Labadee Questions

[cloudydrms]

Two questions about Labadee: First, where exactly is the BBQ held? I'm travelling with someone who isnt' too mobile and I need to know where to set up home base. Also, I'm assuming the Hideaway Beach and Columbus Beach are less crowded since they are further away from the tender dock. Is this correct?

Whoops. Another question. Are shaded areas found in all the beaches are there more in some locations?

Thanks!

Cindy

[Cruisin'Kim]

The bbq is held very close to where you first come onto the island, and yes, the further you go from the tender dock, the less crowded the beaches - but the closest beach to the dock is also the closest to the bbq.

I'm sure I remember shaded areas at all of the beaches.

It's a beautiful place, I'm sure you will really enjoy it!

Happy crusing!

Kim.

[wilson9112]

Originally Posted by cloudydrms

Two questions about Labadee: First, where exactly is the BBQ held? I'm travelling with someone who isnt' too mobile and I need to know where to set up home base. Also, I'm assuming the Hideaway Beach and Columbus Beach are less crowded since they are further away from the tender dock. Is this correct?

Whoops. Another question. Are shaded areas found in all the beaches are there more in some locations?

Thanks!

Cindy

As soon as you get off the tender go to the right. It is the first beach and the BBQ is right there with plenty of trees and the water was great there. The others are a bit of a further walk (some up hill as well walking). Just gear towards the right, you will see a sign with a choice when you arrive with arrows in all different directions. Easy, follow the one to the right and you will be right there. It does fill up fast so try to get on the first tender. You will love it there. The water is very calm. HAVE FUN!

[paggerscorvette]

We just pd our deposit for our 11/08 cruise. Labadee is one of our stops. I just noticed on this thread the mention of a BBQ. Is this part of the excursion pricing? Do you have to book this somewhere? Any help would be appreciated.

[wrp96]

The BBQ is provided on the island by RCCL. You don't have to pay anything extra for it, it's for everybody. There will actually be more than one spot where the food is available.

[paggerscorvette]

Thanks for the response. I have not seen anywhere it states a BBQ on the island. Would not have known if it wasnt for CC. Hope everyone has a great cruise.

[wilson9112]

Originally Posted by paggerscorvette

Thanks for the response. I have not seen anywhere it states a BBQ on the island. Would not have known if it wasnt for CC. Hope everyone has a great cruise.

Its pretty much the same food you get at the outdoor buffets on ships. Hamburgers, chicken, hotdogs, salads, ribs, corn, fruit, etc. They do set up coffee in the morning

[MissKise]

The BBQ is set up in several locations. They have seating at tables and bathrooms near by. The island has shade, sun, and lots of white sand to enjoy. The paths are pretty hard packed so walking should not be a problem. They also had balloon tire wheelchairs when I was there in March, which I wish I had known before we went ashore. My Dad had a scooter rented for on board, and he did not go ashore because he did not think he could do the sand.

They also have a small tram that goes around the island, that you can jump on and take the quick tour to see different spots.

The BBQ is set up by RCCL staff, and all the bars are staffed by RCCL staff, so take your sail N sign card for your Labadozzi's and Pina Colada's or Bahamam Mama's. The local market takes money ($$$) for the crafts, art and trickets you may wish to buy, and the locals are more than willing (tip $$$) to drag a chair to any location you want......(even though you can grab your own chair and not have to tip anyone for it).

We loved Labadee..........so relaxing, so beautiful and we got so into "cruise mode". I can't wait to go back. We have to try the zip line over the water and the new snorkle tour.

[above sea level cruiser]

Originally Posted by wrp96

The BBQ is provided on the island by RCCL. You don't have to pay anything extra for it, it's for everybody. There will actually be more than one spot where the food is available.

I've never seen food available other than the main area?

[sandytoes03]

I think food was served in at least 2 places on Labadee. I was at the beach furtherest away and we didn't walk far for food. There's shade all over the place. It's a great beach day--have fun!!!!

