Popular Cruise Destination Pushes Back on Updated US Travel Advisory

The US Department of State updated the travel advisory for Turks and Caicos, and local officials have something to say about it.

Cruise Hive reported that the language of the advisory was updated on July 7, 2026, but the severity of the warning did not change. Turks and Caicos continues to be listed as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.”

In response to the update, key officials from the Caribbean island nation, including the Acting Governor, the Premier, and Minister of Tourism, gathered on Sunday, July 12, to discuss the advisory.

While the local powers respect the right of its international partners to provide travel information to their citizens, the government wanted to publicly clarify that the safety of its citizens and cruise guests are its top priority.

This is the second year in a row that the British Overseas Territory has responded to an updated travel advisory to reaffirm its commitment to safety.

“The safety and security of our residents and visitors remains one of this Government’s highest priorities,” Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick, OBE, JP said in a statement, which was shared on social media.

“We take all matters relating to public safety seriously and continue to invest significantly in strengthening law enforcement, border security, intelligence-led policing and crime prevention initiatives across the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Misick continued.

The Premier also cited recent statistics from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force that indicated serious crime rates have decreased significantly in the first half of 2026 compared to the same time period in 2025. For example, murder rates dropped by 40%.

Cruisers Should Take Reasonable Precautions

For context, crime is one of the risks listed on the updated advisory. Cruise guests are more likely to be victims of petty crime or crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing or purse snatching) than serious or violent offenses.

In order to mitigate risk, the US government is encouraging visitors to use caution when walking or driving (especially at night) and not to resist in the event a robbery does occur.

Read Also: 11 Most Dangerous Cruise Ports You Should Be Extra Cautious About

Minister of Tourism Hon. Zhavargo Jolly agreed that guests should exercise caution while exploring the cruise port, but that this should always be the case regardless of the destination they are visiting.

“We encourage all visitors, as they would anywhere in the world, to exercise sensible precautions, remain aware of their surroundings and familiarize themselves with local laws and regulations before travelling,” Jolly advised.

He also echoed Misick in asserting that Turks and Caicos would do its part by continuing to monitor and strengthen public safety initiatives.

Cruises Keep Sailing to Turks And Caicos

It’s worth noting that the cruise lines will not continue sailing to destinations if they believe doing so will put their passengers and crew members at risk.

For example, Cruise Hive reported that Royal Caribbean has cancelled all of its visits to Labadee, Haiti, through June of next year due to ongoing unrest and related safety concerns.

Meanwhile, cruise tourism is actually on the rise in Turks and Caicos. The Grand Turk Cruise Center welcomed more than one million passengers in 2025 and is on track to do it again in 2026.

“The Turks and Caicos Islands remains one of the world’s premier luxury tourism destinations, recognised for its exceptional hospitality, outstanding natural beauty and unwavering commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors alike,” Jolly added.

Per the port schedule, Grand Turk is expecting a total of 350 to 400 calls for the entire year.

Major cruise lines will be calling in the months that remain, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages, Cunard Line, Royal Caribbean, and more.