7 Most UNSAFE Cruise Destinations

[@TheTravelScouts]

QUESTION: What is the sketchiest cruise port you have visited?

[@unvoicedapollo3318]

It's going to be Falmouth, Jamaica when I cruise in November (already weighing cruise excursion vs staying in the port/on the ship)

[@MiniLight875]

Ocho Ríos , Nassau

[@teekay2]

Ocho Rios & Kingston. No desire to even get off the ship if either one of these ports are on a future cruise.

[@jedimindtrixr4kidz294]

I'd imagine Portland OR. Where the streets are paved with fentanyl, discarded needles and people.

[@ryanm4013]

Los Angeles….and it’s not even close.

[@norberteng9496]

Years ago we were in Jamaica on a cruise. My son and his 2 friends wandered off in town. They later told me a police car pulled up beside them. The police asked them where they came from. He told them they didn’t belong there. Told them to head back to the ship port. He actually followed them back to the port. I think the police did them a big favor.

[@Pardee416]

He was definitely looking out for the boys.

[@glennis-dankuwel6020]

Yeah, I’ve noticed police 👮‍♀️ in other countries r better & will help u more than in the U. S. Sorry, U. S. Lol 😂

[@dakg8034]

It is never a wise idea to wander off in a foreign country without a trusted local guide, or someone with wide knowledge of the city/town, who can point out the areas to avoid. And a similar caution applies to stopover vacations in hotels and other accommodations. Some of these accommodations, while in and of themselves are fine, are nonetheless located in areas considered not too safe. And to make it worse, you won't see any such note of caution beside these vacation rentals when you look them up on travel sites.

[@sauronthegreat5799]

The Jamaican police were very nice. They don't want tourists being robbed or killed. It's bad for business.

[@Happiness379]

Good thing they were safe.

[@Nightrider_2020]

In 2010 I was walking to a beach in Nassau with my wife ,3teenaged daughters, and 8 others. Moments later 2 guys came out from nowhere and tried to sell one of my daughters drugs. I’m a 6’1” 220lb cop and I was 10’ behind her with 12 friends. They had no fear! Awhile later as it was about to get dark. An unmarked patrol car drove up. The 2 uniformed officers asked where we were staying. I told them we were cruise passengers. They said get back to the ship now It not safe at dark. I told the officers that 3 of us were off duty cops. He said unless you are armed get back now! So we took the officers advice

[@RestoreOldVideos]

I worked on Cruise Ships for 35 years and found the most dangerous ports were Naples Italy, Dakar Senegal, Callao Peru, Cartegena Colombia, and anywhere in Jamaica.

[@sandramrivera6508]

Thank you for letting us know. In Cartagena, I would take a tour. Very pretty place. But could understand the comment made. Jamaica has beautiful beach, but don't wonder off on your own. For fun , do the water fall climbing in Ocho Rios . Bring our own water rubber shoes, otherwise you will need to rent them.

[@dexagalapagos]

Why Naples? What was the danger there?

[@leikay4]

Cartagena was very sketchy, not as much as Colón Panama. Just came back in May this year

[@cynthiagonzalez658]

Even Rome & Paris are full of purse snatchers and pick pocketers.

[@michynature]

I wander around JA all the time never had any issues.

[@ghanley7920]

Some years ago i took a caribbean cruise and got off ship in Jamaica. After excursion stopped at shop at port and left my purse with all of my id and cash. An employee at the shop found it and gave it back to me..i was so grateful. There are good people everywhere.

[@jeffreyrowe6580]

I have almost the same story. My wife and I took a cruise and went into town. My wife left her wallet with license credit cards and a lot of cash in it, in the taxi. We realized it before we made it back to the boat but the taxi had already pulled away. I don’t exactly remember the circumstances as to how we got in touch with the taxi but when he returned he brought her wallet with everything intact and refused to take money as a reward! I agree there are good people everywhere.

[@WmRob]

I will never set foot in Jamaica again. We were accosted by young men immediately outside the customs building; harassing my daughters and making uncomfortable comments towards them. On the tour bus, we repeatedly stopped at the driver’s friend’s businesses, encouraged to spend money and scorned when we wouldn’t get off the bus. Then we were late for our snorkeling expedition, treated like children, pounded by loud ska music and late back to port. Deposited at the wrong pier, we were forced to run back to the customs house where we were deliberately slow searched, harassed about carrying drugs (we weren’t carrying drugs) and my daughters searched by a handsy guard. Never again.

[@eugenieholmes5769]

I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience.

[@ChromeDestiny]

I went on a Caribbean cruise and Montego Bay was the starting and ending point. We did not spend long there and I was thankful. The customs people were extremely rude to me both times. On the way to the boat on the bus of all things I was blasted by of all things modern Country music, I was really not in the mood for that after already having a rough flight down, luckily that stopped once the bus got going but after that we got stuck with a driver who was terrible at navigating Jamaican roads and traffic. Mexico on the other had I had a great time in but my boat stuck to Cozumel. I also used the ship for all my excursions and didn't go off on my own.

[@Ugh-Fudge_Bwana]

Cruise ships have ruined modern day Jamaica imo. The country is poor, and ships full of tourists with disposable income are a big source of money. This has caused the island to develop a near cut-throat insanely high pressure hustle culture that's made it a pretty unpleasant place to visit if you're a cruise ship passenger

[@LindaFuhrman]

We were on a cruise-sponsored excursion to Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica in a bus with about 30 people. On the drive there, 3 men came out of the bushes with long rifles. After a long discussion with our driver, they stepped aside and let us proceed. The driver, however advised us that our excursion was to be cut short as he didn't want us to be driving after 3 pm. This was a few years ago, and NO ONE argued with him!

[@tomekahall2599]

😮

[@aynrandfan7454]

Lmao I’m going there in sept 😮

[@beezneez2056]

Dang, I always thought Jamaica was pretty safe. Good to know

[@LGKX4]

@@tomekahall2599on😊

[@sandramrivera6508]

@@beezneez2056 Jamaica is not safe... my friends rented a house there, and were attached one might by men with machetes. They were robbed. It has beautiful beaches, but the two times I went to SANDALS , (different areas of the island) security told us if we walked out of the gates, they were not responsible.

[@nancyjorgensen7253]

We are in our 70’s and visited many if not most of these locations over the years. They were terrific locations, no more. Very sad to see what has become of Mexico, Jamaica, Belize, Nassau, St Lucia, St Vincent and many more. No different than many USA locations. All going in the wrong direction. Very sad.

[@nedkelly2035]

Same. I visited a lot of the places you mention and which are mentioned in the video starting in the early 1970s. Back then about the worst that happened was you had to deal with people selling you tourist junk you did not want to buy. Friendly smiling natives. No more.

[@gregcraig2407]

We walked out of the port area at Falmouth 4 military men saw as soon as we walked out and quickly summoned us back and said do realize what you are doing. Go back to the ship. I really think God was watching ovet us. Thank you Lord for your grace!

[@mjmarinajessselincorner7911]

Yeap that's the one. We went out the port but nobody stop us. It's just my gut telling me to go back. We wondered long enough.

[@janepierce108]

My sister and I visited St. Thomas on a cruise. We were walking through a parking lot near the ship when my sister grabbed my arm and quickly said to me, lets cross here. After we had crossed the street I asked her what that was all about. She said she saw a man start to follow us as we walked. Thank God she was paying attention. Be aware of your surroundings!

