Royal Caribbean has again suspended calls to Labadee, Haiti, citing growing security concerns over a surge of gang violence in the region.
The cruise line has rerouted at least four ships—Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas—away from the private beach destination.
Passengers onboard these ships reported receiving letters and captain’s announcements confirming the changes “out of an abundance of caution.”
Labadee, located on Haiti’s northern coast, is a fenced-off, cruise-line-operated resort historically considered safe due to its isolation from unrest and private security.
However, Royal Caribbean is opting to avoid the area as conditions in the country deteriorate.
Ships Replacing Labadee
Voyager of the Seas departed Port Canaveral on April 14 and will now call on Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, instead of Labadee. On a Western Caribbean itinerary from Port Everglades, Oasis of the Seas diverts to Nassau, Bahamas.
An Adventure of the Seas guest told Cruise Radio they were informed the ship would now dock in Puerto Plata’s Taino Bay on April 20. Odyssey of the Seas, sailing a longer Caribbean cruise, has also dropped Labadee from its schedule.
This marks the second time in just over a year that Royal Caribbean has paused visits to Labadee. The last suspension, prompted by similar instability, lasted from March to October 2024.
Passengers with pre-paid excursions for Labadee are receiving onboard credit refunds. There is no official word on when the line will resume and stop at the destination.
The U.S. State Department currently lists Haiti under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory due to widespread gang activity and civil unrest.
Royal Caribbean has paused Labadee visits multiple times due to unrest, including in 2004, 2016, 2021, and 2024. The line resumed calls after each suspension.
The company has invested heavily in Labadee, continuing visits after the 2010 earthquake and using ships to deliver relief aid.
Sister brand Celebrity Cruises also recently canceled planned visits to Labadee.
Royal Caribbean told Cruise Radio, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly.”
