advisory – which stands for “do not travel” – Labadee is safer because it’s over 100 miles away from the crime and unrest unfolding in Port-au-Prince, which is the country’s capital city.

The exclusive destination is also part of a heavily guarded area that is protected by high fences, private security, and even armed guards.

But no matter where cruisers travel – whether that is an exotic destination or to the grocery store at home – it’s always a good idea to exercise basic precautions, such as staying aware of one’s surroundings and safeguarding belongings.

Joining the ranks of hot destinations breaking passenger records in 2024, the United Arab Emirates saw tremendous growth in Dubai. 

Between January and November 2024, its Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour welcomed 187 vessels and 281,775 cruise guests, handling over 1.23 million bags.

Dubai Customs reported the figures, emphasizing its ongoing efforts to enhance operations at cruise terminals, strengthen Dubai’s position in the industry, and attract more cruise ships.

“We are committed to supporting Dubai’s growing tourism sector through a strategic vision that focuses on delivering efficient, state-of-the-art custom services, ensuring a seamless travel experience for passengers arriving by air or sea,” said Khalid Ahmed, director of the passenger operations department.

Ahmed says the port also supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which was announced in January 2023 with series of goals to achieve by 2033. These goals include positioning Dubai as a leading cruise hub and to draw a city-wide tourism total of 25 million tourists annually.

Added Falah Al Sammak, senior manager of passenger operations at Al Maktoum International Airport, “Dubai Customs is continually developing its services to ensure smooth and efficient travel through its customs checkpoints, including Dubai International Airport and the city’s renowned maritime hubs.”

“Dubai’s unique position as a bridge between East and West calls for exceptional year-round service standards for travellers and tourists,” he said.

Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour anticipates another record-breaking year in 2025, and Ahmed says Dubai Customs takes “pride in being an integral part of Dubai’s global achievements in tourism and travel.”

Dubai Sees Continued Growth and Expansion

With one more month left in 2024, the cruise traffic to Dubai continues, with multiple calls throughout the month from Costa’s 5,224-passenger Costa Smeralda, Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,340-guest Norwegian Dawn, MSC Cruises’ 4,838-passenger MSC Euribia, and AIDA Cruises’ 3,300-guest AIDAprima.

In fact, a number of cruise lines have committed to return to the port in the future, such as TUI Cruises, which signed a two-year agreement to spend two cruise seasons in Dubai last March.

Its 2,506-passenger Mein Schiff 4 is one of the regular visitors still stopping at the port this month, and will be the first vessel to call in 2025 when it arrives on January 2 during a 7-night Orient Ab Abu Dhabi voyage.

The Greek-based Celestyal Cruises has also committed to a long-term presence at the port, homeporting its 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey for the next three winter seasons. 

The ship began its inaugural winter sailings on December 9, 2024, offering week-long winter “Desert Days” itineraries through March 2025. The ship is scheduled to return annually through 2029.

Resorts World One, operated by Resorts World Cruises, is also homeporting in Dubai through April 13, 2025. The 1,800-passenger ship is offering 2- and 3-night cruises to Sir Bani Yas, Khasab, Muscat, and Doha.

But these are not the only cruise lines seeing an increased presence in Dubai. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and MSC Cruises are seeing more passengers eager to visit the Persian Gulf.

The Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, unveiled a decade ago on December 11, 2014, stands as the largest single, covered cruise terminal, in the world. It is designed to accommodate up to 14,000 passengers daily.

With a capacity to host seven cruise ships and up to 25,000 passengers simultaneously, the port is currently adding a new waterfront recreational area to further enhance visitor experiences.

The $6.8-billion Mina Rashid Redevelopment project will add a 3-acre beach, a floating yacht club, a swimming pool stretching 1,640 feet, and a new Dubai Mall by the Sea, outfitted with dining and recreational attractions.