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Labadee is a 260-acre private resort that was leased to Royal Caribbean Cruises in 1986. In 2009, RCI upgraded the facilities at a cost of $55 million which included building a deep-water dock for visiting cruise ships. It has four beautiful white sandy beaches and the warm Caribbean waters are perfect for swimming and a host of watersports. Labadee also has some adrenalin rides including an alpine roller coaster and one of the longest zip-lines over water anywhere in the world. Labadee is an exclusive (privately-owned) Caribbean island port and resort destination located on Haiti's northern coast.
Relax in a Cabana, Beach Bed, Beach Bungalow, or Beach Loungers
Before the activity itself, participants need to fill out the waivers and watch a safety video before receiving safety equipment. If you are sure that you want to do an activity, I suggest you pre-book it before your cruise as the prices are normally lower. It is also advisable to pre-book it as many activities are quickly sold out due to limited space. Nellie’s beach boasts warm water and you’ll easily identify it by the overwater and waterfront cabanas scattered around. Nellie’s Beach has a lot of shaded areas and gets crowded fast, so go there earlier to choose your preferred spot.
Carnival Cracks Down on High Stakes Activity on Pool Deck
You can also snorkel in some parts, but make sure you bring your snorkel gear because you cannot rent it on the island. If you decide to spend a beach day, you can upgrade to one of the beach beds and cabanas for an ultimate stay in Labadee (Haiti). The ride normally lasts around 2 minutes (the longest 2 minutes in my life) and is absolutely spectacular!
Labadee Haiti cruise terminal
Get tropical views and bragworthy photos at Columbus Cove, a lagoon-like bay tucked away from all the action. Dip your toes into the turquoise water as soon as you get off the ship at Dragon’s Beach.
They may try to charge you for picking up a shell from the flats and up to $6 to take a picture of their donkey. You do not have to pay, but out of respect, do not take the picture. Modest dress when exploring Haiti's cities is advised, especially for women.
Cabana Rentals
When it was constructed, it was the longest over-water zipline in the world. It stretches across the shoreline for 2,600 feet (almost half a mile!). Cruisers are required to stay within the secure fenced resort area so there are no land excursions around the island. The resort also has several dedicated smoking zones in an otherwise smoke-free environment. Labadee is 32 miles west of the border with Dominican Republic and 134 miles south of Grand Turk, the nearest island. It is 567 miles from Miami, the main departure point for Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
This single port contributes the largest amount of tourist revenue to Haiti, employing 300 local people and allowing others to sell their merchandise and services to cruise visitors in the flea market. Curiously, on Labadee there is a crew-only beach (located south of Columbus Cove Beach). Named "Belly Beach", it can be accessed only by boat (leaving from the jet-ski landing) and is exclusive to cruise ship crew members. Belly Beach is private (not owned by Royal Caribbean) so food and beverages there cost extra and are provided from an a la carte-priced menu at an open-air restaurant.
The 2-person coaster cars wind along the hillside above the beach and drivers can slow down or control the speed of the cars with a brake pedal for the perfect ride. Best time ride and to avoid the lines is as soon as you reach the resort. Those who enjoy thrilling Alpine coaster rides can spend the whole day riding the Dragon’s Tail roller coaster with an all-day pass. Labadee is a haven for all types of watersports including kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing over the bay, paddleboarding or just relax on a floating mat. There’s also a covered Artisan’s Market with excellent shopping opportunities at 70 different booths.
Is Royal Caribbean still going to Labadee, Haiti? - Royal Caribbean Blog
Is Royal Caribbean still going to Labadee, Haiti?.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:02:17 GMT [source]
Labadee is the Royal Caribbean’s private resort destination located on the northern coast of Haiti, within the arrondissement of Cap-Haïtien. The resort lies on a Haitian peninsula that is leased to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., for the exclusive use of passengers of Royal Caribbean International. Labadee, Haiti is privately owned and the only way to visit is by booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Azamara cruise ships that include Labadee in their itinerary. In 2019, 160 cruise ships spent a day at Labadee with 720,000 passengers (and crew) enjoying the resort facilities. Furious Flyer Zipline (shore excursion, booking code ZLE8) has as requirements minimum weight 34 kg, minimum height 1,2 m (tall) and max weight 125 kg (no minimum age). This hrilling sky-high adventure offers tandem zip-lining along 850 m (2800 ft) long zipline above Labadee's forested mountains and tropical seascapes.
Labadee is a regularly visited port of call on Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries during the Fall-Winter season. Most cruises calling at Labadee depart from Miami or Orlando, visiting one or two other ports like CocoCay, Nassau, Key West, Falmouth, or Grand Cayman. Some 8-night cruises will call at ports like San Juan, St Maarten, and Antigua. In 2019, there were over 160 cruise ship calls at Labadee, with 720,000 passengers visiting the resort. It is the remotest beach in Labadee, and it takes a minute walk to reach it on foot.
All are very similar except for the Floating Bar on Adrenaline beach. Barefoot Beach is for the exclusive use of passengers cruising on the Grand Suites of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Please note that I am not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International and that this article is simply my review of Labadee as I visited it many times. The waterslide is available at Columbus Cove and is mainly designed for kids (it’s not really for adults). Bring your GoPro with a strap as there is no professional photographer taking pictures of you. You cannot bring anything on your zipline except for sunglasses, a phone (at your own risk – make sure you keep it secured), and closed-toe shoes.
Haitian tap-taps are modified trucks or vans and are ubiquitous throughout Haiti. A raised wooden canopy-like cabin usually sits over the truck bed while wood benches are attached to the bed and serve as seats. There is also a crowded border crossing between Dominican Republic and Haiti in Dajabón/Ouanaminthe. Haiti was inhabited by the native Taino Indians when Christopher Columbus landed on December 5, 1492 at Mole St Nicolas; see Voyages of Columbus. The Taino were a branch of the Arawak Indians, a peaceful tribe that was weakened by frequent violent invasions by the supposedly cannibalistic Carib Indians.
That’s where Dragon’s Café, Labadee Café, and Columbus Café come in, serving up a lunch buffet packed with delicious bites, all complimentary. And be sure to stop by the Floating Bar at Adrenaline Beach to sip on a signature Labadoozie frozen cocktail — your cruise to Labadee isn’t complete without one. Carry a few photos of the area where you live, your workplace, or your family to share with friends you make. These are the things that transform you from just another tourist into a real person.
You should also be aware drinks served in souvenir cups and/or fruits (i.e. pineapples) are not included with the drink package, although you can get a discount on them. In addition, there is an artisan market you can browse, along with crafts available to purchase at different spots. The Haitians working there cannot take your SeaPass card, so bring a few dollars with you rather than having to trek back to the ship to get some later. Just like any port you visit, you will need your SeaPass card to disembark and for use on the island. Nellie's Beach is a quieter cove which can get busy as the day goes on, but also offers cabanas to rent. Cabana rentals go very fast, and they almost always sell out months or weeks before a cruise.
There is now an oral cholera vaccine which also gives partial immunity to various causes of travellers' diarrhea; that may be a good idea for Haiti, although cholera does not typically affect tourists. The US government Center for Disease Control (CDC) has a page with advice for travellers to Haiti. Clairin is the local firewater made from sugarcane that can be bought on the street, often flavored with various herbs that can be seen stuffed into the bottle. Prestige is the national beer, and is of good quality and excellent taste.
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