Royal Caribbean has extended its suspension of all port calls to Labadee, Haiti through at least April 2028, impacting 44 itineraries across nine ships in its fleet.
Affected Ships and Itinerary Substitutions
The hiatus affects 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. The cruise line has revised itineraries with alternative ports including Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Grand Turk; Amber Cove; Cozumel; Samana Port; Grand Bahama Island; Puerto Plata; Ponce; George Town; and Ocho
Rios.
For example, the Allure of the Seas 18 July 2027 sailing substitutes Nassau, Bahamas for Labadee during a six-night Caribbean voyage from Miami, while the 6 February 2028 sailing replaces Labadee with San Juan, Puerto Rico during a seven-night itinerary. Adjustments sometimes include shifts to other ports or additional days at sea when suitable alternatives are unavailable.
Passenger Impact and Cruise Line Response
Passengers with bookings through April 2028 should expect cancellations of Labadee port calls and itinerary revisions. Royal Caribbean automatically refunds prepaid shore excursions for Labadee excursions and reschedules impacted excursions at other ports where feasible. The company communicates these adjustments directly, stating
all non-reaccommodated tours will be refunded to guests’ original form of payment within 14 business days.
Support for Labadee Employees and Supply Deliveries
Despite the suspension of passenger visits, Royal Caribbean continues support for the employees who live and work at Labadee. Several ships have made unannounced stops at the private destination to deliver supplies for these employees, with no passenger disembarkations occurring during these calls.
Background and Security Context
The suspension initially began in March 2024 after a mass prison break in Port-au-Prince involving 4,000 escaped prisoners escalated gang violence and instability in Haiti. Labadee, located about 150 kilometers north of the capital, has remained closed due to ongoing security
and political concerns despite its separation from areas experiencing violence.
The U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti, citing risks including crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited healthcare facilities. Royal Caribbean cites acting “out of an abundance of caution” for the extended hiatus.
Historical Significance and Operational Challenges
Labadee has been part of Royal Caribbean’s portfolio since 1986, serving as a private stop offering beaches, water sports, and other amenities to cruise passengers. The extended closure disrupts a major element of Western Caribbean itineraries, impacting operations for several large ships that require specialized docking facilities at Labadee.
The
ongoing suspension through at least April 2028 marks a potential three-year absence from the private destination, one of the longest interruptions since it became a hallmark stop in the cruise line’s Caribbean offerings.
Scale of Impact and Industry Context
The suspension affects 44 cruises sailing on multiple Royal Caribbean ships, requiring significant itinerary alterations across the fleet. Royal Caribbean is balancing passenger safety, operational constraints, and support for local communities amid Haiti’s continued security challenges. No public timeline or plans have been announced for resuming normal port calls to Labadee.
