labadee historic walking tour reviews

• Royal Caribbean International

labadee historical walking tour??

By luv2travel29 , January 22, 2009 in Royal Caribbean International

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luv2travel29

i did post this on the ports of call board, but no replies.... has anyone done the historical walking tour in labadee??? just wondering if i should do this while DH and DS do waverunners... thanks guys

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You can walk all around Labadee on your own--I certainly wouldn't PAY to do that! (I wasn't aware that Labadee HAD a "history" prior to RCI leasing it!)

I agree with CB, just walk around on your own. No need to pay for a tour of Labadee.

Cruisin Around

My family did the walking tour of Labadee and the tour guide, a native of Haiti, did such a wonderful job. His name was Lamy. You may not get him because it was a few years ago, but we learned so much more than we would have just by walking around ourselves. It was a nominal fee compared to other excursions and I would greatly recommend it. If you have any curiosity or interest in history and other cultures, it's well worth the money.

We too had Lamy this past March, it was a very nice stroll around RCI's portion of the island with a lot of history and information about Haiti. We enjoyed it.

Do you get to see the starving kids ?

Hello,   My family did the walking tour of Labadee and the tour guide, a native of Haiti, did such a wonderful job. His name was Lamy. You may not get him because it was a few years ago, but we learned so much more than we would have just by walking around ourselves. It was a nominal fee compared to other excursions and I would greatly recommend it. If you have any curiosity or interest in history and other cultures, it's well worth the money.   Thanks! Gina

I definitely agree! We did the walking tour of Labadee last summer....an excellent historical perspective, as well as insights into their current conditions.

We sat and talked to some RCCL employees who worked and lived at Labadee and got plenty of info and history (and inside information!)

thanks for the info... it is a pretty cheap excursion, seems interesting.... i might try it!! :)

Jill - thanks for posting the question! Obviously (from some of the replies) this is not for everyone but it sounds very interesting to me. I discussed it with DH last night and we have now booked it for our upcoming Indy cruise. It never would have occurred to me had I not read your post here.

Also thanks to those who replied with their personal experiences.

I'm so happy to hear that Lamy is still giving out great information!

aprille: it does sound pretty interesting... i think i will book it too....:D

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Labadee traditions tour - Labadie

• Caribbean    
• Haiti    
• Haiti - Things to Do    

Labadee traditions tour

Excellent. Tour guide Antonio was wonderful. Informative. Historian. Dancer. Fire eater. Friendly. Great value. Beautiful

Always a great day at labadee lots of shade on the beach nice clean beach love the island bbq and great bar service. Try the labadoozee the drink of the island. There is a straw market and some musicians and dancers performing while you chill on the beach

First stop on our Royal Caribbean cruise on Adventure of the Seas. Very excited as this was our 1st ever cruise, and have been thrilled and amazed throughout. The resort is owned by RC cruise line so only their ships can visit here, lovely beach and lots to do during the short stay ranging from shopping, through snorkelling, kayaking, roller coaster, amazing zip wire lines over the bay and more. Beach barbecue with food and drinks from the ship, so food is free and if you have a drinks package the drinks are also. Brilliant day.

This was the last stop of our cruise and boy did it disappoint. Everything is charged, including $27 for a single "rodelbahn" ride and $120 for a single zip-line ride (!). The facilities are outdated and in need of paint, the food very much below the standard on the ship. This is a great opportunity to stay onboard the ship during a port day and enjoy having it to yourselves!

Last stop of our cruise was to Labadee. I prefer calling calling it "Disney's version of Haiti". At first, we were told Labadee was a private island. It's actually a private Royal Caribbean resort that is separated from the locals by an approximate 14' iron gate and security personnel everywhere!!! If people only knew what was going on outside those gates. Haiti, according to the World Bank, is one of the poorest nations in the developing world. 80% of the population lives in poverty. So, yes they do try to intimidate people to buy stuff and for tips. But can you blame them? I just don't like to be put in those situations while I am on vacation. The beaches are nice, but then you have the chairs about 2" apart. You feel that people are right on top of you! The BBQ lunch with the armed security folks next to you was okay. Really? Recommend doing a stroll around the island and then go back to the ship. No crowds and more relaxing!

