Why Royal Caribbean suspended cruise stops to Labadee, Haiti is rooted in both safety and perception. The US travel advisory currently ranks Haiti at Level 4—Do Not Travel—due to widespread unrest, kidnapping threats, and a lack of reliable emergency infrastructure. As gang violence continues to destabilize key regions in Haiti, cruise tourism operators like Royal Caribbean must weigh guest safety against economic opportunity. How gang violence and US travel advisory are disrupting Caribbean cruise tourism isn’t limited to just Labadee, Haiti—it’s a stark indicator of how external geopolitical factors are reshaping the cruise industry’s access to once-stable destinations.
As travelers demand more transparency and cruise lines respond to evolving risks, why Royal Caribbean suspended cruise stops to Labadee, Haiti serves as a cautionary tale of how gang violence and US travel advisory disruptions are now rewriting the Caribbean cruise tourism map.
In a move that reverberates throughout the cruise tourism industry, Royal Caribbean has once again suspended all stops to its private port in Labadee, Haiti, citing worsening gang violence, political instability, and increasing concerns for passenger and crew safety. This development not only affects thousands of travelers who were planning to explore Haiti’s serene northern coastline, but also highlights the fragile relationship between tourism and security in the Caribbean.
Labadee, a picturesque peninsula on Haiti’s northern coast, has long been a highlight of Royal Caribbean’s Western Caribbean itineraries. With pristine beaches, zip lines over turquoise waters, and unique local experiences, it served as a rare point of controlled tourist access to Haiti. However, ongoing violence and unrest—especially around Port-au-Prince and expanding into regions once considered stable—have forced cruise lines to reevaluate their risk assessments.
The Decision to Suspend: Safety Over Scenery
Royal Caribbean issued a formal statement confirming that all scheduled stops to Labadee have been paused “out of an abundance of caution.” The decision, effective immediately, applies to multiple ships and itineraries that previously featured Labadee as a marquee destination.
The cruise line emphasized, “We have already communicated with guests directly regarding the itinerary changes.” This marks the second time in less than a year that Royal Caribbean has halted visits to Labadee. A similar suspension occurred during the summer of 2024 due to escalating safety concerns.
While Labadee is geographically distant from the capital—about six hours by car from Port-au-Prince—it is not immune to the wider instability plaguing the country. The private resort’s proximity to troubled zones and the inability to guarantee secure transport and emergency response protocols were among the leading causes behind the decision.
The Reality on the Ground: A Level 4 Travel Advisory
Haiti is currently under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory by the U.S. Department of State. The warning, issued and reaffirmed in April 2025, cites “kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare infrastructure” as primary concerns. It explicitly advises U.S. citizens to avoid travel to the country due to a lack of reliable emergency services and escalating gang violence.
“The U.S. government is very limited in its ability to help U.S. citizens in Haiti,” the advisory states. Local police are often ill-equipped to manage crisis situations or provide protection in emergencies—a situation that directly impacts cruise passengers disembarking in any part of the country.
Just days before Royal Caribbean’s announcement, the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a fresh security alert warning of “widespread protests with potential for violence between police, protestors, and criminal gangs.” With unrest mounting and violent confrontations intensifying, continuing cruise operations in Haiti became an unacceptable risk for the cruise line.
Labadee: A Once-Safe Haven Now Under Threat
Labadee has long been marketed as a safe, self-contained resort destination. As a leased property by Royal Caribbean, it operates separately from Haiti’s general infrastructure and is staffed with both Haitian locals and Royal Caribbean crew. The resort has its own security, controlled access, and infrastructure designed to insulate tourists from local political and economic volatility.
Despite these precautions, the growing influence of armed gangs in the northern parts of the country, combined with unstable national governance, has made even isolated tourist enclaves vulnerable. The issue isn’t just whether Labadee itself is safe—but whether the company can continue to guarantee that safety in the face of evolving threats.
In effect, Labadee is a microcosm of a broader travel dilemma: how long can tourism exist in politically unstable environments, and at what point does perception override actual risk?
