Royal Caribbean extends Labadee pause to May 2026

Published on Sep 7, 2025, 8:44 am CDT

5 min read

Royal Caribbean has pushed its return to Labadee, Haiti to at least May 2026, citing ongoing security conditions and a Level 4 U.S. travel advisory. The line has begun notifying guests and advisors of revised Caribbean itineraries, with impacted calls replaced by alternate ports or an added sea day. The latest extension, communicated the week of September 5, 2025, builds on prior pauses announced earlier this summer.

Key Points

Why it matters: More Eastern Caribbean sailings lose a marquee private destination, affecting planning and shore days.
Travel impact: Eight ships are rerouting to Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, Falmouth, CocoCay, Nassau, Cozumel, or adding a sea day.
What's next: Royal Caribbean will reassess closer to April 2026, then decide whether Labadee resumes in May.

Snapshot

Labadee, near Cap-Haïtien on Haiti's north coast, remains off Royal Caribbean itineraries through April 2026. The decision follows continuing unrest in Haiti and a State Department Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory. Royal Caribbean has issued updated voyage letters showing port swaps on multiple ships, and it is automatically canceling and refunding any pre-paid Labadee excursions. Where berths are available, the line is substituting Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, Falmouth, George Town, Nassau, or Perfect Day at CocoCay. Some sailings will add a sea day instead. This move extends an earlier pause through October 2025 that Adept Travel previously reported in Royal Caribbean Extends Labadee Suspension to October 2025.

Background

Royal Caribbean's private destination at Labadee has seen intermittent suspensions since March 2024 as violence escalated in Haiti. Calls briefly resumed, then were halted again in April 2025 and extended multiple times as conditions failed to stabilize. On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Department of State reissued a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti, noting kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. Against that backdrop, Royal Caribbean has repeatedly chosen to reroute ships, prioritizing guest and crew safety. In August, the line extended the pause through October 31, 2025. The new update pushes any potential return to May 2026 at the earliest, allowing schedule certainty for winter 2025 to spring 2026 deployments and time to secure berths at alternates such as Perfect Day at CocoCay, which Adept profiles here, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas.

Latest Developments

Eight ships lose Labadee calls, May 2026 earliest return

Royal Caribbean communications to guests and advisors confirm Labadee calls are canceled through April 2026. Reporting to date shows eight ships most frequently affected: Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas. Multiple November and December 2025 voyages have already been re-ticketed with revised call times or new ports, and the line indicates additional substitutions may follow as berths open.

Where ships are going instead

Based on line emails summarized by industry outlets, common replacements include Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Nassau, The Bahamas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay. When berthing or distance constraints apply, some itineraries add a sea day in lieu of a port. These changes align with Royal Caribbean's policy allowing itinerary modifications, with shore-excursion refunds issued when a port is missed.

Analysis

Operationally, extending the Labadee pause to May 2026 does three things. First, it removes late-stage uncertainty for winter and spring schedules, giving the line time to secure berths and pilots at alternates and to adjust speed-distance profiles, call windows, and shoreside staffing without last-minute scrambles. Second, it rebalances demand toward the Bahamas and Western Caribbean, especially Perfect Day at CocoCay, which can absorb volume and deliver high guest-satisfaction scores with predictable logistics. Third, it constrains variety on shorter Eastern runs, where Labadee's proximity to Florida enabled fuel-efficient, high-impact beach days.

For guests, the experience impact will vary by swap. Grand Turk and Puerto Plata provide strong beach and excursion portfolios comparable to Labadee's, while Nassau and Cozumel offer well-developed day options but can feel busier on peak days. A sea day substitute provides crowd-relief on board, but travelers who chose a sailing for Labadee's zip line, lagoon beaches, and curated vendor market will notice the difference. From a policy standpoint, the line is on firm ground to alter ports for safety without broader compensation, while still refunding canceled excursions and adjusting taxes and fees tied to missed calls. The Level 4 U.S. advisory remains the decisive external signal, and there is no clear timetable for Haiti's security normalization.

Bottom line, this extension is a prudent, conservative planning choice in a volatile environment. It keeps crews and travelers out of risk corridors, sustains schedule reliability, and leans on Royal Caribbean's private-destination network until Labadee's conditions improve.

Final Thoughts

Royal Caribbean's move trades near-term variety for certainty and safety. If you are booked on an impacted sailing, watch for an updated itinerary and automatic refunds for any Labadee excursions. Expect alternates like Grand Turk, Puerto Plata, or Perfect Day at CocoCay, and occasional sea days where berths are tight. Guests wanting a private-destination vibe should target CocoCay sailings, or consider changing dates within normal fare rules. The company will reassess in spring, then determine if May 2026 is feasible. Until conditions stabilize, itineraries will continue to pivot away from Haiti, and that keeps the spotlight on Royal Caribbean Labadee.