[@daliciapenny524]

He probably was going in your same direction, but you should be aware of your surroundings no matter where you go. St. Thomas is not a dangerous place for tourists. People there are more friendly to tourists than to the locals.

[@sandramrivera6508]

Beware of all place one visits! Stay around people that are on your cruise. There is toooo much human trafficking. Parents teach your children the hand signals. You could fine it in u tube. Your family is precious.

[@Pattylove826]

​@@daliciapenny524agree

[@lyndatkachbourdages4057]

Wow st Thomas is getting like that, that’s too bad. I’m sure most places in the Caribbean are hurting. It’s so expensive for food, accommodation etc since covid has come and gone. The worst is over. But everything keeps going up,up.

[@lyndatkachbourdages4057]

What places in the world is it bad for human trafficking ? I like to be aware.

[@thomasabrials6190]

Sketchiest for me was Montego Bay. My wife and I didn’t research beforehand and actually walked into town from our ship. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

[@Zakiriel]

Here we go. Belize City lv 3 Travel advisory Jamaica lv 3 travel advisory Mazitlan Mexico lv 4 traval advisory Haiti lv 4 TA Trinidad & Tobago lv 3 TA Colombia lv 3 TA Honduras lv 3 TA

[@hadtocheathimtobeathim6549]

Welcome to the new world of open borders and mass immigration.

[@edstewart367]

I did Volunteer work in Kingston Jamaica 30 years ago for a month. It is extremely sketchy for tourists. So use the cruise ship excursions. As a general rule you can evaluate how sketchy a cruise port is by looking at how fortified buildings and homes are. Lots of bars on windows, barbed wire, tall fences guard dogs are all bad signs.

[@ps7880]

We cruised with Royal Caribbean to Jamaica with 4 other friends several years ago, and hired a well dressed and licensed local tour guide inside the port for excursion. He took us to his affiliated shops and pushed us hard to make purchases. Later when we were swimming in a park (forgot the name) he took us to, he stole about $160 dollars from our wallets he supposed to keep an eye on for us in his van. We report this with his photo to the Jamaican Tourist Authorities, and naturally there was no responses. Will NEVER visit Jamaica again!!!

[@Yoelevi_Mindset]

Please , Do you have a name ? I am going there this month

[@ps7880]

No, I forgot his name, too bad!

[@michaelcowan6254]

Never leave your valuables alone with anyone. Even when I go into the water at a beach, I have a waterproof pouch that I carry my valuables.

[@ps7880]

Great idea! (lessons learned)

[@happycook6737]

I'm shocked you left valuables with a guide. 😳😱

[@avatomlinson2672]

This video is very timely and answers some of the questions I have been asking myself. I am Jamaican and there places I don't go similarly lf I am in the US there are places I won't go for safety reasons.

[@happycook6737]

Exactly.

[@debrakelly4505]

I'm to the point that I won't even travel out of my. home state of Florida...one of the few places in the US where law and order is maintained.

[@FrankFox-yu1xf]

My wife and I, + our two teenage children were on a Caribbean cruise, with a stop in Antigua, which we had an excursion through the ship, after the excursion, my son and I went back on the ship, while my wife and daughter decided to do a little shopping, just around the shops where you could still see the ship. Beware, you are being watched!!! After we parted, my wife turned around with my daughter, and literally ran into someone that was standing very close behind her, he was a local, who have been watching, and noticed that myself and my son went back on the ship, and he said to my wife, your husband went back on the ship, and it's just you and your daughter, who is going to watch over and protect you...... My wife said in a very bold manner that she can handle herself, and doesn't need protecting, and for this local gentleman to back up stay away from her and her daughter. The guy put his hands up and backed up and said, oh the woman is bold and tough, then he signaled some other people to basically stay away from them. Luckily, she was not carrying a purse, she had a fannie type pack on underneath her shirt, and a tight grip on our daughter. She didn't stay too long in the area, just to pick up a few souvenirs, but she was on high alert, & she never left the area around the ship. We just need to be aware of our surroundings, no matter where we are, because we never know who's watching. I would also highly recommend never carrying a purse, and wear one of those under the clothes bag things, that my wife was wearing. Always pay attention to your surroundings!

[@SweetTreatsBy_Marie]

😮Omg that’s scary

[@charleneevans5848]

I stayed on the ship in Antigua

[@K5Kreations]

My recommendation is to stay with your wife and daughter.

[@Anne_GG145]

Thank you for sharing this. I’m so glad your family is fine! Things can become scary in a moment! And we’re more vulnerable as tourists. I was there last November and my heart fell for Antigua. It’s so beautiful! I took a tour to the beach with Celebrity. I didn’t feel safe in the streets just outside the gates of the terminal. The boutiques at the port are nice to shop and talk with the locals!

[@audreyrose1694]

@@K5Kreations right? she's even more of a target with a teenager in tow

[@justaguy8374]

When I visited Belize, even the homes out in the country had bars on the windows and gated front doors.

[@dianejohanson98]

They do in Costa Rica also. Lots of theft there.

[@glendalaforce9454]

Belize is one of the best places that I've been. We did an excursion through cruise line. It was great.

[@momof1576]

Sounds like Hamilton Ontario

[@cynthiadrysdale-coffin2810]

When we were there the first time, it wasn’t comforting seeing guards with AK47’s outside restaurants or gas stations. The second time we were warned that if we traveled outside of the private port we were at our safety couldn’t be guaranteed.

[@marisol6560]

@@glendalaforce9454I’m going to Belize and from all the KZbin videos I’ve watched about the city, it sounds lovely! Of course I’m doing the cruise line excursion to be safe!

[@marybethhughes5320]

Jamaica was super sketchy. I had signed up for a cruise tour but wasn’t feeling well. The tour had just gotten started and its first stop was in sight of the dock, maybe 2 blocks away. I explained to the driver i was going to walk back to the ship. No, No I’ll drive you. And when we got back to the port area he had a cruise staff member escort me to the dock. He explained that there was no where safe for a tourist to go alone.

[@krisrauceo718]

I am a Trinidadian living in Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago does not have terrorism. The crime is targeted persons who are not involved in anything good to begin with or crime of passion. Tourists will be safe once they are in groups. Please dont let this video deter you all from visiting my beautiful country especially during the festival of Carnival. In 2019, VH1 taped Girls Cruise in trinidad. Trust me it is not as dangerous as one might think.

[@kathybrem880]

I agree

[@debrakelly4505]

Thanks for your comment ~ it's truly sad the few bad apples ruin it for the majority. I'm sure there are great people, like yourself, in your country. What matters is what is in one's heart.

[@user-in4cl9fx3h]

I agree

[@olivemartini]

Jamaica hands down. Mind you this was more than 20 years ago. Getting to the falls was fine but we had to walk through a shopping district to get back to the ship and the people running the shops would NOT let us get through without buying SOMETHING.

[@susanwestfall2051]

A number of years ago our Panama Canal cruise stopped in Cartagena. My sister and I decided to walk to a park across the street from the ship. To do so we walked through a “gauntlet” of men, leaning against cars and leering at us. We were so creeped out we immediately returned to the ship. For the record, we were both middle aged, not young and lovely.

[@gatorsrays32]

Still like that, we were there in April. Colon is the same. I won't go back to either of those places.

