Incident Americas Labadee · 4 August 2025
Royal Caribbean Suspends Labadee Port Calls Through October 2025 Amid Heightened Security Risks – 3 August 2025
What happened
On 3 August 2025, Royal Caribbean International announced the suspension of all scheduled port calls to Labadee, its private beach destination in Haiti, through the end of October 2025. The decision follows sustained instability and violent unrest across Haiti, despite no reported incidents directly at the Labadee site itself. More than 20 Caribbean cruise itineraries across five Royal Caribbean vessels have been affected.
The U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti, citing kidnappings, gang violence, and armed robbery as ongoing threats. Royal Caribbean stated the suspension was made out of an abundance of caution to protect passengers, crew, and port personnel.
Details of the suspension
Royal Caribbean's decision reflects heightened security concerns across Haiti rather than any specific incident at Labadee. The U.S. Coast Guard has urged maritime operators to exercise extreme caution in Haitian waters. A national state of emergency declared in 2024 remains in effect due to organized crime and civil unrest. Labadee had previously been removed from spring 2024 schedules due to unrest and was only briefly reinstated before renewed concerns led to this extended suspension through October 2025.
Affected vessels and itineraries
Vessels
- Adventure of the Seas
- Freedom of the Seas
- Icon of the Seas
- Oasis of the Seas
- Radiance of the Seas
Itinerary changes
- More than 20 Caribbean cruise itineraries affected
- Substitutions include additional sea days and port changes to Nassau (Bahamas) and Costa Maya (Mexico)
Passenger and crew impact
Royal Caribbean has notified affected guests through direct communication channels and is offering support for rebooking and itinerary updates. The cruise line emphasized that the change is a precautionary measure and reflects its commitment to guest and crew safety. Passengers are being offered alternatives including additional sea days and visits to alternate Caribbean destinations.
Casualties
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- None reported.
Rescued
- Not applicable — no incident occurred at Labadee.
Current status
Labadee remains suspended from Royal Caribbean's Caribbean cruise operations through 31 October 2025. Royal Caribbean's broader network remains active with alternate destinations maintaining high standards of safety and service. Future returns to Labadee will depend on improvements in Haiti's security and governmental stability.