Economic and Tourism Fallout for Haiti
The suspension of cruise stops to Labadee represents more than just a disruption to vacationers’ itineraries—it’s a significant economic blow to Haiti’s already fragile tourism sector. While small in scale, Labadee provided vital employment and income for hundreds of Haitians who worked at the resort, as guides, artisans, and service providers.
The local economy, particularly in Cap-Haïtien and surrounding areas, depended on the consistent influx of cruise passengers. These tourists purchased handmade goods, dined on local cuisine, and participated in shore excursions that briefly connected them to Haitian culture and communities.
With Labadee now removed from Royal Caribbean’s routes, these revenue streams vanish overnight. Haitian tourism officials have voiced concerns about long-term damage to the country’s image as a viable destination—especially in an industry that prizes consistency, safety, and seamless operations.
Royal Caribbean’s suspension sends a powerful message to other cruise operators as well, many of whom had been considering or cautiously expanding their Caribbean operations to less traditional ports, including Haiti.
Impact on Cruise Travelers and the Wider Caribbean Itinerary
The ripple effect of this port closure is being felt across Royal Caribbean’s broader network. Affected cruises will now substitute Labadee with other Caribbean destinations, such as Falmouth (Jamaica), Cozumel (Mexico), or Perfect Day at CocoCay (Bahamas)—another Royal Caribbean-owned private island. While passengers will still enjoy scenic and adventure-packed stops, many who had hoped to experience Haiti for the first time are expressing disappointment.
Travel agents and cruise operators are busy reissuing updated itineraries, adjusting onboard programming, and managing refund requests for pre-booked Labadee excursions. For families, groups, and adventure-seekers, the loss of Labadee’s unique attractions—such as the Dragon’s Breath zip line and mountain coaster—represents a meaningful gap in the cruise experience.
The situation also raises broader concerns about regional cruise planning. How many ports in politically unstable countries are one event away from being deemed inaccessible? And how should cruise companies weigh ethical obligations to communities they support against their duty to protect paying passengers?
Cruise Industry Response and Preparedness
Royal Caribbean’s swift decision underscores how seriously the cruise industry treats evolving geopolitical threats. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise lines have drastically improved their crisis response playbooks, from onboard health protocols to real-time route changes.
That said, there are lessons still being learned. Experts point to the need for:
- Improved onshore intelligence networks to monitor threats in real time.
- Increased investment in alternate ports to maintain itinerary flexibility.
- Transparent communication with travelers regarding safety risks and changes.
- Partnerships with local governments for long-term stability and economic aid.
Other cruise lines are watching Royal Caribbean’s decision closely. While some, like Carnival and Norwegian, do not currently operate in Haiti, their future expansion plans could be shaped by Labadee’s precedent.
Looking Ahead: Will Labadee Return?
It remains unclear when—or if—Labadee will return as a regular port of call. While Royal Caribbean has emphasized the “temporary” nature of the suspension, no timeline has been offered. The company is likely to evaluate conditions on the ground, reassess the safety landscape quarterly, and consult with U.S. and Haitian authorities before making a definitive decision.
For now, the cruise line is working to ensure that displaced Labadee excursions are replaced with safe and comparable alternatives. Refunds, onboard credits, and enhanced port experiences elsewhere are part of the compensation package.
But for the people of Haiti—and for travelers eager to explore beyond typical tourist routes—the loss of Labadee is more than logistical. It’s a symbolic setback for cultural exchange and a reminder of the persistent challenges in merging global tourism with local instability.
Conclusion: A Fragile Balance Between Wanderlust and Responsibility
Royal Caribbean’s suspension of Labadee underscores the volatile balance between maintaining exciting, off-the-beaten-path travel experiences and prioritizing passenger safety in politically unstable regions. As gang violence in Haiti escalates, and with U.S. travel advisories urging citizens to avoid the country, tourism providers have little choice but to pull back.
For millions of would-be cruise passengers, the change serves as a sobering reminder that even the most idyllic destinations can be disrupted by forces beyond their control. And for Haiti—a country striving for visibility, investment, and peace—it signals the urgent need for stability as a foundation for tourism revival.
Until then, the Caribbean’s cruise map continues to shift, redrawn not by wind or tide, but by the unpredictable storms of politics, security, and public perception.
Tags: Royal Caribbean cruise Labadee, Haiti,
