I went on a Cruise years ago and one of the ports was Caracas Venezuela. It was such a beautiful port and I’m sad and angry that they have to suffer this violation of international law.

Cruises rely on airlines at start and finish. But Venezuela's been under interdiction for years, so I can't imagine much cruise traffic there.

As for military warnings, note that the PRC basically did blockade Taiwan by holding drills. Airlines, cargo--and, yes, luxury cruises--were told to stay away. They had some, but not much, warning.

Meanwhile, the US warning in the Caribbean in the last 24 hours, was shorter. And while the PRC knew for months but gave scant warning, today's was a shock. Hence the disruption.. (Oh--and if the PRC screws Taiwan, well, that's sort of expect, now ain't it?).

The cruises--few though they be--usually had me arrive PM Saturday or early Sunday. And I'd fly out Saturday PM. Maybe 1 week, maybe two, but they knew that workers (like me) had a M-F schedule, meaning arrive Sat/leave Sunday.

When did the warnings expire today? I mean, Maduro was Iwo Jimaed by the time NPR went breathless at 7 am CST. I'm fairly sure US military assets were back to base by the time NPR was doing their mind-twaddling analysis. (Mind twaddling because nobody knew anything and speculation and speculum have the same root. Cheers.)

Even now we only really have the Trump admin's mix of truth and gibberish--no cue which is which--to go by. But experts on all sides are clear ... and clearly in disagreement.

Curious, why the US military didn't schedule this for more convenient times. Perhaps something on the ground dictated the schedule so as to avoid US deaths or a serious international incident--maybe a PRC delegation had to leave first, or the detail was thinner because of something? Meh. I'll never know ... (but I can fantasize speculate all I want.)

Rec

Early Feb. we are to baby sit young grandkids.

All up in the air because of this monster regime.

All of our lives every damn day turned upside down.

Except very tangentially. It's not like multiple counties in both east and west Caribbean are thrown into chaos. At best (or worst) it's Venezuela and maybe Cuba. Both sanctioned and probably not cruise destinations.

They may be anxious and worried, but they're not yet directly affected. Unless, of course, they're off to Venezuela and Cuba ... Which I think unlikely.