Royal Caribbean has cancelled all cruise visits to its private destination Labadee, Haiti through at least April 2028, affecting about 44 itineraries across nine ships.
Ships and Itinerary Changes
The cruise line is adjusting schedules for Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas. Alternative ports to replace Labadee include Nassau in the Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Cozumel, and Samana Port. When no suitable ports are available, additional sea
days are added to itineraries. For example, the Allure of the Seas’ July 18, 2027 sailing will call at Nassau instead of Labadee on a six-night Caribbean voyage from Miami, while its February 6, 2028 sailing substitutes San Juan during a seven-night trip.
Operational Adjustments and Shore Excursions
Royal Caribbean is tailoring replacement ports individually rather than applying a uniform substitution. The cruise line’s Shore Excursions team automatically processes refunds for pre-paid Labadee excursions and reschedules other impacted shore tours where possible. Any excursions that cannot be rescheduled will be cancelled and refunded within 14 business days, according to passenger notifications. Some vessels continue unannounced
supply stops at Labadee to support local staff, but passengers are prohibited from disembarking during these calls.
Security Concerns and Travel Advisories
The extended suspension follows initial cancellations starting in March 2024 after a prison outbreak in Port-au-Prince allowed 4,000 inmates to escape, escalating gang violence and political instability in Haiti. Despite Labadee’s location on Haiti’s northern coast being about 150 kilometers from the capital, the overall threat environment has prevented a safe resumption of passenger visits. The U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti citing severe risks related to crime, kidnappings, terrorism, and civil unrest.
Passenger Impact and Notifications
Passengers booked
on the affected sailings have been informed of itinerary changes and port substitutions. Approximately 44 itineraries across Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean routes will no longer include Labadee. Additional sea days may be inserted where no port alternatives exist. Guests with pre-paid Labadee excursions will receive automatic refunds, and other shore excursions will be rescheduled or refunded as necessary, requiring no action from passengers.
Long-Term Impact on the Cruise Line’s Caribbean Operations
Royal Caribbean has leased Labadee since 1986, making it a significant component of its Western Caribbean offerings. The closure, now extending beyond three years since May 2025, marks an unprecedented hiatus for the private resort. Royal Caribbean continues
to support Labadee employees despite halted guest visits. The extended suspension relates to ongoing instability in Haiti, posing operational challenges for cruise scheduling and passenger safety management across the fleet.
