Royal Caribbean Extends Labadee Cruise Suspension Through Dec. 2026

Royal Caribbean Group has extended its suspension of visits to Labadee, Royal Caribbean International’s private destination in Haiti, through December 2026, citing ongoing safety and security concerns. The move affects more than 65 sailings across about a dozen ships, with the cruise line updating 2026 itineraries and notifying booked guests as changes roll out by sailing date.

In an emailed statement confirming the decision, the company said it has “extended our pause to Labadee through December 2026” and described the move as being made “out of an abundance of caution.” Royal Caribbean had previously suspended calls to the destination through April 2026.

Pause extended through December 2026

Labadee, located in Haiti’s Cape Haitien area, has been part of Royal Caribbean’s portfolio of private destinations for decades and has served as a stop on a wide range of Caribbean itineraries. Royal Caribbean has operated there since 1986, but calls have been disrupted since March 2024 as Haiti’s security situation deteriorated.

Royal Caribbean first canceled scheduled visits in March 2024, then resumed limited operations before suspending calls again. The company last visited Labadee in the first quarter of 2025, following an earlier pause in 2024, and it has been canceling visits again since April 2025 as itinerary revisions continued.

Why Royal Caribbean says it cannot return yet

The extension comes as Haiti continues to face serious security challenges. Gang violence escalated in 2024, and the country has been under a state of emergency since March 2024.

The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti, citing risks that include violent crime and kidnapping. The advisory also notes U.S. Coast Guard concerns about security conditions in Haiti’s ports.

Royal Caribbean said the extended pause followed internal review, and that it “explored every reasonable option.” In its broader statement on the decision, the company said the extended pause reflects its “continued priority: the safety and well-being of our guests and team members.” It added that, given conditions in Haiti, it does not have “a path forward that allows us to operate safely and sustainably” in the year ahead.

While much of the unrest has been concentrated around Port-au-Prince, Royal Caribbean has pointed to the evolving security picture more broadly. Labadee is located about 85 miles from the capital, and the company’s approach has been driven by concerns that criminal activity has extended beyond the capital.

How 2026 itineraries are changing

Guests booked on cruises that had included Labadee have begun receiving notifications that the stop has been removed for the remainder of 2026. Royal Caribbean has said replacement options vary by ship, sailing date, and port availability, and that some itineraries will substitute an alternate port while others will replace the call with an additional day at sea.

Because Labadee functions as a private destination rather than a standard port call, removing it can require broader itinerary redesigns, particularly when multiple ships are involved and berth availability is limited. In some cases, larger ships have used sea days when alternative port availability is constrained.

• Nassau, Bahamas, is appearing as a replacement on some sailings, including a May 2, 2026 Freedom of the Seas itinerary that switches from Labadee to Nassau.
• Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, is being added on some revised schedules, including a September 12, 2026 Adventure of the Seas sailing that replaces Labadee with Grand Turk.
• Falmouth, Jamaica, is among the alternate calls listed on updated itineraries, depending on the ship and sailing date.
• Costa Maya, Mexico, is also being used as an alternative stop on certain itineraries as the line reworks routes across the region.
• Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, is included as a substitute on some revised itineraries where routing and availability allow.

On a May 3, 2026 Star of the Seas sailing, Royal Caribbean is replacing the Labadee call with a day at sea, illustrating how the line is balancing guest experience with the practical limits of securing alternate berths across a busy Caribbean schedule.

Refunds and guest communications

Royal Caribbean said it is communicating updated itineraries to passengers individually as changes are finalized for specific departures. For guests who purchased shore excursions for Labadee through Royal Caribbean, the cruise line is canceling those tours and issuing refunds automatically.

Any new shore excursion options will depend on the revised ports added to each sailing, and the line has told guests to expect updates tied to their ship and departure date as itinerary adjustments continue.

Labadee staff support and humanitarian shipments

Royal Caribbean said it has informed team members connected to Labadee about the extended pause and is offering continued support. In its statement, the company said it remains committed to keeping employees informed and treating them “with care, dignity, and respect during this transition.”

Although passenger calls remain suspended, Royal Caribbean has said it maintains a presence tied to humanitarian initiatives, with ships transporting relief supplies continuing to dock at Labadee while guest access remains prohibited.

Investments in other private destinations

Alongside the continued pause in Haiti, Royal Caribbean has been expanding and developing other private-destination offerings. The company recently opened the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas and is developing Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya, aligning with its broader focus on private destinations that can offer more controlled guest environments. Observers have speculated that these developments could reduce reliance on destinations in less stable regions, even as the company has not outlined a timeline for resuming calls to Labadee.

For now, the extended suspension through December 2026 leaves the company focused on finalizing replacement ports where possible, issuing refunds for canceled Labadee excursions, and continuing to update guests booked on affected sailings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Royal Caribbean extend its pause on Labadee visits?

Royal Caribbean said it extended the pause because of security concerns in Haiti. The company said it made the decision “out of an abundance of caution” and that the extended pause reflects its “continued priority: the safety and well-being of our guests and team members.”

Are Royal Caribbean cruises being canceled because of the Labadee pause?

No. Royal Caribbean is removing Labadee from itineraries, not canceling the cruises themselves. Sailings are being updated with alternate ports or, in some cases, additional sea days depending on availability.

What ports are replacing Labadee on updated itineraries?

Replacements vary by ship and sailing date. Examples cited in updated schedules include Nassau, Grand Turk, Falmouth, Costa Maya, and Perfect Day at CocoCay, and some sailings are replacing Labadee with a day at sea.

What happens if I booked a Royal Caribbean shore excursion for Labadee?

Royal Caribbean is canceling Labadee shore excursions booked through the cruise line and issuing refunds automatically. New excursion options, if any, depend on the replacement port added to a particular sailing.

Does the U.S. travel advisory apply to Labadee as well?

The U.S. State Department currently lists Haiti under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. While Labadee is about 85 miles from Port-au-Prince, where much of the unrest has been concentrated, Royal Caribbean has cited broader security concerns in extending the pause.