Royal Caribbean Extends Labadee Suspension, Citing Haiti Safety Concerns

Royal Caribbean International has extended its suspension of visits to the private destination of Labadee, Haiti, through October 31, 2025, citing ongoing safety concerns as the U.S. Department of State maintains its Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for the country. The advisory warns of escalating violence, including gang-related crimes, kidnappings, and carjackings, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince. This decision affects 23 sailings across five of the company’s ships and reflects the cruise line's commitment to prioritizing passenger and crew safety amidst growing operational risks in Haiti.

Itinerary Adjustments and Affected Ships

The suspension impacts sailings on Icon of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas. Replacement strategies for the scrapped Labadee stops vary across itineraries. Some voyages are adding sea days, while others are substituting alternative Caribbean and Bahamian destinations such as Nassau (Bahamas), Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), Costa Maya (Mexico), and George Town (Grand Cayman).

• Icon of the Seas: Labadee calls scheduled for August 9 and September 20, 2025, are now sea days.
• Adventure of the Seas: Six sailings between August 16 and October 25, 2025, are affected.
• Freedom of the Seas: Eight sailings from August to October 2025 are re-routed.
• Oasis of the Seas: Six itineraries between August and October 2025 are adjusted.
• Radiance of the Seas: The October 20, 2025, visit to Labadee has been removed.

Guests are being notified of itinerary changes via email and the Royal Caribbean app, with updates on arrival and departure times for revised schedules. The company notes that all pre-paid shore excursions for Labadee are being automatically refunded back to the original form of payment. Refunds for other affected tours will also be processed within 14 business days if accommodations cannot be made.

Safety Concerns and Official Travel Advisories

The decision to suspend Labadee calls follows substantial instability in Haiti. According to the U.S. State Department, the Level 4 travel advisory cites "widespread violence and serious crime," including armed robberies, sexual assaults, and incidents involving kidnappings for ransom. The advisory further discourages any travel to Haiti and highlights the significant challenges facing both visitors and residents.

Royal Caribbean directly attributed the suspension to these risks, stating, "We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we’re canceling our visits to Labadee through October 31. Your safety is our top priority." The company added that it will continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and assess whether Labadee can be reintegrated into itineraries starting in November 2025.

Economic and Operational Impacts

Labadee has been a key part of Royal Caribbean’s portfolio since it was developed as a private destination in Haiti’s northern Cap-Haïtien region in the 1980s. The site offers a secured environment far removed from the country’s more volatile urban centers. However, the halt in cruise calls is expected to have economic repercussions for local communities and businesses that rely on tourism income generated from cruise ship visits. Vendors and service providers operating at the destination stand to experience financial setbacks as the suspension continues.

For Royal Caribbean and the broader cruise industry, these adjustments underline the complex trade-offs between passenger safety, operational feasibility, and economic partnerships with host regions. The company’s stance is part of a broader pattern of adaptations within the cruise sector, involving rerouting itineraries in response to political instability, local unrest, or environmental activism. For example, similar responses have been observed in regions facing political turmoil or protests against the environmental effects of cruise ship operations.

Historical Context and Ongoing Monitoring

Labadee has seen fluctuating operations over the past few years. Royal Caribbean first suspended calls to the destination in March 2024 amidst mounting unrest in Haiti. Visits briefly resumed later that year before being suspended again in early 2025 following further escalation of violence. Additional cancellations were announced in May 2025, initially impacting departures through August. The recent extension through the end of October marks the latest update to this evolving situation. Royal Caribbean has reiterated its commitment to conducting frequent assessments in coordination with security experts and remains hopeful for future calls to Labadee under improved conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Royal Caribbean canceling Labadee visits through October 2025?

The cruise line has suspended Labadee stops due to safety concerns linked to escalating violence and crime in Haiti. The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for the country underscores the risks for both visitors and local populations.

What ships and sailings are affected by the suspension?

Five ships, Icon of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas, are affected. A total of 23 itineraries between August and October 2025 have been adjusted to exclude Labadee calls.

What are the replacement ports for Labadee?

Alternatives include Nassau, Grand Turk, Costa Maya, and George Town, depending on the itinerary. Some voyages may also feature additional sea days or extended time in existing ports.

How will refunds for Labadee shore excursions be handled?

Pre-purchased Labadee excursions are being automatically canceled and refunded to the original form of payment. Impacted excursions scheduled for alternative destinations will either be modified or fully refunded within 14 business days if adjustments are not feasible.

Will Royal Caribbean resume calls to Labadee after October 2025?

As of now, select itineraries are scheduled to visit Labadee beginning in November 2025, but Royal Caribbean will continue to assess safety conditions before finalizing these plans.