Royal Caribbean has canceled all scheduled visits to its private destination Labadee on Haiti’s northern coast for the entire 2026 season due to ongoing security concerns. The announcement was confirmed on July 13, 2026, as the cruise line extended the suspension of calls to the port amid continued civil unrest in Haiti.
Alternative Ports Replace Labadee on Dozens of Itineraries
Dozens of cruise itineraries across 12 Royal Caribbean ships are affected by the cancellations in 2026. In most cases, Labadee was replaced by stops at other Caribbean ports including 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. When no suitable port was available, the itinerary included additional sea days.
Abrupt Cancellation of Spectrum of the Seas Four-Night Sailing Affects Passengers
Royal Caribbean also abruptly canceled a four-night sailing of its Spectrum of the Seas ship, impacting thousands of passengers. The sudden cancellation resulted in itinerary changes and diversions, although the cruise line provided advance notice to facilitate passenger adjustments.
Safety Advisories and Official Statements on Haiti Security
Royal Caribbean stated in a communication to travel agents that it has been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince and, out of an abundance of caution, will cancel all Labadee visits through December 2026. The U.S. State Department has maintained a Level 4:
Do Not Travel Advisory for Haiti since March 2024. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard has warned mariners and passengers to exercise caution in Haitian ports due to unresolved security concerns.
Background: Haiti’s State of Emergency and Impact on Cruising
Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024 amid violent gang control of large parts of Port-au-Prince. Although Labadee is located hours away in a more remote area, gang violence has escalated in recent years, prompting Royal Caribbean to temporarily cancel visits in 2024 and spring 2025. The persistent security risks underlie the current cancellation of all 2026 calls.
Implications for Passengers on Affected Cruises
Passengers booked on cruises visiting Labadee in 2026
will now experience altered itineraries with substitute ports or sea days. Those booked on the canceled Spectrum of the Seas sailing have faced unexpected changes and rerouting. Royal Caribbean has communicated these modifications in advance to assist travelers in adjusting their plans accordingly.
