Royal Caribbean Stopped Visiting This Caribbean Destination Over Safety Fears

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While travel has been up worldwide, perhaps no other sector has benefited more than cruises. In 2024, a record 18.2 million Americans boarded boats for their vacation, and 2025 promises to deliver even bigger numbers for the industry. Put simply, Americans are in love with cruising — which is no wonder, as the boats have grown from simple luxury vessels into floating cities. Just take the MSC World Europa, which offers multi-level waterparks and a high-tech virtual balcony.

When it comes to cruise destinations, the Caribbean tops the list, specifically places like St. Lucia, the Bahamas, and the island of Barbados, where — in addition to world-class beaches —  you can visit unique attractions, like an underground adventure park with otherworldly views. Most passengers flock to the Caribbean to soak up the sun-splashed splendor of its turquoise waters, verdant islands, white sand beaches, and alluring variety of cultures. That said, traveling to the Caribbean also carries its own risks, as the region has a bad reputation for its crime and security concerns.

In fact, the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated to the point that Royal Caribbean — one of the biggest players in the cruise business — has stopped visiting Labadee, a private port on the country's scenic northern coast, altogether. This comes in the wake of the U.S. State Department moving Haiti to its "Do Not Travel" list, causing Royal Caribbean to axe Labadee from its current itineraries "out of an abundance of caution," a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson recently told Fox News.

The country of Haiti — which occupies the western half of the island of Hispaniola — has long been a hotspot of political instability, though things have reached a fever pitch in recent years. The Caribbean nation has been plagued with gang violence, kidnappings, murder, and civil unrest so severe that it's actually been under a State of Emergency since 2024. Beyond that, the country also has no functioning government at the moment, lacking both a president and parliament to help establish order.

Despite its challenges, Haiti is a place of immense natural beauty. However, because of the security situation, cruise ships don't dock there — with the exception of the port of Labadee, leased exclusively to Royal Caribbean. Situated 128 miles north of Port-au-Prince — the country's capital — Labadee is an idyllic day-use resort boasting crystalline waters and five stretches of picture-perfect beach. Only accessible to Royal Caribbean guests, it is fenced off from the rest of the country, with its own security force that includes cameras and armed perimeter guards.

Given the levels of security and isolation, combined with its remote location, Labadee has been insulated from the political and social unrest found elsewhere in the country. While there have been no reported incidents of resort guests falling victim to violent crime, things in Haiti have grown so desperate that Royal Caribbean has decided that, at least for the time being, stopping in Labadee just isn't worth the risk.

While Haiti #, security is a concern throughout the Caribbean. According to a study by InSight Crime, the tiny nation of Turks and Caicos registered the highest murder rate in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. Gun-related crimes are also rife in spots such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, all of which feature on cruise ship itineraries.

Considering that part of the excitement of taking a cruise is disembarking and spending the day exploring the port of call, tourists naturally want to venture beyond the ship. Nonetheless, this is precisely when travelers are most vulnerable. As such, there are a few precautions you might want to take. First, leave your valuables — including your passport — on the ship, and only carry one credit card and a limited amount of cash. There is also safety in numbers, so avoid wandering alone and never get into a cab that already has another passenger inside.

Beyond that, a great way to minimize your risk of getting pickpocketed is to wear a money belt, or carry an anti-theft bag. You may also want to bring along a "decoy wallet" that you can hand over in case you get robbed. Also, while it may be tempting to knock back a few drinks in a local bar, just know that being drunk makes you more of a target — so you may not want to order that third mojito. All in all, while cruises can be fun, they're not for everyone, especially considering the security risks at certain ports. Not only that, but there are also plenty of other unsettling reasons why you may want to avoid one, from underwhelming food options to limited onboard activities.