RCI-Royal Caribbean International has confirmed that its private resort at Labadee, Haiti, will remain closed until at least April 2026.
RCI cited continuing unrest in the country as the reason for extending the suspension, noting that guests and crew safety must remain its foremost consideration.
Labadee has long served as a resort popular for its beaches, water sports, and curated excursions, but the decision means the destination will remain off itineraries for over a year.
Nine large RCI vessels are directly affected—Adventure OTS, Allure OTS, Explorer OTS, Freedom OTS, Independence OTS, Jewel OTS, Liberty OTS, Oasis OTS, and Symphony OTS.
RCI has already begun adjusting itineraries. For example, Freedom of the Seas sailings originally bound for Labadee in November 2025 will instead call at Grand Turk, while another voyage during the same month will substitute Puerto Plata. A December itinerary has been amended to include Falmouth, Jamaica.
Other replacement ports across the program include Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Nassau, and Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian destination, CocoCay. Where berth availability prevents substitutions, voyages will instead include an additional day at sea.
Royal Caribbean stated that the substitutions have been carefully selected to balance sailing distances, port capacity, and the overall onboard experience. Guests with pre-booked shore excursions at Labadee will see those reservations canceled automatically, with refunds issued to the original form of payment. The line has said that equivalent tours will be offered at the alternate destinations wherever possible.
While reports indicate that much of Haiti’s unrest is concentrated in Port-au-Prince, more than 80 miles from Labadee, company officials have emphasized that caution is justified. The difficult terrain between the capital and the northern coast only heightens the importance of exercising prudence. The situation will be reviewed again in April 2026.
Despite Labadee’s closure, Caribbean cruising remains robust, with calls at destinations such as Grand Turk and Puerto Plata offering beaches, cultural attractions, and adventurous excursions. Royal Caribbean has underscored that while Labadee will remain absent from itineraries for the near future, its ships will continue to provide varied Caribbean programs. The line has expressed confidence that these alternative ports can deliver a comparable standard of leisure, entertainment, and cultural immersion for passengers.