First of all, it's beautiful here and the water is calm and good for kids. There is a lot to do as well, if you're willing to shell out a lot of extra $$$. We were so glad that we chose to spend the extra money on a beach bed which was located on the end of the island at Columbus Cove. The beach bed not only provided comfortable shade, but also a beach attendant who provided a cooler with cold drinks, drink service, towels etc. It was well worth the price for my family of 4. We didn't leave the spot on the beach except to walk around one time and immediately return to our oasis. We all know this is not the real poverty-stricken Haiti. This is RC's version of "Happy Haiti". We enjoyed the music and local dances and tipped well along the way, knowing how hard the Haitians work for our benefit (even if it's all contrived). They rely on tourism for income! The absolute worst part were the vendors which seemed to go on for miles! They were aggressive and hard to get through. We immediately bolted because we felt overwhelmed. We didn't want to shop on this day. I wish they would allow only a smaller section of vendors. Anyway- we had a good day. It is very hot and there is little shade on the island so be aware. The food (brought on the island from the ship), was not very good and the lines were long (although we were there during a holiday week). It is what it is. It's Labadee-not real Haiti. But it was a beautiful place. We wouldn't have enjoyed it as much had we not done the beach bed.

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Labadee and Labadee Traditions Tour - Labadie

• Caribbean    
• Haiti    
• Haiti - Attractions    

Labadee and Labadee Traditions Tour

This is our second visit to Labadee, RCCL's private port. It is significantly improved since our first visit in 2008. They have a nice dock now instead of having to be tendered to shore. The beach area has been expanded and the port has been improved in many ways. It's cleaner and more appealing for a relaxing vacation day. We enjoyed spending time at the beach in the morning. We had lounge chairs under the shade of a palm tree as we looked out over the bay and ocean. What more could one ask for? The water was warm and clear and the beach was clean and not overly crowded. The food brought from the ship for lunch was plentiful and tasty. In the afternoon we took the Labadee Traditions tour to the actual village of Labadee since we enjoy learning about the cultures of different peoples. During the short boat ride there, the crew was friendly and helpful. I didn't care for all of the trinkets spread out on the deck, but it was a low pressure selling situation. Selling anything they can to make a living is what Haitians do when the tourists come. The village is a cross between poor housing and the benefits that RCCL brings to the people in the area. The tour was interesting. The guide talked about local life. He took us to a giant kiln where the people work together to make cement when someone is building a house. The locals showed us some of their healing rituals and natural remedies for everything from curing epilepsy to dealing with hypertension and diabetes. They have an interesting mix of Roman Catholicism and their voodoo heritage. The fire eating demonstration was fascinating and the locals performed a number of dances. Watching them extract juice from sugar cane that will be used for making rum, etc was interesting. They did offer many opportunities to buy things but none of it was high pressure. Although some people criticize Labadee as a fake or Disney Haiti, it is obvious that the presence of RCCL has significantly improved the life of the people in this part of Haiti. According to our guide, around 200 local people now have jobs related to the port. They've been given opportunities to have businesses of their own. RCCL pays for education for their children and so on. Back at the port, we relaxed at the beach area. We stayed away from the local vendor areas due to the high pressure and abusive tactics we experienced on our previous visit. I understand that it’s the same of worse today. Overall, it was a very nice day in Labadee.

Royal Caribbean's stop here was better than expected after reading some negative reviews, as it was clean and pretty, with plenty of free lounge chairs and clean bathrooms, except for one. We didn’t bother with the outdoor market, as numerous people warned of the potential scams going on. It was way too crowded in the water at one point, and some people were smoking all over even though it’s designated areas only. The sand is soft but there were quite a bit of small rocks on some of the beaches. The beach on the inlet side was my favorite, with very calm waters, soft sand, but it got a bit crowded in the afternoon. The beaches on the other side were nice but it was much windier with less shade and the water was loaded with seaweed. The food was terrible and I hardly ate anything and waited until we got back on the ship. Hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, fruit, salad, and it was tolerable for this type of venue but nothing to write home about.

Not far from the city of Cap-Haitien ,is one of the most exquisite places on the island of Haiti and the Caribbean. There I speak of labadee. This beach is so beautiful that I want to live there and spend all my life by the sea. I invite you to let the natural beauty of this place spoil your eyes.

