Labadee, Haiti Port Guide
All You Need to Know About Labadee: Royal Caribbean’s Private Paradise
Labadee, located on the northern coast of Haiti, is a private paradise exclusively for Royal Caribbean International’s passengers. While I don’t like Labadee as much as Royal Caribbean’s other private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, this beautiful destination still offers a unique blend of natural beauty and exciting activities.
Is Labadee Open?
Due to current security risks, Labadee was temporarily closed to ensure the safety of passengers and crew due to political unrest in the area, so be sure to consult the latest updates from Royal Caribbean before planning a cruise with Labadee on the itinerary.
As Royal Caribbean keeps pushing back the opening date, cruises with Labadee as a port of call have been changed to other locations, such as Grand Turk and Nassau, and in some cases, calls to Labadee have been changed to a sea day.
Is Labadee a Private Island?
Royal Caribbean generally promotes Labadee as a private island, but it is actually a peninsula on Haiti’s northern coast. This marketing approach is simpler and aligns with other cruise line private islands—and besides, “private peninsula” doesn’t have the same ring to it. The private island label also denotes the exclusivity and controlled environment that cruisers expect from a “private island” experience.
And if you want to get technical, Labadee technically is part of an island, as Haiti is part of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Regardless of its actual topographical designation, Labadee provides everything cruisers have come to expect from cruise line private islands, like Carnival’s Half Moon Cay, in that it provides an isolated, resort-style setup that is exclusively accessible to Royal Caribbean guests.
Is Labadee a Tender Port?
The private area of Labadee is a secluded area spanning 260 acres and is designed to provide a controlled and secure environment for cruise passengers. I like that Labadee isn’t a tender port, meaning that cruise passengers step right off the ship onto a pier. It’s a fairly short one, and cruisers can easily walk to the beach area from there.
The beaches here are well-maintained, with clear waters perfect for swimming and relaxing. Unfortunately, on the day of my visit, it was drizzly and rainy, so I didn’t get to enjoy the traditional beach experience fully, but the scenery was lovely, and I appreciated the mountain and beach views.
Things to Do at Labadee
Because Labadee is a private destination, no third-party excursion options exist. If you want to take an excursion, you must book it directly through Royal Caribbean. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy at Labadee.
Enjoy a Beach Day
Relaxing on the beach is one of the free activities available at Labadee, with several beach areas accessible at no cost. Cruise guests can use loungers free of charge, and the island also provides umbrellas
However, for a more exclusive beach experience, guests can rent daybeds and cabanas at an additional fee. Beach strollers are also available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests seeking a more elevated beach day can opt for the premium areas, such as the private cabanas at Barefoot Beach, which are available to suite guests.
Adventure Activities
Labadee offers several adventure activities for thrill-seekers, including the Dragon’s Breath zip line, the longest overwater zip line in the world, and the Dragon’s Tail alpine coaster, which winds through the hills with stunning views of the island and ocean. These activities require an additional fee and have specific requirements, such as height and weight restrictions, and close-toed shoes must be worn for the zip line.
Water Sports and Other Excursions
Royal Caribbean provides various water sports and other excursion options at Labadee. Guests can enjoy snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and parasailing. Additionally, boat tours and the famous Arawak Aqua Park, an inflatable water park in the ocean, offer fun activities for families and adventurous travelers. As this is a private destination, all these activities must be booked through Royal Caribbean, and fees vary depending on the activity and season.
Labadee’s unique combination of relaxing beach experiences and thrilling activities makes it a great stop for travelers seeking a free beach day as well as for those who are looking for a bit more adventure.
Wi-Fi at Labadee
Interestingly, while Royal Caribbean offers Wi-Fi to cruisers who purchase the VOOM package on its other private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, this is not an option on Labadee.
Does the Drink Package Work at Labadee?
Another thing that I love about Royal Caribbean’s approach to its private islands, compared to competing lines, is that they allow the use of its drink packages on these private islands, including Labadee, so cruisers can enjoy their favorite beverages without additional charges. The legal drinking age in Haiti is 18.
Sections of Labadee
Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination on the northern coast of Haiti, is divided into several distinct areas, each offering unique experiences and amenities, which you can see on this Labadee map.
Adrenaline Beach
Adrenaline Beach is where you’ll find many of Labadee’s adventure experiences, including the aforementioned Dagon’s Breath Flight Line zip line. There are also opportunities for beach sports and water activities like jet skiing.
Barefoot Beach Club
Barefoot Beach Club is an exclusive area reserved for suite guests and Pinnacle-level members on the sailing. This tranquil section offers premium amenities, including more privacy, an upgraded buffet with gourmet food options, and dedicated service. It is ideal for those looking for a luxurious and serene beach experience.
