New Travel Alert: Royal Caribbean Halts Haiti Cruise Calls Again Amid Escalating Gang Violence and Civil Unrest

Published on April 18, 2025

By: Tuhin Sarkar

A new travel alert has been issued as Royal Caribbean halts Haiti cruise calls again amid escalating gang violence and civil unrest, drawing international attention to the deteriorating situation in the Caribbean nation. This marks the second time within a year that Royal Caribbean has suspended operations to its private port destination in Labadee, Haiti, as rising gang violence continues to threaten the safety and stability of the region. The cruise line’s decision to halt calls again comes as the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti due to kidnapping, civil unrest, and ongoing violent gang activity.

As civil unrest and gang control spread deeper into the country—including alarming reports that only a fraction of Haiti’s capital remains under government authority—Royal Caribbean has acted swiftly to safeguard its passengers and crew. The travel alert also signals broader implications for Caribbean cruise itineraries, with Royal Caribbean redirecting ships to alternative ports. The halt reflects both a response to immediate danger and a growing challenge for the cruise industry as it navigates unpredictable global conflict zones.

Royal Caribbean’s announcement to halt cruise calls again is not only a safety measure but also a sobering commentary on the unchecked escalation of gang violence and civil unrest in Haiti. This new travel alert underscores the fragility of tourism in high-risk destinations and reaffirms the cruise line’s responsibility to act decisively when safety is at stake. The world now watches as Haiti’s crisis continues to unfold.

As Haiti plunges deeper into instability, Royal Caribbean International has once again suspended visits to Labadee, its exclusive private destination on Haiti’s northern coast. The latest move marks the second such disruption in less than a year and underscores the severe challenges facing cruise lines operating in politically volatile regions. Four Royal Caribbean ships—Oasis of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas—have been redirected to alternate Caribbean ports, including Nassau in the Bahamas and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

The cruise giant issued a brief statement: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly.” This proactive measure, while necessary, illustrates the increasing risk calculus involved in routing ships through geopolitically fragile areas, especially as Haiti remains under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department.

Haiti’s Escalating Crisis: A Nation in Collapse

The backdrop to this rerouting decision is grim. According to Human Rights Watch and UN sources, over 260 people have been killed and more than 60 injured in violent clashes between January and March 2025 in the Port-au-Prince suburbs of Kenscoff and Carrefour. Gang violence has surged to unprecedented levels, with kidnapping, rape, and murder becoming daily occurrences. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a fresh alert on April 16, warning of “widespread protests with potential for violence between police, protestors, and criminal gangs.”

The Haitian government, now clinging to control of less than 10 percent of its own capital, recently approved a 36 billion gourde ($275 million USD) security budget aimed at strengthening police forces, defending borders, and funding social programs. However, experts fear the measures are too little, too late. The political vacuum, compounded by years of corruption, international disengagement, and a failing justice system, has effectively turned Haiti into a state of anarchy.

The Cruise Industry’s Dilemma: Safety Versus Economics

Royal Caribbean’s decision is a stark reminder of the fine line cruise operators walk when balancing passenger safety with economic commitments. Labadee is not just another port—it’s a controlled, fenced-in private enclave managed exclusively by the cruise line. It has long been marketed as a safe alternative to Haiti’s broader instability, providing employment to locals and a curated tropical experience for travelers.

Yet, as violence creeps closer to all corners of the nation, even this remote oasis is no longer immune to reputational or operational risk. In 2024, Royal Caribbean had already suspended stops at Labadee for several months due to rising tensions. The resumption was short-lived, and this latest cancellation—though temporary—could evolve into a long-term abandonment if the security situation does not improve.

