Royal Caribbean has announced the cancellation of all scheduled visits to its private cruise destination Labadee in Haiti for the entire year of 2026. This decision, made public in early July 2026, affects dozens of itineraries across 12 cruise ships operating in the Caribbean.
Security Issues in Haiti and Travel Advisories
Labadee sits on Haiti’s northern coast but the country has faced ongoing violent gang conflicts centered in Port-au-Prince, the capital, since a state of emergency was declared in March 2024. Although Labadee is geographically distant from Port-au-Prince, security concerns have extended beyond the capital. The U.S. State Department continues to advise against travel to Haiti, maintaining
a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory due to widespread violence. The U.S. Coast Guard has issued warnings urging mariners and passengers to exercise caution when navigating Haitian ports.
Alternate Ports and Itinerary Changes
In place of Labadee, most Royal Caribbean itineraries now include alternative 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 in Puerto Rico. A limited number of itineraries have substituted the Labadee port call with additional sea days instead. These adjustments vary by ship and specific cruise schedule.
Impact on Passengers and Notifications
Passengers who booked cruises in 2026 that
originally planned to call at Labadee have been promptly informed about the itinerary changes. The cruise line is providing advance notice to help vacationers adjust their plans in response to the altered schedules, which either reroute to alternate destinations or include extended time at sea.
Official Statements and Precautionary Measures
In a statement emailed to travel agencies, Royal Caribbean noted, “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.” The U.S. Coast Guard similarly highlighted security concerns in Haitian ports, advising mariners to exercise care until improvements
are made.
Background on Prior Disruptions and Ongoing Emergency
Royal Caribbean had previously suspended Labadee visits multiple times since 2024 due to rising insecurity in Haiti. The cruise line resumed calls after short pauses but reinstated suspensions in spring 2025 as gang violence continued to escalate. Haiti’s state of emergency remains active, and the cruise line’s current cancellations reflect the persistent risks that have affected the port’s accessibility to cruise traffic over the last two years.