[@patrickcole1962]

Women are like wine they get better with age

[@arriegalvan4382]

Middle aged does not matter if you look good. There are Honduran and El Salvadoran immigrants around me- in Arkansas and they stare at me and urinate in my presence which is illegal here but they don't care about the laws.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I was just in Cartagena, my second visit and loved it. I know what you are referring to - no problem for me as I am a man. Adapt or perish I suppose.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I was just in Cartagena, my second visit and loved it. I know what you are referring to - no problem for me as I am a man. North America is a privledged place for women. Your comments sound sexist by the way.

[@charlenefreeman18]

Belize is scary and we have a friend who was mugged in Belize City so staying in the port area or going on a cruise ship excursion is a must. Jamaica was very scary - there was armed militia everywhere and frightening.

[@bee2783]

Kingstown, St.vincent and grenadines gave us chills, especially that recently someone's head was removed by machete in downtown

[@pamelarowland6724]

Years ago after a hurricane passed through Mexico our cruise stopped at progreso - the city was just getting water and electricity back - lite poles being erected as we passed by. The tour took us to see the elite resorts etc. however, to get there you had to go through storm damaged areas. Many of the homes front doors had numbers sprayed on them like 1-2-0 . We asked about the numbers and sadly found out the coroners knew which houses to go to and how many casualties they could expect. Quite humbling. To the country’s people though, they were trying make our stay as good as possible. At every light in one area a resident., who the driver knew came up to the window and thanked us for coming one even apologizing for the conditions. Still moves me. What I considered in the beginning to be sketchy turned out to be something that still moves me.

[@Happiness379]

Fascinating. Wow, sad and humbling. Thanks for sharing.

[@audreyrose1694]

I actually loved progreso a lot! We were nervous when we first got there. We had to walk through a busy market area to get to the public beach. I wouldn't do it alone but with my husband or a group I felt safe enough. The sketchiest part was the little old ladies dressed in nun-style outfits asking for charitable donations lol oh and some people in my family got food poisoning but that was 100% their fault! I told them not to buy food from the random dude at the beach... you have no clue where its coming from, that couldve been in some dude's trunk for all you know. but yeah the people in general are very friendly. actually everywhere i've been in mexico has been a wonderful experience

[@julianigoe1291]

Makes me think twice about a Caribbean cruise. Happy cruising everyone 🍻🇦🇺🍻

[@debrakelly4505]

There's so few places to go anymore! Wasn't like this years ago....so sad...it's a sign of the times. "In those days, people did what was right in their own eyes" and "violence filled the land."

[@user-wc2js7bl8y]

Several years ago my husband and I went to Falmouth Jamaica on a cruise. I had heard about a beautiful beach called the time and place beach. We hired a cab driver to take us and he negotiated a price for us with the owner at the beach. We had a wonderful time in the water. We were worried he wouldn’t come back and get us, but when we got out of the water there he was sitting at the bar, having a drink and waved at us. Absolutely the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. Maybe we were just lucky or things have changed a lot for the worse.

[@loriallen9237]

Key point being several years ago...

[@mjmarinajessselincorner7911]

U were just lucky

[@susancook1448]

I would like to see cruises leaving from Galveston expand their itineraries towards eastern or southern Caribbean instead of always Mexico.

[@kathyparker4453]

We are going on a 14 day Eastern Caribbean on the Dream in October. Then November 2024 on the Miracle for a 12 day to the Southern Caribbean. Wish they would make them all the time.

[@albertschneuwly747]

I live in Houston and we would love to see cruises to the southern and eastern Caribbean We have done Roatob and Belize snf now we have to fly to Miami to go to other islands I was told it was too far from Gslveston for the ships to go anywhere but Mexico

[@hangingwiththehowards]

Just looked at Royal Caribbean itineraries this morning and I was pleasantly surprised to see that Harmony has a schedule that includes Nassau and Coco Cay along with Roaton and Cozumel (I think... was stuck on the Bahamas ports lol), plus they included Belize, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, and I want to say 1 other port with multiple sailing dates. Harmony and another ship (Mariner. I hope not... the other ship is Voyager Class I think. Not a great ship but has better ports). Voyager is headed to Spain next year, with Allure headed to Florida, replaced by Harmony in November. Long Beach is my home port, but Houston is where my grandkids are so Galveston I keep an eye on. Can't wait for Navigator to get expanded schedule or at least do the 5 day Cabo/Ensenada run. Also waiting on Royal to bring a newer ship to LA

[@mrkitty5581]

I agree. It’s so much closer to where we live. I’m tired of going to Mexico.

[@michaelcowan6254]

​@@kathyparker4453 We are doing both of those cruises.

[@bentl1m392]

Without question, the most dangerous port outside of an active war zone is Jamaica. The only time I literally thought we were going to die was a trip to Montego Bay. I can't put everything in print here, but I seriously thought I was going to have to sacrifice myself to save my spouse. I told her goodbye & told her not to stop or look back after I told her to run. We barely made it to the hotel alive. We immediately tried to fly back to the U.S., but the flights were packed. It was so incredibly horrible, that they should make a horror movie about it. If you think you are safe on a ship-approved tour, you aren't remotely aware of the extreme dangers. I was told by our native local guide to get below the windows of a bus so that we couldn't be seen, or the locals would assault the bus & possibly kill/rob/rape us passing through Falmouth. And this was the LEAST dangerous thing to happen. Jamaica has police crime statistics hidden as it'd freak out tourists with categories like icepick murders, rapes & violent tourist beatings. I was personally assaulted in front of 45 tourists & our guides, in just a single example, for my refusal to pay a local demanding $20, to hold my hand for about a second stepping off a river canoe. Please bear in mind, this was the LEAST aggressive thing we personally experienced. If you've never heard of the most recent "cereal riots" or the murdered Fodors travel guide women writer, you're just putting in a stupidly dangerous situation. The country deliberately hides this info. I actually had a Jamaican travel rep fly to my city solely to threaten/intimidate me to remove the experience in Jamaica from our company website. I'd feel safer in the Ukraine than Jamaica at this point.

[@DecrepitBiden]

That's why I don't travel to any country south of the USA, don't matter if I'm in a guided tour. Same for any country in Africa. Hawaii is pretty nice & safe. Just came back last week, from a 7 day stay in Waikiki. IMHO, Hawaii is better than any Caribbean places. And why Jamaica? If you want to see the hood, just go to Compton or any hood in the USA.

[@sbarker105]

It’s unfortunate that so many of these beautiful places have become so dangerous for tourists. The tourists are the ones who can help some of these improvised areas. Drugs have ruined more than people’s lives. It has ruined the ability to see these wonderful places. 😢

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I have travelled extensively in the Caribbean and my heart breaks for the vast majority of citizens, who are kind but impoverished. See it from their perspective. A bunch of rich foreigners come to their country, enjoy their beaches which are not accessible for them, treat them with patronizing attitudes (I have seen it many times). Breeds resentment.

[@paulieprinceton4550]

@@BrianBaileyedtechthose people should be grateful for the tourists, since it would be much worse if they were not visiting and bringing their money.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

@@paulieprinceton4550 Nah, your attitude sounds arrogant. Stay home.

[@FOH3663]

Drugs were equally as prevalent 30-40yrs ago in Jamaica ... It's not simply the drugs.

[@sandramrivera6508]

Jamaica is dangerous. Do not wonder on your own. We have visited Ocho Rios on various occasions. As we were getting off the bus, a man approached my husband. The man was wearing a black trench coat. Asked him if there was anything he wanted (drugs). We obviously turned him down. My husband's worked at that time for the US Feds. Be careful. Jamaica has one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, but please be aware of your surroundings.

