A draft of a U.S. government list with over 40 countries facing travel bans was recently made public. Among those on the list are four popular Eastern Caribbean cruise destinations: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia.
The Caribbean countries face potential travel restrictions if their governments don't address unspecific "deficiencies" within 60 days as part of what appears to be President Donald Trump's latest crackdown on migration.
However, leaders from the listed nations have said they haven't received communication from the United States about the travel ban or their country's governing issues, catching the Caribbean nationals by surprise.
“There’s nothing we’re not afraid to answer to. We have been very transparent. We engage governments in transparency. People know us. What we say in the night, is what we say in the day; our word is our bond,” Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Monday during a press conference, as reported by the Miami Herald.
“We are prepared to engage everyone, including the United States, in this matter. So whatever concerns the United States may have, which I do not know of yet, we are prepared to respond.”
The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis also sent diplomatic notes to the State Department requesting confirmation of the reports and seeking clarification.
St. Kitts' government emphasized it has upheld “consistent and open dialogue with the U.S. government" since 2022, particularly about the country's Citizenship By Investment Program, which allows foreign nationals to buy a second citizenship for as little as $100,000, allowing them visa-free access to more than 100 countries.
St. Kitts isn't the only country that has faced scrutiny over its Citizenship By Investment Program. Other Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, offer similar programs that have received negative attention under the assumption that they're exploited by criminals who wish to launder their money or hide their identity and assets.
Haiti was also included on the travel ban list, facing potential restrictions due to ongoing political instability and security concerns because of the devastating gang conflict that has forced over 1 million locals from their homes.
Last year, Royal Caribbean even halted cruises to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti, as a precaution due to the escalating violence.
Though they restarted cruises to Haiti in late 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned flights to Port-au-Prince through at least Sept. 2025.
That said, while the reasoning is unclear, one future Celebrity cruise departing on April 28, 2025, had its scheduled visit to Labadee changed to Grand Turk over a month in advance. It's possible the stop was switched due to the dire situation in Haiti.
"To provide you with a better guest experience, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Labadee, Haiti. Instead, we'll visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, from 8:00am - 6:00pm on Friday, May 2nd," reads an email shared to the r/cruise Reddit thread.
If Haiti's travel ban goes into effect, it will affect certain visas for tourists and students entering the United States.
An anonymous U.S. official warned that the list is not set in stone and could be subject to changes after further review by the administration.
Should you be worried about your cruise itinerary?
If you have a cruise planned to St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, or Antigua and Barbuda, the proposed bans are unlikely to have an immediate impact.
In terms of safety, these Caribbean nations are generally considered safe for tourists. That said, as with any destination, it's always good to stay aware of your surroundings and not let your guard down.
Tourism is a major part of the local economy, and cruise ports are typically well-monitored. Plus, excursions are designed with safety in mind. However, if you are worried about going off your own, consider booking a tour through Royal Caribbean.
Existing travel advisories
Another smart way to stay informed about your travel destination is by checking the U.S. State Department's travel advisories.
For example, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia all currently have a Level 1 Advisory, which means travelers should exercise normal precautions. This indicates that these destinations are generally safe for tourists, and there are no major safety concerns at the moment.
Haiti, however, has a Level 4 Advisory, indicating that Americans shouldn't travel to the country due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. That said, Labadee is generally considered safer because it is a private destination operated by Royal Caribbean, with heightened security measures in place.
