On July 13, 2026, Royal Caribbean announced the cancellation of all scheduled visits to its private cruise destination Labadee, Haiti, through December 2026. The cancellations affect dozens of itineraries spread across 12 Royal Caribbean ships, including an abrupt cancellation of a four-night Spectrum of the Seas sailing in 2026.
Alternatives for Labadee Cancellations and Itinerary Impact
Labadee, located on Haiti’s northern coast, serves as a secured private port for Royal Caribbean, situated several hours from Port-au-Prince. Most affected itineraries will substitute Labadee with alternate Caribbean ports such as Nassau, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nassau’s
Royal Beach Club, recently opened by Royal Caribbean, is a frequent replacement port. In cases where no viable substitute port is available, itineraries add an extra sea day. The cancelled four-night Spectrum of the Seas sailing is among the impacted journeys.
Security Concerns Behind Cancellations and Historical Context
The cancellations stem from ongoing civil unrest and violent crime in Haiti, particularly amid gang control of most of Port-au-Prince since March 2024. Haiti has been under a state of emergency since that time, and the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory for the country. Although Labadee itself is a secure facility distant from
the city, Royal Caribbean suspended visits multiple times since early 2024 due to expanding gang violence, including a pause in spring 2025.
Official Statement and Traveler Implications
Royal Caribbean communicated via email to travel agents: “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.” These cancellations require passengers booked on affected cruises to adjust plans. Some itineraries will lose a port visit entirely, replaced by additional sea days, while most see alternate Caribbean destinations substituted for Labadee.
Cruise Industry Context and Alternative Ports
Labadee has long been a favored Caribbean cruise port for
its scenery and private beach experience. Royal Caribbean briefly resumed visits late in 2024 before cancelling again in 2025 and now through 2026 due to security concerns. The cruise line’s recent opening of the Royal Beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas, provides an enhanced option for voyages missing Labadee. Other alternative ports such as Grand Turk, Cozumel, Puerto Plata, and San Juan offer established facilities for Caribbean itineraries.