[@brianpawlowski6498]

San Juan. Especially at night. I once had a federale stop me and ask where I was going. When I told him, he said "not without ammo you ain't going there". Nuff said.

[@lhrrdxx1]

What is a federale?

[@arnaldocerra7218]

I call this BS. PUERTO RICO has no “Federales”, that’s a term for MEXICAN FEDERAL POLICE. PR being an US territory has a law enforcement system based on the US model. You were probably drunk speaking to a bitter security guard somewhere…

[@Sandy-zw9vl]

No this is TRUE. Have been to PR many times and (don’t know what they are called) but soldiers w/machine guns were standing in the entrances of hotels in the SAN JUAN Condado area. One year was followed by a guy in the old section of San Juan, down a dark and winding road/alley. Then other years everything was fine, and nothing amiss.

[@nildalopez8869]

Federales..puerto rico don't have Federales.maybe you confused with mexico

[@1951RKP]

I’ve been to Jamaica about 8 times. One of the times my platonic lady friend and I went Sandals Montego Bay. She wanted to take a catamaran cruise from the resort that was about two hours long. She ask me to go but I wasn’t really interested. From one of the restaurants I saw the Catamaran boat return and expected her to join me shortly. About a hour went by and she hadn’t showed up yet. I went to our room thinking may of went straight there. She wasn’t there. Went back to the restaurant and still didn’t see her. Back to the room and she was sitting on the bed staring into space. She looked at me and said the crew of the boat detained her after all others had left then raped her. I was furious and told her come on lefts go to the office. She refused and said she never wanted to talk about it again. I wonder how many times that has happened and has never been reported. I felt bad because it only happened because she was by herself but she forbid me to say anything about it. Not long after that when the young girl went missing in Aruba which I don’t think they’ve ever found her to this day. Ladies when in these places NEVER GO OUT ALONE. There are predators just waiting to catch you alone. They just rob a man but women have so much more to lose. Since that time I’ve traveled to many more island and I warn my lady friends and won’t let them go out like that alone.

[@sheryldiggett1086]

Nassau was scary. We went back to ship after being mugged just outside the straw market. We had only been off the ship 10 minutes and we were walking with a lot of other cruise passengers.

[@SilverHonda0767]

We are taking our very first cruise with Royal Caribbean to Nassau in the Bahamas. We want to go to Atlantis, but I’m afraid to get off the ship. Is it too sketchy?

[@evelynmckenzie5269]

Were you actually (mugged) attacked and robbed outside the straw market in Nassau? WOW! Was there police presence? SCARY!

[@margaretfuller8867]

@@SilverHonda0767 Atlantis is lovely. Take a cab and arrange a pick up at a designated time.

[@susancook1448]

My family Loved Atlantis! We went about ten years ago so Nassau could have been safer then.

[@SilverHonda0767]

@@margaretfuller8867 what if I book it though Royal Caribbean to Altanis ? Will it be worth it ?

[@amandadorton4149]

St Thomas was sketchy for us...we got a Taxi and told them where we wanted to go but she took us to another beach that she had arrangements with...the water was beautiful but the locals were fighting...a week later a carnival passenger was shot when the locals were fighting.

[@amandadorton4149]

She just told us she was taking us to another beach that we would like...wouldn't say kidnapped lol. It was ok, beautiful water just didn't like the locals fighting

[@beeiz5656]

We had no issues,last fall in Trinidad and Tobago! Had an excellent time, just be wise

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

Me too! I loved Port of Spain - was well aware of its bad rep but had a great time staying in a nice area with lots of great restaurants and bars. Do your research and you'll have a good time.

[@gillianselkridge3515]

I live in T&T and I'm unaware of any terrorism. I think this report and advisory are over the top. Trinidad and Tobago ate great tourist destinations. Travel in groups and exercise care just as when you are in the US.

[@pamelapope859]

The first thing I do before I even book a cruise is do my research. I check travel alerts and crime stats in that country and once I go to any port safe or not safe I always stay aware of my surroundings and do exactly what Carnival tells us to do. It's always better to be safe than sorry. I always go to Mexico where my boyfriend lives so I also do as he says lol

[@suehoot6256]

Looks like you’re a robot

[@pamelapope859]

@@suehoot6256 No, I'm just a smart traveler

[@haleymartell3891]

I’ve been to 1-4 and found Jamaica to be the most sketchy in Ochos Rios and Montego Bay. I could do without ever going to Jamaica again. As far as the safest I think Grand Cayman is one of the safest ports, highly recommend!

[@Xaj33]

Yes we felt safe in Grand Cayman .And Aruba was another safe place .

[@mysolavei1224]

Sketchiest was the Bahamas. Many people just jostling through the port and aggressively selling tours, hair braiding, trinkets, etc.

[@harleypoynter8067]

I wouldn't say that's necessarily sketchy. That's expected. They gotta make a living some how. It's annoying yes.

[@gmoneyboys1]

That's at every port I've been too people selling stuff

[@cdnmetelhead4013]

My sketchy port was in Martinique. We got in a taxi arranged by the cruise company. In addition to the driver there was some dude in the front seat. They were talking in French about how they were going to take us to a remote location and rob us. In French I told the driver to stop here. You should have seen the look on his face.

[@babycakes1402]

Ocho Rios in jamaica. This was a port stop in 2007 & I just felt uneasy the entire time we were there.

[@kathybrem880]

Really? I’ve been there three times, I love it.

[@gmoneyboys1]

​@kathybrem880 Me too I love Ocho Rios can't wait to go back

[@donnathompson1682]

Ocho Rios on a river rafting excursion, the guy doing the poling gave us attitude whenever we did not purchase his carvings. This was a cruise sponsored excursion 😮

[@Star-Boarder]

I thought Nassua was sketchy. However, when it comes to my vacations, I'm lazy and risk adverse. I don't believe in trying to save money to go out outside port and just take a cruiseline managed excursion. I'm not one for dying while doing something I loved kinda person. 😊 I've seen enough Mexico so I stay on the ship or pick a better itinerary.

[@lisagardner903]

My husband and I stayed on the cruise ship in Cozumel and had a wonderful lunch and some nice drinks by the pool. 😍 I have been to Cozumel so many times I am not missing anything by staying on the ship.

[@MJ-gj6mj]

​@@lisagardner903Honestly, sometimes that's the only way to enjoy the pool areas or sun spots. They book so many people on these ships, and that's fun at times...but there's definitely advantages to skipping a port day 😊

[@deborahhines6794]

I've been to Ocho Rois cruise port twice and never had a problem. Fly to Jamaica every year and never had a problem.

[@danieldelgado8153]

Falmouth Jamaica was the absolute worst place I hav ever been too. My family (wife and 2 teenagers got off the ship and decided to go into town to explore by ourselves. What a mistake. Every 5 feet people wouldn’t leave us alone. Trying to sell us overpriced souvenirs and asking us for money. We finally told the last group of people that wouldn’t leave us alone that my daughter was getting sick and was throwing up.. We went back to the ship and told people getting off we thought is was a good idea for them to go back to the safety of the ship..Also had a bad experience at Montgomery Bay but not as bad. Only problem there was people trying to sell us drugs. Never again will I go back to Jamaica….

[@lisabehrend4617]

We went on a cruise to Ochos Rios in 2000. It was our last stop on our seven day cruise. When we pulled in to the Port of Miami 2 days later we were instructed to go to a lounge, depending on where our cabin was located and several National Guard with dogs came on the ship. We were delayed several hours before we were allowed to get off the ship. Later we found out one of our passengers were killed by someone in Jamaica, and that person managed to get on the ship using the passenger’s ID and was on our ship the last two days of cruise.

