The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories to inform Americans about the safety of traveling to specific countries. A Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, such as those for Haiti and certain parts of Mexico, strongly warns against visiting these locations unless you have special security arrangements in place, which are typically rare.
A Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory signals that Americans should avoid visiting a country, but in some cases, such as Honduras, cruise ports may still be exceptions. Honduras, for example, is under a Level 3 advisory, but the cruise port in Roatan is specifically mentioned as a safer area with increased police presence. The State Department notes that violent crime is common in the country, but the Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, are better policed due to the concentration of resources there. As a result, cruise ships from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and other lines continue to dock in Roatan.
For countries under a Level 1 or Level 2 advisory, the State Department isn’t advising against travel entirely. These warnings are typically more like a reminder to be cautious, similar to a news report about potential risks.
Recently, the State Department issued a Level 1 advisory for a popular European cruise port that many Americans consider safe to visit.
