Royal Caribbean has extended the closure of its private destination Labadee, Haiti, cancelling all planned visits through at least April 2028.
The cruise line has begun notifying booked guests across nine ships that their itineraries will be adjusted, with alternative ports substituted where possible.
This marks what could become a three-year absence from the once-popular private destination.
The latest round of cancellations impacts dozens of sailings across Royal Caribbean’s fleet, affecting both smaller and larger vessels.
Adventure of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas will all see multiple itinerary modifications throughout the extended closure period.
This represents a significant operational challenge for Royal Caribbean, which has historically relied on Labadee as a key component of its Western Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries.
The private destination has been a fixture in the cruise line’s portfolio for decades, offering passengers a controlled beach experience in Haiti’s northern coast.
Replacement Ports Vary Across Different Sailings
The substitute ports vary considerably depending on individual sailing routes, ship positioning, and berth availability at alternative destinations.
Royal Caribbean is customising replacement plans for each affected voyage rather than implementing a blanket substitution policy.
For instance, passengers booked on the 18th July 2027 sailing of Allure of the Seas will now visit Nassau, Bahamas, instead of Labadee during their six-night Caribbean itinerary from Miami.
The cruise line has also adjusted a sea day to accommodate the port change, ensuring the overall voyage structure remains cohesive.
However, the same ship’s 6th February 2028 departure will substitute San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the cancelled Labadee call during its seven-night voyage.
That particular itinerary will also see the visit to Samana Port in the Dominican Republic shifted by one day to accommodate the new routing.
Alternative Destinations Include Caribbean Favourites
Booked guests discussing their itinerary changes on social media platforms report a range of substitute ports across different ships and sailings.
The replacement destinations include Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Cozumel, Samana Port, and in some cases additional days at sea when suitable port alternatives cannot be arranged.
The specific replacement port depends on multiple operational factors that cruise lines must balance when making last-minute itinerary adjustments.
Berth availability at alternative ports during peak Caribbean season can be limited, as multiple cruise lines compete for the same dock space.
The ship’s planned sailing route and whether it can logistically reach certain ports within the timeframe also plays a crucial role.
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