Royal Caribbean Is Canceling Trips to This Caribbean Destination

Caribbean cruise ship travelers might need to prepare for a change in their travel plans.

Royal Caribbean recently altered its sailing itineraries to exclude the port stop at Labadee, a private Royal Caribbean beach resort on the northern coast of Haiti. (Labadee is about a six hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.)

Labadee is a popular stop on Royal Caribbean’s cruise routes, offering the chance to experience Haiti’s pristine beaches alongside more adventurous activities like zip lining over the ocean. According to T+L contributor Rondel Holder, “Amenities like a rollercoaster, waterslides, and a water trampoline make this one of the best beaches in the Caribbean for families.”

That said, due the escalating gang violence and political instability in Haiti, the company has temporarily suspended excursions to Haiti and removed the port from its routes. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.

The company also suspended stops in Labadee last summer, then citing the “safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities.”

It is still unclear when or if Labadee will be offered as a Royal Caribbean destination again.

Haiti is rated at Level 4 by the US Department of State’s travel advisory “due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care,” which means the U.S. government recommends travelers not go to the country.

What do the advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State mean?
Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions)
Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)
Level 3 (Reconsider Travel)
Level 4 (Do Not Travel)

“The U.S. government is very limited in its ability to help U.S. citizens in Haiti. Local police and other first responders often lack the resources to respond to emergencies or serious crime,” the U.S. travel advisory states.

On April 16, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert for Port-au-Prince over “widespread protests with potential for violence between police, protestors, and criminal gangs.”