If you’ve booked a Royal Caribbean cruise with a stop in Labadee, Haiti, you may have noticed something odd: more and more sailings are skipping the port, often with little notice.
So what’s going on? Is Royal Caribbean quietly pulling out of Labadee? Here’s what we know so far.
👉 Not in the mood to read? Here’s the quick TikTok version ⬇️
Why Ships Are Skipping Labadee
While Royal Caribbean hasn’t made an official statement about removing Labadee from its itineraries, the change appears to be tied to the ongoing political instability in Haiti. Even though Labadee is a private peninsula leased by Royal Caribbean and separated from mainland Haiti by fences and controlled access, the cruise line still has to evaluate overall guest safety, local infrastructure, and potential risk.
Over the past year, there have been multiple reports of ships:
- Replacing Labadee with a sea day
- Substituting with ports like Nassau or Perfect Day at CocoCay
- Updating itineraries last-minute or after final payment
For travelers, this creates understandable concern—especially if Labadee was a key part of the vacation.
Will Royal Caribbean Permanently Remove Labadee?
Right now, there’s no official word from the cruise line. But based on current patterns and discussions across Cruise Critic, Reddit, and Facebook cruise groups, it seems that Royal Caribbean is pausing or reducing stops to Labadee while monitoring the situation.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Labadee as a port, but it does suggest Royal is being extra cautious—and may be waiting for conditions to stabilize before restoring regular visits.
It’s also worth noting that no alternate Royal Caribbean beach stop currently replicates the exact experience of Labadee. While CocoCay is a private island with water parks and floating cabanas, Labadee offered a more natural coastline and the iconic Dragon’s Breath zip line.
What to Do If Your Labadee Stop Gets Cancelled
If your sailing skips Labadee, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your itinerary regularly. Royal can change ports even after final payment.
- Have flexible expectations. Many guests receive a sea day or alternate port like Nassau instead.
- Book excursions through Royal when possible. If ports change, it’s easier to get refunded or reassigned.
- Make the most of sea days. Many ships add special programming, extended kids club hours, or spa discounts on unexpected sea days.
Should You Still Book a Cruise That Lists Labadee?
Yes—but with a backup mindset. If Labadee is still listed on your itinerary, it’s possible the ship will stop there. However, don’t base your entire vacation plan around that port, and be ready for it to be replaced.
Travelers who enjoy sea days or who see Labadee as a bonus rather than a must-do may have the best experience under the current conditions.
Final Thoughts
As of mid-2025, it looks like Royal Caribbean is quietly reducing Labadee visits while keeping options open. Safety is the priority, and while it’s disappointing to miss a favorite port, these changes are made to protect guests and crew.
For now, the best advice is to stay flexible, stay informed, and enjoy every part of your cruise—not just one destination.
Charity Bradley 
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