If you were planning a Royal Caribbean cruise that stops at Labadee, Haiti, you’re going to need new vacation plans. The cruise line just announced it’s extending its pause on visits to the private destination through December 2026—meaning no Royal Caribbean ship has docked there since April 2025, and none will for at least another year.
According to Royal Caribbean Blog, the cruise line made the decision “out of an abundance of caution,” citing ongoing security concerns in Haiti. Originally, Royal Caribbean had only canceled visits through April 2026. Now they’ve pulled the plug on the entire year.
And if you’ve been following what’s happening in Haiti, this decision shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Haiti’s Crisis Isn’t Getting Better
The U.S. State Department doesn’t mince words when it comes to Haiti. The country sits at a Level 4 travel advisory—the highest warning level—with guidance that’s as blunt as it gets: “Do not travel to Haiti for any reason.”
The State Department warns that “crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti,” including robbery, kidnapping, and sexual assault. The U.S. Coast Guard has also raised concerns about security in Haitian ports, advising mariners and passengers to exercise extreme caution.
Haiti has been in a humanitarian crisis since March 2024, when armed gangs seized control of most of Port-au-Prince and began expanding their territorial control. The situation traces back to the 2021 assassination of Haiti’s president, which triggered governmental instability that gangs have exploited ever since.
Royal Caribbean first started canceling Labadee visits in 2023 as the violence escalated. The cruise line briefly resumed operations later that year, but suspended them again in spring 2025 when gang activity spread beyond the capital.
What This Means for Your Cruise
The cancellations impact a dozen ships and more than 65 sailings. If your cruise was supposed to stop at Labadee, Royal Caribbean is rerouting vessels to alternative Caribbean ports.
Here’s where ships are going instead:
- Nassau, Bahamas: The most common replacement port
- Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos: Another frequent substitute
- Cozumel, Mexico: Often added for Western Caribbean itineraries
- Costa Maya and Roatan: Icon of the Seas is visiting these ports instead of Labadee
- Sea days: Some sailings simply replace the port stop with an extra day at sea
Royal Caribbean has mentioned that guests may receive refunds for canceled shore excursions, though specific compensation details haven’t been fully outlined for all affected cruises.
The Financial Impact Is Real
This isn’t just an inconvenience for guests—it’s hitting Royal Caribbean’s bottom line. During the cruise line’s October 2025 earnings call, CEO Jason Liberty described the Labadee closure as a “headwind.” The company’s CFO noted that earnings per share declined by five cents due to the extended closure.
Labadee has been one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular private destinations for decades. The cruise line leases the 260-acre peninsula from the Haitian government and has invested millions in developing the beachfront retreat. Unlike other ports where guests scatter into local towns, private islands keep passengers in a controlled environment where Royal Caribbean captures 100 percent of the spending.
Losing access to Labadee for an entire year is a significant operational and financial challenge.
Will Labadee Ever Reopen?
That’s the big question, and Royal Caribbean isn’t making any promises.
The cruise line’s statement emphasizes they’re acting “out of an abundance of caution,” which suggests they’re monitoring the situation and could resume visits if conditions improve. But with Haiti’s crisis showing no signs of stabilizing—and with armed gangs continuing to expand their control—it’s hard to see how that happens anytime soon.
Royal Caribbean has other private destinations in the Caribbean, including Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Coco Beach Club in the Dominican Republic. Both are seeing increased traffic as the cruise line redirects ships away from Haiti.
But Labadee holds a special place in Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean itineraries. The destination has been part of the cruise line’s portfolio since 1986, and it’s been a staple stop for ships sailing out of Florida. Losing it for more than a year is a major disruption.
What Should Cruisers Do?
If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked in 2026 that was supposed to include Labadee, check your itinerary. The cruise line is proactively notifying guests about changes, but it’s worth confirming your new ports of call.
If the new itinerary doesn’t work for you, contact Royal Caribbean about your options. Depending on your booking, you may be able to rebook on a different sailing or receive a refund.
And if you’re planning a Caribbean cruise in the future, keep in mind that Labadee’s closure could extend well beyond 2026. Haiti’s situation isn’t improving, and Royal Caribbean has made it clear they won’t return until it’s safe to do so.
For now, Labadee sits empty—a beautiful private island that was once one of the most visited cruise destinations in the Caribbean, now off-limits because of a crisis that shows no signs of ending.
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