NCL Pearl Crew member killed in Roatan?

[swedish weave]

I just wish NCL would announce a clear statement that the ships, such as the Jewel, which is repositioning to Alaska, will or will not dock in Roatan next week.

 

I would expect NCL to hold off making a firm statement until they get something from the Roatan officials.

[Midwestgal]

And my point is the advisory makes no such distinction.

 

I'm not saying it's a crime free area in any way. If you read in detail it mentions that Roatan and tourist areas have less crime. I'm not trying to make this a debate , my point is the majority of murders happen in other areas.

 

Honduras has the highest per capita homicide rate in the world, with 86 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants. Although crime and violent crime occur in all parts of Honduras, the north coast and central portions of the country have historically had the country’s highest crime rates. Copan, Roatan/Bay Islands, and other tourist destinations have lower crime rates than other parts of the country.

[djacobson]

I would expect NCL to hold off making a firm statement until they get something from the Roatan officials.

 

I'm thinking seriously about canceling my reservation with Victor Bodden. I was looking forward to the excursion, but would be just as content with an extra day at sea or staying on the Jewel.

[Midwestgal]

I'm thinking seriously about canceling my reservation with Victor Bodden. I was looking forward to the excursion, but would be just as content with an extra day at sea or staying on the Jewel.

 

My niece and her family just came back and did the Victor Bodden excursion and just loved it. We talked today about safety and she said she felt very safe on the excursion. Honestly you need to do what makes you feel safe but I think you should really give it some thought before canceling.

[PCLMassachusetts]

passengers not being allowed off a ship = cancelled for good

crew member gunned down in port = cancelled for a week

 

I, for one, do not feel that NCL has reacted appropriately to this most recent situation.

 

The above statements may be a little misleading. The ships now calling on Roatan will be repositioning to other areas within the next couple of weeks, so the time frame mentioned has no impact on NCL's decision or the severity of the incident. NCL can always cancel or change ports for next season.

 

If you read above the section that you quoted, my comments are based on the comments of NCL. After the Tunisia incident they announced they were cancelling the port basically for good.

 

This is from their press release regarding Tunisia "Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it has cancelled all remaining calls to Tunisia and will not return.".

 

This is from their Facebook page regarding the crew member being killed "we have cancelled calls to Roatan this week for Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Jewel.".

 

Yes NCL can always "cancel or change ports for next season" just as they could have canceled a few scheduled stops to Tunisia and reevaluated the situation. They choose to take a hard stand against the problem and I applaud them for that. However, in this recent case it appears they chose to take an easy stand in hopes that people forget about it. I do not applaud them for that.

[PCLMassachusetts]

The situations are very different at every level, and the reactions are different. NCL sends two or three ships to Roatan every week. They were scheduled to go to Tunisia like once every 3 weeks, if that.

 

The Tunis thing was a problem with the government of Tunisia. If NCL goes back there, it's going to be the same story every time: everyone can get off the ship without a visa except Israelis, and there will be a big stink all over again.

 

When people hear about this murder, they're going to cancel their excursions and stay on the ship for the next few weeks. So cancel the port. Until the news blows over, then everyone will forget about it, and NCL can go back there.

 

Actually they are both issues with the respective Governments. Tunisia with its discrimination and Honduras with its lack of ability or lack of wanting to try to control the issue of crime. As far as "everyone will forget about it, and NCL can go back there." you pretty much verified the point I am trying to make. As long as everyone forgets the fact that one of their crew members was killed it's ok to go back. Does not say much for how much NCL values its employees.

[rolloman]

I agree Victor Bodden tours do an excellent job. I used him twice. The Island is beautiful in several parts, not so much in others.

On part of one of his tours I was approached by a young man asking for some change, he quickly ran off when two military types showed up with automatic M16 type rifles. Being ex -military it really did not phase me at the time but viewing the picture posted yesterday in the local Honduras newspaper of the poor young man laying uncovered in his own pool of blood, sunglasses still on his head, knowing he was just innocently walking to a free wifi spot to call his family during the short work break....it kind of is a reality check and has me upset. Seems this place has been in the news for several months now for crime against passengers and heads have been turned the other way. Hopefully NCL chooses another port for its western route until assurances can be met.

[bobg529]

I am not sure where I stand on this issue of avoiding places like Roatan. NYC had 333 murders in 2013 and 849 shootings. Should we cancel all tourism visits there? Probably not.

 

 

Having lived in NYC all my life, let me paraphrase Bogie in Casablanca: "There are certain sections of New York I'd advise you not to visit..."

