Royal Caribbean extends Labadee suspension through June 2027

Royal Caribbean has extended its suspension of visits to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti, through June 2027, according to reports.

The cruise line confirmed a change after notifying guests booked on select sailings that itineraries would be adjusted, as Royal Caribbean Blog pointed out.

According to an email sent to passengers, Legend of the Seas will no longer call at Labadee on its Feb. 14, 2027, sailing from Fort Lauderdale.

The six-night cruise had originally been scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee and Falmouth, Jamaica. Instead, the itinerary has been revised to include Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico.

In a separate statement, Royal Caribbean said the move is part of its ongoing assessment of conditions in Haiti.

"As we continue to evaluate conditions in Haiti and our ability to deliver the best vacations responsibly, we have decided to extend the suspension of ship calls to Labadee through June 2027," a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

"This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members in mind. We have communicated these changes directly with guests."

Unrest in Haiti

Labadee, located on Haiti's northern coast, has long been one of Royal Caribbean's signature private destinations, offering beaches, water activities and the Dragon's Breath Flight Line – one of the world's longest over-water ziplines.

As reported in 2024, Royal Caribbean started suspending calls to the destination after one of Haiti’s criminal gangs, which already controlled large parts of the economy and most of Port-au-Prince, launched a series of attacks on police stations, prisons and other government buildings, deteriorating local security.

The cruise line last called at Labadee in April 2025, briefly resuming visits after earlier cancellations prompted by unrest in Haiti.

However, sailings to the destination were suspended again shortly afterward.

The latest extension means the destination will remain off itineraries for at least another year.

And the decision comes as Haiti continues to grapple with a severe security crisis.

The U.S. Department of State currently maintains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Haiti, citing violent crime, kidnappings, limited law enforcement and ongoing armed gang activity. 

The Government of Canada's notice for Haiti advises travellers to "Avoid All Travel." 

The humanitarian situation has also continued to deteriorate, with renewed outbreaks of gang violence in the capital earlier this year, reports the Associated Press.

Labadee sits on the northern coast of Haiti, some 130 miles north of Port-au-Prince. No other cruise lines sail there.

As a private destination, Labadee is only accessible to cruise ship passengers. The 260-acre beach location is fenced in and was monitored by private security.

Still, it appears Royal Caribbean isn’t taking any chances as it continues monitor the situation before determining when it can safely return.  

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