Royal Caribbean extends suspension of visits to Labadee, Haiti

Royal Caribbean Group has extended its suspension of cruise visits to its private destination of Labadee, Haiti, through at least October, marking another lengthy pause in operations due to ongoing instability in the country.

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The company first halted calls to Labadee in April amid reports of surging gang violence. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed Friday that the pause remains in effect “out of an abundance of caution.”

“We have communicated with guests directly on this change,” the spokesperson said.

It remains unclear how long Royal Caribbean will avoid calling at Labadee. This is not the first time the cruise line has suspended visits to the 260-acre resort. In 2024, following a surge of gang attacks on police stations and government buildings in Haiti, Royal Caribbean halted Labadee stops for six months before resuming in October.

This year marks the second consecutive year in which the destination is closed to cruises for at least half of the year.

The current suspension comes amid heightened concern across the travel industry. Earlier this year, the United States extended its ban on flights to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, until at least September 8 due to escalating gang violence. JetBlue also announced it would be extending its suspension of flights to Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince. That suspension, which expired on June 11, 2025, has since been extended again due to ongoing civil unrest.

Recent Cirium data for scheduled future commercial flights shows no activity from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) from as far out as September 2025 through April 2026. JetBlue officials have said they will continue monitoring the situation, but as things stand, no JetBlue flights can be expected to Haiti for at least three months.

Labadee, a fenced-off beachfront area exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests, has long been a popular stop on Caribbean cruise itineraries. However, the worsening security situation in other parts of Haiti continues to raise concerns about traveler safety.