Royal Caribbean has once again suspended visits to its private beach destination in Labadee, Haiti, as the cruise line takes precautions amid a worsening security crisis in the country.
Passengers aboard Voyager of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas were notified this week that their itineraries had changed and Labadee would be skipped “out of an abundance of caution.” The announcements, made via letters and shipwide notifications, come as violent gang activity continues to destabilize Haiti, especially in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Although Labadee lies approximately 209 kilometers north of the capital and is fenced off with private security, Royal Caribbean is not taking any risks. The cruise line has opted to reroute Oasis of the Seas to Nassau, Bahamas, and Voyager of the Seas to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change,” reads a letter sent to passengers aboard Oasis of the Seas. “As previously announced by our Captain, out of an abundance of caution, instead of visiting Labadee on Thursday, we’ll enjoy a beautiful day in Nassau, Bahamas, on Friday.”
Guests who purchased shore excursions in Labadee will be refunded in the form of onboard credit to their SeaPass accounts.
It remains unclear how long Royal Caribbean will avoid calling at Labadee. This is not the first time the cruise line has suspended visits to the 260-acre resort. In 2024, following a surge of gang attacks on police stations and government buildings in Haiti, Royal Caribbean halted Labadee stops for six months before resuming in October.
The current suspension comes amid heightened concern across the travel industry. Earlier this year, the United States extended its ban on flights to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, until at least September 8 due to escalating gang violence. JetBlue also announced it would be extending its suspension of flights to Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince until at least June 11, 2025.
Labadee, which is accessible only to Royal Caribbean cruise passengers, remains under tight security. However, Canada’s government continues to advise against all travel to Haiti, citing widespread gang violence, the threat of kidnappings, and the potential for civil unrest.
As Haiti’s security situation remains volatile, cruise lines and airlines alike are treading cautiously, rerouting travelers and adjusting operations to prioritize safety.