Access to this beach is complimentary for these guests, but for cruisers seeking even more privacy can rent a cabana at Barefoot Beach for an additional cost, ranging from $295 to $495. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, so the cost of these varies based on demand and can even fluctuate on the same sailing from day to day.
Whether or not the Labadee cabanas are worth it depends on each cruiser’s budget and circumstances, but I don’t personally find them worthwhile.
Columbus Cove
Columbus Cove is a beach area geared toward families. It is known for its calm waters and beautiful sandy shores. The Arawak Aqua Park, an inflatable water park in the ocean, is located here, and complimentary loungers and beach umbrellas are available, making it a convenient spot for families or anyone who wants to enjoy the inflatables.
Dragon’s Tail Coaster
This section is home to the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, an alpine coaster that takes riders through twists and turns down the hillside. It offers spectacular views of the island and the ocean, and it’s a thrilling activity suitable for both adults and children.
Nellie’s Beach
Nellie’s Beach is another family-friendly area that offers a more relaxed environment than Adrenaline Beach. It features cabanas for rent, which provide shade and privacy. The clear, shallow waters make it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. It has a more laid-back vibe than the other areas of Labadee.
While use of this area is free, cabanas are available for rent. Prices range from around $250 to $579, varying based on cabana type and dynamic pricing.
Labadee Town Square
Labadee Town Square is the central hub of the destination, where visitors can find various dining options, shops, and local artisans selling handmade crafts. It’s a great place to explore Haitian culture and purchase souvenirs. The square also hosts entertainment and live music, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
If you’re looking for souvenirs, it may be best to steer clear of the artisan’s market. I didn’t get to this area, but I’ve heard repeatedly from fellow cruisers that the vendors here tend to be very aggressive, which can tarnish the experience.
Buccaneer’s Bay
Buccaneer’s Bay offers a variety of water sports and activities, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and floating beach mats. It’s a bustling area where guests can rent equipment and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery.
These diverse sections of Labadee provide a range of experiences, from high-adrenaline activities and exclusive luxury to family-friendly fun and a good old-fashioned free beach day, ensuring that every guest can find something to enjoy on their visit.
What to Bring to Labadee
I recommend bringing a few things with you to enhance the experience (beyond the obvious things like sunscreen). Labadee is great for snorkeling, and when visiting a beach location, I always bring my own set. My favorite is this one from Amazon; it’s affordable yet high quality and has traveled with me worldwide to all sorts of snorkeling experiences. It’s also much more hygienic this way, as you’re not putting something in your mouth that’s been used by many other random people.
I also recommend an inflatable float. Many recommend not bringing floats on cruises since they’re forbidden from cruise ship pools, but I disagree because these really enhance the beach day experience, and you don’t have to worry about renting a float or pool noodle. This is my favorite because it’s so compact and versatile.
Finally, I recommend a lockable beach bag of some sort. Labadee does have lockers available for complimentary use, but the rental fee is $10. They’re located near the Dragon’s Breath Zipline and at Buccaneer’s Bay, which may not be convenient to the location where you choose to hang out. Having your own lockable bag allows you easy access to things like your phone while keeping it secure, along with your money and SeaPass card.
Also, don’t forget to bring beach towels with you. Another thing I appreciate about Royal Caribbean and Labadee is how convenient they make it when it comes to using towels. Towels are distributed onboard to cruisers before you disembark at Labadee (if you’ve reserved a cabana, towels will be provided there), and if you need a fresh towel while on the island, there are several towel exchange stations available, including one right at the entrance to the space off the pier.
Food Options at Labadee
Another thing I like about Labadee is the variety of food options, both free and at a cost. Complimentary food options include several buffet-style lunch spots scattered throughout the resort, serving beachside classics like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken, as well as various salads, fruits, and sides such as corn on the cob. Additionally, you can find drinks and soft-serve ice cream at various locations around the peninsula.
While most dining options at Labadee are complimentary, there are also some paid food options. For example, private cabanas at Barefoot Beach often come with upgraded food and beverage service as part of the rental fee. Bars around the island serve specialty cocktails, and some locations might offer snacks and small bites at an additional cost.
Language and Currency
The official languages of Haiti are French and Haitian Creole, but English is commonly spoken in Labadee, and during my visit, every vendor and employee spoke fluent English.
The Haitian gourde is the official currency, but US currency is widely accepted, given that this is a private space leased by Royal Caribbean. You typically won’t need cash on Labadee, anyway, as any charges can be billed to your stateroom account via your SeaPass.
Climate and What to Wear
Labadee enjoys a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit. Light, breathable clothing, swimsuits, and sun protection are recommended to stay comfortable in the sunny weather.
Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to keep your phone or watch set to ship time. Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially ensuring you stay coordinated with ship time. It’s a bit easier not to miss the “return to ship” time when you’re on a private island, but it is still possible!