[@catsosweet3686]

Omg 😮😮😮😮😮

[@catsosweet3686]

U should use ya id to get off and on that boat

[@GoArmy87]

Damn!

[@islandqueen3527]

What the h! That is extremely scary!

[@hanhb6047]

WOW

[@celestetamarit2619]

I cruised there and then lived on Roatan for a year. I’m a white female, 5 feet tall, but I did not feel threatened a single day on that island. I was welcomed by the locals and rented with the locals and felt very safe. Most of the people I met were as beautiful as the island itself. My favourite beach for snorkelling of all time.

[@jc42598]

We also felt very welcome in Roatan and met some wonderful locals.

[@ValAnderson753]

What year would this have been, that you lived there?

[@pamspencer5733]

Wow,I'm single female & want to stay with a very safe local. To snorkel & lose weight! I just got back from a cruise & all these ports are sketchy!

[@petitecherie501]

Morocco, by far, just gave me the modt unsettled feeling I could not shake.

[@wkndgrltrp]

Montego Bay scared me and I'm from NY

[@Graygeezer]

Martinique was the most dangerous place we’ve cruised. The tour guide warned us to go straight into the ship without delay, don’t slow down, don’t talk to anyone, don’t go into any shops.

[@evohno]

Absolutely! I wish I would have stayed on the ship!

[@bayvillagebug]

We were there a few years ago and ventured all through the city, the open market. It was great. No problems and never felt unsafe.

[@janetstanland2015]

I was assaulted on Martinique, I will never get off the ship there again!!!

[@stockseer]

I'm surprised... I loved it.. snokled there and took the high-speed boat to Le Meridian ... years ago.. but it seem lovely and very French

[@ethansun7000]

Huh my family and I wandered all around the capital for hours and felt very safe

[@greggk2818]

I have been to most of the places in the Caribbean that you named and did excursions by third parties and the ship I have never really had problem except in Haiti, dude whip a bracelet on my wrist and demanded money I lost my mind when I got done showing him my special brand of crazy he cut it off. The vendor next to him send me a bracelet by way of my cousins who laughed the whole time saying he picked the right today. I was trained in the hood and by the military.

[@webstermitchell2335]

I live in St Thomas and cruise and just travel the Caribbean very frequently, I'm surprised you didn't mention the Dominican Republic. I will say this is however another place as long as you stay within the cruise port and travel with ship excursions you "should be", lol, fine. Every single person I know (including myself) (AND people from there) can tell you some really scary storis about the DR.

[@shamas.7823]

We cruised to Nassau many times - we hate it - but booked another cruise in January that will go there - we plan on staying on the ship. We loved Hondurus - got a taxi to take us to a beautiful beach - he was so nice.

[@alicekaeka9551]

So basically all the ports cruises go. We love Cozumel!

[@vikker8274]

Every time I’ve been there it was on a ship, and I leave there saying:” why the heck didn’t I just come here for the week?”…. Still my favorite port…

[@butcher4777]

Maybe it’s just being reported more or publicized more but it seem the whole world is unsafe

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

The world has actually never been safer, statistics back this up. Media is the problem - it sensationalizes anomalies. The world was much more dangerous when I first backpacked 40 years ago.

[@olowasegun6829]

Thank you for getting to the point 👍🏾

[@thejtcouple]

Roatan was the most sketchy for us, as soon as we stepped out the port to go downtown we were literally surrounded by a bunch of people trying to have us buy stuff. One guy even kept telling us to quickly get in his car so he can give us a tour of the island for just $10… we immediately walked right back to the ship lol.

[@dianasackmann8419]

I don’t think of this as sketchy. Rather I think of this as them being so poor and desperate for money to feed their families. I won’t go into all the details but in Columbia I gave a man a US $10 bill and I swear I thought he was going yo cry w/gratitude.

[@sosaix3545]

Years ago on a cruise stopping in Ocho Rios, the cruise staff warned guests to avoid going over to anyone waving you over to them, as they're police trying to entrap you by asserting you must have come to them looking for drugs. Fast forward to last year and on a Disney cruise stopping in Falmouth, the secured port developed by Royal Caribbean and used by Disney as well, we had a great tour to a private beach club through the cruise line. Back in the secure port shops, a woman who claimed to be an employee in the shop saw my wife eyeing a t-shirt. "Just give me the money," she said, and began trying to stuff the shirt into my wife's backpack. "You won't have to pay tax that way." My wife wisely told her, "No thanks, let me go to the register and pay," and kept moving so the woman couldn't get into her bag. Later on we deduced she may have been local police looking to shake down a tourist by accusing them of theft. We won't go into shops in Jamaica ever again after that - just to the beach and back via cruise-arranged excursions and that's it.

[@MJ-gj6mj]

Wow😮 Thanks for sharing these stories they are definitely eye openers.

[@Tugela60]

Not police, just a scammer trying to get you to give them money.

[@Valjmsw]

My favorite place to cruise to is Bermuda. The people are great and the island is beautiful. I would love to do the islands but I would go back to Bermuda any time.

[@briankocheraabcdt4628]

I live in New Jersey. When I take public transportation, I change trains in Newark, NJ. In Manhattan I ride the subways on a regular basis. Quite early, I have learned how to blend in. Put your cellphone on vibrate and don't take it out if you have to. Far better to use cheep looking Bluetooth ear buds. JBL makes some that look like they came from a dollar store. Dress down, dress down, dress down! I actually have some clothes I got at Goodwill and wear them if I know I will be going or passing through a particularly dicey area Men, keep your wallet in your front pocket. Or better still leave the wallet in the cruise ship safe and just keep the bare essentials in your front pocket. Ladies, learn to live without a purse or hand bag. You might follow suit and keep your essentials in your front pocket arranged so it doesn't bulge. I always pack a few first aide supplies. If I stay at an all inclusive, I hide the bracelet under a gauze wrap until I will need it again. This is a great trick when shopping where bartering is part of the process. The vender in casual conversation will always work in a question about where you are staying. In advance I always research a few one and two star hotels. I pick one where Americans have stayed by plan or accident. The vendeurs are more likely to bargain a lot lower if they know you aren't paying a lot for your stay. Trust me they play the same dressing down game I play. I have seen some Jamaican beach vendeurs and the ones at Duns River Falls get into sparkling new Cadelscs and Jaguars. While staying at an all inclusive, I spent a lot of time at a public beach. The beach was nicer than the one at my resort. There was a rodeside barbecue where the slow cooked the Jerk in an old oil drum. The food was not modified for the American taste. The Curried Goat packed a significant wallop. It was very tasty. I made friends with some of the locals which gave me access to the local music clubs. I admit this was right after 9/11. As soon as it was safe to fly out of Newark without an unexpected stop at the Statue of Liberty I flew down to Cancun and stayed at an all inclusive. Most of the guests were from Germany and The Netherlands. Day or night I roamed all over Playa del Carmen. I even stopped to pick up munchies at El Grant Marcado de San Francisco de Assis. The local supermarket. I had lunch at a local tacoteria that I learned about from the housekeeper who made up my room. I am an a mature singer. I get gigs but I am not famous or have a record contract. I learn languages with proper pronunciation and slang. If I will be doing a land vacation for an extended stay, I learn enough to get by beyond the usual academic and tourist stuff. I walked all over Grand Camen outside of Georgetown. The standard of living for locals on Grand Camen is fairly high. I didn't dress down as much as I might elsewhere. If this is your 1st cruise or travel away from home, do not - I repeat do not try this. Hone your blending skills in big American cities like New York. Start in the relatively safe neighborhoods before you venture to dive bars in Alphabet City after midnight. When riding the New York subway, stay back - stay back from the edge of the platform! Resist the urge to go to the edge and lean out to see if the train is coming. Once you develop a sense of subway balance, if you see something that feels off, get up and move to another car. With experience you'll lean the optimal times to change cars when the train is in motion. Use common sense, listen to your gut. Once you become a savvy traveler you'll know when to venture off and when to stay put. From riding the NYC subways I have developed a hyper vigalence wherever I travel. If you are going to the beach you can enjoy swimming and get a tan without the latest beach fashiones. Something five years old will do just as well.

