Royal Caribbean Cancels Labadee Visits Through 2026: What It Means for Your Cruise

If you booked a Royal Caribbean cruise for 2026 and your itinerary used to say “Labadee, Haiti,” you might be staring at your booking right now like… “Wait, where did it go?”

You’re not imagining things. Royal Caribbean has extended its Labadee pause through the end of 2026, and that means a lot of cruises are getting a port swap (or an extra sea day). And yes, it’s normal to feel a tiny bit betrayed by your own vacation plans. Your cruise didn’t ask permission before it changed—classic.

But here’s the good news: most of these reroutes are totally workable, and some are honestly a sneaky upgrade if you know how to play it. The key is figuring out two things fast: whether your sailing is affected, and what your new port options actually look like in real life (not just on a map).

This guide walks you through how to check your booking, what ports you might get instead, and what to do next so you don’t miss refunds, lose excursion spots, or end up winging it at the pier like you’re trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the instructions.

The Headline Change in Plain English (What Royal Caribbean Just Did)

Royal Caribbean is skipping Labadee, Haiti for a long while. The cruise line says all Labadee visits are paused through December 2026. So if your 2026 cruise had Labadee on the schedule, it’s getting removed.

Why? Safety. Haiti has reportedly had serious violence and unrest, and Royal Caribbean says it’s making this call to keep guests safe. In other words: Labadee is staying on the bench.

The good news is your cruise usually isn’t “canceled.” It’s more like your itinerary is getting a remix. Instead of Labadee, ships are being sent to other Caribbean ports (and sometimes you’ll get an extra sea day instead). Common swaps include Grand Turk, Nassau, Falmouth, and Cozumel.

And no, this didn’t come out of nowhere. Royal Caribbean has already been pausing Labadee visits, and this update simply stretches that pause all the way to the end of 2026.

Is My Cruise Affected? How to Tell in 60 Seconds

Don’t guess. Don’t panic. And don’t trust that screenshot you saved six months ago (past-you meant well, but past-you is not in charge anymore).

I’ve watched people plan a whole port day off an old itinerary screenshot… and then realize the ship wasn’t even stopping there anymore. It’s a brutal way to learn, but it’s why I always check the app right before I book anything.

Instead, check what your booking shows right now in the Royal Caribbean app or on their website. That’s the latest plan. Screenshots from 2025 don’t count.

Step 1: Check your itinerary in the Royal Caribbean app (or website)

Go to Upcoming Cruises, tap your sailing, then open Itinerary.

Look for “Labadee, Haiti” in the port list.

• If Labadee is still there, you might not be changed yet.
• If Labadee is gone, you’ll usually see a new port listed instead (or sometimes an extra sea day).

Step 2: Search your email for the change notice

Cruise lines don’t always send love letters… but they do send itinerary emails.

Search your inbox for subject lines like:

• “Important update to your itinerary”
• “We’ve updated your ports of call”
• “Itinerary change notification”

Quick tip: Search “Labadee” + “itinerary” + your ship name. Yes, it hides in plain sight.

Step 3: Check your Cruise Planner purchases

This is a big clue. If you bought anything just for Labadee (like a shore excursion), you might see:

• The item marked canceled or refunded
• The item removed from your planner
• A separate email about refund timing

Step 4: If you used a travel agent, check with them too

Sometimes the agent sees the update first, and their system shows the new itinerary before your app does.

Step 5: What you’ll likely see instead

If your sailing was affected, the replacement ports that pop up a lot are Grand Turk, Nassau, Falmouth, and Cozumel. Or you might get a “surprise!” sea day.

If Labadee is gone from your itinerary, the next question is simple: what did you get instead? Let’s break down the most common replacement ports and how to make the swap feel like a win.

The Replacement Ports You’re Most Likely to Get (And What They’re Actually Like)

Port swaps feel personal. Like the cruise line reached into your calendar and said, “I made a few edits.” (Thanks, I hate it.) But most replacements can still be a great day if you pick one solid plan.

Grand Turk: the easy beach day

Grand Turk is the “no stress” option. You can get off the ship and be in beach-mode fast, with pretty water and a simple setup.

Best for: beach lovers, families, and anyone who wants a low-effort win.

Easy plan: do one main thing (beach time or snorkeling) and keep it simple. This is not the day to schedule five activities and a photoshoot. Your flip-flops deserve peace.

Nassau: fun, but you need a plan

Nassau can be great, but it’s better when you decide what you’re doing before you step off the ship. Otherwise you can waste a lot of time wandering around thinking, “So… now what?”

Best for: first-timers, resort/beach club days, and shoppers.

Easy plan: pick your Nassau personality:

• beach/resort day
• explore + eat
• stay onboard and enjoy a quieter ship

If you’re looking at Nassau as your replacement port and thinking “Okay… but what do I actually do?”, here’s an option for you: Royal Caribbean’s new beach club in Nassau (pricing + what you get).

Falmouth, Jamaica: best if you book an excursion

Falmouth is usually a “go do something” port. Jamaica is awesome, but many of the best experiences are outside the port area, which is why excursions tend to shine here.

Best for: adventure people, waterfall fans, and anyone who wants a big day.

Easy plan: book one memorable excursion, then come back to the ship and reward yourself with snacks.

Cozumel: the choose-your-own-adventure port

Cozumel works for almost everybody. You can do beach clubs, snorkeling, food, shopping, or an easy taxi-to-the-beach day.

Best for: repeat cruisers, beach club fans, and anyone who likes options.

