CRUISE passengers have criticised the decision to call at Haiti while the country is still suffering from a devastating earthquake.

Holidaymakers on board the Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas, which regularly calls at Southampton, have been divided over the decision to stop at the country's Labadee resort which lies just sixty miles away from the earthquake zone.

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Despite the 4,370-berth cruise liner delivering food aid, some passengers have said they will be staying in their cabins while at the resort, which is surrounded by 12 ft high fences.

Royal Caribbean lease the peninsula and five private beaches from the island's government to offer passengers watersports, barbecues and shopping experiences on Haiti away from the main population.

Independence of the Seas arrived at the resort on Friday and today, the 3,100-passenger Navigator of the Seas is due to disembark.

One passenger has said: "I just can't see myself sunning on the beach, playing in the water, eating a barbecue and enjoying a cocktail while there are tens of thousands of dead people being piled up on the streets."

Royal Caribbean say they have pledged to donate all proceeds from the visits to help Haitians while also pledging $1m to help the relief effort.