THE LABADEE ZIP LINE - Everything You Always Wanted To Know

I was there last week and was impressed!

Here is a photo I shot as the Mariner sailed away from Labadee

Most of these photos are mine but a few are from other threads or the Internet. I have never tried posting this many photos in a thread so I may need to make several posts if I exceed a limit I don't know about.

The Zip Line is called the "Dragon's Flight" and is located at Dragon's Breath Point conveniently close to the Dragon's Breath Bar when you exit the ride.

You start out on a small (shorter) line for "suiting up" and learning how to stop at the end of the ride. Here is an overview of the short line looking through the end up to the beginning.

And looking up at the beginning...

And the end.

Note in all of the photos that the structures are built of welded aluminum to avoid rust problems. The design is impressive!

An interesting note here. You don't hang from an overhead bar and you don't sit on a seat. You actually wear the seat!!!!

After the "training ride" you climb into a special truck for a ride to the top.

The system just told me that 14 photos are too many so here are the first five.

To be continued...

which island is this on and how did you find this company?

:)

Continuing on with the story...

When you get to the top of the hill, you have to climb up the stairs to the top of the tower. [photo source unknown]

And two nice views looking down from the top (source unknown)

To be continued...

Continued...

Here is our son Calvin, age 17, in the yellow shirt, coming down and landing.

The crew on the landing deck is pretty good. They use small portable steps for the riders to stand on while they unhook them than they walk to an area where they get help removing their seat/harness gizmos which at then taken to the start of the small training line.

Note the rectangular "thingies" on the cables. These are brakes which slow the riders down when the hit them and also cause them to swing forward and lift their legs up for the landing. This brake is enough for small kids but a big guy like Calvin blows through it and hits the springs at the end of the cable.

More to come...

which island is this on and how did you find this company?

:)

Labadee is in Haiti. It is Royal Caribbean's private island and the zip line excursion is provided through the cruise line.

Thanks. We are not stopping there on the next cruise I guess. Darn! Great pictures though!!!!:eek:

Continued...

The roller "thingies" that ride the cables are easily removed by the crew and stacked on a wall. Not that they are welded aluminum with stainless steel axles and rubber wheels.

When the pile gets big enough, a small FWD truck appears and they are all loaded up and driven back up to the top of the hill.

After everyone is unhooked and the landing platform is clear, the crew uses long poles to shove the brakes as far out on the cables as the can and the ride is ready for the nest group of five. (There are five cables)

And that, dear readers, is the end of the story of the Zip Line.

For an old guy like me, the best way to enjoy it is from the Dragon's Breath Bar with a cold "Foo-Foo" drink in hand.

But being truly dedicated, I ventured out into the hot sun, away from the "Foo-Foo" drinks in order to bring you this report. :)

I hope you enjoy it and thanks to the folks who posted the unknown photos that I used.

I did my first zips last year thru the jungles of Costa Rica. Amazing

This one looks super but it look like there is only one long ride not numerous platforms and numerous rides

The cost of $70 per person seems a little steep for a one time ride

but it does look like its a hell of a ride

I am going on Dec 16/07

jazzyman

Trainman, awesome posts you put together there!!! I think it would be a BEAUTIFUL sight, however just LOOKING at the pics has me shaking!!! LOL :p

These pictures are wonderful! Thanks for posting them! Our SIL will love doing this!

Jazzyman

Great pics. We did a zipline in Roatan last week. I loved it. Now, I want to do this one.

I don't know:eek: :eek: I have this reserved but I am afraid of heights:o I know I can do it, I know I can do it:p

My mom and i are very excited for this excursion :eek: do you have to bring your own shoes or do they supply them like they do with the rock wall?

No you have to wear your own tennys.

We were there last week. A couple of observations:

1 - We heard from experienced zip-liners that they did not like the fact that this one is so "slow". On observation, it did look to be a pretty slow ride, but looking at the pics above, I'm sure it might be worth it. Check out that view!

2 - We checked it out and at first weren't interested due to the price for 1 short and 1 long line vs. similar pricing for 6-9 lines on Jamaica's Original Canopy Tour.

3 - When we decided we wanted to go ahead and do it (around lunchtime), they said that the excursion was booked for the day. So my advice is to book early.

Looks like fun to me! Maybe next time...

do you have to bring your own shoes or do they supply them like they do with the rock wall?

Ok, but I do wonder if a change of underwear would be in order after that initial drop... :D

Great Pictures!

Beautiful view and great pictures, but isn't it a shame that the view from the ship isn't as pretty anymore because of those ugly towers and cables. Just like everywhere else these days, we have (cell and power) towers that obscure the natural beauty of the mountains. :(

Having said that, I think my children would love this ride, but I think I will pass. :eek: Could you go up to the top without riding?

On second thought, after watching the video, the slow ride may be just right for me! This could take the place of the Para-sailing adventure I've always wanted to do.

We were there last week. A couple of observations:

 

1 - We heard from experienced zip-liners that they did not like the fact that this one is so "slow". On observation, it did look to be a pretty slow ride, but looking at the pics above, I'm sure it might be worth it. Check out that view!

2 - We checked it out and at first weren't interested due to the price for 1 short and 1 long line vs. similar pricing for 6-9 lines on Jamaica's Original Canopy Tour.

3 - When we decided we wanted to go ahead and do it (around lunchtime), they said that the excursion was booked for the day. So my advice is to book early.

 

Looks like fun to me! Maybe next time...

Yes

Thats my concern if they control the speed and since this is own by RC they don't want any type of injury from a high speed decent

I also had a number of lines(10) in costa rica

So is the cost justified?

Jazzyman

Thanks Trainman for the great post!

I've booked DH on it for the week after next, I myself will follow your lead & nurse a foo foo drink or two whilst watching! :D

Is it just me, or does it appear that this line moves relatively slowly ? Is it the simple physics of such a long line, which is not that taunt, that makes you go slowly ? Sure it is long, but I want speed too ....

David:confused:

I am not sure about the definition of a true zip line vs. canopy tour. But I did notice that the one in Labadee is very different from the canopy tour in Jamaica (which I've done twice now). On the one in Jamaica, you're harnessed in (not seated), and you can control the speed with your gloved back hand. You can also spin around, dependent upon gravity and speed. For the one in Labadee, it looked more like a seat/chair and I couldn't tell that the rider had any control.

Our son Calvin told us that they told him the only control was body position. If you stay tucked in and minimize your wind drag you can get up to 60 mph.

I saw two people stop just short of the landing area because they waved their arms and legs the entire way down.

The seat/harness are nicely designed and supports the riders butt so that they can wave their arms and legs all they want to.

I have done the canopy tours in Belize and in Ocho Rios and thougth this one looked pretty lame--we were in Labadee before it opened in March. BUT HOLY COW the view from the top is AMAZING. Gonna have to try it.

Great photos--thanks for putting down your drink and taking them for us. Really above and beyond!

Great photos--thanks for putting down your drink and taking them for us. Really above and beyond!

At my age and with a heart attack and back surgery 6 months ago, taking photos seems to be best for me.

I really enjoy cruising and meeting new people either in person or through these boards.