[MrsPete]

We walked as far as we could go on Labadee and "set up" on the farthest beach area -- a decision we did not regret. We basically had the place to ourselves, and no one hounded us to buy things or tip for dragging chairs out to the water. We had our choice of sun or shade, and we moved our chairs after a couple hours when we thought we'd had enough sun. Even though this was Thanksgiving week and the ship was full to capacity, there were empty chairs all around us. We were kind of near a volleyball court, and we had a great view of the people riding the zipline.

When we walked back to the ship and saw how crowded the first cove (Nellie's Beach?) was . . . well, I know that my family would've stayed there about an hour before calling it quits.

As for lunch, they have several buffets, each with a covered serving area, covered seating areas, and live music. We ate at the one over by the Dragon's Breath rock. The rest rooms for this location are by the Dragon's Breath bar, and they do require a few steps. For you Southern cruisers, this is NOT a BBQ lunch; you will not a pig cooked in a pit, which y'all know is the only form of REAL BBQ, nor will you find sweet tea, cherry-wine, red slaw, or moon pies. Royal Caribbean needs to start calling it what it really is: a cookout.

One lunch hint: The fruit punch is awful. If you're not going to buy alcoholic drinks from the bars, bring a bottled water or canned soda from the ship.

Since mobility is a problem, you should look for the tram, which takes people from one end of the island to the other. (no charge)

[flightmedic1]

If you do the wave runners, take some cash 5-10 dollars, at one point you will make a stop and some of the locals canoe out to you on the jet skis to sell some hand make goods. You can take the item and pay for them at the dock or buy it there. Buy it there. They (the locals) prefer it.

[YOCAP]

Does anyone know at which beach can you view the ZIP LINE....Family members are doing the line and I would like to photgraph them...Thanks, FRED

[mattwright]

Originally Posted by YOCAP

Does anyone know at which beach can you view the ZIP LINE....Family members are doing the line and I would like to photgraph them...Thanks, FRED

That would be anywhere along Dragon Tail Beach, all the way down to Dragon's Breath Point. You can see it on the map here:

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/r...CL_Labadee.pdf

[YOCAP]

Thanks Matt......

[sippin-time]

I was wondering if anyone here experienced the zipline/flightline....

From our past experience w/zipline, we would zip from one platform to another....sometimes 10-12 platforms, is the zipline on Labadee the same? From the pictures I've seen, it looks like the zipline on Labadee only goes from point A to point B and only as long as 2600 feet (?)

Can someone give me an idea of what to expect on the Labadee zipline? Thanks for any insight

[mattwright]

Yeah, it's just one single long zipline from a platform up on the mountain down to the beach near Dragon's Breath Point. So no, it's not at all comparable to the canopy tours found on other excursions where there are multiple lines of varying heights and lengths.

The cool thing, which you can see if you search for "labadee zipline" on YouTube, is that the line starts at a fairly high point with great views of all of Labadee, and then you actually come down the line out over the ocean until coming back over the beach near Dragon's Breath Point.

[sippin-time]

Thanks for your help mattwright !! I hope you don't mind a couple of follow up questions:

(1) How many times can we go on the zipline?
(2) Is the climb up to the top at the starting point all steps?
(3) Is this particular excursion sold only through RCCL?

Thanks again for your help.

[mattwright]

Originally Posted by sippin-time

Thanks for your help mattwright !! I hope you don't mind a couple of follow up questions:

(1) How many times can we go on the zipline?
(2) Is the climb up to the top at the starting point all steps?
(3) Is this particular excursion sold only through RCCL?

Thanks again for your help.

No problem!

(1) The "excursion" price is for one ride only (plus a very short training line down on the beach), but I imagine they'd let you do it again if you paid the price for another excursion.

(2) They'll drive you up the mountain to the starting tower, but then you have to climb the stairs up to the platform at the top of the tower itself.

(3) Yes, you can only book this through RCCL since it's part of Labadee, which is owned and operated by RCCL for exclusive use of its guests. Everything there is run by RCCL.

[sippin-time]

Awesome! Thanks the info mattwright ....