Royal Caribbean Extends Labadee Cancellations for Months
Cruise guests often choose their vacations based on port destinations and overall itineraries, and a port cancellation can be a disappointment – especially when cruises are often booked months in advance.
Guests booked on select upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings will have that disappointment, however. The cruise line is now continuing to cancel visits to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti, well into the summer months.
For example, travelers booked on the July 20, 2025 departure of Oasis of the Seas – a 6-night Western Caribbean sailing from Fort Lauderdale – have been notified that they will not be visiting Labadee as originally planned.
“We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we’re swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day, and we’ll now visit Nassau, Bahamas on Day 6 instead,” the email explained.
On the original itinerary, Oasis of the Seas was to have spent Day 6, the last day of the sailing, enjoying leisurely time at sea. Now, the ship will visit the capital of the Bahamas instead.
Furthermore, Oasis of the Seas‘ visit to Falmouth, Jamaica, on Day 4 (July 23) has also been tweaked to permit more time in port, giving guests extra time to enjoy that fantastic destination.
In recent weeks, Royal Caribbean has once again begun cancelling all calls to Labadee as gang violence and other criminal activity escalates in the country.
While the situation is not unprecedented (several months of visits were cancelled in 2024), because the cruise line is now adjusting itineraries months in advance, it appears unlikely that visits to the private destination will resume anytime soon.
Similarly, itineraries in July 2025 for Adventure of the Seas, homeported from Port Canaveral, as well as Liberty of the Seas from New Jersey, are also cancelling visits to Labadee.
Even the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has been diverted away from the destination in recent weeks.
Royal Caribbean is trying to offer alternative ports such as Nassau, Grand Cayman, or CocoCay whenever possible, but some itineraries must make do with an extra sea day when Labadee is removed.
Booked guests are notified with the exact changes to their itineraries as soon as such plans are confirmed.
Why Not Visit Haiti?
To be clear, the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, is located roughly 90 miles due south of Labadee. Because of the nation’s mountainous geography and meandering road systems, however, driving between the two can typically take 6-7 hours.
As the email states, the cruise line is making these scheduling decisions out of an abundance of caution. Not only does cancelling port visits keep cruise guests safe, but it also ensures that local port employees, tour operators, and other residents of Haiti are not at risk to service a visiting ship.
The US Department of State currently has a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for all of Haiti. The advisory specifically notes crime, kidnapping, and civil unrest as concerns.
“Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom,” the advisory reads. “Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed.”
As recently as Friday, May 2, 2025, a special alert was issued by the US Embassy about a gunfire incident on Rue Romain in downtown Port-au-Prince. Embassy employees and visitors were asked to avoid the area, not to be outside after dark, and to be prepared to shelter in place if necessary.
Read Also: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation
Personally, despite multiple Royal Caribbean cruises, I’ve never managed to make it to Labadee. Violence and tumult is not uncommon in Haiti, and on several itineraries the port has been dropped from our planned sailings.
While I have been disappointed to not yet visit what seems to be a lovely and unique destination, it’s hard to argue with safety first. I’d rather skip the port and be sure to have a safe and enjoyable cruise!