|
CRUISING TO THE CARIBBEAN:
LABADEE Overview |
|
|
Labadee is a private resort destination developed and
operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. The resort is used as a port of call by the cruise ships of its subsidiary cruise lines, especially Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. While similar in concept to Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Coco Cay (see our section on Coco Cay), the two destinations have distinct characters as well as different facilities. One difference between the two destinations is that Labadee is not an island. Rather, it is a peninsula on the northern coast of the island of Hispaniola. The peninsula has great natural beauty, which Royal Caribbean has enhanced to create a tropical paradise. Labadee is in the country of Haiti. The resort area is separated from the rest of that troubled country by fences and security teams. However, Royal contributes significantly to the Haitian economy by bringing in tourist dollars and by employing some 300 local residents at the resort and by having some 200 vendors offer their crafts within the resort. In addition, following the earthquake of 2010, Royal landed millions of dollars of relief supplies at Labadee for distribution to the rest of the country. Royal Caribbean has deployed a wide range of facilities to the resort. This includes a dramatic zip line that whips riders off one of the surrounding hills across the sea to a rocky point some 2,800 feet away. There is also a coaster ride that cuts through the tropical flora and by rock formations as well as the more typical resort amenities such as parasailing, jet skis and kayaks. However, one does not have to indulge in any of these pursuits to enjoy Labadee. There are trails around the resort that showcase the varied and attractive scenery. The beaches are also varied ranging from calm and secluded to popular and dramatic. There are bars and there are places to have something to eat. One can use the beaches, lie in the deck chairs and enjoy a barbecue lunch for free. There are charges for some of the equipment, activities and services on the island. All such charges, with the exception of charges for hair braiding and items purchased from the local vendors (cash only – U.S. Dollars), are charged to the guest’s shipboard account. Labadee offers guests a wide range of choices. Indeed, with the ease of access to and from the ship, guests can easily spend part of the day at the resort and part using the ship's facilities. In addition, the variety in Labadee's attractive scenery makes it likely that one will find something to please. |
The coast of Labadee varies from calm
sandy beaches to dramatic rocky shores. 
The waters on the southern shore of the Labadee
Peninsula are calm and idyllic while powerful waves break against the northern shore. |
|
|
|
|
Much of the interior of the Labadee peninsular is covered by trees. Royal has constructed trails leading through some of the wooded areas with stops at some of the more scenic overlooks.
In amongst the resort facilities are romantic-looking ruins from a bygone day. |
|
|
|
|
|
Cruise destination - Labadee - Labadee Overview