Why Are Cruises Still Calling in a Haitian Port Amid Level 4 Advisory?

12.03.2024 - 19:37 / travelpulse.com / Royal Caribbean International / Laurie Baratti / Celebrity Cruises / Bruce Parkinson

In recent days, escalated strife in Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince has garnered attention from around the world. Given the rampant gang violence and a mass prison break on March 3, the U.S. State Department reiterated its Level 4 Travel Advisory (“Do Not Travel”), while the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a security alert advising all U.S. citizens to depart the country as soon as they could.

Yet, amid this backdrop of turmoil in the capital city, some cruise ships continue to make port calls at a private resort destination with stringent security measures and controlled access. This day-use property in Labadee, privately owned by Royal Caribbean, is situated on a secluded peninsula located approximately 130 miles (about a 6-hour drive) north of Port-au-Prince.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told CNN Travel that the company is carefully monitoring all activity in the area. However, Labadee is available exclusively to Royal Caribbean’s guests and employees. Travelers arrive by ship, disembark directly onto the resort property and are required to remain within the private destination during their entire time ashore. All shore excursions are also held within the private resort area, so none have been canceled. 

“The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. Our global security teams are closely monitoring the situation in the area. At all times, we remind guests to remain aware of their surroundings while ashore and follow all State Department guidelines. Should any changes be required, guests will be notified directly,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement.

Scheduled calls into Labadee in the coming weeks include several prominent Royal Caribbean ships, such as Independence of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Group, also features Labadee as a port of call for several of its vessels later in the year, including Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Ascent. 

Still, given the elevated levels of concern about traveling to the troubled Caribbean country—whose government declared a state of national emergency after the escape of thousands of prison inmates earlier this month—should cruise passengers be concerned about setting foot on Haitian soil (or, sand, rather)?

Guests enjoy the ocean during Wonder of the Seas' first visit to Labadee, Haiti. (Photo Credit: Bruce Parkinson)

Cruise Critic’s Editor-in-Chief, Colleen McDaniel, referred to Labadee as, “Royal Caribbean’s insulated private destination.” She emphasized, “As a cruise line private destination, Labadee is only accessible to cruise ship guests, and the experience is completely owned and run by the cruise