It’s official: Royal Caribbean has extended the cancellation of visits to Labadee, Haiti, for another six months.
For travelers eagerly awaiting their stop at this private paradise, this news may come as a bit of a disappointment, but there’s more to the story.
The closure affects eight different Royal Caribbean ships and dozens of itineraries, leaving passengers to adjust their expectations.
As someone who’s always on the lookout for the best cruise destinations, I thought I’d dive into what this means for cruisers and how Royal Caribbean is handling the situation.
Why Are Labadee Visits Being Canceled?
Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive private destination in Haiti, has long been a favorite stop for many cruisers looking for a unique, secluded experience.
However, recent events in Haiti have led to safety concerns, forcing the cruise line to take action.
Here’s what’s going on:
- Violence in Haiti: Most of the violence has been centered in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, which is over 80 miles away from Labadee. But the risks of potential crimes such as mugging, carjacking, and kidnapping are too high for Royal Caribbean to ignore.
- State of Emergency: Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a state of emergency, and the US Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for the country.
Despite these concerns being far from Labadee, the safety of passengers comes first, so the decision was made to extend the port’s closure at least until April 2026.
Impact on Royal Caribbean Cruises
If you’re booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ll want to pay close attention to any updates regarding your itinerary.
This extended cancellation will affect more than one-quarter of the fleet, with several ships having their planned stops at Labadee adjusted.
But don’t worry—Royal Caribbean is working hard to provide alternative destinations so your cruise still offers plenty of excitement.
Ships Affected
The following ships are no longer scheduled to visit Labadee:
- Adventure of the Seas
- Allure of the Seas
- Explorer of the Seas
- Independence of the Seas
- Jewel of the Seas
- Liberty of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Symphony of the Seas
Each ship will be adjusting its itinerary depending on when and where it was originally scheduled to visit Labadee.
Some might visit new ports, while others might add an extra day at sea if no other options are available.
What Are the New Ports of Call?
While it’s disappointing to miss out on Labadee, there are still plenty of amazing destinations to look forward to!
Here’s a list of some of the new ports that will replace Labadee on these itineraries:
- Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos (Replaces Labadee on the Freedom of the Seas, November 1, 2025 sailing)
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (Replaces Labadee on the Freedom of the Seas, November 15, 2025 sailing)
- Falmouth, Jamaica (Replaces Labadee on the Freedom of the Seas December 22, 2025 sailing)
- Grand Cayman
- Cozumel
- Nassau
- Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island)
Depending on the ship and itinerary, you may find yourself sailing to Falmouth for a taste of Jamaican culture or soaking up the sun in Grand Turk—both of which are stunning destinations!
What About Shore Excursions?
For those who had already prepaid for Labadee shore excursions, Royal Caribbean is handling the cancellations by automatically refunding the amount to your original payment method.
If the ship is visiting a new port, the cruise line is working to reschedule any similar shore excursions.
However, there may be instances where no suitable alternative exists, in which case you’ll get the refund, and you’ll have to decide on other activities to fill your time.
Why the Extended Cancellations?
So, what’s the reason for this latest extension? Royal Caribbean has stated that these changes are being made “out of an abundance of caution”.
The decision is rooted in the ongoing safety concerns due to violent gang activity in Haiti.
It’s important to note that Labadee itself has not been directly impacted, but the proximity of the unrest to the broader region makes it unsafe for cruise passengers.
What struck me as noteworthy is that this is the longest single extension Royal Caribbean has made to Labadee’s cancellation.
This could reflect the growing instability in Haiti, as well as the need for the cruise line to make alternative plans far in advance, especially with the busy Caribbean winter sailing season approaching.
What’s Next?
For those booked on Royal Caribbean cruises over the next several months, it’s important to stay updated on itinerary changes.
Royal Caribbean has already begun reaching out to travel agents and guests to inform them of the new arrangements.
While it’s always disappointing to lose a stop, the cruise line is working hard to ensure that the impacted sailings still offer incredible experiences at alternative ports.
Whether you end up exploring the beauty of the Dominican Republic, the charm of Grand Cayman, or the thrills of Perfect Day at CocoCay, you’ll still be in for a fantastic vacation.
In Conclusion
While the Labadee cancellations are disappointing, they are being made with passenger safety in mind.
I’m sure that Royal Caribbean will continue to adjust and find the best possible alternatives to make sure every sailing remains a memorable experience.
So, don’t let these changes ruin your vacation—just think of it as an opportunity to discover even more amazing destinations on your cruise!
