18-04-2025
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."
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