00:00Royal Caribbean Cruises cancels visits to a private port in Haiti
00:04Royal Caribbean Cruises has just announced that it will no longer stop in Haiti's private port of Labadee the next two years.
00:11This sudden change comes as tensions and dangers rise in the region,
00:14and passengers with plans to visit are now being told those stops are off the schedule through April 2026.
00:21For many travelers, this news feels unexpected.
00:24Labadee, a highly promoted Royal Caribbean destination, has been known for its calm waters and secluded beaches.
00:31But now, it's off the map.
00:33The cruise line explained the decision in a statement, saying out of an abundance of caution.
00:38This follows an update from the U.S. Department of State, which reissued its Level 4 Do Not Travel Advisory for Haiti in mid-July.
00:46The advisory warns Americans to avoid the country altogether due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care access.
00:54Despite these cautionary measures, Royal Caribbean's website still lists Labadee in 41 itineraries, describing its natural beauty and lagoon-like bays.
01:04Yet this idyllic portrayal sharply contradicts the prevailing security risks.
01:09The cancellation coincides with heightened cruise demand, as AAA projects 19 million Americans will cruise this year.
01:16Cruise analyst Stuart Kyron, known in the industry as the Cruise Guy, said demand is surging in the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe.
01:24According to the forecast, about 72% of passengers will sail to the Caribbean in search of sunshine and scenic stops.
01:32That includes thousands of travelers who had been hoping to explore Labadee.
01:36Now, they'll need to look elsewhere.
01:37This story raises questions about how the cruise industry will respond to growing unrest in areas previously seen as safe.
01:46And for travelers planning upcoming trips, it may prompt a closer look at where ships are going, and what could change next.
01:53While Labadee once looked like a hidden getaway spot, Royal Caribbean's decision shows just how quickly paradise can turn into uncertainty.
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