[@darlenejackson-millin484]

The scariest cruise port I have visited was Venezuela, back in 1996 (my first cruise). The cruise line had a forum for passengers before we arrived! We of course went on an excursion booked with the cruise line. Even so, it was still scary! We felt safest during the part of the excursion, where we went to a hotel for a catered lunch.😢

[@edgein3299]

Was there in 1995. One of the worst dumps I’ve ever seen with all those shacks clinging to the hillsides.

[@cnscool76]

@@edgein3299 that blew me away as well!😳 Someone on our tour was pickpocketed!!!😩

[@HRHolm-bi6zu]

Bill O'Reilly on one of his recent newscasts lately flagged Venezuela as a particularly dangerous country going way back, and he (supposedly) has been a very extensive world traveler since he was 18.

[@toplespecah666]

But chicks are cheap there

[@Bobrogers99]

The other scary place was also years ago when our Mediterranean cruise stopped at Tunis, Tunisia. We were turned loose without a guide near the entrance to a large underground marketplace. There were military at every corner with machine guns. We were instructed to stay together in groups and stay in the main passageways. One shopkeeper nearly convinced one in the group to purchase a large, beautiful rug, but the shipping arrangements were sketchy. Later, we made a stop at a museum that contained impressive Roman mosaics and statuary, but it was in very shabby condition. The vendors outside did a brisk business selling us trinkets and jewelry. We, were, however, relieved to get back on the ship! This stop in Tunis had one advantage. At the airport in Milan where we were to fly home, there was a huge line waiting to check in. One fellow was going down the line checking passports, and when he saw the Tunis stamps in ours, we were whisked to the head of the line, our baggage was quickly searched, and we were among the first to get on the plane!

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

Sorry to hear that about your expperience in Tunis. Tunis has unfortunately quite a lot of tourist scams, but otherwise it is very safe to go. Do you mean the Suuq (Bazaar) in the town centre when you talked about the "underground marketplace"? You should explore it on your own, it is big and quite impressive. And I am sure you are talking about the Bardo museum. It is really impressive with the mosaics. People consider the museum as the second most importanmt museum in North Africa after the National Museum in Cairo, Egypt. I haven't been there for some years now and I would be disappointed if it became neglected and shabby. Tunissia is really a country you should visit for a longer period as it is a small country but with big varietiy from north to south. (By the way: I am not Tunisian, I am even not Arab, but I love Tunisia!)

[@Bobrogers99]

@@hassanalihusseini1717 In retrospect, our day in Tunis was memorable in a positive way. The bazaar seemed to be a friendly place even though there were armed military right outside. This was over 30 years ago, and I hope that the museum has received some TLC since then.

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

@@Bobrogers99 Thank you for answering. Happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay in Tunis at that time. Yes, Tunisia has undergone a lot of changes since then starting with 1987 Coup d'etat. One dictator replaced by another one.... And now same again... Tunisia startimg point of the Arab Spring in 2011 with so much hope....now again under dictatorship under a might greedy president. But people there stayed mostly same, especially outside tourist areas. Helpful and polite. Wish you many nice other experiences on cruising! Enjoy the world!

[@chocoholic832]

When our cruise ship visited Tunisia,we decided to stay on the ship. It was heaven having the ship to ourselves just about. I did hear horror stories about Tunisia, so that made our minds up. That was years ago, so may have changed since then.

[@bobslydell806]

When I was a kid in the 70s, my family lived in Tunisia. My non military fathers company moved us there for a couple f years and I can say that I KNEW it was all down hill from here. We had a house just steps from the med, at a hotel with room service and it was paradise on earth. I LOVED Tunisia but in the end, the fact is some Muslim dude tried to kill my mother in the front yard of our marble palace. Stabbed while 20 guys at the bus stop watched and did nothing. My father employed our maids entire extended family and I loved all of them. Our maid absolutely saved my mothers life. But for a young teen? My friends were all military spawn so we were tied into an awesome group of friends. Spear fishing every weekend, on beaches that have to be seen to be believed. Stayed in a hotel that was Luke skywalkers house and we has just arrived when Star Wars crews were leaving. Seriously crazy history and architecture roman columns to kicking up bullets on a beach the Allies landed upon in ww2. I knew a guy who found a Nazi helmet on a reef. It was as close to being an actual Indiana Jones 10 years before….it was great. I LOVED the suuk, and watched a lot of craziness there. I know a guy who could NOT go there without getting his wallet stolen. If you were confident, minded your own business and knew your limitations generally, obviously not always, you were fine. I hate that happened there.

[@Retired1811]

Easily the sketchiest cruise port we have visited is the island of St. Vincent in the Grenadines. We made the mistake of walking out of the port into the town of Kingstown. We quickly realized we were the only people from the ship to do this. We instantly grabbed a taxi and hired the driver for a tour of the island just to get out of the area. We were lucky. The driver was great and took us to a beautiful botanical garden as well as to Fort Charlotte, a British-colonial era fort. Interestingly, it is the only Fort in the Caribbean where the cannons point inland at the mountains. St. Vincent has been a dangerous place for a long, long time.

[@spidiweb3233]

U sure u went to st vincent

[@Dr.TeachPrayze]

I am a cruiser. However, I never really had any Sketchiness. I did travel to Montego Bay and stayed at an exclusive resort. My phone died so I had to go into town to see if they could fix it. The concierge introduced me to a gentleman who taxi me any where I wanted to go. He even took me to the airport at 4am for my morning flight. I was very skeptical but just be conscious of your surroundings. If I survived the Burroughs of New York City then I know I can survive anywhere

[@debbiepowell8172]

I have been to 5 out of the 7 you listed. I will say that Roatan has never been a problem but Belize, Haiti, and Jamaica were definitely one and done. If I cruise there again I will remain on the ship.

[@user-oz2je9km8k]

Montego Bay - Jamaica is where we felt unsafe. Traveling there this July and will stay on ship.

[@donnahughes9575]

My husband and i wondered off in Belize via rented scooter. We had a blast but little did we know many of the locals thought my husband was a notorious local drug dealer. People were constantly moving out of our way, practically demanding we have items (chips, water from a store) for free, etc. When wegot back to the port we found out why. I was like damnnn, it couldve been a bad day if we ran into the wrong people.

[@hanhb6047]

Hilarious but wow, that clearly kept you guys safe. I had a Vietnamese American friend go to Vietnam. While there, everyone was excited to see him and wanted to take photos with him. Apparently, the people there mistook him for a famous Asian actor.

