Award-winning Caribbean beach destination dropped from cruise itineraries due to new safety fears
Cruisers headed to the Caribbean are steering clear.
Royal Caribbean is updating its itinerary to drop an award-winning port from upcoming sailings due to safety concerns regarding escalating gang violence and political instability.
3 Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas in the vicinity of Labadee, Haiti.
© 2011 Michel Verdure
Labadee, a private Royal Caribbean destination on the northern coast of Haiti, will be temporarily removed from cruise routes, and excursions to Haiti have been suspended.
'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 to Travel + Leisure.
3 Labadee, Haiti, will be temporarily removed from Royal Caribbean cruise routes.
Foto-Jagla.de – stock.adobe.com
Labadee has long been a popular stop on Royal Caribbean cruises, with access to Haiti's beautiful beaches as well as more adventurous activities such as zip lining over the ocean, a rollercoaster, waterslides and a water trampoline.
Haitian vendors — who depend on tourists and cruise stops — were notified of the decision last week. This is the second time in one year that the cruise line removed Haiti from its Caribbean stops.
Royal Caribbean also suspended stops to their private beach resort last summer through September 2024, at the time pointing to the 'safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities.'
3 Labadee has long been a popular stop on Royal Caribbean cruises.
Thenhan – stock.adobe.com
It's unclear at this time when or if the cruise line will resume trips to Labadee, which was deemed the best beach for families by T+L in August 2024.
Royal Caribbean's sister line, Celebrity Cruises, already removed the stop from its itinerary weeks ago, The Miami Herald reported.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel advisory to Haiti with a Level 4 rating, meaning do not travel. The agency cited 'kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care.'
'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 advisory warns.
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