Royal Caribbean’s private stop over spot at Labadee is a nice break from the normal cruise ship stops and available excursions. No real glitter or hype, no Diamonds International, no Senor Frogs, just nice beaches, pleasant employees, on shore lunch barbecue and several activities for entertainment/adventure. Both times I have been there it was not overcrowded, plenty of beach spots in the sun or shade (although you will have to pay the locals to provide a chair) and warm ocean water. Alcoholic drinks are available off ship for those wishing to partake. I have booked 2 cruises to include a stop at Labadee and would welcome a stop there again. One thing I did find unfortunate as we were coming in to dock was the amount of various plastic containers floating in the ocean so folks be good stewards of this planet and pick up/dispose of your trash -Travlin Matt

We love stopping at any cruise lines private islands, and this one for RCCL is definitely a 10. The water was a perfect temperature and the waves were so relaxing. They feed you as well and there are all sorts of recreational things to do. Crew is always there to assist in any way. Can't wait to do a cruise with both RCCL's islands as stops.

Just finished a 7 night cruise with RCCL. With a stop at RCCL private compound at Labadee. I say compound because that’s what it is. You cannot leave their control area and unless all you want to do is lay on the beach and drink you must pay for any other activities like zip line or jet skis. While I don’t mind paying for activities I dont like being force to pay cruise ship excursions prices at a stop they solely control. I won’t book anymore cruises with Labadee in the itinerary.

Top ways to experience Labadee and nearby attractions

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Labadie - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

Things to Do in Labadee Haiti

Posted on Published: 04/15/2023

When I was invited to sail on the maiden voyage of Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas , I was especially excited about the itinerary. In addition to Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay , and San Juan Puerto Rico (all fantastic destinations I’d already experienced), our first port of call was Labadee Haiti. I’d never been there and was thrilled to explore this private area of Haiti for myself.

Disclosure: My sailing on the Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas was complimentary for purposes of review. All opinions are my own.

Where is Labadee?

Labadee is a port of call along the north coast of Haiti that is privately leased by Royal Caribbean International as an exclusive destination. When cruise passengers visit Labadee, they are able to explore the private resort area (which is fenced-in), but excursions don’t go beyond Labadee.

Private excursions aren’t offered. However, Labadee is not a private island – it’s actually part of the mainland of Haiti.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises both offer Labadee as a port of call. Currently, some of the cruise ships that visit the port (not on all sailings, however) include Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas. This is always subject to change based on the itineraries.

Areas to Enjoy in Labadee

We were already docked at Labadee when we woke up for the day on board the Wonder of the Seas. I was surprised to see how hilly and mountainous it is. I definitely recommend walking around the ship until you can get a great panoramic view of the port – the natural landscape of Labadee is beautiful and photo-worthy.

It’s a short walk off the pier to the Dragon’s Plaza, the entry point of Labadee. Here, you can get a great view of the ship from a distance, meet for certain excursions, and watch the over-water zip line.

There are several beach areas on Labadee, and they are all great for different purposes. We asked for the best sunbathing area and were guided to Nellie’s Beach. This sandy area offers beach chairs and umbrellas, along with gorgeous cabanas and beach bungalows (including overwater cabanas) that can be rented in advance for the day.

The water here was still a bit chilly (it was early March, after all) but did warm up after a few minutes.I really liked the Nellie’s Beach area as a place to relax in one of the lounge chairs and enjoy a good book.

If you prefer a little more activity, head to Adrenaline Beach. Here, you can sit in an overwater swing, swim out to the floating bar, and enjoy some time in a beach chair. There are also bocce and basketball courts. I enjoyed some time sitting in the shade at Adrenaline Beach.

While I had brought a book to read, I put it aside in favor of watching the zip liners go over the water. This area is also where you’ll find the Dragon’s Tail Coaster.

Further down on the island is Columbus Cove. This area is home to the Arawak Aqua Park and also offers beach chairs and umbrellas, floating mats, a cafe, bars, and more. It’s the farthest beach from where the ship docks.

The town square section is where you’ll find the artisans (including the artisan market), gift shop, first aid station, and more. It’s located adjacent to Adrenaline Beach.

Younger kids may enjoy Splash Bash, a water splash area located along Dragon’s Beach. In this area, you’ll also find beach lounger rentals, a volleyball court, and an area to rent floating mats.

Guests staying in a Grand Suite or above can enjoy a special area. The Barefoot Beach Club is available to those guests as well as those who have reached Pinnacle status in the Crown and Anchor Club.

Activities and Excursions in Labadee

Like with other ports of call, excursions, and activities for your day in Labadee, Haiti can be purchased and reserved in advance through the cruise line. Some of these shore excursions are very popular and do sell out. Book as soon as possible for the best availability, especially if you want a private cabana.