Easy plan: pick one “anchor plan” (like a beach club) and build around it. Cozumel has a million choices, but your day still has the same number of hours.

What if you get a sea day instead?

Sometimes Labadee turns into an extra sea day. This can be a sneaky upgrade if you enjoy the ship.

Easy plan: reserve one show, one dinner, and one treat-yourself thing (spa, activity, whatever). Then take a nap like it’s your job.

One time I got a port swap and assumed it would be worse. It ended up being the day we still talk about — not because it was perfect, but because we picked one simple plan, stopped overthinking it, and actually enjoyed ourselves.

Are Rerouted Sailings a Better Deal Than Labadee? Here’s the quick test

Labadee is popular because it’s easy: step off, beach day, no big planning. When it’s replaced, the “value” depends on what you wanted most.

Ask yourself these three questions:

1) Do I want simple or do I want options?

If you wanted the easiest beach day, losing Labadee might feel like a downgrade.
If you like choices (beach club, snorkeling, food, shopping), ports like Cozumel can feel like an upgrade.

2) Am I okay paying a little extra off the ship?

Some replacement ports can mean extra costs like taxis, beach clubs, or entry fees. You can still keep it cheap, but you may have to plan a bit more. If you want a quick heads-up on what tends to sneak into the budget, here you go: hidden cruise costs people forget to budget for.

3) Have I been to the replacement port before?

If you’ve done Nassau five times and you’re bored, the swap might feel worse.
If the new port is new to you, it can feel like a bonus.

Bottom line: if Labadee was your “must-have” beach day, this change might sting. But if you enjoy trying new ports (or you’re excited about Cozumel/Grand Turk), the reroute can be just as good — sometimes better.

What to Do Right Now If Your 2026 Booking Changed

This is the quick cleanup so your vacation stays a vacation.

Step 1: Confirm the updated itinerary (and port times)

Check the Royal Caribbean app (or website) for the latest port list and times.

Step 2: Check Cruise Planner for canceled Labadee items

If you booked anything for Labadee through Royal Caribbean, look for items marked canceled.

Do this:

• note what was canceled
• watch your email for refund updates
• check your payment method over the next several days

Refunds can take a bit. Cruise refunds sometimes move at the speed of a sleepy sloth.

Step 3: If you booked a third-party excursion, contact them now

Ask:

• Is my excursion canceled because the port changed?
• What’s your refund policy?
• Do you offer an alternative for the new port?

Doing this early saves you from last-minute stress (and last-minute stress is not included in your cruise fare).

Step 4: Do the 1-minute port reset

For each new port, choose one day type:

• beach day
• excursion day
• wander + eat day
• stay-on-ship day

One day type per port. Simple plans = happier humans. Nobody needs a vacation spreadsheet.

Step 5: If you got an extra sea day, book the “big three”

Sea days can feel busy because everyone’s onboard. If you want popular stuff, book early:

• one show
• one dinner
• one “treat yourself” thing

Then stop planning and go be on vacation.

Should You Keep the Booking, Switch Sailings, or Cancel?

Here’s the simplest way to decide.

Keep your booking if:

• you still like the updated ports
• you mostly care about the ship (food, shows, relaxing)
• you don’t want the hassle of rebooking

Switch sailings if:

• Labadee was your main reason for booking
• the replacement port is a hard no for you
• you found another sailing you like more at a price you can live with

Tiny tip: check prices before you switch. Sometimes the “better itinerary” costs more now than when you booked.

Cancel if:

• you won’t enjoy the cruise with the new itinerary
• you’d rather take a different trip than force this one

No prize for staying booked if you’re going to be annoyed the whole time.

Quick FAQs (Because You Brain Has Questions and Your Inbox Won’t Answer Them)

Does this mean my cruise is canceled?

Usually, no. Most of the time your cruise still sails as planned — you just get a different port (or sometimes an extra sea day).

How will I know if my sailing changed?

Check the itinerary inside the Royal Caribbean app or on the Royal Caribbean website, and look for an itinerary update email.

Will Royal Caribbean refund my Labadee shore excursions?

If you booked Labadee excursions through Royal Caribbean and Labadee is removed, those items are usually canceled and refunded. The timing can vary, so keep an eye on your email and the card you used to pay.

What if I booked a third-party excursion for Labadee?

You’ll need to contact that company directly. Ask about refunds or alternatives based on your new port.

What ports are replacing Labadee on 2026 cruises?

It varies by sailing, but common swaps include Grand Turk, Nassau, Falmouth, and Cozumel. Some sailings may get an extra sea day instead.

Does this affect Celebrity cruises too?

It can. Celebrity is also part of Royal Caribbean Group, and Celebrity has paused Labadee visits as well. If you’re trying to understand how the two brands compare (and what that means for your cruise style), this helps: Royal Caribbean vs Celebrity Cruises (which is best?). Check your itinerary in the Celebrity app or website, because replacements can vary by ship and sailing.

Will this extend into 2027?

Right now, the pause is through December 2026. It could change again, so keep checking your itinerary as your sailing gets closer.

Do I get money back if I don’t like the replacement port?

Not automatically. Ports can change for safety and other reasons. If the new itinerary doesn’t work for you, your best options are usually switching sailings (if available) or canceling based on the fare rules you booked under.

Should I buy travel insurance because of this?

Insurance can be helpful, but it won’t always cover “I don’t like the new port.” If you’re considering it, read what the policy actually covers before you buy.

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