[rolloman]

I've been looking for crime rates in just Roatan but I'm not finding much.

 

You must not be looking very hard. A New York Times article this past January has a quote which states the island is quickly catching up to the mainland for crimes. I am not sure what your motive is for sugar coating the crime situation but the fact is there is a situation and one that must be resolved sooner rather than later for the safety of cruise passengers.

Edited April 9, 2014 by rolloman

[swedish weave]

Actually they are both issues with the respective Governments. Tunisia with its discrimination and Honduras with its lack of ability or lack of wanting to try to control the issue of crime. As far as "everyone will forget about it, and NCL can go back there." you pretty much verified the point I am trying to make. As long as everyone forgets the fact that one of their crew members was killed it's ok to go back. Does not say much for how much NCL values its employees.

 

First of all, I want to state that NCL does place great value in its employees.

 

You are jumping to conclusions that have no basis. With just one phone call, NCL can extend the cancellation of any port for as long as they choose.

 

Would you soon forget if one of your employees were killed ????

 

YOu can rest assured that Sheehan won't forget !!!

Edited April 9, 2014 by swedish weave

[Midwestgal]

You must not be looking very hard. A New York Times article this past January has a quote which states the island is quickly catching up to the mainland for crimes. I am not sure what your motive is for sugar coating the crime situation but the fact is there is a situation and one that must be resolved sooner rather than later for the safety of cruise passengers.

 

Motive? Rest assure I have no motive. Your right I didn't see that artical and have googled crime in Roatan but can't find much, it's all pretty much refers to Hounuras, apparently it's including Roatan. I'm not sugar coating anything and am sickened by this poor guy being killed . I nowhere hinted that no safety measures need to be exersized, all the cruise lines need to insure the safety of passangers as well as their crew.

 

We all want the same thing as far as our safety goes so please don't project the notion that I have some motive here.

Edited April 9, 2014 by Midwestgal

[PCLMassachusetts]

First of all, I want to state that NCL does place great value in its employees.

 

You are jumping to conclusions that have no basis. With just one phone call, NCL can extend the cancellation of any port for as long as they choose.

 

Would you soon forget if one of your employees were killed ????

 

YOu can rest assured that Sheehan won't forget !!!

 

Paying customers denied getting off ship, an immediate and permanent statement of not returning.

 

Employee killed, a temporary one week suspension of going to the port.

[LrgPizza]

I don't understand when people post things like, "I felt safe." Whether or not people feel safe has little or no impact on whether they become victims of a crime. For all we know Jacob could have felt safe right up until he wasn't.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Midwestgal]

I don't understand when people post things like, "I felt safe." Whether or not people feel safe has little or no impact on whether they become victims of a crime. For all we know Jacob could have felt safe right up until he wasn't.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Good point!

[jmele999]

Feel sorry for the Crew family members.

 

How is NCL helping the family members during the difficult time?

[OCruisers]

Would you soon forget if one of your employees were killed ????

You can rest assured that Sheehan won't forget !!!

 

Certainly hope not and do agree with his stand on this!

LuLu

[djacobson]

I agree Victor Bodden tours do an excellent job. I used him twice. The Island is beautiful in several parts, not so much in others.

On part of one of his tours I was approached by a young man asking for some change, he quickly ran off when two military types showed up with automatic M16 type rifles. Being ex -military it really did not phase me at the time but viewing the picture posted yesterday in the local Honduras newspaper of the poor young man laying uncovered in his own pool of blood, sunglasses still on his head, knowing he was just innocently walking to a free wifi spot to call his family during the short work break....it kind of is a reality check and has me upset. Seems this place has been in the news for several months now for crime against passengers and heads have been turned the other way. Hopefully NCL chooses another port for its western route until assurances can be met.

 

Because next week's NCL Jewel cruise is the last before repositioning to Alaska, I am hoping that NCL cancel Roatan and revisit the issue in time for the fall cruises from the Gulf Coast.

[suz1607]

Knowing how much many of us love this area and being concerned for passenger and crew safety, NCL has,I understand, bought an island off the coast of Belize. This "new" private island will allow the cruise line to control security while passengers enjoy this lovely part of the western Caribbean. I suspect that this "new" port will replace 1 or more of the current port calls in the area. Not sure whether this has been officially announced yet.

 

Meanwhile, and more importantly, our prayers and thoughts should focus on Jacob, his family, friends and fellow crew members.

[mitsugirly]

The you is the passenger you. This number was given to me by an owner of a port excursion based on beverage sales, casino revenues, photos, specialty dining etc. The number may be a little high but probably close. 50K/2000 passengers=$25 an hour or $200 for a day.

