Royal Caribbean has canceled all scheduled visits to its private cruise port Labadee, Haiti, for the entire year of 2026 due to ongoing security concerns, according to AOL.com. The decision impacts dozens of cruise itineraries across 12 Royal Caribbean ships.
Itinerary Changes and Replacement Ports
Most affected itineraries have replaced Labadee with other Caribbean ports including Nassau in the Bahamas; Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos; Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. In some cases where an alternate port was not feasible, the itinerary includes an additional sea day instead. The cruise line communicated the changes via email to travel
agents such as Postcard Travel.
Security Situation in Haiti
Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024 amid violent gang activity that has expanded beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, since spring 2025. Although Labadee is a privately owned facility located on Haiti’s northern coast hours from Port-au-Prince, prior cruise visits were paused in 2024, briefly resumed, then halted again in spring 2025 due to worsening security conditions.
Travel Advisories and Official Warnings
The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti because of violent crime and civil unrest. The U.S. Coast Guard advises mariners and passengers to exercise caution when traveling through
Haitian ports, citing security concerns. Neither advisory explicitly forbids cruise visits but highlights significant regional security challenges.
Impact on Passengers and Cruise Operations
Passengers booked on 2026 Royal Caribbean cruises that previously included Labadee will no longer disembark there. Itinerary modifications will require affected travelers to adjust their plans, with most sailing to alternate ports or experiencing added sea days. The cancellations extend the current pause on Labadee visits through December 2026.
Official Statement from Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean stated, “We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we’re cancelling our visits to Labadee through December of 2026,” in correspondence with travel
agents including Postcard Travel.
Labadee’s Role and Alternative Destinations
Labadee is a private destination owned by Royal Caribbean on Haiti’s northern coast, known for its natural beauty and popularity among cruise passengers. To compensate for the cancellations, Royal Caribbean has introduced alternative ports, including their new Royal Beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas, and ports in Grand Turk, Cozumel, Puerto Plata, and San Juan. Cruise lines generally attempt to replace canceled ports with other destinations or sea days depending on availability and ship factors.
