The U.S. State Department rarely issues a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for destinations.
Usually, a nation has to be involved in an active war for the U.S. government to tell citizens not to go there. Ukraine, for example, which is in an active war with Russia, has a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning.
The level is also reserved for places like Iran, Iraq and North Korea, where Americans are generally not welcome in the first place. It's also not a shock that Americans are warned against traveling to Lebanon, Libya, Somalia and Sudan.
Related: What the US government’s Bahamas travel warning means for cruises
But it may surprise at least some people that the State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for a Caribbean nation where cruise ships still regularly stop.
In general, a Level 4 travel advisory also involves U.S. airlines that no longer are traveling to that destination. That has not been the case for Haiti, which had regular service until the Federal Aviation Administration banned airlines from flying to Port au Prince, the capital, on Nov. 19.
The ban, set for at least 30 days, was issued after a Spirit Airlines plane was shot at as it was landing about a week ago.
The U.S. government has no jurisdiction over cruise lines, however, and Royal Caribbean continues to call on its Labadee, Haiti, private destination. A number of Carnival brands stop in Amber Cove, a Dominican Republic cruise port that's actually a bit closer to the Haitian capital than Labadee is.
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U.S. State Department updates its Haiti warning
The U.S. State Department issued an "event" update for Haiti on Nov. 19:
"Event: Incidents of armed violence and disruptions to ports and airports are widespread in Port-au-Prince. Barricades have been put up in many neighborhoods and normal traffic patterns are disrupted.
"The suspension of operations at Port-au-Prince International Airport has been extended through November 25. The area around the airport remains unstable and outbreaks of violence near the airport could occur."
The alert also said that the U.S. Embassy had essentially shut down.
"Due to the continued violence throughout the city and near the U.S. Embassy, embassy operations are limited until further notice," the State Department wrote.
"All appointments for visas and American Citizen Services are canceled. U.S. citizens who need emergency services should email: acspap@state.gov; you must include your U.S. passport number and a description of the service you require."
The update made clear that the situation in Haiti, specifically in Port au Prince, remained incredibly dangerous.
"The security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous," the deparment warned. "Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel.
"You should consider your personal security situation before traveling anywhere in Haiti. Only attempt to depart Haiti or travel within Haiti if you believe it is safe for you to do so."
Royal Caribbean is still visiting Labadee, Haiti
While Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach destination in Haiti, would technically still be covered by the warning, the cruise line has resumed stopping there. Ships returned to Labadee in October, and no incidents have occurred.
While the cruise ship port is technically part of Haiti, it's far removed from any population center. Labadee is a fenced-off destination a six-hour drive from Port-au-Prince, and the cruise line would have ample notice to evacuate if any group of people started moving toward the space.
"The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority," Royal Caribbean wrote in October.
In reality, when the cruise line stopped sailing to Labadee last year, it was being overly cautious and looking to avoid bad publicity. There's no real danger in Labadee because it's simply not close to any of the fighting.
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Americans should, however, avoid Haiti in all other circumstances. The State Department warning is explicit about that.
"Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care," it posted on its website.
"Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed."
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