 

I thought the casinos had to be closed when they are in port? :confused:

 

We personally have had nothing but awesome experiences in Roatan and it has been my favorite place to visit. We have always been treated wonderful and the islanders have always been so nice and accommodating. It really saddens me to know that we may never get to visit this beautiful island (and especially not have a chance to return to some of our favorite areas: Maya Key, Little French Key, and West Bay). But safety comes first.

 

However, I do feel that NCL did the right thing in pulling the ship out of Roatan. BUT, if it's only for a week, what is that really going to teach them there? Does anyone really think a "week" (what's confirmed at this point) is going to do anything? I mean in reality, it's no different than skipping the port due to weather during a normal cruise day. I'm sure Roatan has had to deal with this many times before. I don't think that skipping this port for a week is going to teach anyone a lesson to tighten things up and get things under control. It will take much more than that to have any results. :(

[lostone65]

Roatan was my favorite port on our Star cruise in 2012. I loved the beauty. That said when we got back to port after our snorkeling excursion we left the port area for the straw market. It was a little unsettling and I am a pretty fearless person, safety conscious but not paranoid. The island is very poor, it is a third world country and everyone needs to remember that. The majority of people are harmless but the criminal element is lawless. They live in a totally different world er as Americans live. Being aware of your surroundings is not always enough.

 

I agree with the pull out and hopefully the government will beef up security on the island so they can get the tourist money flowing again. That said, it is not the responsibility of the cruise lines and passengers to secure the island, the tourist $$$ should be all that is needed for the government to secure it for the tourists. Plain and simple, you want my money...make it safe for me to spend it.

 

****Hi Kim! long time no talk. Graduation is close for you!!! Bet you are excited!!**

[Mysto]

I thought the casinos had to be closed when they are in port? :confused:

 

We personally have had nothing but awesome experiences in Roatan and it has been my favorite place to visit. We have always been treated wonderful and the islanders have always been so nice and accommodating. It really saddens me to know that we may never get to visit this beautiful island (and especially not have a chance to return to some of our favorite areas: Maya Key, Little French Key, and West Bay). But safety comes first.

 

However, I do feel that NCL did the right thing in pulling the ship out of Roatan. BUT, if it's only for a week, what is that really going to teach them there? Does anyone really think a "week" (what's confirmed at this point) is going to do anything? I mean in reality, it's no different than skipping the port due to weather during a normal cruise day. I'm sure Roatan has had to deal with this many times before. I don't think that skipping this port for a week is going to teach anyone a lesson to tighten things up and get things under control. It will take much more than that to have any results. :(

 

The number was what they make by skipping a port.

[Mysto]

Knowing how much many of us love this area and being concerned for passenger and crew safety, NCL has,I understand, bought an island off the coast of Belize. This "new" private island will allow the cruise line to control security while passengers enjoy this lovely part of the western Caribbean. I suspect that this "new" port will replace 1 or more of the current port calls in the area. Not sure whether this has been officially announced yet.

 

Meanwhile, and more importantly, our prayers and thoughts should focus on Jacob, his family, friends and fellow crew members.

 

I'm wondering if this is the future of cruising. Private ports and private islands. Sad it is going this way -but I don't have a solution. From world travel to theme park manufactured.

[CruisinMaterial]

Feel sorry for the Crew family members.

 

How is NCL helping the family members during the difficult time?

 

This is a question I'd like to know the answer to. I do hope NCL has a representative in Honduras who is working with the family in the Philippines to make sure the body is repatriated for a proper burial where ever the family desires. I'd love to know more about that side of the story.

 

Again my thoughts are with the family.

[keeponcruising]

I was in Roatan a week and a half ago on 3/30/14 on the Pearl. This was my 5th trip to Roatan and noticed a difference while there. I do not remember so many pot holes in the streets. There were men filling the holes. The tour guide mentioned that some of the men working are not legitimate and actually bandits who block the street and steel. She said we will not stop if one tries to block us. I was shocked because I never heard of that happening in Roatan. Maybe Kevin Sheehan knows more than we do.

 

 

Ellen

[rvsullivan]

I'm wondering if this is the future of cruising. Private ports and private islands. Sad it is going this way -but I don't have a solution. From world travel to theme park manufactured.

 

There is no new private island. NCL is helping develop a new port on the mainland about 35-40 from Roatan. It's called Banana Coast and already has cruise ships scheduled there. Mentioned a time or two on this post as well.