Vacationing 60 miles from devastation: too close too soon?

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Permalink Reply by Michael J Dukehart, II on January 19, 2010 at 7:55am

Every day we work, live, eat and possibly sleep problem less than 5 miles away from someone’s total devastation. Anyone who has ever vacationed on a Caribbean island and ventured off the beautiful landscaped properties of the resort has see the locals who are 95% of the way to total devastation.

Is it right or just or sensitive? No. Should everything in the world be put on hold until everyone is on the same playing field? No, it would be nice if we could but I don’t think it would ever happen.

If this area was not affected by the destruction….If the ship did not interfere with other ships trying to bring supplies….If the Ship did not take usable port space for other more important deliveries…..If the tourists did not get in the way or did not seek out damage to get a glimpse of a real life tragedy…………………If all this is true then they did nothing wrong.

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Permalink Reply by Pat Coyle on January 19, 2010 at 8:23am

I agree, Michael. I know it seems insensitive to be living my life while people are suffering nearby, but I will confess that I do that every day here in Indy. The Haitian situation has caused me to reflect even more about what I can do - wherever I am - to help those with less resources. I suppose some folks might agree with this line of thinking, yet still maintain that docking the cruise ships at Haiti is in bad taste, if nothing else. I get it.

Interestingly, I just heard the CEO of RCCL explain the company's rationale for docking. He said the Haitian government requested that they keep coming...so that money would flow into the country (which is why they allowed RCCL to invest $50 million in the first place) and also so the ships can bring supplies. Right now, three ships per week are docking. Each boat brings not just vacationers, but also supplies like water and food. Seems like a good partnership.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Stuck on January 19, 2010 at 9:56am

I am already seeing the genius's on Twitter saying "support a ban on the cruise ship business docking in Haiti while suffering is going on". Labadee, which is the vacation spot the news is reporting on the cruise ship docking, could just go right down the coastline to the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic is on the same island as Haiti, but doubt these posters realize that.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Apple on January 19, 2010 at 10:57am

Before I read deeper in the story I was thinking what SOB's. But they are bringing in relief supplies, donating proceeds from each call to relief efforts, and employing I think I read 350 Haitians. Laying off those workers would not help anything. It looks really bad on the surface, but good can come out of it. This is why people get degrees in public relations.

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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on January 19, 2010 at 1:30pm

How can they "dock" the cruise ships thereby putting people out of jobs, then continuing to ad to the devastations. Not to mention, accordning to the writ-up these ships are being used to carry aid. And, who the heck are these tree-huggers who want to dock ship for thier own personal agenda's?

If the carrier had decided to NOT continue with its route, that would have been at the discretion the company. They would have taken care of their business in such a way as to benefit their employees if that were their choice. If individuals decide not to travel because of the tragedy, that is their choice.

Remember when 9-11 happened? The first thing the president said was for the rest of America to continue to function in its normal routine. Not only is it good therapy, it keeps us strong for those who need us most at times like this.

No need in us all falling apart.

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