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> Dining & Entertainment > Travel Matters > A Day in Labadee. Where, you ask?
A Day in Labadee. Where, you ask?By Don & Maureen Anderson, Owners of the Cruise Store
We just got back from our annual January group cruise, and had a blast at Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee.
Labadee is located on the north coast of Haiti. It is a secure resort area operated by Royal Caribbean for use exclusively by their guests. Visually, with the green lush mountains overlooking the harbor, we are reminded of Hawaii.
Our day began with a tender boat ride from where the ship dropped anchor to the pier. As we arrived, we were greeted with the sounds of a local band. To our right we saw lines of waverunners awaiting those passengers who signed up for their use, including our college aged kids, and the aqua water park with its trampolines and climb and slide inflatables. To the left were quiet beach coves lined with lounge chairs. We pushed forward, taking a short walk past numerous shady
hammocks, a children's area with water fountains and a pirate boat for water cannon fights, and beach volleyball courts, to the other side where we had a Royal Caribbean employee set up a line of beach front loungers for us. It looked just like the cover of a Caribbean magazine, with waves gently crashing a few yards in front of us, coral reefs for snorkeling, and palm trees casting their shadows.
Royal Caribbean has facilities throughout the area, with lunch stations featuring a variety of buffet dining choices from burgers, ribs, salads, corn on the cob, fresh fruit options and more- all included at no additional charge. The tropical heat creates a thirst that is easily quenched with the drink of the day- the "Labaduzee Island Special". Don't worry if you are too comfortable lounging to get up and go to one of the numerous beach bars, waiters stroll the beaches and deliver right to your chair. These drinks of course are an additional charge.Labadee offers many options for the active cruiser ranging from waverunners; parasailing; kayaking; a guided historic walking tour where one visits the historic ruins of Nelli's Tower and listens to the sounds at Dragon's Breath Point; and the world's longest zip line. It starts out at 500 ft. high and runs 2600 ft. down the length of the peninsula over the azure colored sea. Many in our group signed up for this trip, and it was fun trying to identify them as the participants "zipped" by us.
We all enjoyed our time in Labadee, and we at the Cruise Store look forward to helping you create your own Labaduzee moments.
The Cruise Store / Vacations & More is the area's largest locally owned vacation agency. We are now open Saturdays 9:30- 12:30 as well as Monday to Friday 9-5. Stop in at 55 Maple Street, East Longmeadow and say hi. Drop us an email at
anderson@cruisestore.com or call us at 525-9001. Let us know what subjects you want covered in future columns. Bon Voyage!
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