RCI-Royal Caribbean International has adjusted multiple cruise itineraries, removing scheduled visits to its private island resort Labadee (Haiti), due to escalating security concerns in the region.
Labadee had been a regular port of call for several ships across RCI's fleet.
The decision follows a rise in crime, gang activity, and civil instability within Haiti. The US Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the country, advising against travel due to the heightened risk of kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limitations in healthcare services.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean indicated that, as a precautionary measure, future visits to Labadee have been temporarily suspended. The cruise line noted that direct communication regarding the itinerary changes has been made with affected guests.
Approximately a dozen RCI vessels had itineraries with Labadee, mostly roundtrips from Florida's Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Port Canaveral. It remains uncertain whether an alternative call port will be introduced to replace Labadee on these routes.
Labadee had previously been regarded as a favored destination among RCI passengers, offering amenities such as a rollercoaster, waterslides, and water-based recreational equipment, making it a notable family-friendly beach facility in the Caribbean.