Royal Caribbean has officially confirmed the cancellation of cruise stops at one of its most well known Caribbean destinations, affecting multiple itineraries through 2026.
The update reflects the cruise line’s ongoing safety and itinerary planning process, designed to protect both guests and crew and keep sailings running smoothly.
Below is what is changing, why it is happening, and what to expect if a sailing was scheduled to include this stop.
Royal Caribbean Cancels Stops
The destination affected is Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private resort area located on the northern coast of Haiti.
Cruise ships will not be calling at Labadee for now, as the company explained, out of an abundance of caution.
If you are familiar with cruising, you probably already know Labadee. It has been leased by Royal Caribbean Group since 1985 and has operated as an exclusive destination for the group’s brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara.
It is a beachfront resort style stop that has been popular for years thanks to its beaches, views, and easy cruise day convenience.
However, changes in wider regional conditions have made Labadee a more complicated stop to schedule, even though it remains a controlled private destination.
Stop Suspension Timeline
Royal Caribbean’s pause on Labadee visits has been developing over time.
The cruise line first paused calls in early 2024 as security conditions in parts of the country worsened, temporarily rerouting ships to alternate ports.
After a brief resumption later in 2024, the situation deteriorated again and in April 2025 Royal Caribbean halted Labadee stops once more due to ongoing instability.
There was hope that visits could restart toward the end of 2025, but Royal Caribbean has now alerted travel partners and guests that Labadee calls are canceled through at least April 2026.
As of now, Royal Caribbean has not announced a restart date, suggesting that future itinerary decisions will depend on how conditions evolve.
JANUARY 2026 UPDATE: Royal Caribbean stated that, out of an abundance of caution, it had extended its pause of visits to Labadee through December 2026.
Why Royal Caribbean Canceled Labadee Stops
The cancellation is tied to broader safety and operational considerations in the region.
One detail many cruisers do not realize is that Labadee is not an island. It is a private enclave with controlled access, protected by Royal Caribbean security, and separated from many areas of concern.
Even so, the wider situation across the country has remained unpredictable. The U.S. Department of State currently lists Haiti under a Level 4 travel advisory, and a state of emergency has been in place since 2024.
Royal Caribbean has communicated that guest and crew wellbeing is the top priority. In messages to booked passengers, the company noted that while Labadee is outside the primary areas of concern, it is being removed from itineraries as a proactive step rather than a reaction to a specific incident.
This type of decision is not unusual in cruising. Ports can be adjusted or replaced when conditions shift, even if the port itself has not had a direct problem involving guests.
What This Means for Travelers and Itineraries
If a cruise was originally scheduled to include Labadee, the itinerary will be updated with an alternate port of call.
Based on Royal Caribbean’s current planning, several 2025 and 2026 sailings that included Labadee are being adjusted.
In many cases, Labadee is being replaced by ports such as Nassau, Puerto Plata, or George Town, which still offer popular beach days and cruise friendly excursions.
On other sailings, replacements may include Grand Turk, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bimini, Cozumel, or San Juan, depending on the ship and sailing date.
The exact substitution varies, so the most reliable approach is to review Royal Caribbean’s official notifications for the sailing or check with a travel advisor.
It is also possible that port call times shift slightly, with earlier arrivals or later departures at other ports to optimize the revised route.
A Practical Note for Cruise Planning
Itinerary changes are part of cruising, whether they happen because of weather, port operations, or broader regional factors.
Many travel insurance policies focus on trip interruption and major travel delays rather than port substitutions, so it helps to understand what coverage includes before sailing, especially on itineraries that may change.
In most cases, the cruise line will replace a canceled stop with another destination that still delivers a solid cruise day. Sometimes the new port or an extra sea day ends up being a surprise favorite.
For travelers who like to plan ahead, it can also be useful to review ports that may require extra attention when comparing itineraries.
In addition, have a look at this guide on cruise ports that require extra attention when planning a trip.
