Royal Caribbean Extends Pause at Private Caribbean Resort Through 2026—Here’s What Cruisers Are Getting Instead

Royal Caribbean fans hoping to soak up one more beach day at Labadee will need to keep waiting.

The cruise giant has officially extended its pause on visits to Labadee, its private resort on the northern coast of Haiti, through the end of 2026. The move comes nearly two years after Royal Caribbean first halted stops there in early 2025 because of ongoing safety concerns in the country.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have extended our pause to Labadee through December 2026,” parent company Royal Caribbean Group confirmed to USA TODAY.

For cruisers, that means itineraries originally scheduled to call on Labadee will continue to be rerouted. Instead, ships are swapping in ports like Grand Turk in Turks & Caicos, Nassau in the Bahamas, Falmouth, Jamaica and Cozumel, Mexico. Some sailings are even opting for an extra day at sea.

Related: Royal Caribbean Quietly Adds ‘Hidden Gem’ Stop to Its Caribbean Sailings

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The decision isn’t happening in a vacuum. Haiti remains under a U.S. State Department Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory due to widespread violence, organized crime, kidnappings, and instability. Nonemergency U.S. personnel were ordered out in 2023, and the country has been under a state of emergency since March 2024.

Still, the extended pause stings for loyal cruisers. Labadee has long been a fan-favorite port thanks to its calm beaches, zip lines, private cabanas and the feeling of an all-inclusive beach day without ever leaving the cruise bubble. Scroll through cruise forums or comment sections, and you’ll find plenty of readers lamenting its loss—and crossing their fingers for a safe return someday.

Online, cruisers have responded with a mix of disappointment and understanding. Some commenters said they were heartbroken not just for travelers, but for the local workers who rely on Labadee for jobs, calling Haiti “stunningly beautiful.” Others acknowledged the safety concerns while still hoping the pause isn’t permanent, noting that Labadee has often been the highlight of their sailing.

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Celebrity Cruises, which is also owned by Royal Caribbean Group, made a similar call in October 2025, announcing it would skip Labadee throughout 2026 and adjusting multiple itineraries in the process.

But there’s a brighter horizon ahead. Royal Caribbean has officially opened its new Royal Beach Club in the Bahamas, offering cruisers another curated, private-style beach experience—and the company has announced more destination-focused projects on the way, such as Perfect Day Mexico in 2027.

So while Labadee remains off the map for now, Royal Caribbean is betting that new beach clubs and upgraded ports will help fill the gap. For cruisers, it’s a reminder that plans may change—but the promise of better beach days ahead is still very much afloat.

Related: Royal Caribbean Is Giving Three Fan-Favorite Ships a Top-to-Bottom Makeover in 2026

Sources:

• USA Today
• Reddit/RoyalCaribbean