RCI-Royal Caribbean has halted all scheduled calls at its privately operated beach destination, Labadee (Haiti), through the end of October 2025.
While no security incident has been reported at the destination itself, the decision responds to escalating civil unrest and organized violence in Haiti, which has prompted a U.S. Department of State travel advisory at its highest level: “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” The State Department’s advisory warns of the widespread prevalence of firearm‐related crimes—ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery—and notes a 2024 declaration of a national state of emergency due to gang activity paired with deteriorating public order. The U.S. Coast Guard similarly encourages maritime operators to exercise caution at Haitian ports as long as instability continues.
In total, more than 20 Caribbean cruises aboard five Royal Caribbean vessels—including Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas—have been adjusted to remove Labadee from their itineraries. Some sailings will adopt sea days or substitute alternate ports, such as Nassau and Costa Maya, to preserve overall voyage length and guest experience.
Royal Caribbean has stated that it monitors developments in Port‑au‑Prince closely and has informed impacted guests via direct communication channels. The line has paraphrased its rationale as a precautionary posture to safeguard all aboard—guests, crew, and shore personnel—while preserving itinerary continuity in the face of evolving geopolitical risk.
Labadee was first excluded from Royal Caribbean’s spring 2024 schedule during earlier bouts of civil unrest, only to be briefly reinstated later that year before concerns resurfaced in 2025. This latest suspension marks a sustained operational pause and reflects the company’s practices of flexible scheduling in response to rapidly changing port conditions.
The absence of Labadee through late autumn is reshaping the operations of multiple vessels on Caribbean itineraries. While the destination is inaccessible, the broader network of Royal Caribbean’s routes remains intact, with other stable ports continuing to offer a high level of safety and service.
Maritime decision‑making in volatile environments must balance guest expectations against navigational and security imperatives. By maintaining transparency, implementing alternative port calls, and keeping crews and guests apprised of developments, Royal Caribbean is steering a course that adheres to both risk management and voyage integrity principles.