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Roatan Honduras Rated in Top 3 Safest Cruise Ports Worldwide
Recent insurance study finds Roatan, Honduras rated #3 in safest cruise ship port destinations worldwide. Why the U.S State Department’s travel alerts should be taken with a grain of salt.
Roatan, Honduras: A top Cruise destination despite DOJ Travel Alert
On December 10, 2024, the U.S. State Department issued a level 3 “reconsider travel” alert for Costa Rica and Honduras. What the State Department fails to tell you, is the affected areas are remote to tourism and popular destinations for land and cruise travelers.
For example, the Gracias a Dios sector of Honduras noted in the alert is nowhere near the island of Roatan and its ports. One would have to travel extensively (6-8 hours) by land and air or ferry to get to the Bay Islands from this location. Furthermore, the famous Copan Ruins on the mainland are an entire day’s drive from the affected area.
Thus, the advisory pertains to the mainland, where certain challenges exist in areas far removed both geographically and contextually from Roatan and other popular visitor destinations in Honduras. In contrast, Roatan has a strong focus on maintaining its reputation as a premier tourist destination, which includes heightened safety protocols in areas frequented by visitors.
The local economy is solely dependant on tourism in Roatan. It is also the the largest tax revenue sector for the entire country of Honduras. Let’s not forget that over one million visitors are received at the Bay Island yearly. Be it cruise ship, air travel, or ferry, many come to enjoy this island paradise.
Costa Rica and Honduras (Roatan) have the largest expat communities in Central America. Businesses owned by expats and homeowners include Americans, Canadians, Europeans, and of course hard working locals. Do you really think these tourist destinations would be thriving with foreign and local invenstments if they were riddled with crime?
Roatan Rated #3 in Safety by InsureMyTrip
Roatan named third best port in safety by travel insurance company
Between December 2023 and November 2024, Roatan had 6 safety-related incidents involving cruise ships as shown in a new study. This places Roatan, Honduras at the #3 spot for safety out of 52 destinations.
Mr. Gary Stoller from Forbes writes, “The InsureMyTrip study concluded that the third-safest cruise port location is Roatán Island, Honduras. The island has the highest-rated hospitals in the study, but had six safety-related incidents involving cruise ships. Roatán Island is part of a cluster of island archipelagos 10 to 40 miles off the northern coast of Honduras.”
You can read the entire article here.
Business as usual for Cruise Lines
Roatan expands as top cruise ship destination
The U.S Department of State’s travel alert has had no effect on cruise ship arrivals to Roatan. Roatan’s Port of Roatan and Mahogany Bay Cruise Center expect a record year of cruise ship arrivals in 2025-2026. Major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, etc.. have already added additional itineraries to this western Caribbean destination.
Roatan continues to receive new ships at its ports, including the world’s largest ship, the Icon of The Seas. New arrivals to the island include the Carnival Venezia, Norwegian Bliss, and MSC Seaside.
The improved and expanded Port of Roatan now includes a swimming pool and many other amenities. Carnival Cruise Line’s Mahogany Bay Cruise Center recently celebrated its 15 years in service!
Is Roatan Safe? Traveler's Statistics
It has been a month since the State Department issued a travel alert for Honduras. During this time, Roatan has welcomed over 104 cruise ships and more than 500 incoming flights. Excluding the island guests arriving via ferry from the mainland, this totals thousands of travelers from across the globe. As of the time this post was written, no incidents have been reported.
That said, as with all travel (regardless of destination), we always recommend that visitors exercise basic precautions, such as safeguarding personal belongings and being aware of your surroundings. These are simple common-sense measures that help ensure a great travel experience.
We promise that your upcoming trip to Roatan will be an unforgettable experience filled with relaxation, natural beauty, and adventure. We’re confident that your visit to Roatan will be everything you’ve hoped for and more. Should you have any further questions or concerns, we are here to provide guidance and assistance.
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