Unlike other ports of call, the official excursions are the only ones you can do at Labadee. You aren’t able to travel beyond the fenced-in resort area to do your own excursion.

Here are some examples of activities and excursions you can book.

• Boat ride to Amiga Island for a beach day
• Beach bungalow rental
• Beach Cabana rental (including overwater and waterfront cabanas on Nellie’s Beach)
• Beach Lounger for two rental
• Rental of floating beach mats
• Speed boat trip
• Kayak tours
• Historical walking tour of Labadee
• Sip and paint excursion – I walked past this while I was there and saw them enjoying the shade while each painting a pot to take home.
• Snorkel tour
• Jet ski ride
• Fishing trip

Dragon’s Fire Flight Line and Dragon’s Breath Flight Line Zip Lines

The biggest regret of my Wonder of the Seas trip is missing the Labadee zip line rides. It looked like such a fun ride, with gorgeous Labadee views. There are two styles of ziplines – one is a more traditional line where your feet are pointed towards the ground, and the other is where you are suspended horizontally (Superman style).

With both zip lines, you’ll have to store your items with a friend that isn’t riding, or in a locker. You’ll also need to wear closed-toed shoes and go through a safety briefing. Don’t forget to pack your closed-toed shoes if you are hoping to do this.

Dragon’s Tail Coaster

I was glad to be able to experience the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, a mountain coaster that winds down the side of one of the lush hills over Labadee. I wasn’t sure of what to expect, but this coaster is similar in style to the ones I’ve ridden at Epic Discovery in Vail and at Attitash Mountain in New Hampshire .

After watching a brief safety video, you’ll board the ride vehicle. There is room for two passengers, although it’s best for an adult and a child, rather than two adults. Cubbies by the ride entrance are available for you to store your bags, but they don’t lock.

The ride vehicle is pulled automatically up the hill until you reach the top. Then, you’ll use the braking mechanism to either go faster or slow down. While it’s very fun to go fast right away, take the time to look around at the gorgeous scenery.

Dragon’s Splash Waterslide and Arawak Aqua Park

The Dragon’s Splash Waterslide is a 300-foot saltwater waterslide located in the Columbus Cove area of Labadee. I didn’t see anyone on it while I was there, but it does look like a fun slide.

There’s also the Arawak Aqua Park, an inflatable water park in the Columbus Cove area. These in-water inflatables would be a really fun option for families with kids old enough to enjoy jumping around.

Food on Labadee

Food on Labadee is included in your cruise. There are several restaurants and you can expect to find things like burgers, hot dogs, salads, fresh fruit, and more. Full-service bars are located along the various beaches, and some of the beach areas also have servers to bring your drink right to your beach chair.

Tips for Visiting Labadee

If you’ve purchased a beverage package on the ship, it will work at Labadee. Make sure you try one of their signature Labadoozies, which can be made with or without rum! If you don’t have a drink package, you can use your SeaPass package to purchase items a la carte.

While theoretically, Voom Internet should work on the island, we found that it wasn’t working in the area we were sitting in. So be prepared for that.

Beach chair attendants are available to escort you to the best beach chairs available. They accept tips so have small US bills available with you if you’d like to offer a gratuity.

Don’t forget to bring beach towels off the ship so you have them at Labadee. Used towels can be dropped off at the hut in Dragon’s Plaza.

There are both mild and more adventurous walking paths in Labadee. A tram is available if you’d prefer not to walk. It is a pretty big area, so you may want to take the tram, even if just on the way back. There are several tram stops at Labadee.

We found the artisans to be fairly aggressive, so be prepared. They don’t accept SeaPass or credit cards. There’s also a gift shop in Town Square that does accept credit cards.

We found Labadee to be very hot. Make sure you have packed sunscreen, a cover-up, and a hat for your day. Pack as you would for any beach resort.

Unless you have booked a snorkel trip, you should bring your own snorkel gear if you’ll want to use it on Labadee.

If you are planning to do the zip line, lockers are available in several locations. You’ll also need to make sure you have closed-toed shoes. While bags can’t be brought on the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, there are (unlocked) cubbies available to store your items. Open-toed shoes can be worn on the coaster.

Frequently Asked Questions About Labadee

If your ship stops there, you won’t have to pay to get off the ship and visit Labadee. However, some of the activities do cost extra.

