Latest news with #OasisoftheSeas
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean drops popular port from months of cruises
In an effort to prioritize the safety of its passengers and crew members, Royal Caribbean is continuing to make changes to Caribbean cruise itineraries to remove and replace one key port. Most of the recent itinerary changes were made at the last minute, which frustrated many cruisers, but now the cruise line is giving passengers more the news of losing a popular port of call is disappointing for many cruisers, Royal Caribbean is now cushioning the blow by giving passengers more time to get used to the idea of an altered cruise itinerary. Passengers who booked summer cruises visiting Labadee, Haiti, are now being notified months in advance that their cruise will visit an alternate destination, which gives them more time to plan shore excursions and other port activities accordingly. Unfortunately, this new development also gives the impression that Royal Caribbean doesn't expect to be able to return to Labadee anytime soon. Labadee is Royal Caribbean's popular but controversial private destination on Haiti's northern coast that has proved problematic over the last year due to growing security concerns in the putting a temporary pause on Labadee stops in April, Royal Caribbean has already decided to cancel multiple visits to Labadee in July and August, according to an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line. 'We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day," Royal Caribbean explained in the email to passengers booked on the July 20 sailing of Oasis of the Seas. Although Labadee was switched to a sea day, the cruise line added a stop in Nassau, Bahamas toward the end of the cruise itinerary to make up for the dropped port. The Aug. 3 sailing of Oasis of the Seas received a similar adjustment, but added a visit to Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, instead of booked on the July 5 and Aug. 2 sailings of Adventure of the Seas also received similar emails about changes to their cruise itineraries to remove Labadee and add another port of call. This more proactive approach to Labadee cancellations was shared by Royal Caribbean's sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises, which already replaced Labadee with other cruise ports on cruise itineraries extending into 2026 in an effort to provide 'a better guest experience.'Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024 due to an ongoing conflict with violent gangs who have taken control of much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince. Royal Caribbean previously suspended visits to Labadee for several months last year due to the conflict, but was able to resume visits in October without issue because Labadee is a secure cruise line facility that's several hours away from violence recently expanded outside of the city, however, causing Royal Caribbean to once again pause calls to Labadee out of an abundance of caution. On April 13, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert about rising levels of violence and insecurity in the country, as well as threats and attacks against security forces and prisons, in areas outside of Port-au-Prince. Haiti remains under a Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory from the U.S. State Department. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Miami Herald
13-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Royal Caribbean drops popular port from months of cruises
In an effort to prioritize the safety of its passengers and crew members, Royal Caribbean is continuing to make changes to Caribbean cruise itineraries to remove and replace one key port. Most of the recent itinerary changes were made at the last minute, which frustrated many cruisers, but now the cruise line is giving passengers more notice. Related: Royal Caribbean makes key beverage package change While the news of losing a popular port of call is disappointing for many cruisers, Royal Caribbean is now cushioning the blow by giving passengers more time to get used to the idea of an altered cruise itinerary. Passengers who booked summer cruises visiting Labadee, Haiti, are now being notified months in advance that their cruise will visit an alternate destination, which gives them more time to plan shore excursions and other port activities accordingly. Unfortunately, this new development also gives the impression that Royal Caribbean doesn't expect to be able to return to Labadee anytime soon. Labadee is Royal Caribbean's popular but controversial private destination on Haiti's northern coast that has proved problematic over the last year due to growing security concerns in the country. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. After putting a temporary pause on Labadee stops in April, Royal Caribbean has already decided to cancel multiple visits to Labadee in July and August, according to an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line. "We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day," Royal Caribbean explained in the email to passengers booked on the July 20 sailing of Oasis of the Seas. Although Labadee was switched to a sea day, the cruise line added a stop in Nassau, Bahamas toward the end of the cruise itinerary to make up for the dropped port. The Aug. 3 sailing of Oasis of the Seas received a similar adjustment, but added a visit to Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, instead of Nassau. Related: Royal Caribbean passengers compare private cruise destinations Passengers booked on the July 5 and Aug. 2 sailings of Adventure of the Seas also received similar emails about changes to their cruise itineraries to remove Labadee and add another port of call. This more proactive approach to Labadee cancellations was shared by Royal Caribbean's sister cruise line Celebrity Cruises, which already replaced Labadee with other cruise ports on cruise itineraries extending into 2026 in an effort to provide "a better guest experience." Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Haiti has been under a state of emergency since March 2024 due to an ongoing conflict with violent gangs who have taken control of much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince. Royal Caribbean previously suspended visits to Labadee for several months last year due to the conflict, but was able to resume visits in October without issue because Labadee is a secure cruise line facility that's several hours away from Port-au-Prince. Related: Royal Caribbean stops visiting popular port Gang violence recently expanded outside of the city, however, causing Royal Caribbean to once again pause calls to Labadee out of an abundance of caution. On April 13, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti issued a security alert about rising levels of violence and insecurity in the country, as well as threats and attacks against security forces and prisons, in areas outside of Port-au-Prince. Haiti remains under a Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory from the U.S. State Department. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean Cancels More Stops at Popular Cruise Destination
