Royal Caribbean will not call at Labadee, Haiti, on any of its cruises during the entire 2026 sailing season, affecting dozens of itineraries on 12 ships, the cruise line announced in July 2026. The cancellations cover all scheduled visits through December 2026.
Security Concerns Drive Port Call Cancellations
The decision stems from continued civil unrest and violent gang activity in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which has been under a state of emergency since March 2024. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory for Haiti, citing pervasive security risks. While Labadee is situated hours away from the capital in a secured private cruise destination,
the escalating violence in the area prompted Royal Caribbean to suspend visits.
Alternative Ports Replace Labadee in 2026 Itineraries
Most cruises initially scheduled to visit Labadee will instead stop at other Caribbean ports such as Nassau in the Bahamas, Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos, Cozumel in Mexico, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nassau is a notable substitute with Royal Caribbean recently opening a new Royal Beach Club there. Some itineraries will include sea days in place of Labadee.
Passengers booked on these 2026 cruises will experience itinerary changes, requiring adjustments to shore excursion plans originally centered on Labadee.
Official Statement from Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean informed travel agents, including Postcard Travel, of the cancellations by email. The cruise line explained:
“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,” according to the email to travel partners.
Background on Prior 2024 and 2025 Cancellations
The cruise operator initially paused Labadee visits in 2024 amid the Haitian security crisis, briefly resuming later that year before cancelling again in spring 2025 when gang violence expanded beyond Port-au-Prince. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued advisories urging caution for mariners and passengers traveling through Haitian ports due to continuing security concerns.