There is a gift shop with lots of great things. There’s also an artisan market but the vendors can be aggressive. While the gift shop accepts credit cards, the vendors generally only take cash.

Yes, and your meals are included. You’ll have to pay extra for drinks unless you have an unlimited drinks package. You can charge them to your account.

Your ship will dock at Labadee, and you can walk right off.

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Sunday 4th of December 2022

No pricing? Although it was free for you, it would be nice to get a general idea of the cost.

Jodi Grundig

Monday 5th of December 2022

Labadee is a stop on some itineraries - the prices of these cruises will all vary depending on the ship, number of nights, and number of guests. It's included in the cruise, so if your ship stops there you don't have to pay to go - just for the extras like alcohol, excursions (zipline, coaster, etc, and cabanas).

Friday 27th of May 2022

Just visited Labadee in May,2022 and the water was perfect for swimming at Adrenaline Beach. While in the water I found a coral piece in the shape of Mickey mouse ears! What a rare find and those nearby even commented on it. Visiting Haiti was a real experience as well as shopping at the market stalls.

Top ways to experience Labadee and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Labadie - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

8 Hours in Labadee, Haiti

Here’s how to make the most of your day at this private destination..

Wave Season is the time to plan an escape to warmer weather or anywhere with Royal Caribbean—and for a great deal.

Credit: Royal Caribbean

Labadee—Royal Caribbean’s private destination on the northern coast of Haiti —is a slice of paradise with something for everyone, from families with kids looking for adventure to a group of friends, to couples after a little romance . Whether you’re looking for a jolt of adrenaline on the world’s longest overwater zip line or a spot to cozy up on the white sand beach to relax and kick back, there are plenty of reasons why Labadee is a top Caribbean cruise destination.

Imagine sunbathing at a tucked-away beach called Columbus Cove, walking with a guide as you learn of Haiti’s history or snorkeling with wildlife in turquoise waters. You can only get to Labadee by ship—consider Wonder of the Seas , decked out with activities for all ages (waterslides and your choice of 40-plus restaurants, lounges and bars, anyone?)—and what awaits is an idyllic getaway.

With so many ways to play, here’s how to maximize your day in Labadee:

The ultimate rush on the island is the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest zip line over water.

If you’re an adventure junkie …

Dragon’s Breath and Fire Flight Line

Time it takes:  1.5 hours

Recommendation : Come with fitted clothing and courage.

Enjoy breathtaking views as you fly down feet first on Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the world’s longest zip line over water—more than 2,600 feet long—at high speeds. Or soar headfirst (Superman style) from on the Dragon’s Fire Flight Line. Either way, you’ll end your thrilling ride at Dragon’s Breath Rock, a unique rock formation where air and water forced through the cracks in its surface make a dragon-like “hissing” sound. Make sure to open your eyes because you’ll have the best seat in the house on the way down.

Speedboat and Snorkel

Time it takes: 1.5 hours

Recommendation : Bring a camera.

Take an exciting speedboat ride to one of Haiti’s beautiful reefs. On the way, you can catch a glimpse of local villages and picturesque Acul Bay. Once you arrive, you’ll receive equipment and instruction so you’ll be ready to discover marine life —keep an eye out for sea urchins, sand dollars and colorful fish.

Dragon’s Tail Coaster

Time it takes: It’s up to you.

Recommendation : Sit in front for the best view!

Hop in, buckle up and make your way down the side of the mountain on this alpine coaster. Built for thrill-seekers of many ages—kids especially love it—the coaster zooms at around 30 miles per hour, taking 360-degree twists and turns. Before you set off, make sure to take in the breathtaking view from 680 feet. Then get ready to dip, wind and weave your way from Santa Maria’s lookout mountain to the beach below.

Arawak Aqua Park

Time it takes: 1 hour

Recommendation : Fuel up before diving in.

Arawak Aqua Park is a water course made up of the “icebergs” of the Caribbean. Take on giant floating trampolines, waterslides, a rolling log and a lot of other fun. Taking a beach day to the next level, the young and young at heart will enjoy this dose of adventure as they jump from one obstacle to the next. Even better, the beach is in sight , so adults can relax with a tropical drink in hand and cheer on the kids.

Malfini is a serene beach spot to take in the beauty of the destination.

If you’re a beach bum …

Nellie’s Beach

Time it takes : It’s up to you.

Recommendation : Bring a book.

