Q&A of the Day – The Bahamas Travel Advisory
Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods.
Email: brianmudd@iheartmedia.com
Social: @brianmuddradio
iHeartRadio: Use the Talkback feature – the microphone button on our station’s page in the iHeart app.
Today’s Entry: Brian, can you explain the travel warnings for the Bahamas? I have a cruise coming up with multiple stops but am now not sure if it’s a good idea. It’s horrible what happened to those two women!
Bottom Line: There’s no doubt that the two mothers from Kentucky, who were at Pirate’s Cove in Freeport on an excursion while cruising with Carnival, suffered one of the most chilling experiences for Americans we’ve heard of in years. Not since the 2019 killings of Americans in the Dominican Republic have we had something that’s prompted as strong of a response in the travel industry as the drugging and raping of the two women. If you’re an experienced traveler you’re likely familiar with the increased travel warnings for numerous destinations in recent years. It’s unfortunate but it’s real. Ashley and I have experienced this ourselves over the past decade as our Greek vacation was cancelled a about seven years ago over security concerns and on another occasion when security detail didn’t want us leaving our resort in Cabo without protection. It’s just the world we live in. But here’s the thing. Are we really paying attention to the information that’s available or simply booking a vacay because it sounds like a good time?
In response to the incident Carnival and Royal Caribbean are now advising passengers to “stay on the ship” in the ports of Grand Bahama and Nassau. Regarding your question, it’s what I’d advise when traveling anywhere outside of the US these days. Check the State Department’s advisories and make an informed decision.
Most people aren’t aware that there are well over 200 countries around the world that have travel advisories from the state department outstanding. This includes popular travel destinations like Jamaica that currently has a level 3 warning advising to “reconsider travel”. Most Americans think that if an American travel company will take you there that it’s safe. That’s actually not at all the case. There are two important things to remember. As an American you’re free to make your own travel decisions and that the companies that take you places are motivated by making money for doing so. As a free-market capitalist, that isn’t a bad thing, it’s just that it’s wise to be aware and to be personally informed and accountable as opposed to relying on a third party with its own objectives. There are four levels of travel advisories:
- Exercise Caution
- Exercise Increase Caution
- Reconsider Travel
- Do Not Travel
Specific to the Bahamas it was on January 26th, prior to the recent sexual assaults of the two mothers, that the State Department raised its advisory warning about the Bahamas to a level 2. Here’s what the current recommendation says:
- Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime.
- Country Summary: The majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands. In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the “Over the Hill” area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population. Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental properties where private security companies do not have a presence.
If you decide to travel to The Bahamas:
- Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Review the Country Security Report for The Bahamas.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency and medical situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
I’ve reported, and now you can make a more informed decision. But on a personal note, what I’ll say is that there are trips we’ve not taken due to travel advisories. That includes one we’ve both always wanted to do but don’t feel it’s safe to do. A trip to Egypt which consistently maintains a level 3 advisory from the State Department. In my book a vacation really isn’t a whole lot of fun if you’re worried about if what you’re doing and where you’re going is safe.