Passenger Impact: Rerouting and Real-Time Adjustments

As of mid-April 2025, multiple sailings have already been adjusted. Oasis of the Seas, originally scheduled to dock at Labadee on April 17, was rerouted to Nassau, Bahamas instead. Voyager of the Seas pivoted to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, a port with increasing popularity among Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

Though most passengers are understanding of safety-first decisions, last-minute itinerary changes can affect vacation plans, shore excursions, and even passenger satisfaction ratings. For Royal Caribbean, maintaining transparency and providing appealing alternative destinations are critical in managing traveler expectations and preserving brand trust.

Broader Implications for Caribbean Cruise Dynamics

Labadee’s closure highlights a growing vulnerability in the Eastern Caribbean cruise circuit. As geopolitical instability, climate events, and port infrastructure issues increase, cruise lines must maintain a flexible, responsive approach to itinerary planning. More ports in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and even Cuba (pending diplomatic dynamics) may see an uptick in traffic as lines look for viable alternatives.

Additionally, Caribbean destinations with strong governance, robust tourism infrastructure, and safety guarantees will hold greater appeal in cruise deployment strategies. As cruise ships grow in capacity and frequency, destinations that can deliver both safety and experience will emerge as long-term winners.

Economic Fallout in Haiti: When Cruise Ships Don’t Dock

For Haiti, the impact of these cancellations is more than symbolic—it is deeply economic. Labadee has served as a critical income source for hundreds of locals employed in maintenance, security, vendor stalls, and excursion coordination. With the site effectively isolated from the rest of the country, it has long provided a rare pocket of economic activity in an otherwise dire environment.

Each canceled visit translates to lost wages and missed opportunity. The longer the suspension continues, the deeper the impact on Haiti’s already fragile economic ecosystem, further exacerbating a cycle of poverty, migration, and unrest.

A Growing Travel Warning Landscape: Haiti and Beyond

Haiti’s Level 4 advisory—“Do Not Travel”—places it alongside other countries like North Korea, Yemen, and parts of Syria. The warning cites “kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare.” Carjackings, armed robbery, and gang-related violence are rampant. This level of instability is rare in the Western Hemisphere, and Haiti stands as a tragic outlier in a region largely built on tourism.

The situation raises a larger question for international travel and tourism professionals: how do you operate, invest, and engage in regions where the risk of violence can change overnight? Cruise lines, airlines, and hotel chains must now incorporate real-time intelligence and scenario planning as a daily operational tool.

Security, Sovereignty, and the Future of Private Cruise Destinations

The Labadee case also reignites debate over the model of private cruise destinations. While enclaves like Labadee, CocoCay, and Harvest Caye are praised for safety and curated experience, critics argue they represent a sanitized version of tourism that isolates travelers from the true socio-political realities of their host nations.

In the case of Haiti, the façade is now cracking. No amount of fencing or security personnel can shield guests from the ripple effects of national collapse. Cruise companies may need to reevaluate not only where they operate, but how they do so—especially when humanitarian crises loom just outside the beach cabana.

Crisis Management and Public Relations

Royal Caribbean’s swift communication is critical in mitigating backlash and reassuring stakeholders. By addressing the issue proactively and offering compelling port substitutes, the company is demonstrating both responsibility and flexibility. Yet, cruise brands must tread carefully—overpromising safety in destinations under active travel warnings could result in legal and reputational damage.

In an era where public perception moves faster than press releases, real-time messaging, transparency, and empathy are key tools for preserving credibility.

Conclusion: The Fragile Future of Cruise Tourism in Haiti

Royal Caribbean’s suspension of Labadee visits in April 2025 marks more than a temporary schedule change—it is a symbol of a deeper crisis in Caribbean cruise dynamics and a stark reflection of Haiti’s collapse into lawlessness. With the country losing control of its capital and violent gangs dictating movement, even insulated tourism ventures are no longer viable.

For now, Royal Caribbean has chosen safety over sentiment, rerouting its ships and protecting its passengers. But for Haiti, the cost of that decision is devastating. Without swift international action and long-term stabilization efforts, the future of cruise tourism in the country remains bleak.

Labadee was once Haiti’s most stable tourism outpost. Today, it is a closed gate on an island in turmoil.