[@roatanfivestars1357]

We really enjoyed and learned a lot from the video guys, just on point with Roatan (Bay Islands of Honduras), indeed is safe and is a different story versus our mainland, welcome back to the pearl of the Caribbean, cheers

[@kenstears2512]

We have have travelled to a few level 3 & 4 rated areas! We have had no problems. I personally love Jamaica! People there just want to talk and of course to possibly sell you something. I know how to relate and talk to just about anyone. 22 years as a Ca. Correctional Officer taught me a lot about how to talk to people. Treat people with respect and you will go along way.

[@kathybrem880]

Same with me-it’s one of my favorite places. I find the people wonderful! A local lady whipped me up a summer dress on the beach that fit perfectly just by looking at me-I was happy to pay her! Very talented!

[@mercyrodriguez5780]

Whenever we go to these Ports, we do ship’s excursions, never on our own!

[@lg4377]

ive read that the port in El Salvador is in the top 10 least safe. i haven't been to the port, but have been to the country and understand why it could be in the list. we recently did a nile river cruise and our group had armed security through out (they carried automatic weapons), but when we docked in qena, we had police and military boats escorting us with mounted guns and military set up on land blocking the area around our boat with checkpoints and tanks, etc. when we got on buses to excursions, the military escorted us. it was crazy.

[@Happiness379]

Whoah

[@arriegalvan4382]

I know a couple from El Salvador that I met through a Church- the man is dangerous. If you get acquainted with any don't let their charm fool you.

[@stevenkukene9970]

I felt a definite vibe in Belize. I called the sleaze of Belize. Give the chance to go back to this port I would consider staying on the ship. All set.

[@kimames2840]

St. Lucia was very sketchy when we were there last year!!

[@beverleewilmoth3080]

This year in May my Daughter took me on a cruise for Mothers Day. We were on a private beach in Jamaica, was really nice. But when we were in Cozumel there were armed military everywhere!!! I was ready to get back on the ship! I can say I've been to Jamaica! Such a diverse place. From very very poor places, to the wealth of some. It was just mind blowing!! Glad I finally got to see all that we saw, but we are praying people, and said plenty of prayers!!!!

[@jesussalva4397]

We just went to Cali and Cartagena in Colombia everything was good!

[@BX2CT]

Have been to Jamaica 4 times 3x montego bay and once to ocho rios and always stayed on a resort but have traveled outside of them with a local cab and as well as excursions through resorts and luckily have always felt safe and never had a bad experience

[@gregcraig2407]

Count your blessings

[@doreenevans5945]

Dunns Falls was a nightmare for me. The taxi was set up from the cruise conciergeries. The driver made sexual advances towards me and immediately I told him to return to the ship. He wanted to charge me $40 dollars for the ride to Dunns Falls. I refused and reported the situation. I would never want to go back to Jamacia again.

[@kathybrem880]

I’ve gone there with cruise approved bus and it was great-loved every minute! The shops are very aggressive in their selling technique, but they always took ‘no thank you’ with no problem

[@kengodbold1142]

Our last trip to Mazatlán was a highlight because they had a painted walkway all the way into town. Every intersection on the marked route had security officers and or Police. We enjoyed the walk on our own and found a nice restaurant. Our sketchiest port was Costa Maya: you leave the dock and can ONLY go into a huge shopping area. By huge I mean it has it's own beach, pool and dolphin 'swim with' area. The mart is shaped like a huge conch shell and you move forever through all the shops and around the huge curve of shops to a horn which brings you back around the outside of the conch, with more shops, before you can leave. Feeling very trapped, with several ships in port, I explored an Emergency Exit sign area and found the gate chained and locked. So we thought we would just sit a while and have a drink and prices were basically 'outrageous'. Would never return, but if had to, would stay on board or have an excursion booked. (Later heard rumor has it that the whole area was built by a cartel)

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

I had the same great experience in Mazatlan.

[@-Ordinary-Average-Guy]

They also do the same in Puerto Rico. When you disembark from the ship you are met with smiling police on bicycles. And they are everywhere. They know tourism is their bread and butter.

[@gigimimi3224]

Costa Maya is a recreated town built by the cruise line…this is so it’s safe and more money goes to the cruise line

[@mafp22w]

We went to Costa Maya on a Disney Cruise. We went into town and chartered a fishing boat. Great fishing and we caught some big fish. We had plenty of time to get to the ship, so we decided to walk along the beach. It was a great walk. But, when we got back, there was no way to get into the port. We had to return and start over and by that time I was worried that we would miss the ship. I decided to run ahead on the very rural road and then in the distance, I saw three men in the distance with guns. I quickly ran back to my wife and young boys. Fortunately, these guys with machine guns were military. You see a lot of that in Mexico. We did make it back and got a taxi just in time for the ship. That was one of those things in life that I wouldn’t do again, but it won’t ever be forgotten.

[@gonefishing3644]

Be cautious in the cruise port of Naples Italy. There are plenty of pick pockets and muggers on the streets looking for wallets, Rolex watches and designer handbags to take from unsuspecting tourists. NEVER wear or carry anything expensive in Naples. There have also been instances of tourists in Naples getting drugged -- even fatally -- so they could get robbed in their hotel rooms. Be on your guard in Naples because history shows us this port city has been a haven for brigands and thieves for hundreds of years.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

It's funny, I was staying in Rome and even my Italian Airbnb host warned me to be careful of pickpockets in Naples. I was disappointed when I got there - zero pickpockets and I had an awesome day there. No danger whatsoever.

[@gonefishing3644]

@@BrianBaileyedtech I wish I could say the same. A steel case Rolex watch was ripped off my wrist in Naples. I could not believe a thief would want a watch that was not made of precious metal.

[@davva360]

We had a fantastic time in Jamaica earlier this year. Went to Falmouth and went to a beach resort on an excursion through the cruise line. I do agree though you would be unwise to go wandering around on your own.

[@matthewwindisch9449]

Nassau,Bahamas is extremely sketchy in my opinion. Been there several times, I don’t even bother getting off the ship anymore. Last time we there some guy wearing a cheap suit was following me My wife and 3 daughters around town. He was very skilled at it, I’m convinced my LE back round helped us out that day. I was honestly waiting for a van to pull up and grab us.

[@2GringosOnTheGulf]

We loved Jamaica but definitely feel much safer in Mexico. 🇲🇽 Cheers to you friend 💞 from 2 Canadians 🇨🇦 living in Mexico.✌️😊

[@Bobrogers99]

Years ago, our cruise ship stopped at Caracas, Venezuela. I don't believe they stop there now! We took a bus tour into the city and back, but we did not get off the bus! I vividly remember a vast hillside totally covered with thousands and thousands of shacks, and near the road was a huge mountain of trash bags. The poverty there was very depressing.

[@karenoverfield4870]

We went there too a long time ago. Took a tour to the jungle a couple of hours to the interior and rode in the back of a rickety jeep or some kind of open air vehicle.

[@lotsofthisandthat9791]

San Francisco in a few years

[@sauronthegreat5799]

Now you know why so many people try to come to the USA. No matter how bad the USA is, it is much worse in their country.

[@louisesultana2431]

That’s what socialism did to Venezuela

[@Bobrogers99]

@@louisesultana2431 That's what dictatorship did to Venezuela. Democratic socialism works fine in some other countries.

[@cydkriletich6538]

On our Panama Canal cruise in 2019, we stopped in Cartagena, Columbia. I was somewhat anxious about it. We were taken by bus to an older shopping area that was obviously designed as a place for tourists to shop. On the way there, the guide told us that it was a very safe area, because if any local tried anything funny, the other locals would beat the crap out of the offender! They work very hard to keep tourists safe, because that is where the locals make their money, and they will not tolerate anyone ruining that for them. I felt very safe, but I was disappointed that we weren’t going to see the rest of the city, or more of the country, although I knew why.

