Royal Caribbean Suspends All Visits to Labadee, Haiti

Table Of Content

• BEST DEALS TO LABADEE, HAITI
• Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.
• Carnival Cruise Passengers Try to Sneak Portable Washing Machine onto Ship
• Cruise Ship Collides With Dock at Turkish Port
• Labadee, a Hidden Gem in Haiti: Discover Royal Caribbean’s Exclusive Paradise
• Turks and Caicos Cruises: Everything You Need to Know

In 2009, RCI upgraded the facilities at a cost of $55 million which included building a deep-water dock for visiting cruise ships. The private destination is a 260-acre resort located on Haiti’s northern peninsula. The area is only accessible by Royal Caribbean Group’s employees and guests of the cruise line’s ships. Labadee is heavily guarded and located in a remote area, essentially isolating the destination from the rest of the country. Any amount remaining at the end of the sailing will be returned to the card on file within 14 business days from debarkation.

BEST DEALS TO LABADEE, HAITI

Weather permitting, you will have the choice of a traditional zip line ride down, or a head first Furious Flyer zipline. I generally do not think water shoes are necessary at beaches in the Caribbean, but Labadee's beaches can be tough. You can swim up to the floating bar and climb aboard for a seat anywhere around circular bar. Keep in mind that the island's drink selection may be more limited than on the ship, but they usually have a good assortment of favorites.

Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.

The country is currently in a state of turmoil amid the resignation of prime minister Ariel Henry and a surge in gang violence. All guests booked for the original Labadee visits will receive automatic cancellations and refunds of any pre-paid activities to their onboard accounts. For those looking to cool off, Adrenaline Beach features a swim-up bar that floats just off the shore in the Caribbean.

Carnival Cruise Passengers Try to Sneak Portable Washing Machine onto Ship

Royal Caribbean International Cancels More Calls at Labadee - Cruise Industry News

Royal Caribbean International Cancels More Calls at Labadee.

Posted: Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Then get ready to dip, wind and weave your way from Santa Maria’s lookout mountain to the beach below. Embark on a leisurely walking tour of Labadee to uncover the cultural and historical aspects of this peninsula. Explore local marketplaces, engage with artisans and gain insights into the traditions of the Haitian people. This tour is suitable for adults and families, offering a glimpse into the authentic charm of Labadee. It is located on the south side of the island and is a relatively smaller beach, compared to Adrenaline Beach and is more of a cove in shape.

Cruise Ship Collides With Dock at Turkish Port

The ultimate rush on the island is the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest zip line over water. If you want to reserve a cabana at Barefoot Beach, contact your suite concierge. Your best bet is to email your suite concierge in the days before your cruise departs after you receive the welcome email from him/her. If you have a Grand Suite or better while on your ship, you absolutely want to plan your day around spending time at the suites-only area known as Barefoot Beach.

Labadee, a Hidden Gem in Haiti: Discover Royal Caribbean’s Exclusive Paradise

There's no wrong way to beach day on private island vacations to Labadee, Haiti. The floating bar is located underneath the zip line, which should provide for some fun views as guests enjoy a beverage at the bar. For a romantic escape or to enjoy some quality time with family and friends, rent a private beach bungalow or luxury cabana for the day. Prices range from $263 for a beach bungalow for 8 guests up to an over-the-water cabana at Nellie’s Beach for $579. From beach days in The Bahamas to endless thrills and new ways to chill at our game-changing private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay – max out every moment with a short getaway to bragworthy destinations. Royal Caribbean’s private destination is located 130 miles from the capital Port-au-Prince, which has been overtaken by gang violence in recent weeks.

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Some of these excursions include beach scapes, visits to nearby Haitian villages, zip-lining, snorkeling cruises, sport fishing, yacht sailing, aqua waterpark, kayaking, jet skiing, and more. Royal Caribbean has daybeds available for renting, along with a number of amenities for guests to utilize during their visit. Royal Caribbean International has begun reaching out to guests booked on sailings with visits to its private destination of Labadee, Haiti to notify them that the port will no longer be visited at this time. This follows a recent prison break during which approximately 4,000 inmates escaped from two prison facilities. Here, situated on a peninsula on the northern coast of Haiti, visitors can zip line, kayak, snorkel, or simply lounge on one of the peninsula’s white sandy beaches. The resort also features several shops, restaurants, and bars, making it an all-inclusive destination.

Grab a seat on the pub's stone terrace and take in the island's rocky, windswept coast while enjoying some snacks and your favorite libations. This area is so pretty, it's sometimes used for spa treatments and even weddings. At Arawak Aqua Park, located in Columbus Cove, you can bounce across giant floaties shaped like icebergs before splashing back into the bay's calm, clear waters.

Turks and Caicos Cruises: Everything You Need to Know

Labadee vacation packages feel exclusive and luxurious, but you won't break your budget. Once you've spent a day here, you'll see why it's considered a top-rated port among cruise guests. Nellie's Beach next door also boasts kayak rentals and floating mats, as well as a rich and colorful history. The beach itself is named for an Englishwoman who, according to legend, arrived on its shores during the years the area was frequented by buccaneers.

The siege forced the prime minister of Haiti to step down and was followed by a deadly rampage that left dozens of people dead, as well as a prison break, where 4,000 inmates escaped. Royal Caribbean extends its suspension of all sailings to Labadee through May 2024, following initial cancellations that began in mid-March. This is a known practice on Labadee, and it is perfectly fine to decline their offers if you are not interested. Take a walk back in time and visit some of Haiti’s most historic spots such as Citadelle Laferriere and Nellie’s Place. Whether you're in the mood for thrilling adventures, serene relaxation or a romantic escape, Labadee has curated excursions that cater to every preference.

In most cases, ships are being re-routed to Grand Turk in the Turks & Caicos Islands. Some ships have gone to Grand Turk; Perfect Day at CocoCay; or Falmouth, Jamaica. Prioritizing the safety of its guests and crew members is why Royal Caribbean made the decision, as it does in any part of the world which faces geopolitical issues. 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. Get tropical views and bragworthy photos at Columbus Cove, a lagoon-like bay tucked away from all the action.

It has a dry season with almost no rainfall between December and March, which is the main cruise season in the Caribbean. The island of Hispaniola was originally inhabited by indigenous Taino people before being “discovered” by Christoper Columbus on his first Voyage of Discovery in 1492. Royal Caribbean has a huge fence that protects Labadee from the rest of the country. However, many of the employees that work in Labadee are local citizens that live in remote villages near the port area. More than 53,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince and food shortages are taking place across the island, according to reports. As an example, the Adventure of the Seas September 21st sailing has had her visit to Labadee replaced with a visit to Grand Turk.

In between soaking up the sun and chasing thrills, you’ll want to take a break to refuel. 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 visit the Floating Bar at Adrenaline Beach to sip on a signature Labadoozie frozen cocktail – your cruise to Labadee isn’t complete without one. While the cruise line’s operations have historically not been impacted by the trouble, the escalation of gang violence has caused Royal Caribbean to pull the plug. Major violence in Haiti erupted on February 29 when the nation’s prime minister flew to Kenya to push for a deployment of police force to help fight the country’s gangs. In an act of protest, the gangs of Haiti have joined forces to fight against the government.

There are many Haitians who work at the cruise port and some sell locally made products. You can’t use your cruise card for buying crafts and goods at these market places so have some cash on hand. While this is a pricey excursion (coming in around $89), it is Labadee’s “claim to fame,” and, for adrenaline lovers, is well worth the cost. If you like thrills, be sure to also check out Dragon’s Tail roller coaster (this alpine coaster is a bit cheaper at $22 for one rider with a second rider free).