RCI-Royal Caribbean International has announced the resumption of its sailings to Labadee (Haiti), beginning in October 2024, following a suspension earlier in the year due to rising violence and instability.
The cruise line had removed Labadee from its itineraries in March 2024, citing safety concerns after incidents in the region.
However, with recent improvements in local conditions, including the return of airline services and enhanced peacekeeping efforts, RCI plans to restart operations at the destination. In a message to a guest, the cruise line expressed its anticipation for the return, noting that Labadee is one of their fan-favorite private destinations, and they are ready and excited to return in October 2024.
The Adventure of the Seas will be the first vessel to call at Labadee on October 8th, 2024, during a 6-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida). The itinerary includes stops at Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), Labadee, and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian destination. Other vessels, such as Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, will also begin visiting Labadee in October, with Grandeur of the Seas joining in November.
These ships will feature Labadee on their winter Caribbean itineraries.
RCI will be the first major cruise line to return to Haiti, while its sister brand, Celebrity Cruises, is expected to resume visits to Labadee in February 2025.