Royal Caribbean Suspends Labadee Visits Temporarily
Royal Caribbean has temporarily halted calls to Labadee, its private island destination off northern Haiti, redirecting four ships away from planned stops. Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas have already skipped their scheduled visits, sailing to alternative ports instead. According to information shared by Cruise Radio and cited in a Newsweek report, the cruise line reached out directly to affected guests to explain the change. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Newsweek that “out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly.”
The decision comes amid an elevated travel advisory for Haiti from the U.S. State Department, which has classified the country as Level 4 “Do Not Travel” due to rampant kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited health care. U.S. officials warn that robbery, carjackings, sexual assault and ransom kidnappings are common, particularly in and around Port‑au‑Prince. The advisory specifically cautions against travel to Haiti, citing widespread gang violence and ongoing security concerns that make land‑based visits hazardous.
Compounding the unrest, the U.S. Embassy in Port‑au‑Prince issued its own alert this week, warning of “widespread protests with potential for violence between police, protestors, and criminal gangs.” Armed groups now control substantial portions of Haiti’s capital, and clashes between rival factions and security forces have disrupted essential services. By avoiding Labadee, which lies just off Haiti’s northern coast, Royal Caribbean aims to keep guests safely at sea and out of harm’s way.
Instead of docking at Labadee, Oasis of the Seas has been rerouted to Nassau in the Bahamas, while Voyager of the Seas will instead call at Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Adventure of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas will similarly adjust their itineraries to nearby alternative ports. Onboard notifications and revised shore excursion schedules have been provided to ensure that travelers still enjoy a seamless cruise experience without the private‑island stop.
This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has suspended Labadee calls. Last summer, the line postponed visits to the island until September 2024 in response to security concerns on the mainland. On both occasions, the cruise line has stressed that the pause is temporary and that Labadee remains a valued part of its Caribbean program. Guests with bookings that include the private‑island visit have the option to choose alternative shore excursions at the substitute ports or receive onboard credits if their new itinerary does not include comparable activities.
As Haiti’s security situation evolves, Royal Caribbean continues to monitor guidance from local authorities, the U.S. government and international agencies. The cruise line has indicated that it will reinstate Labadee calls once conditions permit and it is confident in guest safety. Until then, it will rely on its network of Caribbean ports to deliver warm destinations, curated excursions and the all‑inclusive amenities for which it is known.
Travel advisors and passengers looking to plan upcoming cruises should confirm itineraries directly with Royal Caribbean, as port rotations remain subject to change. Despite the temporary pause at Labadee, the line’s broader Caribbean schedule remains robust, with a variety of islands and cultural destinations available throughout the season. Royal Caribbean’s swift adjustment underscores its commitment to passenger well‑being and flexibility in the face of evolving security challenges.
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