Haiti calls suspended: Labadee swaps, Grand Turk ID rules

Published on Oct 20, 2025, 9:42 am CDT

4 min read

Key points

Labadee calls remain suspended into winter
Common swaps include Grand Turk and Amber Cove
Grand Turk requires government ID for public access
Excursions canceled are typically refunded
State Department keeps Haiti at Level 4
Some lines offer FCC or refunds on major changes

Impact

Audience: Travelers booked on Caribbean sailings with Labadee on the itinerary.
Regions: Haiti, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, Puerto Rico.
Action: Check revised ports, documentation for Grand Turk, and account for excursion refunds or credits.
Deadline: Review your booking within 48 hours of line's change notice to adjust plans.

Cruise lines continue to pull Labadee, Haiti from winter itineraries due to security conditions and a sustained U.S. Level 4 advisory. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are reworking Eastern Caribbean routes, commonly substituting Grand Turk or Dominican Republic calls, or adding a sea day. Travelers should verify revised documentation rules for Grand Turk, confirm any port-fee adjustments, and check whether canceled Labadee excursions or significant itinerary changes trigger refunds or onboard credit. This matters because call changes can affect shore plans, transit times, and required IDs.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, where Labadee stands

Royal Caribbean began pausing Labadee visits in spring 2025 and has since extended the suspension, telling advisors and guests that calls are off well into 2026 as Haiti's security situation remains volatile. Multiple sailings have swapped Labadee for alternatives like Grand Turk or Puerto Plata, while some departures converted the day to sea time. Celebrity has similarly updated winter schedules on select ships by shifting Haiti calls to Grand Turk. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti, and the FAA continues flight restrictions around Port-au-Prince, underscoring the risk backdrop that drives cruise decisions. See our prior coverage for context on longer-range cancellations, Labadee calls suspended into 2026 winter itineraries.

Latest developments

In mid-October, new U.S. and U.N. sanctions targeted Haitian figures tied to gang networks, highlighting ongoing instability even as international pressure increases. Around the same time, Celebrity confirmed additional substitutions to Grand Turk on certain winter sailings, reinforcing that Labadee is unlikely to return this season.

Analysis

Expect Grand Turk, Amber Cove near Puerto Plata, Nassau, and sometimes San Juan to appear as common substitutions. Grand Turk's cruise-center access rules remain in effect. When a ship is in port, individuals entering the Grand Turk Cruise Center must obtain a free one-day badge at the gate. Those 18 and older must show a government-issued ID, and minors must be accompanied by an adult with valid ID. Cruise guests do not need to purchase a day pass, but they are expected to follow the on-site code of conduct. For travelers, that means carrying a physical government ID ashore, confirming minor-accompaniment rules, and allowing extra time at the gate.

On compensation, lines generally refund canceled Labadee shore excursions automatically. If an entire voyage is canceled or embarkation is delayed materially, policies allow future cruise credits by default with a path to request a refund instead. For simple port swaps, compensation is limited to port-fee differences and excursion refunds, not automatic onboard credit, unless a line states otherwise in your change notice. The State Department's ongoing Level 4 advisory for Haiti and FAA restrictions around Port-au-Prince suggest Labadee calls will remain suspended through winter, so plan shore days around substitute ports and rebook excursions accordingly.

Final thoughts

With Haiti calls suspended, focus on the replacement port's logistics and rules. Bring government ID for Grand Turk access, confirm whether your excursion refunds have posted, and look for revised options in Amber Cove or Nassau. Monitor your cruise line's emails or app for any further adjustments as the security picture evolves. If Labadee returns later, we will update, but for now, assume Labadee calls remain suspended.