Ho Chi Minh City cruise calls uncertain pending approvals
Key points
- Ports seek pilot authority through December 2026
- Vietnam maritime regulators request added documents
- Ovation of the Seas diverted from Phu My, October 18
- Travelers should book flexible, changeable airfares
Impact
- Airports
- Use flexible tickets into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) with buffer time for changes.
- Flights
- Consider day-early arrivals, and refundable or change-fee-waived fares where available.
- Travelers
- Expect call skips or tender substitutes; monitor line emails and app push alerts daily.
- Outlook
- Pilot reception plan proposed through December 2026 while formal port functions are processed.
Royal Caribbean Group is extending the suspension of calls at Labadee on Haiti's north coast into 2026, and Celebrity Cruises has removed Labadee from select 2025 and 2026 sailings. The ongoing Level 4, Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti underpins the decision. Travelers booked on Western Caribbean runs should expect short-notice port substitutions and automatic refunds of any pre-paid Labadee shore excursions.
Royal Caribbean's Labadee pause, what changes now
Royal Caribbean first paused Labadee amid Haiti's security crisis, then extended the suspension through at least April to May 2026 across multiple ships. Celebrity has mirrored the move on targeted voyages in late 2025 and early 2026. In practice, the lines are swapping Labadee for alternatives such as Grand Turk, Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Puerto Plata, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, or simply adding a sea day. Guests typically receive direct notices and revised port lists by email and in-app. For background and prior milestones, see our recent coverage, Royal Caribbean extends Labadee pause to May 2026 and Royal Caribbean extends Labadee suspension to October 2025.
Latest developments
Celebrity's itinerary alerts show Labadee removed from a series of Apex and Beyond departures spanning November 2025 through April 2026, with replacement calls published ship by ship. Industry updates through mid-September confirmed Royal Caribbean's extension, with the earliest potential return now pushed to spring 2026 pending conditions.
Analysis
Expect rolling adjustments across winter and early spring. Berth availability at substitute ports can drive last-minute reshuffles, so monitor your cruise app and email closely. If your itinerary still lists Labadee, treat it as tentative until you receive an updated port schedule. Shore excursions tied to Labadee are being canceled and refunded automatically; verify credits post to your reservation. If a replacement port appears, browse new excursions early since popular options sell out quickly. Flyers connecting to embarkation cities should leave buffer on departure day; a swapped port can shift all-aboard times.
Final thoughts
With Labadee calls suspended into 2026, travelers should plan for Western Caribbean port swaps and confirm excursion refunds 72 hours before departure. The pause prioritizes safety and keeps itineraries viable while Haiti's conditions evolve.
Sources
- Changes to upcoming itineraries, Celebrity Cruises
- Guest letter, Celebrity Apex 3/7/2026, Celebrity Cruises (PDF)
- Guest letter, Celebrity Apex 2/21/2026, Celebrity Cruises (PDF)
- Royal Caribbean extends suspension of Labadee port calls, Travel Market Report
- Royal Caribbean cancels all stops to this Caribbean destination through next year, Travel + Leisure
- Haiti travel advisory, U.S. Department of State
- Royal Caribbean suspends cruise visits to Haiti's Labadee, Reuters
- Celebrity cancels Labadee stops through 2026, Southern Living **International cruise calls tied to Ho Chi Minh City are in flux as authorities work through port-function approvals at the Cai Mep-Thi Vai complex in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu. On October 17, the city's Department of Tourism asked to continue receiving ships under a pilot arrangement through December 2026 while paperwork is finalized. Vietnam's maritime regulators say terminals need additional documentation before handling passenger vessels. Until approvals are clarified, some lines may skip calls or substitute tenders inland, which affects transfers and air itineraries for travelers.
Ho Chi Minh City, cruise operations at Cai Mep-Thi Vai
Vietnam's official news agency reported that Ho Chi Minh City's Department of Tourism has submitted a proposal to the municipal People's Committee and maritime authorities to coordinate cruise reception at Cai Mep-Thi Vai, citing strong call volumes in 2024 and bookings into 2026. The move follows notices from terminal operators that cruise handling would pause pending expanded port functions for passenger ships. Vietnam's Maritime Administration confirmed it asked terminals to complete additional materials, saying current conditions do not yet meet the standards for passenger vessels.
Latest developments
Local outlets on October 17 reported industry warnings that without a short-term solution, large ships may drop Ho Chi Minh City from itineraries. Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, scheduled for Phu My on October 18, was diverted to Chan May near Hue, illustrating near-term risk to Saigon access and tour operations. The Department of Tourism has urged a pilot program through December 2026 to preserve cruise visits while licensing is finalized.
Analysis
For U.S. travelers booked on Vietnam cruises this fall and winter, assume that Ho Chi Minh City cruise calls may change on short notice. Book changeable or refundable airfare into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), and consider arriving one day early to protect against last-minute port swaps. If your ship reroutes to Chan May, expect longer transfer times to Hue or Da Nang; the nearest major air gateway is Da Nang International Airport (DAD), with Phu Bai International Airport (HUI) serving Hue. Keep ground plans flexible, secure hotel reservations that allow free changes, and monitor your cruise line's app and email for daily updates. Until approvals are complete, Ho Chi Minh City cruise calls carry added uncertainty. The proposed pilot through December 2026 would stabilize operations, but timing depends on regulatory sign-offs that are outside the lines' control.
Final thoughts
Ho Chi Minh City cruise calls remain uncertain pending approvals at Cai Mep-Thi Vai. Travelers should build flexible flight plans, arrive early where possible, and watch for line advisories until the pilot reception plan is adopted and full authorizations are in place.