Royal Caribbean Cancels Calls to This Port Until 2027

Royal Caribbean just announced more bad news for cruise fans who love visiting their private beach in Haiti. The cruise line has canceled all visits to Labadee through December 2026. This extends their previous cancellations that only went through April 2026.

Safety remains the top priority for the cruise line. Political unrest and violence in Haiti continue to create dangerous conditions throughout the country.

Why Royal Caribbean Stopped Going to Labadee

Royal Caribbean made this tough decision to protect guests and crew members. The cruise line has been watching the situation in Haiti closely for months.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have extended our pause to Labadee through December 2026,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement. The company explained their reasoning in emails to affected guests.

“We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we’re cancelling our visit to Labadee,” the emails stated. No Royal Caribbean ship has visited Labadee since April 2025.

Labadee is Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination. The company owns and operates this exclusive spot for cruise passengers. No other cruise lines visit Haiti, making Royal Caribbean unique in this market.

What Happens to Your Cruise Instead

Royal Caribbean has found replacement ports for all affected sailings. Most ships will visit other popular Caribbean destinations instead of Labadee. The cruise line sent detailed lists to travel agents about these changes.

Here are the main replacement ports being used:

Nassau, Bahamas – The most common substitute destination. Most ships arrive around 7:00-8:00 AM and leave by 5:00-6:00 PM.

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos – Another popular replacement. Ships typically dock from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic – Used for several sailings, especially longer itineraries.

Some cruises will have an extra sea day instead of visiting any replacement port. This gives passengers more time to enjoy the ship’s amenities and activities.

Multiple Ships Affected Across the Fleet

The cancellations impact many popular Royal Caribbean ships. Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Icon of the Seas are among the vessels with schedule changes. Other affected ships include Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas.

Finding replacement ports this close to sailing dates creates challenges. Cruise lines plan port visits years in advance. This makes it hard to find open slots for large ships on short notice.

Each ship has different replacement arrangements based on their specific itineraries. Some cruises will visit multiple new ports while others add just one substitute destination.

The Dangerous Situation in Haiti

Haiti faces a serious safety crisis that shows no signs of improving. Armed gangs now control most of the country, including the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Violence has spread throughout many regions.

The U.S. State Department lists Haiti at Level 4 – the highest warning level. Their advice is simple and direct: “Do not travel to Haiti for any reason.”

The State Department warns that “Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom.” The U.S. Coast Guard also has security concerns about Haitian ports.

How Haiti’s Crisis Started

Haiti’s current troubles began in 2021 when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated. This created a power vacuum that armed gangs quickly exploited. Government instability and economic problems made the situation worse.

Armed groups now compete violently for territory with little regard for civilian safety. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as gang control spreads across northern and western Haiti. Widespread violence, hunger, and displacement affect millions of people.

The United Nations has tried multiple support missions to help stabilize the country. Previous operations failed because they were underfunded and underequipped. A planned 2026 intervention is currently in development.

Financial Impact on Royal Caribbean

The Labadee closure affects Royal Caribbean’s profits, though the destination isn’t used by many ships. During the company’s October 2025 earnings call, CEO Jason Liberty called the closure a “headwind.”

“Our fourth quarter year outlook has been trivially impacted due to adverse weather and the unplanned extension of the temporary closure of Labadee, one of our exclusive destinations,” Liberty explained. Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz provided more specific numbers.

Holtz said earnings per share were negatively impacted by $0.05 because of bad weather and the extended Labadee closure. While this seems small, it adds up across the company’s large fleet.

What This Means for Your Cruise

If your cruise was scheduled to visit Labadee, Royal Caribbean will contact you directly. The cruise line provides detailed information about replacement ports and updated arrival times. Most passengers receive these updates well before their sailing date.

The good news is that Caribbean cruises offer many amazing destinations. Nassau provides easy access to Atlantis Resort and beautiful beaches. Grand Turk offers excellent snorkeling and a relaxed island atmosphere.

Royal Caribbean continues to monitor the situation in Haiti closely. The company hopes to return to Labadee when it’s safe to do so. Until then, passenger and crew safety remains the top priority for all cruise operations.