Labadee Photo Tour and Commentary page 1

Its all about ships
and more

LABADEE

PHOTO TOUR AND
COMMENTARY

OVERVIEW
(Page 1)

       Labadee is a private resort destination developed and
operated by Royal Caribbean International as a port of call
for its cruise ships. While similar in concept to Royal
Caribbean's private island Coco Cay (see tour of 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, RCI 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, RCI landed millions
of dollars of relief supplies at Labadee for distribution
to the rest of the country.

     Access to Labadee is from a pier at the mouth of
Labadee Bay. Thus, unlike many cruise line resorts,
guests do not have to tender to get ashore at Labadee.
As a result, it is an easy matter for guests to go to and
from the ship during the course of the day.

     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.

      RCI also offers organized shore excursions at
Labadee. (See shore excursion offerings from one
cruise). These include snorkeling expeditions, cruises
along the Haitian coast and even trips to even more
secluded beaches.

     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.

BEACHES, SPORTS FACILITIES
AND ACTIVITIES IS NEXT

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE THE TOUR

The coast of Labadee varies from calm
sandy beaches to dramatic rocky shores.

In amongst the resort facilities are
romantic-looking ruins from a bygone
day.

Labadee is quite attractive and RCI
has constructed trails leading
through some of the wooded areas
with stops at some of the more
scenic overlooks.

Gatehouses lie at the end of the pier
(above).

Trams are available to take guests to
various locations within the resort (below)

The waters on the southern
shore of the Labadee
Peninsula are calm and
idyllic while powerful
waves break against the
northern shore.

The resort maintains a strong, visible
connection to the surrounding island and to
Caribbean culture in general. In the
Artisan's Village, guests can purchase
crafts and artwork from local vendors.
Similarly, local goods are available in the
Artisan's Market. Haitian dance is
showcased at the Village Amphitheater.
There is even a hair-braiding station.

Royal Caribbean has constructed a pier at Labadee and thus unlike most
private resort destinations, guests do not have to board the ship's tenders
to go ashore.