Thousands of islanders on the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique have been protesting about low wages and the rising cost of living for three weeks. Protesters have set up blockades across the islands and some have turned violent causing schools, government offices, gas stations and banks to close.

With the islands at a standstill tourism to the islands has been hit hard as hotels have been shut down and cruise ships are bypassing the islands as ports of call. Cruise ships skipping the islands are Azamara Journey, Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas, Holland America’s Noordam, P&O Cruises Ventura and Costa Cruises Costa Atlantica.