Labadee, Haiti (Tripadvisor.com)

“Disgusting!” as one poster put it.  Or was it the right thing to do?  The outburst of mixed emotions over Royal Caribbean’s return to dock at a private beach in Haiti is understandable.

My first reaction was, “that’s just wrong”.  How can vacationers justify sunning themselves on a beach within miles of one of the worst natural disasters in over 2 centuries in Haiti?  It just didn’t seem right.  People have rightly expressed their outrage here, here and here.

As difficult as it is, try to look at the issue without any emotions.  Would you feel the same way?  Several questions come to mind.  If 60 miles (as asserted by this Huffington Post article) is too close to untold suffering, what is the right distance away from poverty/disaster?  100 miles?  1000 miles?  Is there a right distance?

Also, when is the appropriate time to return to Haiti?  If its too soon now, when is it appropriate?  A week?  A month?  Clearly, there is no right or correct answer.

Maybe the moral outrage seems misplaced as The Guardian concluded in this article.  “Condemning cruises for sailing carefree into Haiti’s hell makes little sense if we don’t apply the same standards elsewhere”.  “Ironically, this is an occasion when the cruise ships may be doing some good”.

But is Haiti truly better off as a result of cruise ships returning?  Logically speaking, contributing revenue directly to the island and employing people is indeed making Haiti better off.  Also, as Royal Caribbean points out here, the Haiti government wanted them to return.

But make no mistake, its difficult to reconcile the image cruise vacationers enjoying themselves while thousands suffer in Haiti.  Clearly it was not an easy call for Royal Caribbean, but it seems like it does indeed make Haiti better off.  But could more have been done? As this post in Cruise Law News points out, Royal Caribbean (and other cruise lines) can and should do much more to contribute to Haiti’s relief effort.

Here’s an idea.  Why not allow cruise passengers visiting Haiti a way to directly contribute to the recovery efforts?  We’re not talking about simply opening up a checkbook and making a donation.  We are talking about real, hands-on impact.

For example, Royal Caribbean can transport passengers to distressed areas where passengers can help distribute Royal Caribbean sponsored food or water.  Or for medical professionals, volunteer their expertise at a hospital for a day.  Or computer/IT experts can help restore Haiti’s communications infrastructure.  Or educators can teach at a school for a day.  These are only a few examples.  There are many other ways for cruise passengers to help Haiti.

This is a great opportunity for those passengers to truly give back – in person.  What is needed is for Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean to organize and sponsor these ‘volunteer excursions’ and of course, ensure the safety of passengers.

Habitat for Humanity in Haiti (habitat.org)

This recovery effort will no doubt stretch for many months and years.  Similar to volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, it is not difficult to imagine cruise passengers spending their day helping rebuild a house or school.  The benefits to Haiti are clear.  The goodwill Royal Caribbean will generate will be tremendous.

And the passengers benefit immensely from directly helping a poor nation get back on it’s feet.  All while on vacation!  The idea of volunteer or service during vacation is not new, see here and here.  And as Nicholas Kristof articulated in this NY Times op-ed, helping others is “a basic human pleasure” along with eating.

This is a way for Cruise lines to have a truly meaningful role in helping rebuild Haiti, literally.  Win, win win all around.  How about it Royal Caribbean?