Tag Archives: labadee

The Ultimate In A Private Destination

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The Ultimate In A Private Destination

PHOTO: Zip-lining is just one of the great things to do in Labadee. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)

Ensconced on Haiti’s northern coast is Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s beach resort, where passengers can experience the ultimate in a private destination life.

Regardless of whether you are in search of rest and relaxation or a thrill-a-minute vacation experience, Labadee has it all thanks to its location nestled between forest-covered mountains and a tranquil bay.

Ride the Dragon. Take an exhilarating ride down the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest over-water zip-line, which sends you soaring 500 feet over Labadee’s beaches. Can’t get enough thrills? Head over to the 300-foot long Dragon’s Splash Waterslide, which sends daredevils through 10 twists and turns before splashing down in Columbus Cove. Still want more? Then climb aboard the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, which will send you rushing at speeds up to 30 miles per hour over some of the best beaches Labadee has to offer.

Be a beach bum. This private bit of paradise has four main beaches. If you wish to enjoy a more upscale experience, head for Nellie’s Beach. There, you can relax under the shade of a luxury rental cabana or on one of two floating beach mats included in the price of your rental. Also included is a buffet lunch at the Columbus Cove Cafe, Dragon’s Cafe or Cafe Labadee; a water cooler with six bottles of water; beach towels; and the service of a cabana attendant. If you’re looking to keep it low-key, fear not, there are plenty of other beaches where you can flop down in the sand and enjoy the warm sun to your heart’s content. There is also an array of open-air restaurants, offering everything from casual dining options such as burgers and barbecue to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Ride the waves. There are lots of ways to hit the water on Labadee. For starters, take a kayaking tour of the Bay of Labadee while also learning a bit about Haiti and its history and culture. Want something zippier? Then the Wave Jet personal watercraft might be just what the doctor ordered. Trained instructors will teach you everything you need to know before setting off on this unique tour. Other options include a parasail ride high above the peninsula or for something a little tamer, a visit to the Arawak Aqua Park, where adults and children alike can bounce, splash and float their way through the day.

Shop till you drop. You’ll love this inviting beach resort so much that you’ll want to take a little something home with you to remind you of your trip so remember to bring along some extra cash. Visitors can shop for pieces made by local artists, as well as locally-made crafts and other mementos.

Cuban protesters picket Carnival headquarters

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A group of about 30 to 40 protesters marched outside Carnival Corp. headquarters in the Doral section of Miami, concerned about next month’s groundbreaking Fathom voyage to Cuba.

The protesters held placards accusing Carnival of “apartheid” because Cuban-born U.S. residents and citizens aren’t permitted on the Fathom trip to Cuba.

The protest was organized by the Movimiento Democracia, headed by Ramon Saul Sanchez, a long-time anti-Castro activist.

Cuban regulations stipulate that anyone born in Cuba cannot reenter the country by ship. Carnival released a statement saying it was sympathetic to the protest but that “we must comply with the visa, entry and exit policies of each country.”

Carnival said it is requesting that the Cuban policy be changed. “There has been a policy change with air travel to Cuba, so we are hopeful that a similar change can also happen with travel by sea,” the statement said.

In addition to picketing Carnival, the Sanchez group plans a flotilla of small boats in Biscayne Bay on May 1 when the first Fathom cruise to Cuba is scheduled to depart. In a website posting, Sanchez said he planned a meeting with the Coast Guard to discuss the idea.

In January, a flotilla of small protest boats at Labadee, Haiti, led Royal Caribbean International to cancel several calls at its private beach destination there.

Royal Caribbean cancels another cruise ship stop in Labadee due to local protests

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Royal Caribbean has decided to cancel today’s scheduled stop for one of its cruise ships at the cruise line’s private destination of Labadee in Haiti due to ongoing protests.

Photo by Michael C.

Navigator of the Seas was scheduled to stop at Labadee on Thursday, January 21, 2016, but Royal Caribbean canceled the port call and withdrew all employees from the site.

This is the second cruise ship to skip a stop in Labadee, after protests prevented Freedom of the Seas from allowing its guests to go ashore earlier this week.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean commented further on the situation, “Royal Caribbean has not received any guarantees or assurances that there will not be any protests in the future. If a protest takes place while a ship is port, there would be a significant impact on our guests’ ability to enjoy Labadee, or we may have to cancel the visit completely.”

In regards to upcoming stops in Labadee, Royal Caribbean noted, “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and are in close communication with local and government officials in Haiti. At this time, we have not made any decisions regarding any additional upcoming port calls to Labadee. The next schedule call is Vision of the Seas, on Sunday, January 24.”