Royal Caribbean will keep skipping Labadee, its private beach destination on Haiti's north coast, through April 2028. The line told travel advisors about the change in late October, and the update rewrites 44 itineraries on nine ships. If you are booked on a Caribbean cruise with Royal Caribbean in the next 18 months, now is a good time to check your port list.
The line had already paused calls through June 2027, USA Today reported. The new date adds close to another year. "These changes have been communicated directly with guests," Royal Caribbean Group told the paper in an emailed statement.
Which ships are affected
According to the advisor notice, as reported by Travel Market Report and Cruise Addicts, the 44 changed itineraries are spread across these nine ships:
| Ship | Class |
|---|---|
| Adventure of the Seas | Voyager |
| Allure of the Seas | Oasis |
| Explorer of the Seas | Voyager |
| Freedom of the Seas | Freedom |
| Harmony of the Seas | Oasis |
| Independence of the Seas | Freedom |
| Serenade of the Seas | Radiance |
| Star of the Seas | Icon |
| Symphony of the Seas | Oasis |
That list mixes some of the line's biggest ships with older, smaller ones. It shows how much of the Caribbean schedule had been built around a stop at Labadee.
What replaces Labadee
There is no single swap. Each sailing gets its own fix. Travel Market Report lists Grand Turk, Grand Cayman, Nassau, Cozumel, Costa Maya and San Juan as stand-ins. Ports in the Dominican Republic, such as Puerto Plata and Samaná, also appear. Some sailings simply get an extra day at sea.
Cruise Addicts notes that a few itineraries also see other port times shift. So it is worth reading the full new schedule, not just the line where Labadee used to be.
Refunds for shore excursions
If you prepaid a Labadee shore excursion through Royal Caribbean, you do not need to do anything. The line is refunding those bookings automatically, both outlets report. Tours booked with outside companies are a different matter, so contact the operator directly if you made your own plans.
Why Labadee stays off the map
Royal Caribbean points to safety. Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024, and gang violence has grown since then. The U.S. State Department keeps Haiti at Level 4, its highest travel warning. "Do not travel to Haiti due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited health care," the advisory reads.
Royal Caribbean Group told USA Today it is sharing information with Labadee staff and has found other roles for them across its fleet and other destinations during the pause. Travel Market Report says the line will keep giving financial support to its local Haitian workforce.
How cruisers are reacting
The news spread fast on X after Cruise Hive posted it on Oct. 30. Many posts simply urged booked guests to check their new ports.
For many longtime Royal Caribbean fans, Labadee was a highlight, with its zip line, beaches and easy walk from the pier. For now, the line's Bahamas island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and its other Caribbean ports carry the load.
What to do if you are booked
- Open your booking on the Royal Caribbean app or website and check the updated itinerary.
- Look for changes to arrival and departure times at other ports, too.
- Rebook any tours you had planned for Labadee at the new port, if you want them.
- Ask your travel advisor about any offers the line has made for your sailing.
You can see every ship in the fleet and its ratings on our Royal Caribbean International page.