Royal Caribbean will stop visiting its private resort in Labadee, Haiti, until September 2024 due to ongoing violence and a new US travel alert.
Royal Caribbean International began postponing visits to its private beach in Labadee in mid-March because of ongoing political unrest and violence. More recently, the cruise line decided to drop the destination from its itineraries until September this year.
Alternate options have included an extra sea day, Perfect Day at CocoCay, or a visiting Carnival’s Grand Turk Cruise Center.
| “Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide through September 2024,” Royal Caribbean told USA Today in a statement earlier this month. |
The US Department of State maintains its highest alert level for the country, discouraging Americans from traveling to Haiti. The May 21 alert describes the local situation as “unpredictable and dangerous,” with kidnapping for ransom occurring regularly.
The agency’s warning reads, “Travel within Haiti is conducted at your own risk. The US government cannot guarantee your safety traveling to airports, borders, or during any onward travel.”
Until recently, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive resort in Labadee was a sought-after cruise destination along Haiti’s northern coast. Its 260 acres span white-sand beaches, rolling hills, bays, and jungles. Activities include kayaking, ziplining, boat rides, jet skiing, and snorkeling.
Due to political unrest, the cruise line stopped calling Labadee in early 2020 and resumed visits in 2022.
Celebrity Removes Labadee from Some 2025 Itineraries
Celebrity Ascent has made a similar change to some of its itineraries. The cruise line has not issued a fleetwide announcement, but passengers are receiving notifications that their early 2025 itineraries will no longer call on Labadee.
Read more about Royal Caribbean Suspends Calls to Private Destination in Haiti
The January 26, 2025, sailing will head to Falmouth, Jamaica, instead. Meanwhile, the February 9, 2025 cruise will replace Haiti with Cozumel, Mexico.
| An email to booked guests says, “Due to a change in our itinerary for our 2024-2025 winter sailings, we are canceling our visit to Labadee, Haiti, during our Celebrity Ascent on January 26, 2025 sailing. We will now enjoy a visit to Falmouth Jamaica on Day 4 instead of visiting Labadee.” |
Celebrity Cruises didn’t give an exact reason for the changes. Celebrity is the sister brand of Royal Caribbean International, under Royal Caribbean Group.
