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Royal Caribbean will be skipping this popular port of call through spring 2026—here’s why

Due to social unrest, the cruise line paused stops until October, but has now extended the pause further

Gerrish Lopez
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Gerrish Lopez
Time Out Contributor, US
Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Labadee, Haiti
Shutterstock | Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Labadee, Haiti
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Royal Caribbean has officially scrapped all visits to Labadee, its private destination on the northern coast of Haiti, through April 2026.

The move follows months of escalating violence in the country, which is currently under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department—the highest-level warning. Labadee, known for its zip lines, mountain views and beachfront cabanas, has long been a highlight on Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean routes. But for now, the cruise line is hitting pause again.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have paused our upcoming visits through April 2026,” Royal Caribbean Group said in a statement. “We are communicating with our guests directly.”

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This isn’t the first time the cruise giant has adjusted course. The company had already suspended Labadee stops until October but made the decision to extend the pause. Ships last docked there in the first quarter of 2024 before violence across the country forced a suspension.

Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024, when gang activity surged, crippling parts of the capital and beyond. The State Department cites widespread crime involving firearms—robbery, carjackings, kidnappings, even assaults—as reasons for its Level 4 warning. The U.S. Coast Guard has also flagged concerns about port security.

For travelers, that means Labadee is off-limits for the foreseeable future. Guests booked on itineraries with the stop will instead see alternate ports or sea days added, depending on the ship’s schedule.

The State Department’s advice is blunt: do not travel to Haiti for any reason. Its recommendations, for those who do, include avoiding crowds, pre-arranging transfers and planning evacuation routes without assuming U.S. government assistance.

Royal Caribbean hasn’t said what will happen after April 2026, but for now, it’s clear the line isn’t taking chances. Labadee may be a private enclave, but it can’t escape Haiti’s current realities.

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