Royal Caribbean has extended its suspension of all ship calls to Labadee, Haiti through at least April 2028, affecting 44 itineraries across nine vessels, according to Cruise Mummy. The private destination closure, ongoing since March 2024, impacts a sizable portion of the cruise line’s Caribbean schedule.
Ships Affected and Itinerary Adjustments
Ships with altered itineraries include 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. Each vessel’s voyages will undergo modifications to accommodate the absence of Labadee
port calls during this extended period.
Alternative Ports and Route Changes
Substitute ports for cancelled Labadee visits vary by sailing and include Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Amber Cove and Samana Port in the Dominican Republic; Cozumel, Mexico; and Grand Bahama Island. Several cruises incorporate additional sea days in place of a port call when suitable alternatives are unavailable. For example, the Allure of the Seas sailing on July 18, 2027, will visit Nassau instead of Labadee, while its February 6, 2028 itinerary substitutes San Juan and adjusts Samana Port accordingly.
Shore Excursions and Passenger Refunds
Royal Caribbean has assured passengers that all prepaid
shore excursions for Labadee will be refunded automatically within 14 business days. Shore excursion bookings for other affected ports will be rebooked where possible or refunded without passenger intervention. The cruise line’s Shore Excursions team manages these adjustments directly to simplify the process for guests and minimize disruption.
Support for Local Employees and Background Causes
Despite the absence of passenger visits, Royal Caribbean continues to support Labadee’s local workforce through supply deliveries during unannounced operational stops. Labadee covers about 260 acres on Haiti’s northern coast, approximately 150 kilometers from Port-au-Prince—where gang violence and political instability surged in 2024, prompting the initial suspension. The U.S. Department of State
maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti due to high crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and civil unrest, influencing ongoing operational decisions.
Traveler Impacts and Official Communication
Passengers booked on affected cruises will experience altered schedules with no Labadee port visits until at least April 2028. Alternative Caribbean destinations replace Labadee on 44 itineraries, with some cruises adding sea days. Royal Caribbean emphasized that shore excursion cancellations and refunds will occur automatically to ease passenger concerns. The company’s president has indicated continued caution prioritizing safety before resuming visits to Labadee.
