November 2, 2026 Team Contributor
Travellers planning Caribbean cruises with Royal Caribbean will need to prepare for further itinerary changes. The cruise line has extended its suspension of visits to Labadee, Haiti, through at least April 2028. The decision affects 44 sailings across nine ships and marks what could become a nearly three-year absence from one of the company’s most established private destinations.
The update comes as more news arrives about weather and destination disruptions across North America and the Caribbean. Earlier this season, concerns surrounding an early Polar Vortex and El Niño highlighted how changing conditions can influence travel planning and destination decisions.
44 Cruises reworked as Labadee remains off limits
Royal Caribbean has started notifying guests booked on affected voyages. They scheduled calls to inform passengers that the voyage to Labadee will be replaced with alternative destinations or additional sea days.
The changes impact nine ships: Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Star of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.
Replacement ports vary by itinerary. The list includes Nassau, Grand Turk, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Plata, Amber Cove, San Juan, Ponce, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios.
In communications sent to travel advisors, Royal Caribbean said: “Your clients’ safety is our top priority,” while acknowledging that the revised itineraries differ from those originally booked.
Any shore excursions purchased through Royal Caribbean for Labadee visits will be automatically refunded. The cruise line also said tours at other impacted ports will be re-accommodated where possible. They have also promised to issue refunds for tours that cannot be rescheduled.
Safety concerns remain at the centre of Royal Caribbean’s decision
Royal Caribbean first suspended visits to Labadee in 2024 as gang violence and political instability intensified across Haiti. Although the private destination is located on Haiti’s northern coast, far from Port-au-Prince, the cruise line has repeatedly cited safety concerns when extending the suspension.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Haiti remains under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, the highest warning level available. The advisory cites crime, kidnapping, civil unrest and limited emergency response capabilities.
Speaking during Royal Caribbean’s President’s Cruise earlier this year, President and CEO Michael Bayley said the company hopes to return when conditions improve.
“We’ve been through periods before where we’ve had to leave Labadee until things sort themselves out,” Bayley said. “This time, it’s just been a lot longer, and it’s been a lot more violent and a lot more dangerous.”
He added that the company would not resume calls until it was confident the destination was safe for guests and crew.
Cruisers can expect new Caribbean experiences
While the suspension removes a signature stop from many Caribbean itineraries, travellers can opt for other newly added alternative destinations.
Among them is Samaná in the Dominican Republic, which travel experts expect to receive increased cruise traffic following the opening of a new cruise port scheduled for late 2026. Other substitute destinations, including Puerto Plata, Grand Turk and San Juan, continue to see strong demand among Caribbean cruise passengers.
The changes also demonstrate the operational flexibility cruise lines need. Geopolitical events, weather disruptions and infrastructure challenges reshape travel schedules very often.
For travellers, the itinerary changes highlight the importance of reviewing sailing updates before departure and understanding cruise line policies regarding port substitutions.
For travel advisors, the extended Labadee suspension is another reminder that destination conditions can evolve quickly. So, it requires proactive communication and itinerary guidance. They can help passengers navigate itinerary changes, compare alternative cruise options and build travel plans to match their comfort levels. Find local advisors here.
Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean has not provided a timeline beyond April 2028 for a possible return to Labadee. Until conditions improve, alternative Caribbean ports are expected to remain a key part of the cruise line’s deployment strategy.
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