MIAMI — Royal Caribbean has no timeline for when it will resume visits to Labadee as ongoing violence and instability in Haiti continue to raise safety concerns.

According to RoyalCaribbeanBlog, Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean, addressed the future of the cruise line’s private destination in Haiti during a Q&A aboard Icon of the Seas, where he is currently hosting the line’s President’s Cruise.

Royal Caribbean suspended visits to Labadee in April 2025 and has since extended the suspension through June 2027, meaning ships are not currently scheduled to return until at least July 2027.

“We’ve been in Labadee for 30 years. We’ve been through periods before where we’ve had to leave Labadee until things sort themselves out. This time, it’s just been a lot longer, and it’s been a lot more violent and a lot more dangerous,” said Bayley. “We’re just waiting to see if that is going to sort itself out.”

Bayley said the company will not return until it is confident that conditions are safe.

“It’s a tragedy, really, in many ways – it just keeps on happening. So until we’re confident that everything’s safe, then we can’t go back there.”

He also pointed to the impact of the suspension on local residents who rely on Royal Caribbean’s visits for their livelihoods. The cruise line has continued to support employees in Labadee and pay them at a reduced rate despite the lack of ship visits.

“We built the school in Labadee. We put the water system into Labadee. Over the years, we’ve done a lot for the community and we are continuing to pay at a reduced rate as we go through this situation.”

NO TIMELINE FOR RETURN

Bayley said Royal Caribbean remains hopeful that the situation will eventually improve but could not provide a timeframe for a return.

“I think we’re all hopeful that at some point, these things always come to an end. So we’re just waiting for that time. Hopefully it’ll be soon,” he said.

The Canadian government’s travel advisory for Haiti is at Red level, advising Canadians to avoid all travel due to the threat posed by kidnappings, gang violence and the potential for civil unrest.

Lead image caption: Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas in Labadee, Haiti, Feb. 3, 2023