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If you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean before, there’s a good chance Labadee was on your radar.
It’s one of those destinations people either rave about or eagerly anticipate for their first Caribbean cruise.
That’s why the latest update caught my attention — Royal Caribbean has now officially removed Labadee from all itineraries through December 2026.
As someone who closely follows itinerary changes (and has had ports swapped on me more than once), here’s what’s really going on, what it means for future sailings, and how Royal Caribbean is handling replacements.
Why Labadee Is Off the Schedule Until 2026
Royal Caribbean had already paused visits to Labadee before, but this update stretches the timeline much further than many expected.
The reason is safety — plain and simple.
Haiti is currently under the highest travel advisory issued by the U.S. government. The situation on the ground has deteriorated significantly due to:
- Widespread gang violence
- Kidnappings and armed crime
- Civil unrest and humanitarian instability
- Limited access to medical care
Even though Labadee operates as a separate, secured resort area, Royal Caribbean ultimately decided that continuing operations wasn’t worth the risk to guests or crew.
Ships haven’t docked there since April 2025, and the cruise line has now confirmed there will be no scheduled calls for the rest of 2025 or all of 2026.
A Quick Reminder: What Labadee Usually Offers
For anyone who hasn’t been — or who’s disappointed about missing it — Labadee isn’t a typical Haitian port city experience.
It’s a leased private resort zone, accessible only to Royal Caribbean guests, featuring:
- Multiple private beaches backed by mountains
- One of the longest overwater zip lines in the Caribbean
- Water slides, wave runners, and floating playgrounds
- Premium beach cabanas
- Dedicated private security
Royal Caribbean is also the only cruise line that visits Haiti, which makes this pause unique to their itineraries.
What Happens Instead? Replacement Ports Explained
Replacing a port less than a year out isn’t easy — cruise schedules are often locked in years ahead.
That said, Royal Caribbean has managed to secure alternatives for nearly every affected sailing.
Instead of Labadee, ships are being rerouted to well-established Caribbean ports, including:
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Costa Maya, Mexico
- Grand Cayman
- Perfect Day at CocoCay (on select sailings)
Some cruises will also gain an extra Sea Day, which many frequent cruisers actually enjoy.
Ship-by-Ship: How Itineraries Are Changing
To make this easier to digest, here’s a simplified snapshot of what’s happening across the fleet.
Common Replacement Patterns
| Original Stop | Replacement Options |
|---|---|
| Labadee | Nassau / Grand Turk |
| Labadee | Puerto Plata |
| Labadee | Cozumel or Costa Maya |
| Labadee | Extra Sea Day |
Notable Itinerary Adjustments
- Adventure, Freedom, Allure, and Oasis-class ships are seeing the most changes
- Some sailings now include additional ports instead of one-for-one swaps
- A few itineraries have adjusted arrival and departure times at other ports
- New ships like Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas are also affected
Royal Caribbean has already notified booked guests directly and updated sailing details in their systems.
The Bigger Picture: Haiti’s Ongoing Crisis
It’s impossible to separate this decision from what’s happening in Haiti overall.
Since 2021, when the country’s president was assassinated, armed gangs have taken control of large portions of the capital and surrounding regions.
Today:
- Gangs dominate much of Port-au-Prince
- Violence has displaced thousands of residents
- Food insecurity and humanitarian needs are escalating
- International stabilization efforts are ongoing, but under strain
The U.S. Coast Guard has also raised concerns about port security, advising caution for maritime travel involving Haiti.
Given that backdrop, Royal Caribbean’s move feels less like a temporary disruption and more like a long-term operational decision.
Does This Hurt Royal Caribbean Financially?
Surprisingly — yes, even though Labadee isn’t on every itinerary.
Executives have acknowledged that the extended closure has created a measurable financial impact, particularly when combined with weather-related disruptions.
During a recent earnings call:
- The company described the closure as a short-term “headwind.”
- Earnings per share took a small hit (around $0.05 per share), tied partly to Labadee’s absence
That said, Royal Caribbean continues to post strong demand overall, and replacement ports help soften the blow.
My Take as a Cruiser
While it’s disappointing to lose a unique private destination, I actually think Royal Caribbean handled this responsibly.
From a guest perspective:
- Safety should always come first
- Most replacement ports are popular, easy, and familiar
- Extra Sea Days can be a bonus, not a loss
If you’re booked on a cruise that originally included Labadee, I’d recommend:
- Re-checking your itinerary times
- Reviewing shore excursions (some ports offer better value than Labadee anyway)
- Keeping an open mind — many cruisers end up loving the substitute stops
For now, Labadee is officially off the map until at least 2027. Whether it returns after that will depend entirely on how Haiti’s situation evolves.
If you’re sailing soon and unsure how these changes affect your cruise, it’s worth checking your booking or talking to your travel advisor — the details can vary sailing by sailing.