[@resinnut9335]

We went in 2019 as well. Our tour guide was a local resident and explained how serious crime is there and how you really have no rights or protection from their government. It was pretty alarming... but he was very knowledgeable, and we were so glad we did not go off on our own at that port

[@CC-cv3xk]

That’s unfortunate… you should’ve seen more of the city… it’s beautiful & safe! If you had time of course..

[@guesswho-sx8ec]

When I went to Granada I felt a little uncomfortable.

[@sherrylemay2134]

I went to Columbia last year on a cruise. A friend I was with lives in US but was born there. She was able to get us a local guide and he was amazing. He took/followed us everywhere. I could see that he was always watching, but he told us the same. If you mess with tourists it is serious because they work so hard to have a good reputation.

[@michaelcowan6254]

We did the hop a bus. They picked us up at the ship and brought us back to the ship. We saw the old part of town and the new part of town.

[@suwinky]

I felt safer in Roatan than in New Orleans if that means anything

[@andyhart358]

Regrettably, Basel in Switzerland. Yes, I know you're all thinking I must be mad, but some of the docking berths at Basel do not have a 'separation channel' between your vessel and the dockside, meaning that any nere-do-well can climb up the side of your boat using the railings, and sneak into your room !! (By Separation Channel, I mean that your vessel is moored to two bollards just off of the dock, creating a body of water between the two, and access from the shore is via the gangplank, which leads directly to Reception). Unfortunately, in June this year, exactly the situation I described did happen to another couple, who's room was at the same level as the dock-side. They awoke to find someone rifling through the lady's handbag. He had it over the rails and was away before they could stop him. If you pull into Basel and there is a Tiki Bar across the road, LOCK your balcony windows !

[@charlenebowman1438]

When in port at COSTA RICO on a cruise, my husband was robbed . We were at the shopping area right at the cruise ship. Someone ran from behind and snatched his necklaces off. The police were in the area and the guy was caught! We had a trial that day and he was sent off to jail. We made it back to the ship before a late night departure. You’re just not safe anywhere anymore. This happened about 6 years ago. We still love cruising and continue doing so to date.

[@susanwestfall2051]

Wow…talk about swift justice!

[@QBAN2010]

Where?????

[@terrifromm5085]

Mazatlan and Ensenada made me a bit nervous. Mazatlan did have police presence, but the ride to downtown Mazatlan, in a triangular golf cart was nerve-racking.

[@michaelj3971]

Most sketchy for us was Roatan. We were talked into taking a third-party excursion by some friends of ours. While it was okay, I wouldn't ever do it again. I saw armed security at one place, and overall the standards seemed pretty low.

[@karenoverfield4870]

Armed security is pretty common in a lot of the islands and can also be viewed as a good thing!

[@mea3665]

Looks like it was Roatan but Columbia Panama Cruise is next year

[@boomboomwatts4745]

We got off the ship in Roatan … only went into the area right off the pier. No fun.

[@el3103]

I took a 3rd party excursion with Roatan five stars and had a great time. Right outside the port is sketch tho. Didn’t feel in danger tho

[@michaelj3971]

@@el3103 I agree! Stepping 10 feet outside the port area feels like stepping into a different world, and not a good one, either.

[@pismo_beach_life1780]

last year I went on 21 cruises to Mazatlan . and I did not have any problems at all.

[@brianm2129]

Any cruise port south of the North pole is sketchy . You just need to be aware of where you are at all times.

[@jimmulligan7778]

I just got back from 14 days in Belize. No problems what so ever.

[@flomcfadden1]

We were in Jamaica and were coerced onto a bus when we just wanted to go to the beach. We were told it would take us straight to the beach. Anyway, they didn't like that we wouldn't take the tour and let us out 3 blocks from the beach entrance. We were literally stepping over people in the street.

[@davidkantouth679]

By far the most dangerous cruise port I have been to is New Orleans. Very Sketchy

[@hanhb6047]

Your comment had me lol. There are some scary cities in the US. I think the last US city that scared me was Baltimore. Have no desire to ever go back there again.

[@sophieca6906]

😅😅

[@evasierra5910]

St. Thomas , we had a man followed by another one and we jumped out from our bus because they had a big machete under a newspaper glad that we were a big group . Few of us noticed that right away . Be aware of your belongings and areas at all times . It could ended up very bad . The police got them after were notified them.

[@lorijane2]

We did a cruise stop in Belize once. Fortunately we were on an organized tour through the cruise line. We could tell just from seeing all the bars on the windows of local houses that the crime rate must be bad. Nobody had to tell us; we could see it.

[@Tink.at60plus]

Oh great, we’re traveling to Belize and Honduras soon on a cruise. Thanks for the warnings.

[@Jon_T19]

I have never been really sketched out at a port. It does really bother me to get asked if I want a Taxi every 7 feet I walk, past the cruise port borders, so I rarely venture out and explore, without an excursion booked. St. Lucia was the WORSE for that. You are totally right about Honduras. I lived for a couple of summers on Roatans sister island, Utila. The islands are way safer than the cities on the mainland. Tourism is super important to such tiny island's economies!!

[@robertbaglin3973]

Would totally agree with that as every time you step out into the street you are mobbed by taxi drivers and local tour guides. I have been there over a dozen times over the years and each year it has got worse and even to the extent they have now encroached the so called safe area around the ship.Local security is a joke and couldn’t care less as probably on back handers to let this lot in and I have confronted both many times. The last time we visited was two years ago and this time I lost it after being asked the same question 20 times in 2 minutes and told them all to back off before being threatened by one of them who followed me across the street before I turned round and confronted him. Call me stupid or what but I got right in his face before the coward backed down ran off.Ok it could have gone either way but why should you have to put up with this when your on a luxury cruise as you don’t need the hassle and I blame the local authorities and the cruise lines for not sorting this problem and believe me it is a big problem getting worse. If all the cruise lines refused to call there the problem would be solved overnight because their economy would collapse so my advice to everyone is stay on your ship in this port as i for one wouldn’t give them the steam off my shit.Shame really as they’ve got some nice beaches.

[@Jon_T19]

@@robertbaglin3973 Oh WOW!! Well, I am glad you are ok considering that situation could have gone in a different direction! I was just planning on making tee shirts that said " NO TAXI" on the front and back and wear them while leaving the ship.

[@Stanf954]

Our last cruise was a Mexican Riviera trip from LA stopping at Cabo San Lucas, Mazaltan, and Puerta Vallarta. Mazaltan was our least favorite of the 3 and will avoid it if we travel that itinerary again. Love PV and Cabo.

[@louisesultana2431]

Agreed

[@franny5059]

Sad, they used to be the best 😡

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

Mazatlan was my fav and I have been to all the others. Cabo San Lucas is sterile - San Jose de Cabo is much better. I also like Acapulco - media did a hatchet job on both Mazatlan and Acapulco.

[@maryanderson2759]

We took the same cruise, and I agree with you.

[@juriel2772]

We did the same cruise last December. Hired a driver to take us around for 2hrs and back. Didn’t notice anything dangerous tho. Care to explain? Just curious

[@lashonearl6548]

Thanks for sharing this info it helps to keep people aware and safe.

[@rockrollangel1972]

I am going on a cruise to Jamaica next month, as long as you stay in the tourist area then you are fine.