Royal Caribbean Extends Labadee Suspension to October 2025

Published on Aug 3, 2025, 3:52 pm CDT

4 min read

Royal Caribbean International has extended its pause on calls to Labadee, the cruise line's private peninsula on Haiti's north coast, through at least October 31, 2025, citing the country's persistently volatile security climate. The decision, announced to booked guests and travel advisors over the weekend, reroutes 23 itineraries on five ships to alternate ports such as Nassau, Grand Turk, and St. Thomas or adds additional sea days. Haiti remains under a U.S. State Department Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory following months of gang violence.

Key Points

Why it matters: Twenty-three cruises lose access to Royal Caribbean's signature beach stop.
Travel impact: Itineraries shift to Nassau, Grand Turk, and extra sea days.
What's next: The line will re-evaluate November calls by mid-September.
Re-booking offers include automatic shore-excursion refunds and price-protected fare changes.
Haiti remains under a U.S. Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory.

Snapshot

Royal Caribbean International has pushed any return to Labadee, its private peninsula on Haiti's north coast, to at least October 31, 2025. The company told booked guests and travel advisors that safety concerns tied to worsening gang violence made the extension unavoidable. Five ships-Adventure, Freedom, Icon, Oasis, and Radiance of the Seas-will drop Labadee on 23 sailings, substituting ports such as Nassau and Grand Turk or adding an extra day at sea. Guests automatically receive refunds for prepaid Labadee excursions and may revise bookings without penalty within seven days of notification. The cruise line said it would "continue to monitor conditions closely."

Background

Labadee sits about 100 miles north of Port-au-Prince yet has long been insulated from Haiti's upheavals by Royal Caribbean's controlled-access model and private security. That buffer shrank in early 2024 when an alliance of gangs overran much of the capital, prompting the Haitian government to declare a nationwide state of emergency in March 2024. The U.S. Department of State has kept its Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning in force, citing rampant kidnappings, armed robbery, and limited medical care. Royal Caribbean paused Labadee calls in April 2025 and briefly returned in the first quarter before suspending visits again. The latest decision lengthens that pause to at least seven months.

Latest Developments

Royal Caribbean reroutes 23 cruises

In its notice, the line detailed ship-by-ship work-arounds. Freedom of the Seas will swap Labadee for Grand Turk on nine short Caribbean departures, while Adventure of the Seas alternates between Nassau, George Town, and sea days. Icon of the Seas, the fleet's newest vessel, trades the peninsula for extended time in St. Thomas and San Juan. Oasis of the Seas will pivot among Basseterre, Costa Maya, and Roatán, and Radiance of the Seas shifts to Grand Turk on October 20. Royal Caribbean said all prepaid shore tours will be refunded automatically, and guests can switch to another cruise of equal or lesser value within one week of the change without change fees.

Analysis

Royal Caribbean's decision underscores the cruise industry's razor-thin margin for operational risk in politically fragile destinations. Although no guest incidents have been reported in Labadee, the logistical chain that makes a one-day beach stop feel carefree runs through airports, roads, and emergency services that are now unreliable or inoperative. Keeping ships, crew, and thousands of passengers clear of even a low-probability security event protects the brand from reputational damage that could linger far beyond a single season. The move also signals how itinerary flexibility-enabled by the Caribbean's port density-lets cruise lines maintain revenue without exposing guests to high-alert zones. For travelers, the takeaway is that private-island stops are not immune to regional instability, and trip-insurance riders covering "civil unrest" or "destination security" remain wise add-ons. With rival lines continuing calls to their Bahamian and Mexican beaches, Royal Caribbean's conservative stance may pressure Haitian authorities and international partners to expedite security reforms if the destination hopes to welcome visitors in peak winter.

Final Thoughts

Labadee's lush headlands, over-water cabanas, and world-class zip line have long been a highlight of short Caribbean cruises. Yet the peninsula's popularity cannot outweigh the obligation to keep guests safe. Until Haiti's security picture brightens, travelers booking Royal Caribbean should expect last-minute port swaps and build flexibility into their plans. For now, patience-and vigilance-rule the day on the Labadee suspension.