Royal Caribbean Abruptly Cancels Stops at Major Cruise Port

Cruise line Royal Caribbean has temporarily halted visits to Haiti for the second time in less than a year.

Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas have reportedly been redirected from Labadee, off the coast of northern Haiti, per Newsweek. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee. We have already communicated with guests directly.”

Royal Caribbean Reassesses Labadee Stops Amid Unrest

Haiti has been under the highest level of travel advisory for well over a year, which is “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” The U.S. State Department subsequently explained that since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency.

The reported crimes in the area include robbery, carjacking, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, with U.S. citizens among the victims, some of whom have been injured or killed.

Royal Caribbean cancels stops in Labadee, Haiti on at least two ships, passengers confirm. Could more cancelations to the private destination be coming?
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— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) April 16, 2025

These security incidents frequently involve ransom demands, with victims’ families often paying thousands of dollars to secure the release of their loved ones from these dangerous situations. Protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks are common and unpredictable. They often damage or destroy infrastructure and can become violent.

According to USA Today, the cruise line also suspended visits to Labadee last summer. A spokesperson told the outlet at the time, “The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority. Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution we have suspended all visits to Labadee fleetwide through September 2024.” 

Passengers with pre-paid excursions for Labadee are reportedly receiving onboard credit refunds. Labadee is not part of the public Haitian infrastructure, and Royal Caribbean operates it as a self-contained resort, per CNN. 

Escalation of Gang Violence

According to the Associated Press, in 2024, gang-related violence resulted in thousands of deaths. Gangs now control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

Per the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), incidents include the December 2024 massacre in Cité Soleil, where the Wharf Jeremie gang killed at least 207 individuals, and the October 2024 attack in Pont-Sondé by the Gran Grif gang, which left over 115 people dead and displaced thousands. ​

In response to the escalating violence, Haiti’s transitional presidential council has since approved a “wartime budget” of approximately $275K in April 2025. This budget allocates funds to strengthen security forces, enhance border security, and support critical social programs.