Nellie’s Beach is the perfect place to chill out and enjoy the coastal scenery . You can take a leisurely kayak trip along the shoreline, rent floating mats or sit back on the complimentary beach loungers. If you’re looking to splurge, an overwater cabana nestled on the hillside offers you your very own cabana attendant and furnishings like lounge chairs, floating mats and food .

Pro tip : There are several other beaches on Labadee within walking distance, including Colombus Cove and Adrenaline Beach, where you can sign up for the Dragon’s Tail Coaster!

Castaway at Malfini

Time it takes : 3 hours

Recommendation: Order a Malfini punch.

Escape to a hidden getaway to enjoy a day of uninterrupted relaxation. A catamaran takes you to a remote, pristine cove covered by lush vegetation, where you can kayak near coral reefs, swim in crystal clear waters looking for tropical fish and lounge in the soft sand. The only sign of civilization in this tranquil paradise is the Canoe Bar, where you can take a sip of the Malfini punch, a rum cocktail served in a coconut .

Sandbar Island Getaway

Time it takes: 2.5 hours

Recommendation : Bring a bottle of water.

Take a catamaran through Haiti’s reef systems to a sandbar and experience the unique sensation of standing in the open waters of the Caribbean Sea. Listen to the local tunes as you swim , chill out and enjoy a Labadoozie, Labadee’s specialty frozen drink made of dark rum, coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, papaya juice and cream of coconut.

Take a walk back in time and visit some of Haiti’s most historic spots such as Citadelle Laferriere and Nellie’s Place.

If you’re into culture …

Labadee Historic Walking Tour

Time it takes:  1 hour

Recommendation : Come ready to ask questions.

Haiti’s culture is all on its own. Take to the trails to learn more about the traditions, nature and folklore of this Caribbean country. A Haitian historian will tell the tales of several prominent events that impacted both the land and its people in the last 500 years. The experience includes stops at Dragon’s Breath Rock, where you can hear the famous effect of water and air pushing through rock; and the ruins of Nellie’s Place, a trading post allegedly named after an Englishwoman who established it for visiting ships long ago.

Pro tip : In Haiti, dancing and music are full of emotion, history and cultural resonance. Experience a live performance of a traditional dance like yanvalou, meant to mimic the movement of a snake, or learn the popular jazz-based compas, similar to merengue, with a quick, driving tempo.

Labadee Traditions

Time it takes: 2 hours

Recommendation : Bring pocket money in case you find a keepsake.

Begin with a boat tour to get a feel for the landscape before diving into artifacts and practices that bring Haitian history to life. You’ll see a giant furnace (or an earth oven, a pit in the ground that traps heat) commissioned by Henri Christophe—a leader of the Haitian Revolution and later the country—which produced materials for the towering, 19th-century fortress Citadelle Laferriere as well as antique Haitian weaponry and furniture. Haitian Vodou (different from Louisiana Voodoo) shaped the history of the nation , too, so you’ll also explore the traditions of the religion.

Pro tip : Want to bring a piece of Labadee home with you? Visit the marketplace where local artisans sell handmade crafts and other goods that will remind you of this destination and the people for years to come.

Ready to learn more about Labadee, Haiti, and the other Caribbean islands you can visit on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Explore the private destination and more here .

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Well firstly, it is well named, a short boat ride from the ship, you enter an idyllic cove, flanked with trees offering plenty of shade and shallow water to enjoy. Just a little way up the hill behind the cove is an authentic-looking collection of huts that they will tour with you to show some Haitian customs and culture.

All tours on Labadee are controlled by   Royal Caribbean   as they are the only cruise company to visit this port. Finding the tour was very easy as they all are found at the first building on the right as you exit the quay. Once they know everyone is ready, someone walks around shouting the name of your tour to attract your attention and you then board your boat ready for the off.

On our tour, we made a short stop at a sailing ship where some of the people transferred on to their excursion for the day, before we set off towards Paradise Cove.

BOAT RIDE AND ARRIVAL IN PARADISE COVE

Initially, the boat took a sedate pace as our guide explained a little bit about our tour and what to expect, the reason for this became clear once she’d finished and the boat set off more briskly, and a lot more noisily! It would have been hard to hear her over the engine.

As you move away from the ship, you might see them performing some kind of drill as they often do this in Labadee. For us we heard, from quite some distance away from the ship, the tannoy announcing Bravo, Bravo, Bravo and could see a lifeboat being lowered on the port side. On   Royal Caribbean , Bravo, Bravo, Bravo is the code for a fire onboard, so you don’t want to hear it for real!

