Labadee Haiti Off limits As Royal Caribbean Reroutes Major Caribbean Cruises

Published on September 7, 2025

The wait has been declared longer once again, this time until April 2026, for visitors of Labadee as the cruise line has stated the visit to the private resort is on hold. Rather than Labadee, families and customers are now suggested to visit other places in the Caribbean.

The suspension remains on the luxury destination as Royal Caribbean cited the lack of caution due to the ongoing unrest in Haiti as the motive for the downgrading of the itinerary for several of the cruise sailings.

The resort has been a long-time retreat, where the customers would enjoy a range of different activities like beaches, water sports, and captivating excursions. Unfortunately, the closure now reaches into 2026, meaning over a year of suspended visits.

Based on the data concerning impacted ships and adjusted routes, we notice that eight ships from the fleet are directly impacted, these being Adventure of The Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas.

Each of these vessels will see changes based on the original itineraries. Certain cruises are already indicating specific port swaps. For instance, Freedom of the Seas, sailing in November 2025 and aimed to call in Labadee and Nassau, will now replace Labadee with Grand Turk. Another November sailing will now reach Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, and a December sailing itinerary will now add Falmouth, Jamaica.

Royal Caribbean has already stated that it is making arrangements for the substitution of ports that will offer as many as possible the same itineraries. The new ports include Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Nassau, and the company’s private Bahamian island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Where the schedule or available berths make substitutions difficult, the company has said that one additional day at sea will be added. There is a focus on maintaining a balance of sailing distances, port capacity, and the overall experience of the guests.

Management of Bookings and Activities

Guests who booked cruise ship shore excursions for Labadee will have those reservations canceled for them. Refunds will go back to the original method of payment. Royal Caribbean also pointed out that other similar tours will, where possible, be made available as substitutes at the other ports.

Passengers, as well as their travel advisors, will learn of the changes together with the travel advisors. The cruise line stated that it still puts a high priority on informing travelers of the necessary adjustments to ensure that their trip is enjoyable.

The Continued Closure of Labadee

The suspension of visits to Labadee is directly due to the continuing security problems of Haiti. Violence, according to some official reports, is confined to Port Au Prince, over eighty miles from Labadee. While Labadee itself feels no immediate effects, it is clear that the authorities, like the company, consider the protection of their guests as the primary issue.

It normally takes six hours to drive from the capital to the northern coast, due to the mountainous terrain and numerous winding roads. Royal Caribbean has, nevertheless, pointed out that there is no shame in exercising caution, and they continue to monitor the situation.

Caribbean Cruising Still Strong

Contrary to the suspension, Caribbean cruising keeps its popularity and strength. Royal Caribbean redirects travelers to equally captivating Caribbean regions. Grand Turk and Puerto Plata are exotic and beautiful destinations that offer beaches, cultural activities, and adventurous excursions that are able to provide unforgettable experiences.

Ports with adjusted and new experiences will give the guests the same standard of entertainment, dining, and relaxation, while the ships will still be able to provide them after enhanced port adjustments for Caribbean cruising.

Looking Ahead to 2026

April 2026 will be the first point in time that which Royal Caribbean will start to reevaluate the time spent visiting Labadee. For the time being, the area will be marked as a port of call for closed cruises, and so, the area will be devoid of any cruise traffic. However, the point of view of the company is that the health and the safety of the passengers and the crew have to be protected, which is the priority.

For the time being, travelers are still able to book schedules for Caribbean cruises, which provide a fair amount of flexibility as the reservations are placed. Currently, most loyal customers are perfectly fine with the situation and are embracing the fact that cruising seamlessly and enjoyably with no potential risks is the most ideal and preferable.

Important Memo to Travelers

Resting on a private beach, taking a sip of tropical juice, and taking on ziplines is a fantasy that many cruisers reminisce about when it comes to Labadee the most. It was a dream for everyone to experience this newly opened and private destination that nobody else had access to. Many people, however, seem to have a forgotten glimmer of hope for that destination, not having forgotten Labadee entirely.

This time presents new opportunities for travelers. Grand Turk and Puerto Plata are ideal places to hop off for new snapshots and memories with the family. The Labadee destination may have paused; however, that still removes the cultural Caribbean experience. It remains a picturesque region with a ton of culture, and it still gives the chance to relax and have fun with the family.