Popular cruises suspend island stop over escalating gang violence: What to know

As summer travel quickly approaches, cruise lines are steering clear of a Caribbean island due to safety concerns.

Royal Caribbean has made changes to its cruise itineraries by eliminating Labadee, a beautiful peninsula located on the northern coast of Haiti, which has always been a popular destination on Royal Caribbean’s Western Caribbean routes.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have temporarily paused our upcoming visits to Labadee,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Guests were directly notified by the cruise line about the modification in their travel plans, according to a spokesperson. Celebrity Cruises, a sister brand, had already taken out the stop from its itineraries in the past few weeks, as reported by the Miami Herald.

According to the U.S. travel advisory, the U.S. government has limited capabilities to assist American citizens in Haiti, mentioning that local authorities such as the police and first responders often lack the necessary resources to deal with emergencies or serious crimes effectively.

It remains unclear when or if Labadee will return as a regular port of call. While Royal Caribbean has emphasized the “temporary” nature of the suspension, no timeline of a return has been communicated.

A woman carrying a child runs after gunshots were heard in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

A woman carrying a child runs from the area after gunshots were heard in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 20, 2024. (CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images)

Gangs in Haiti killed at least 5,600 people last year, according to a new United Nations report. The report from the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights said an additional 3,700 were injured or abducted.

Just a year ago, the streets of the Caribbean nation were overtaken by violence. On March 4, 2024, Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport was taken over by armed gangs.

Following the gang takeover, Haitians and Americans were left trapped. Fox News Digital previously reported that, in 2024, gangs controlled 85% of Port-au-Prince and all the roads and highways in and out of the capital.

In early December 2024, at least 207 people were massacred in Port-au-Prince by the Wharf Jérémie gang. The victims, many of them elderly, were accused of using voodoo to harm the gang leader’s son. Their bodies were mutilated and burned and others were thrown into the sea.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Caitlin McFall and Azhar Fateh contributed to this report.

You May Also Like
Ivy League grad Bill Maher delivers unsettling truth bomb about Trump's war on Harvard

Bill Maher, a graduate from Ivy League, discusses alarming realities about Trump’s attacks on Harvard in a candid manner.

Bill Maher said he supports President Donald Trump’s campaign to punish Harvard…
Trump shares theory that Joe Biden DIED in 2020 and was replaced by a clone

Trump suggests idea that Joe Biden may have passed away in 2020 and been substituted with a clone

On Saturday night, President Donald Trump took to social media to share…
‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Swings Big With First Full Trailer Drop at Netflix’s Tudum 2025 Event

Netflix’s Tudum 2025 Event Unveils First Full Trailer for ‘Happy Gilmore 2’

Prepare to grab your nine iron because Happy Gilmore 2 is officially…
Chart-topping singer looks unrecognisable in childhood throwback... can you guess who it is?

Famous singer looks completely different in old childhood photo… Can you guess who it is?

A singer looked unrecognisable as she shared a throwback photo from her…
UK humanitarian aid to Gaza scrutinized after document allegedly warns of links to Hamas-controlled ministry

Review of UK humanitarian aid to Gaza questioned due to reported connections with ministry controlled by Hamas

A recently discovered document from the U.K. government has sparked new worries…
Mystery of 'Budweiser Girl' murder could finally be solved as lurking suspect emerges from the shadows

Possible break in unsolved case of ‘Budweiser Girl’ murder as suspect emerges

Jessica Richardson discovered her mother, Cheryl Williams Frady, lifeless in the basement…
Mel B dances the night away with her leopard-print clad Spice Girls bandmates Mel C and Emma Bunton at lavish 50th birthday party

“Mel B Celebrates 50th Birthday with Spice Girls Bandmates in Leopard-Print Attire”

At her extravagant 50th birthday celebration on Saturday, Mel B was seen…
Karen Read sells home and taps retirement fund to pay mounting legal bills in murder retrial

“Karen Read Sells Home and Dips into Retirement Fund to Cover Increasing Legal Costs for Murder Retrial”

As murder defendant Karen Read enters the midway point of her second…
Sydney Sweeney FINALLY addresses Jonathan Davino split weeks after break-up rumors

Sydney Sweeney speaks out about her split from Jonathan Davino after weeks of breakup speculation

Sydney Sweeney kept her answers short and sweet when asked about the…
R.I.P. Valerie Mahaffey: ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Young Sheldon’ Star Dead at 71

Valerie Mahaffey Passes Away at 71: ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Young Sheldon’ Actress Remembered

Valerie Mahaffey, a celebrated actress known for her unique roles in both…
Israel Defense Forces: 'We Eliminated the Head of Hamas, Again'

Israel’s Military: ‘We Have Eliminated Hamas Leader, Again’

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have effectively shortened the career prospects of…
Bridge explosions in Russia near Ukraine border escalate tensions ahead of peace talks

Explosions on bridge near Russia-Ukraine border raise tensions before peace talks

Responsibility for the explosion was not claimed or attributed by the agency,…