Royal Caribbean port cancellations continue to affect travelers as the cruise line has officially extended its suspension of all calls to Labadee, Haiti through November 2025. This decision reflects ongoing concerns about safety in the region and has led to widespread itinerary changes across several ships and sailings.
Royal Caribbean initially began canceling stops at Labadee earlier in 2024 due to escalating violence and instability in parts of Haiti. What started as temporary suspensions has now turned into a prolonged halt, impacting voyages on ships like Adventure of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas, among others.
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What Sparked the Ongoing Labadee Cancellations?
The cruise giant has cited persistent civil unrest and safety issues in Haiti as the core reason for these continued cancellations. The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Haiti remains at Level 4: Do Not Travel, due to crime, kidnapping, and civil unrest.
Though Labadee is a private port operated by Royal Caribbean, it is still within Haitian territory, and the cruise line cannot guarantee the safety of guests and crew. With no signs of stabilization, Royal Caribbean made the difficult call to suspend operations in the area for an extended period.
Ships and Itineraries Affected by the Cancellation
The decision has already triggered a wave of changes to existing cruise plans. Here are some key adjustments:
- Wonder of the Seas (from Port Canaveral): All Labadee stops replaced with ports like Nassau, Cozumel, or Perfect Day at CocoCay.
- Adventure of the Seas (from Galveston): Labadee removed and replaced with Falmouth, Jamaica or Grand Cayman.
- Liberty of the Seas (from Fort Lauderdale): Itineraries are now skipping Labadee and adding stops in Puerto Plata or Aruba.
Guests are being notified directly about these changes via email or app notifications, with most alternative destinations offering equal or better shore experiences.
Royal Caribbean’s Official Statement
In a public update issued this week, Royal Caribbean said:
“Due to the current situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to extend the suspension of visits to Labadee through November 2025. The safety of our guests and crew remains our highest priority. We apologize for the disruption and appreciate your understanding.”
This marks one of the longest port cancellations in Royal Caribbean’s recent history.
Refunds, Credits, and Rebookings
Guests impacted by these changes are being offered the following options:
- No Compensation for port swaps (standard policy if the change is due to safety).
- Rebooking Flexibility: Guests can switch to a future sailing without penalty under Royal Caribbean’s “Cruise with Confidence” program.
- Onboard Credit: Occasionally provided as goodwill, but not guaranteed.
Travelers are encouraged to review their updated itineraries via the Royal Caribbean app or contact support for the latest options.
What This Means for the Future of Labadee
Labadee has long been a favorite for cruisers due to its private beaches, zip-line attractions, and cultural market. However, with Haiti’s political situation worsening over the past year, confidence in a near-term return is low.
While Royal Caribbean has not confirmed whether infrastructure or staffing at Labadee will be affected long-term, industry analysts speculate that further extensions—or a complete reevaluation of Labadee’s place in future itineraries—could be on the table if the unrest continues.
Guest Reactions on Social Media
Travelers have expressed a mix of disappointment and support for the cruise line’s decision:
- Instagram Comments: “Was so looking forward to Labadee, but I get it. Safety first.”
- YouTube Cruise Vlogs: “I had to cancel my cruise because Labadee was the highlight. Hope they bring it back next year.”
- Reddit r/Cruise: “Honestly, Royal is doing the right thing. No one wants to risk it.”
These reactions reflect growing awareness among cruisers about global conditions affecting travel.
If you’ve booked a Royal Caribbean cruise that originally included Labadee, now is the time to review your itinerary and consider alternatives. Stay tuned for official updates from Royal Caribbean as the November 2025 deadline approaches.
Have you had to change your cruise plans due to these cancellations? Share your experience or questions in the comments below!