In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti last week, Royal Carribbean (RC) has faced considerable criticism for continuing to dock its luxury cruise liners in the Haitian port of Labadee.  One passenger likened a day at Labadee’s beach to “going to a funeral and singing and dancing around the casket.”

Unfortunately for RC, circumstances have created troubled waters for its popular cruise ships.  Had RC made the decision to cancel its Labadee dockings choosing instead an alternate port (such as neighbouring ones in the Dominican Republic) the company could just as easily have been accused of abandoning Haiti at its hour of greatest need.

In my view RC is to be commended for not fleeing from its 30 year relationship with Haiti.  Instead, its ships have delivered relief supplies with each docking, committed $1,000,000 in direct humanitarian aid, and pledged to donate 100% of its net revenue from the destination to the relief effort.  The company directly employs hundreds of Haitians in its operation and contributes even greater job creation in all the ancillary work created when ships with 3000+ passengers dock.

In a statement company spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez noted: “We are very sensitive to the idea of delivering a vacation experience so close to the epicenter of the earthquake and we appreciate that many guests might feel the same way.  However, given the terrible economic and social challenges Haiti now faces, they need the positive economic benefits now more than ever.”

RC CEO Adam Goldstein responded to critics in his own blog saying, “Being on the island and generating economic activity for the straw market vendors, the hair-braiders and our 230 employees helps with relief while being somewhere else does not help.  People enjoying themselves is what we do.  People enjoying themselves in Labadee helps with relief.  We support our guests who choose to help in this way, which is consistent with our nearly 30-year history in Haiti.”

We go on vacation to escape the trivial problems we face back home in our social and business lives.  When a truly extraordinary problem intrudes on our holidays, it is difficult to determine how to react.  I cannot predict what choice I personally would make were I currently on a cruise bound for ports of call that included Haiti.  I admit to feelings of intense uneasiness when I learned last week of the Haitian quake while thoroughly enjoying myself in the lap of luxury as a guest of Jade Mountain in St. Lucia.  It is impossible not to feel pangs of guilt as I lounged in my 2000 sq ft room staring at the Caribbean Sea from the gentle waters of my in-room pool.  And yet, my trip continued.  Life goes on.  And I can only hope that the same will hold true for the devastated survivors now struggling mightily in Haiti.

There are many outstanding charitable organizations contributing to the massive relief efforts in Haiti.  If you have not yet made a donation, I would encourage you to consider contributing to United Jewish Appeal’s Hope for Haiti fund.  Unlike many other worthy organizations, UJA’s relief efforts, delivered through UJA Canada’s IsraAid fund, utilizes 100% of funds on direct aid while absorbing administrative costs.