Why Royal Caribbean Has Stopped Visiting Two Caribbean Ports This Year

Section 1: The Major Announcement—Which Two Ports are Affected?

For those asking why royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, the answer lies in the evolving security situation in the Greater Antilles. The two primary destinations removed from the 2026 schedule are Labadee, Haiti, and (in several major route modifications) Falmouth, Jamaica.

The Labadee, Haiti 2026 Total Suspension

The most impactful change is that royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, specifically Labadee, through December 2026. Labadee is a private, leased destination on Haiti’s northern coast. Despite being a walled-off sanctuary, the rising unrest in the country has forced the cruise line’s hand. When royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, Labadee is always the first to be discussed because it is an exclusive Royal Caribbean property.

The Falmouth, Jamaica Itinerary Pivot

While not a total brand-wide ban like Labadee, royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports in a way that has significantly reduced the presence in Falmouth. Many 7-night and 8-night Eastern and Western Caribbean routes have swapped Falmouth for ports like Nassau or Grand Turk. This shift confirms that royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports with the frequency once seen in the 2020-2024 era.

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Section 2: Why Royal Caribbean Has Stopped Visiting Two Caribbean Ports—The Real Reasons

The decision-making process behind why royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports is rooted in three primary factors: safety, infrastructure, and strategic “Perfect Day” expansion.

1. Security and Geopolitical Volatility

The primary reason royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports in Haiti is the U.S. State Department’s Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory. In 2026, the civil unrest in Port-au-Prince has expanded toward the northern regions. Even though Labadee has its own private security, the risk of regional instability makes it impossible for the cruise line to guarantee 100% safety. This is the core reason royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports this year.

2. The “Perfect Day” Strategy

As royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, they have shifted their resources toward their own success stories. The expansion of Perfect Day at CocoCay and the upcoming Royal Beach Club in Nassau (opening 2026) provide a controlled environment that is safer and more profitable. When royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, they often replace the stop with a visit to their own high-tech private islands.

3. Safe Speed Restrictions and Logistics

In some cases, royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports simply due to fuel efficiency and speed restrictions. In early 2026, ships like Symphony of the Seas adjusted their departure times from Nassau to maintain “smooth sailing” while skipping other distant ports.

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Section 3: Replacement Destinations—Where You’ll Go Instead

If your itinerary was affected because royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, you aren’t necessarily losing a day of vacation. Here are the 2026 replacement winners:

• Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos: The #1 replacement for Labadee in 2026.
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: A frequent swap for both Labadee and Falmouth.
• Nassau, Bahamas: Now featuring the expanded Royal Beach Club.
• Bimini, Bahamas: A boutique alternative for ships displaced by royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports.
• Sea Days: On certain short-haul routes, royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports results in an extra day of onboard “Chill and Thrill” activities.

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Section 4: 10 Essential FAQs—Royal Caribbean Has Stopped Visiting Two Caribbean Ports

1. Will Royal Caribbean return to Labadee in 2027? While royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports through late 2026, the company continues to monitor the situation. A return in 2027 is possible but depends entirely on the stabilization of the Haitian government.

2. Is Falmouth, Jamaica, permanently closed to Royal Caribbean? No. While royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports on many specific itineraries, some ships still call there. However, there has been a significant reduction in visits for the 2026 season.

3. Do I get a refund if my cruise stops at a replacement port? No. Per the Cruise Ticket Contract, when royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, they are only required to refund port taxes and shore excursions.

4. How will I know if my ship is affected? Royal Caribbean sends automated emails to all booked guests and travel agents when royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports on a specific sailing.

5. Which ships are most affected by the 2026 port changes? Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas have seen the most changes because royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports.

6. Can I cancel my cruise for a refund because of these changes? Generally, no. Royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports is considered a minor itinerary change, which does not trigger a full refund under the standard cancellation policy.

7. Is Perfect Day at CocoCay at risk of closing? No. In fact, since royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, CocoCay has become even more central to the 2026 strategy.

8. What happens to my pre-paid excursions? If royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, any excursions booked through the cruise line are automatically refunded to your original form of payment.

9. Is the new Royal Beach Club in Nassau ready? Yes! The 2026 opening of the Royal Beach Club is a direct response to the fact that royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports elsewhere.

10. Is it safer to book a Western or Eastern Caribbean cruise in 2026? Both are safe, but since royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, the Eastern routes are currently more stable in their scheduling.

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Section 5: “Grey Hat” Hacks for Dealing with Port Cancellations

When you find out royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, don’t just accept the extra sea day. Use these strategies:

The “Service Recovery” Call

If your itinerary is significantly altered because royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports, call the resolutions department. While not guaranteed, passengers often receive $50–$100 in Onboard Credit (OBC) as a “goodwill gesture” for the inconvenience.

The “Swap-and-Save” Maneuver

If royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports on your sailing and the new itinerary is less appealing, check if other ships in the fleet have a “Lift and Shift” promotion available. Sometimes you can move your booking to a different ship that hasn’t been affected by the news that royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports.

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Section 6: Conclusion—The Future of Caribbean Cruising

The news that royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports is a reminder of how quickly the travel world can change. While the loss of Labadee and the reduction in Falmouth visits are disappointing for some, the pivot toward safer, more modern destinations like Grand Turk and the new Royal Beach Club ensures that the quality of your vacation remains high. In 2026, a royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports announcement isn’t the end of your holiday—it’s just a change in the map.

Stay informed, stay flexible, and keep your eyes on the horizon. The 2026 season is still set to be the biggest in history, even if royal caribbean has stopped visiting two caribbean ports.