With the ship out of sight, we entered Paradise Cove and immediately liked it, fringed with trees, almost white sand and shallow water to enjoy, we couldn’t wait to get started. And that doesn’t take long, as it’s important to know that you will get off the boat, once it’s securely anchored, directly into knee-deep water! So make sure you have your swimsuits on ready to go!

Once you’ve waded ashore you can collect your welcome drink from the bar, this is a fruit punch, which you can add alcohol too for an additional charge. I’m not sure what fruits were in it, but it was delicious and refreshing, so good in fact, that we bought another one at the end of the village tour!

THE VILLAGE TOUR

We were then also shown that they roast both coffee and cocoa in similar ways, one guest asked whether they sold any of the coffee, which they didn’t, but maybe that will spark an idea to generate additional revenue for the village?

Moving on, we saw a man making hats and bags; they were impressively light, almost ethereal, they weighed so little. His items were for sale for anyone who was interested.

Our final stop was at the artisan’s workshop, here paintings and other artwork were on show and we were each presented with a red flower. The artwork was excellent and we purchased a small piece as a souvenir. It’s important to realise in Labadee that anything you book through the ship, benefits  Royal Caribbean  mostly, that’s why the lines have these private ports. So anything you buy directly with cash benefits the locals far more and perhaps can help what remains a terribly poor country.

FREE TIME IN PARADISE COVE

By now, even though we visited in November, it was quite hot and muggy and as you descend back down to the beach, that water looks mightily inviting! Almost everyone grabbed a lounger and either relaxed or headed straight to the cool clear water.

You will probably have around 90 minutes to enjoy the cove once the village tour is over and we found this a good amount of time. There are a couple of kayaks you can take out, you will have to put on life jackets or vests, and for some reason, there was only one oar for each kayak! We tried these out briefly as did several of the others on the tour, but mostly we just enjoyed the water. Due to the stream that enters the cove, the water has warm and cool patches as you enjoy it.

And then it was sadly time to return to the port, as we waded back to the boat to take us back and sped away, we looked back at the cove and thought, maybe we could just stay here, you know, forever!?

The boat drops you back at the end of the quay to the ship, where you can return to the ship for lunch, or enjoy ship food which has been brought ashore for you. And then the rest of Labadee is yours to explore.

HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR

There was only one time of departure for this tour which was soon after the ship docked, so you spend the rest of the morning on the tour and arrive back in Labadee towards the end of lunchtime.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU

You have to wade through knee-deep water to get to the cove from the boat, therefore you need to wear your swimsuit right from the start of the tour. The water IS only knee-deep, so you can take personal belongings such as a rucksack to carry towels and other essentials to the beach no problem. As you get off the boat, the staff will take your belongings and hand them back to you once you’ve descended the ladder into the water.

Things to remember to bring are:

• Your ship access card
• Water: The tour of the village can be warm and the drinks are only for sale on the beach.
• Camera ! You’re allowed to bring cameras and phones and there will be lots of opportunities for photos and videos.
• An   underwater camera   if you want to take pictures out in the cove.
• Insect repellent : The river is a natural home to bugs which might see you as lunch, so bug spray is worth bringing.
• Sturdy/grippy shoes to tour the village, the ground is rough and loose in places. We used   water shoes   to tour the village and then enjoy the cove.

You need to arrive at your assigned meeting point at the first building on the right once you exit the quay around 10-15 minutes before your tour is due to depart. Check your excursion tickets to identify the precise meeting point for your tour, once in the vicinity, all the tours are well signed and you should find “Paradise Cove” quite easily.

You will then be informed to wait nearby and your guide will call out the name of the tour nice and loudly once they are ready to depart.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

We feel this tour is a good value for what you get. It gave us a feel for Haiti that we simply couldn’t have gotten if we had have stayed on the Labadee peninsula all day. It was well organised and the guided tour of the village was interesting and informative. The time afterwards on the beach, kayaking, and just enjoying the cove was very pleasant and relaxing.

Have you done the Paradise Cove excursion in Labadee, Haiti?

We’d love to hear about it. tell us about it in the comments.

If you have any questions, or there is anything we haven’t covered, please feel free to leave us a comment and we will do our best to answer.

The map below shows all the tour stops described above in relation to the Labadee cruise terminal.

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