Freedom at Labadee Question

Gangway Style · #1 May 26th, 2006, 10:07 PM

Just curious. Those of you who have visited Labadee, do you think a fully loaded Freedom will overtax the facilities or are there plenty of places to sit and take it easy?

Do other RCI ships ever anchor there the same day? I was wondering how crowded it will get or can get.

GMoney · #2 May 26th, 2006, 10:42 PM

I don't think a fully loaded Freedom will tax Labadee, but I do think it might make it noticably more crowded, and people may have to use beaches and chairs that usually go empty. Lines for lunch might be much longer at peak times. My guess is that more folks may choose to stay on the ship.

On my 6/4 Freedom cruise, I am only getting off at GC, and only b/c we have a family excursion planned. Otherwise I'd stay on the full 7 days.

Gangway Style · #3 May 26th, 2006, 10:51 PM

GMoney, tahnks for your answer. We might just go over to the place and check it out and return to the ship. It is going to be pretty hot (our cruise is June 11) and I'm not sure I will want to hang around, especially if lines for the BBQ are long. Lines for the tender may be long, too, come to think of it.

GMoney · #4 May 26th, 2006, 11:01 PM

I totally agree with your assessment.

sunshine24 · #5 May 27th, 2006, 07:44 AM

HeavySurf, when my husband and I visited Labadee several years ago onboard Explorer of the Seas, we had a tough time finding two empty chairs. The beach was packed! I don't remember there being excessive lines for food, though there was a short wait for the tender. I will be cruising on June 11, too, and hope we won't have the same experience.

Gangway Style · #6 May 27th, 2006, 10:59 AM

Sunshine, thanks for that additional information. I hope Royal Caribbean would have anticipated the increased demand on its facilities, but one never knows.

If it is too competitive for chairs and chaises, etc., I'll just head back to the ship after I've had enough. My sister tells me they do sell interesting Haitian arts and crafts. I hope they are better than what is sold at Coco Cay.

CruisinDawn · #7 May 27th, 2006, 11:19 AM

I honestly thought Labadee was an odd choice but I guess it's based on where the ship is. It's tendering today at Coco Cay and I can't wait to hear how that went. I think Coco Cay can handle it but not sure about Labadee unless I didn't find the hidden/off the main area beaches like Coco Cay has.

As far as shopping...CocoCay will get my money Labadee we won't even go near the vendors. They are way to pushy!!

BonVoyage
Dawna

Kelynj · #8 May 27th, 2006, 12:28 PM

I've read little bits on Labadee but don't really know much- do RCI set up the BBQ there - is so do you have to pay for this?
Will there only be RCI ships there
Any information on this would be very grateful

Sooner-b-Crusin · #9 May 27th, 2006, 03:49 PM

I was on Voyager at the beginning of May. It didn't seem crowded on Labadee. RCI furnishes everything. The meal is included. You don't pay. Just take $$$$ for shopping at the little "local" hut. We got some really cute things there and not very expensive.
The BBQ will have hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, ribs, chicken, watermellow, cantelope, cookies. The hamburgers are charcoaled and were very tasty.
It was my favorite day. I took a new 99 cent blow up air float with me. and just left it on the island when we left. They charge $10.00 to rent their floats for the day. And I knew I would only use one for about an hour.

Gangway Style · #10 May 27th, 2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelynj

I've read little bits on Labadee but don't really know much- do RCI set up the BBQ there - is so do you have to pay for this?
Will there only be RCI ships there
Any information on this would be very grateful

Labadee is Royal Caribbean's private beach area. No other cruise ships anchor there, but RCI has plenty of ships to keep the place busy.

negc · #11 May 27th, 2006, 10:53 PM

I think the area at Labadee may actually be bigger than Coco Cay, and if you go beyond the beaches right at the tender dock, you should find plenty of beach and chairs available. Some of the nicest and least crowded beaches were at the end of the peninsula.

Fun1 · #12 May 27th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMoney

I don't think a fully loaded Freedom will tax Labadee, but I do think it might make it noticably more crowded, and people may have to use beaches and chairs that usually go empty. Lines for lunch might be much longer at peak times. My guess is that more folks may choose to stay on the ship.

On my 6/4 Freedom cruise, I am only getting off at GC, and only b/c we have a family excursion planned. Otherwise I'd stay on the full 7 days.

I am with you on that one. I am planning to not get off the ship. I have done those ports before. Tendering is looooong. The ports are crowded and shopping is not so hot so. Cindy A or C2 as I am getting to be known by.

sunshine24 · #13 May 27th, 2006, 11:11 PM

Negc, how do we find the less crowded beaches at the end of the peninsula? I've heard about this area but don't know how to access it. How long of a walk is it? Are there chairs there, or would we have to drag chairs with us as we walk? Thanks!

negc · #14 May 27th, 2006, 11:17 PM

It is not that long a walk and there is a tram that runs to all of the beach areas. There are chairs and floats etc. there as well. Before you arrive in Labadee, you will receive a map which shows the locations of the various beaches.

David4 · #15 May 29th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Sunshine24 and Heavysurf, looking forward to the June 11th curise also.My 18 year old wants to bake in the sun, so we will be getting off there. I just go with the flow of things and have a good time, and I will be looking for that beach at the end of the peninsula.

Nanatravel · #16 May 31st, 2006, 09:52 AM

When you get off at the Tender Dock, head towards your left facing land. As mentioned, if you can get a Tram ride, do it. I believe the farthest beach is known as Hideaway Beach. There is a BBQ hut and facilities nearby as well as a Bar. Families will want to stop at one of the closer beach areas to the dock and Water Park area.

RCI only allows one ship, I believe per day.

Bon Voyage