If you’re eyeing a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ve probably heard about Labadee, their private destination in Haiti. It’s a bucket-list stop, but recent cancellations due to safety concerns have some folks upset and wondering what’s going on. Those dreams of stepping off the ship onto a beach with crystal-clear water suddenly get crushed when the port stop is skipped or replaced with… ugh, Nassau.
Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination is on Haiti’s northern coast, near the town of Cap-Haïtien. It’s about 130 miles from Port-au-Prince, where Haiti’s recent unrest has been focused, so Labadee feels like a world away, but keeping passengers safe, regardless of distance and on-site security, is priority.
Royal Caribbean started leasing Labadee back in 1985, and they’ve turned it into a must-visit spot on many of their Caribbean itineraries . Back then, it was just a pretty beach, but now? You can zip down the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line (the longest over-water zip line in the world!), splash around in the Arawak Aqua Park, or go on a snorkeling expedition Want to chill? Rent a private cabana with butler service or lounge on the beach with a Labadoozie cocktail in hand.
Of course, no stop would be complete without some souvenier shopping and The Artisan’s Village is perfect for grabbing local crafts and a bite to eat. Royal keeps upgrading Labadee with more activities, better dining, and extra shade making it a highlight of their Caribbean routes. Their lease runs until 2050, so they’re in it for the long haul.
What’s Up with the Cancellations?
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: why Royal Caribbean’s skipping Labadee on some sailings. Haiti’s been dealing with political instability and gang violence, especially around Port-au-Prince, so Royal’s playing it safe by pausing visits to Labadee. Here’s the scoop:
- 2024 Cancellations: From March to September 2024, Royal Caribbean put Labadee on hold for safety reasons. Big ships like Symphony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas swapped Labadee for spots like their private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay or Nassau. This affected a bunch of trips—probably 50–70 sailings, based on their packed Caribbean schedule.
- 2025 Cancellations: In April 2025, Royal announced cancellations for at least four ships, including Voyager of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas. A note from one ship’s captain hinted at a one-month pause (April–May 2025), which could impact 10–20 sailings if it extends to other ships. Unlike last year’s all-in pause, these seem more case-by-case, depending on the latest safety updates.
Why the caution? Incidents like a Spirit Airlines plane getting hit by gunfire in Port-au-Prince in November 2024 raised red flags. Labadee’s far from that chaos, but Royal’s not taking any chances. They’re rerouting to other ports to keep your vacation worry-free.
How Much Is This Costing Royal Caribbean?
You might be wondering, “What’s the financial hit for Royal when they skip Labadee?” Great question! Royal Caribbean hasn’t shared exact numbers, so I’m working with my best estimates based on how cruisers spend and what I know about the industry. Here’s the breakdown:
- Shore Excursions: Labadee’s activities, like zip lines, water parks, and private cabanas, are super popular. They cost anywhere from $30 for basic stuff to $500 for fancy options. Let’s say a ship has 5,000 passengers, and about 1,000–1,500 of them book something that costs $100 on average. That’s $100,000–$150,000 per visit. If Royal skipped 50–70 visits in 2024, they could have lost $5–10 million. For 10–20 visits in 2025, their losses could add up to about $1–3 million.
- On-Land Spending: At Labadee, people buy drinks (like those tasty Labadoozies), souvenirs, and other extras. If half the passengers spend $20–$50 each, that’s $50,000–$125,000 per stop for a 5,000-person ship. Missing 50–70 stops in 2024 could mean $2.5–6 million lost, and 10–20 stops in 2025 could cost $0.5–2.5 million. These numbers don’t include the revenue local merchants are losing, as they are the vendors selling those souvenirs in the marketplace, so the financial impact extends further than just Royal Caribbean.
The Big Picture
- 2024 Losses: Adding excursions and onboard spending, Royal likely lost $7.5–16 million in 2024. But other ports like CocoCay bring back about half of that money, so the real loss is around $2–5 million.
- 2025 Losses: For 2025, losses might be $1.5–5.5 million, with other ports cutting that to $0.5–2 million.
Across both years, Royal’s probably out $2.5–7 million. That’s a lot, but it’s tiny compared to their $13.9 billion in 2024 revenue—less than a drop in the bucket! But being only four months into the year, and future port calls still uncertain, these numbers could be much higher.
Royal also saves a bit by not paying for local staff or fuel to get to Labadee, but they still have costs like docking fees at new ports and ongoing lease payments to Haiti. They refund excursions, but that’s about it for guest payouts.
What This Means for You
I know missing Labadee stinks—it’s a one-of-a-kind stop. But here’s the reality: Royal Caribbean’s cruise contract gives them the right to change itineraries for safety reasons, so you won’t get extra compensation beyond excursion refunds. It’s not the news you want, but it’s how cruising works. The upside? Royal’s swapping in alternatives like Perfect Day at CocoCay, which has its own zip lines, water slides, and beach vibes. You’re still getting a fantastic day in the Caribbean.
If you’re planning a Royal Caribbean cruise, don’t let the Labadee news scare you off. Their focus on safety means you can relax and enjoy your trip.