Few things distress travelers aboard a cruise ship than learning of a last-minute change to their ship's scheduled itinerary. Such is especially the case when the change comes mere days before a cruise is expected to take place, forcing passengers to detour around a port destination they had previously expected to stop at. With the escalating violence affecting the Caribbean nation of Haiti, Royal Caribbean has once again canceled its intended stop at its private port of Labadee for the cruise ship Icon of the Seas. As reported by the popular vacation website Royal Caribbean's first Icon-class ship was originally booked to stop at Labadee during Icon of the Sea's May 3 sailing. Days before the ship was scheduled to disembark, however, prospective passengers receiving a message notifying them that the ship will no longer make port within the island nation. In the message sent to Royal Caribbean's passengers, the company said, "As you prepare for your vacation, we wanted to inform you about some changes to our itinerary. We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, and out of an abundance of caution, we're swapping out our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day." Though vacationers might have been disappointed by the change in schedule, Royal Caribbean offered onboard credit as a way to make up for the last-minute cancelation, ranging from $75 per ocean-view or interior state rooms to $150 per suites. This is not the first time that the cruise company has canceled intended stops at Labadee. Owing to increased gang violence in the country, Royal Caribbean had previously removed stops at Labadee for Oasis of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Adventurer of the Seas this past month. To make up for the ships' abrupt change in itineraries, Royal Caribbean redirected Oasis of the Seas towards Nassau, Bahamas, with Voyager of the Seas and Adventurer of the Seas stopping instead at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean Pauses Major Route After Travel Warning
A major cruise ship line has paused a route due to a travel warning. According to Cruise Radio, Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops to Haiti. Royal Caribbean "suspended calls to Labadee, Haiti," citing "growing security concerns over a surge of gang violence in the region," the site reported. In the past, the cruise ship line promoted cruises that included a stop in Labadee. According to Cruise Radio, Royal Caribbean "rerouted at least four ships—Voyager of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas—away from the private beach destination." Passengers were told of the change through letters and an announcement from the captain, Cruise Radio reported, noting that the company said the change was being made 'out of an abundance of caution.' On April 16, 2025, the U.S. State Department issued a safety alert for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, citing security issues relating to possible widespread protests. "Announced widespread protests with potential for violence between police, protestors, and criminal gangs. All visas and citizen services appointments at the U.S. embassy for Wednesday have been rescheduled. The embassy will be on limited operations," the alert said. 'Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee,' a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement to USA Today. 'We have already communicated with guests directly." According to USA Today, the cruise ship line previously suspended that route last summer. USA Today noted that Port-au-Prince, the focus of the April security alert, is more than six hours away by car from Labadee. However, in September 2024, the U.S. State Department designated Haiti as a level 4 "do not travel" country. "Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care," the State Department warned. "Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed," the travel advisory says. "Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom requests. Victims' families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members." "
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean passenger arrested for a scary reason
Royal Caribbean leaves no room for error when it comes to its policy on bringing firearms on board. All firearms and weapons, ammunition, explosives and incendiary devices are strictly prohibited. Firearms and weapons include, but are not limited to, the following items: Rifles Shotguns Pistols Revolvers, etc. The cruise line does not even allow pretend guns and it's very explicit there as well. All guns, replicas and ammunition include, but are not limited to, the following items:Guns, operational or replicasAmmunition of all typesBB GunsCompressed Air Guns, including Paint Ball GunsFlare GunsGun LightersGun / Firearms PartsPellet GunsSpear GunsStarter PistolsRealistic Replicas of Firearms If an item even looks like a gun, you can't bring it on a Royal Caribbean ship. That's a well-known rule, applying even to law-enforcement officers. "We do not allow any guest (including law enforcement officers on vacation) to bring weapons onboard our vessel," the company website makes clear. "Law enforcement officers need to understand that they will be boarding a foreign flag vessel going to foreign countries. All weapons should be left at home, locked up in a vehicle if they are driving to the port, or turned over to a local office of Customs, police, FBI, etc. for safekeeping during the voyage." That did not stop one passenger from violating that rule, and the Facebook personality Jayson Judson had the full story. . A cruise passenger on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas has been arrested and faces up to a $3,000 fine and possible jail time as he was caught boarding the ship in Aruba with a firearm. Many are left wondering: Did he have the firearm the previous four days on the ship? And if so, how did screening and port security in Fort Lauderdale miss the firearm when they routinely catch passengers with clothes steamers? What do you think? @PamelaGreen2073 summed up what most people were thinking. "Scary," she wrote. Some doubted that the gun could have been brought on and off the ship. "Seems unlikely it was on the ship prior to Aruba. Probably obtained in Aruba," @DeniseG-nl20 posted. @HelenandRidge1980 was shocked that this could happen. "Wow, somebody didn't do their job, most of the times you feel safe," they wrote. Others wondered how this could have been missed (which suggests it wasn't and that the gun was brought on in Aruba. "When they routinely catch passengers with clothes steamers," @GingerWond1982 repeated. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
