If you’re booked on a Royal Caribbean cruise, check your itinerary—because the line has confirmed it won’t be visiting Labadee at all in 2026, extending the pause through December 2026.
It’s never fun to lose a favorite stop, but this isn’t a last-minute surprise. Guests are getting months of notice, which means you’ve got plenty of time to reset expectations, look at the replacement ports, and decide if the updated route still matches the trip you wanted.
Why This Stop Matters To So Many Cruisers
Labadee is Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination on the northern coast of Haiti. Cruisers tend to like it for one simple reason: it’s easy. You step off the ship and everything is already set up for you—beaches, loungers, food, activities—without the usual port-day logistics.
It’s more than just sand and water. You can keep it casual and relax, or go bigger with the zip line, alpine coaster, or aqua park. There’s room to wander, shop, grab lunch, and head back on your own schedule. For many cruisers, it’s that ideal middle ground between a busy excursion and a full sea day.
So if Labadee was a highlight on your itinerary, it’s understandable to feel disappointed.
Read more: Labadee, Haiti: Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Private Paradise
What Changed For 2026 (And What Didn’t)
All scheduled visits to Labadee in 2026 have been removed. Royal Caribbean had already canceled stops there through April 2026, and this latest update extends the pause through the end of the year.
This also isn’t coming out of nowhere. The line hasn’t made a scheduled call at Labadee since April 2025, following earlier pauses in 2024. So rather than a sudden decision, this feels like a continued hold while conditions remain uncertain.
For most guests, you’re not losing a port day entirely. In many cases, Labadee is being replaced with another destination. On some sailings, it’s replaced with an extra sea day, since finding open space at another port—especially for larger ships—isn’t always possible once schedules are set.
Why Royal Caribbean Is Stepping Back
The decision comes down to the ongoing security situation in Port-au-Prince and other parts of Haiti. The country has been under a state of emergency since March 2024, with gang violence and unrest creating long-term instability.
Labadee is a privately operated area and sits some distance from the capital. But cruise lines can’t completely separate one fenced-off destination from what’s happening across the country. When questions remain about safety and operations, cruise lines usually take the cautious route.
That approach also lines up with official guidance. The U.S. State Department lists Haiti at Level 4: Do Not Travel, and the U.S. Coast Guard has flagged concerns about port security. Even if those advisories don’t specifically mention cruise calls, they still factor into risk decisions.
Much of today’s instability traces back to 2021, when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated, leading to deeper political and security issues. The United Nations has been involved in support efforts, with more intervention planned for 2026.
Which Cruises Are Affected
This isn’t limited to one or two sailings. The changes impact dozens of Caribbean itineraries across a wide stretch of the fleet.
These include ships like Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.
Here’s What’s Replacing Labadee
The most common replacement is Nassau—and that’s no surprise. Royal Caribbean has been expanding its presence there, making it a practical swap with room to accommodate ships.
Other updated itineraries now include Grand Turk, Cozumel, Puerto Plata, and San Juan. So in most cases, you’re still getting a full lineup of ports—just a different mix.
Some sailings also adjust arrival times or swap additional stops. For example, certain Adventure of the Seas cruises now visit Nassau or Grand Turk instead, while a few Allure and Oasis sailings replace Labadee with a sea day.
Will Labadee Come Back After 2026?
Maybe. Right now, only 2026 is officially affected. Cruise lines review destinations regularly and typically make these decisions one year at a time rather than ruling a port out indefinitely.
If Labadee was a big reason you booked, it’s worth weighing your options—whether that means looking at a different sailing or deciding the rest of the itinerary still works for you.
At its core, this isn’t a dramatic last-minute change. It’s a cautious, long-range adjustment aimed at keeping sailings predictable and safe.
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