Royal Caribbean Cruise Passengers Won't Get To Visit This Popular Spot In 2026

Labadee was once a standout stop on Royal Caribbean cruises, tucked away in a private, 260-acre area of Haiti's northern coast.  Known for its zip lines, alpine coaster, aqua park, water sports, and market, it offered a positive first impression of Haiti's natural beauty, becoming a favorite among passengers. Unfortunately, things have taken a dramatic turn in recent years, and this beautiful country is in crisis. As a result, Royal Caribbean has canceled all scheduled visits to Labadee through December 2026.

Because it's not a traditional city port, and is located over 100 miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince, many passengers have historically viewed it as insulated from Haiti's broader challenges. However, Royal Caribbean has opted for a conservative approach as conditions in the country remain unpredictable.

The cruise line initially suspended calls for seven months in 2024, briefly resumed sailings, and then halted visits again in early 2025 as violence expanded outside the capital. With no sustained improvement, Royal Caribbean has now extended the pause through the end of 2026.

Labadee itself is geographically isolated and heavily secured. The peninsula is only accessible via cruise ship, and the land is leased by Royal Caribbean to guarantee exclusive access to passengers. However, the instability across Haiti and escalating conditions still pose risks.

As of February 2026, Haiti is at level 4 travel advisory with the U.S. Department of State — the highest possible rating advising against all travel to the country. This status reflects concerns about violent crime, civil unrest, and limited emergency services. And the U.S. government is not alone. Canada and the U.K. are among the list of other countries that have expressed concern and are warning citizens against traveling to Haiti. In November 2025, Sunrise Airways canceled flights after being shot at when trying to land in Port-au-Prince.

According to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, "Violence has intensified and expanded geographically, exacerbating food insecurity and instability, as transitional governance arrangements near expiry and overdue elections remain urgent." While the Department of State's advisory doesn't explicitly prohibit cruise passengers from visiting ports in Haiti, it follows advice from the U.S. Coast Guard, and highlights risks that have likely influenced Royal Caribbean's decision.

While the cancellations may be disappointing if you booked a cruise itinerary that included Labadee, Royal Caribbean is making alternative arrangements. Any scheduled visits to Labadee have been replaced by destinations including Cozumel, Mexico; Nassau, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Falmouth, Jamaica, among others.

Some itineraries now have more days at sea, which has been somewhat controversial with passengers on social media. Where you go instead of Labadee will depend on the route and duration of your original cruise booking.

Note that Royal Caribbean, which operates the world's largest cruise ship, is not offering compensation like onboard credit to those affected. Passengers interested in canceling their booking will need to abide by the usual refund policy. Similar to how airlines don't provide compensation for cancellations or delays due to safety concerns, Royal Caribbean reserves the right to change cruise itineraries as needed. However, booked port activities in Labadee will thankfully be refunded. Planning your next trip? Make sure you avoid this common cruise scheduling mistake.