Popular Spring Break Spot and Cruise Stop Subject of Travel Advisory
(KMDL-FM) There is a significant conundrum unfolding among residents of the Gulf Coast. The residents of coastal Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are anxiously watching an approaching winter storm. While at the same time, finding out that one of our favorite winter weather escapes now comes with a risk.Southwest Airlines Experiences Major Flight Cancellations Across U.S.Getty ImagesAny seasoned traveler will tell you that no matter where you are from, the Middle East to Mumbai or the Grand Canyon or Grand Cayman, you have to keep your wits about you and your head on a swivel because there are evil people who will try to steal your stuff. Or in the case of the destination we're about to describe, they might steal you, your wife, or your children.How Do You Know Which Places Are Safe to Travel?In order to keep travelers from the United States abreast of any inherent dangers while traveling, the Department of State regularly issues and updates travel safety information. These travel advisories are broken down into different threat levels. Marco Tjokro via Unsplash.com Marco Tjokro via Unsplash.comA Level 1 Advisory means you should exercise normal personal and property safety precautions. When the threat is raised to Level 2, travelers are asked to Exercise Increased Caution. This means stay vigilant and don't put yourself or your family in harm's way unnecessarily. Personally, I feel safe enough when traveling in an area deemed Level 2. It's the same kind of vigilance most of us use when we visit New Orleans, Houston, or some other major city.READ MORE: Major Cruise Line Will No Longer Stop at this Caribbean PortA Level 3 Advisory is where I draw the line. Level 3 means Reconsider Travel, and that's what I would do if the destination I had planned had one of these advisories attached to it. Level 3 Advisories suggest serious risks to personal safety, serious risks to personal property, and a serious risk to your planned good time going off the rails.Are There Places Americans Are Not Allowed to Travel?A Level 4 Advisory is simply Do Not Travel. This notoriety is usually reserved for war zones, places on Earth that hate the United States, or places where a civilized existence isn't happening. Ukraine would be an example of a Do Not Travel designation.Eva Darron via Unsplash.comEva Darron via Unsplash.comFortunately, we are not discussing travel to Ukraine, Soviet Russia, Iran, Iraq, or any of those other places you regularly see on the news. The place we are discussing is one of my favorite getaway escapes in the history of history, Jamaica.Jamaica has had a tough go of it here lately. The economy hasn't been great on the island. They had a major hurricane last season. And in my opinion, the COVID pandemic that really curtailed travel set Jamaica back decades as far as being a desired travel destination.READ MORE: New for 2026 Travel - Carry On Bags Size RestrictionsBut that's now improving, and the island that was recently under a Level 3 advisory is now back to a Level 2 advisory. As a veteran of many trips to Jamaica, let me suggest that if you do have travel plans on the island, you stay with your group, stay inside your resort, and be careful of any interactions in markets or during transit to and from the airport.Travelers to Jamaica Asked to Avoid These Specific AreasNow, before you pack your board shorts and bikini bottoms, I do need you to know that there are parts of the island that are under a Level 4 advisory. According to the U.S. Department of State, those areas are as follows:Mikael Seegen via Unsplash.comMikael Seegen via Unsplash.comSt. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios. St. Catherine’s Parish - Spanish Town, Central Village, areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford.Clarendon Parish - All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways. St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth. Hanover Parish - Logwood and Orange Bay. St. James Parish/Montego Bay - Inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park.Kingston and St. Andrew Parish - Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August Town, and downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.sour moha via Unsplash.comsour moha via Unsplash.comManchester Parish - Green Vale and Gray Ground neighborhoods of Mandeville. St. Thomas Parish - Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs, Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway. Trelawny Parish - Clarks Town.Westmoreland Parish - Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril.As we mentioned, if you're on a cruise or staying at an all-inclusive resort, just plan on staying close to the organized activities, don't drink or smoke too much, and make sure at least someone in your travel party keeps their wits about them.We have identified 12 of the most popular bucket list travel destinations for American travelers. Here is how much a basic trip to each of those destinations would cost, including airfare, hotel, and food requirements. Travel is based on a four-star hotel, economy airfare, and basic nutritional requirements. Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells
