Royal Caribbean Cruise to Labadee, Haiti

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Labadee is the private island leased by the cruise line. Your only danger is other cruise passengers/crew.

It's not an island. It's at the tip of a small peninsula with only one road in/out.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eqoJLj8EGXCnBS7h9

[Anonymous]

I went on a cruise with my parents when I was 16 -- in 1981 -- and I refused to get off the boat in Haiti.

It's a failed state and the people are desperate. I don't know how any of them end up working in Labadee, but my gut tells me they are not treated well since the cruise lines are already horrid employers and there is no rule of law in Haiti.

I can't see supporting that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went on a cruise with my parents when I was 16 -- in 1981 -- and I refused to get off the boat in Haiti.

It's a failed state and the people are desperate. I don't know how any of them end up working in Labadee, but my gut tells me they are not treated well since the cruise lines are already horrid employers and there is no rule of law in Haiti.

I can't see supporting that.

Why did you take the cruise at all? If cruise lines have that reputation, then you're patronizing the workers on the ship who are being treated poorly too.

[Anonymous]

I remember visiting Haiti independently many years ago and they would let anyone visit the Labadee cruise ship beach on days the ships weren’t there. It was a bit surreal having the entire beach to yourself. Very beautiful area!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember visiting Haiti independently many years ago and they would let anyone visit the Labadee cruise ship beach on days the ships weren’t there. It was a bit surreal having the entire beach to yourself. Very beautiful area!

^^also walked around the adjacent town of Labadee which was a real eye opener, and where most local employees live. It’s a shame they don’t let all the cruise tourists see the “real” Haiti. If you arrive by ship, I believe there is no possible way to leave the compound.

[Anonymous]

I was last at Labadee pre-covid but it was heavily secured then. Other than locals who work there and a little "market" area they set up for the tourists, you will not see locals. If you are really worried, you could stay on the boat and enjoy the pool when it's less crowded.

If you are still concerned, why not look for a different itinerary that doesn't stop there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went on a cruise with my parents when I was 16 -- in 1981 -- and I refused to get off the boat in Haiti.

It's a failed state and the people are desperate. I don't know how any of them end up working in Labadee, but my gut tells me they are not treated well since the cruise lines are already horrid employers and there is no rule of law in Haiti.

I can't see supporting that.

Why did you take the cruise at all? If cruise lines have that reputation, then you're patronizing the workers on the ship who are being treated poorly too.

Read my post. I was *16* -- it was a two-week family vacation.

I actually didn't want to go for unrelated reasons, but it really wasn't an option. Because -- as I said -- I was 16.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been there. It’s not really Haiti.
I just got off a RC cruise yesterday. I was a little concerned about Covid. I’m not sure I’d book a cruise too far out. Hard to tell what we are in for this year.

My point is I’m not sure Labadee is any worse than anywhere else.

I would say that Coco Cay (a popular RC stop) is not worth it and I’d avoid it if I cruise again.

Also St John was a terrible stop as well (our stop after Labadee a few years ago)
I much preferred Labadee, San Juan and Nassau.

[Anonymous]

I went there with RC and it's a private beach only available to RC passengers. I had wanted to take supplies and things because our church works with groups in Haiti but we had no access to them and vice versa. It's a nice beach, I guess (I'm not really a beach person). RC removes all the seaweed too, which is weird to me but I guess that's what happens at a private beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went there with RC and it's a private beach only available to RC passengers. I had wanted to take supplies and things because our church works with groups in Haiti but we had no access to them and vice versa. It's a nice beach, I guess (I'm not really a beach person). RC removes all the seaweed too, which is weird to me but I guess that's what happens at a private beach.

Responding to myself. We took a guided tour of the area and I asked the tour guide how they feel about all the cruise ships etc disrupting their island. He told me the locals love it, because it means opportunity and jobs they didn't have before and wouldn't otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went there with RC and it's a private beach only available to RC passengers. I had wanted to take supplies and things because our church works with groups in Haiti but we had no access to them and vice versa. It's a nice beach, I guess (I'm not really a beach person). RC removes all the seaweed too, which is weird to me but I guess that's what happens at a private beach.

Responding to myself. We took a guided tour of the area and I asked the tour guide how they feel about all the cruise ships etc disrupting their island. He told me the locals love it, because it means opportunity and jobs they didn't have before and wouldn't otherwise.

I’m the pp who had travelled to Haiti working for an NGO. This was my experience as well. I had a couple of conversations about Labadee with Haitian colleagues, because some friends had been there during a cruise while I was in the country. They were really positive about the jobs it created. I remember them sounding proud that it was a cruise stop. I’d assume most cruise stops are not genuine examples of the life of that country. There’s nothing upsetting or shocking about that.

Just btw, Haitians I’ve met are really proud of their country’s beaches. I used to go for breaks at a couple of beautiful beach clubs, not far from the capital. They weren’t just for foreign tourists and they were “real” beaches filled with Haitian families. They were gorgeous! And the food was amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been there. It’s not really Haiti.
I just got off a RC cruise yesterday. I was a little concerned about Covid. I’m not sure I’d book a cruise too far out. Hard to tell what we are in for this year.

My point is I’m not sure Labadee is any worse than anywhere else.

I would say that Coco Cay (a popular RC stop) is not worth it and I’d avoid it if I cruise again.

Also St John was a terrible stop as well (our stop after Labadee a few years ago)
I much preferred Labadee, San Juan and Nassau.

Wait…

St. John’s, Antigua or did you mean St. Thomas, USVI and you headed on your own to St. John, USVI (because cruise ships don’t port there)?

Antigua has gorgeous beaches! We took a taxi away from the crowds and had a lovely day on a quiet beach in front of a small beach restaurant. A luxury resort was a 5 minute walk down the beach, hidden by trees.

St. Thomas isn’t the best, but we chartered a boat for the day and had a great time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went there with RC and it's a private beach only available to RC passengers. I had wanted to take supplies and things because our church works with groups in Haiti but we had no access to them and vice versa. It's a nice beach, I guess (I'm not really a beach person). RC removes all the seaweed too, which is weird to me but I guess that's what happens at a private beach.

Responding to myself. We took a guided tour of the area and I asked the tour guide how they feel about all the cruise ships etc disrupting their island. He told me the locals love it, because it means opportunity and jobs they didn't have before and wouldn't otherwise.

I’m the pp who had travelled to Haiti working for an NGO. This was my experience as well. I had a couple of conversations about Labadee with Haitian colleagues, because some friends had been there during a cruise while I was in the country. They were really positive about the jobs it created. I remember them sounding proud that it was a cruise stop. I’d assume most cruise stops are not genuine examples of the life of that country. There’s nothing upsetting or shocking about that.

Just btw, Haitians I’ve met are really proud of their country’s beaches. I used to go for breaks at a couple of beautiful beach clubs, not far from the capital. They weren’t just for foreign tourists and they were “real” beaches filled with Haitian families. They were gorgeous! And the food was amazing.

Agreed.

Only some privileged Americans can’t recognize that cruise ships and the passengers they bring fuel economic opportunity. The people working at Labadee have a safe job where they receive cash tips on top of their salary.

Haiti is a beautiful country. A friend with an ngo traveled across the country many years ago and her pictures were gorgeous. She said it was one of the most beautiful places she had ever visited—both the beaches and the mountains.

When you arrive by ship, the landscape is breathtaking. It’s so lush and striking, unlike any other island I’ve seen.

In Labadee by the buffet, there are performers who do flips, tumbling, etc. on the bare cement. Definitely bring cash to tip them. They are amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went there with RC and it's a private beach only available to RC passengers. I had wanted to take supplies and things because our church works with groups in Haiti but we had no access to them and vice versa. It's a nice beach, I guess (I'm not really a beach person). RC removes all the seaweed too, which is weird to me but I guess that's what happens at a private beach.

Responding to myself. We took a guided tour of the area and I asked the tour guide how they feel about all the cruise ships etc disrupting their island. He told me the locals love it, because it means opportunity and jobs they didn't have before and wouldn't otherwise.

I’m the pp who had travelled to Haiti working for an NGO. This was my experience as well. I had a couple of conversations about Labadee with Haitian colleagues, because some friends had been there during a cruise while I was in the country. They were really positive about the jobs it created. I remember them sounding proud that it was a cruise stop. I’d assume most cruise stops are not genuine examples of the life of that country. There’s nothing upsetting or shocking about that.

Just btw, Haitians I’ve met are really proud of their country’s beaches. I used to go for breaks at a couple of beautiful beach clubs, not far from the capital. They weren’t just for foreign tourists and they were “real” beaches filled with Haitian families. They were gorgeous! And the food was amazing.

Agreed.

Only some privileged Americans can’t recognize that cruise ships and the passengers they bring fuel economic opportunity. The people working at Labadee have a safe job where they receive cash tips on top of their salary.

Haiti is a beautiful country. A friend with an ngo traveled across the country many years ago and her pictures were gorgeous. She said it was one of the most beautiful places she had ever visited—both the beaches and the mountains.

When you arrive by ship, the landscape is breathtaking. It’s so lush and striking, unlike any other island I’ve seen.

In Labadee by the buffet, there are performers who do flips, tumbling, etc. on the bare cement. Definitely bring cash to tip them. They are amazing.

Oh great. The cruise ship apologist is back. Sorry, but those ships pollute massively and contribute a pittance to the local economy (in this case most locals can’t even get near the tourists!). You are the definition of eyes wide shut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went there with RC and it's a private beach only available to RC passengers. I had wanted to take supplies and things because our church works with groups in Haiti but we had no access to them and vice versa. It's a nice beach, I guess (I'm not really a beach person). RC removes all the seaweed too, which is weird to me but I guess that's what happens at a private beach.

Responding to myself. We took a guided tour of the area and I asked the tour guide how they feel about all the cruise ships etc disrupting their island. He told me the locals love it, because it means opportunity and jobs they didn't have before and wouldn't otherwise.

I’m the pp who had travelled to Haiti working for an NGO. This was my experience as well. I had a couple of conversations about Labadee with Haitian colleagues, because some friends had been there during a cruise while I was in the country. They were really positive about the jobs it created. I remember them sounding proud that it was a cruise stop. I’d assume most cruise stops are not genuine examples of the life of that country. There’s nothing upsetting or shocking about that.

Just btw, Haitians I’ve met are really proud of their country’s beaches. I used to go for breaks at a couple of beautiful beach clubs, not far from the capital. They weren’t just for foreign tourists and they were “real” beaches filled with Haitian families. They were gorgeous! And the food was amazing.

Agreed.

Only some privileged Americans can’t recognize that cruise ships and the passengers they bring fuel economic opportunity. The people working at Labadee have a safe job where they receive cash tips on top of their salary.

Haiti is a beautiful country. A friend with an ngo traveled across the country many years ago and her pictures were gorgeous. She said it was one of the most beautiful places she had ever visited—both the beaches and the mountains.

When you arrive by ship, the landscape is breathtaking. It’s so lush and striking, unlike any other island I’ve seen.

In Labadee by the buffet, there are performers who do flips, tumbling, etc. on the bare cement. Definitely bring cash to tip them. They are amazing.

Oh great. The cruise ship apologist is back. Sorry, but those ships pollute massively and contribute a pittance to the local economy (in this case most locals can’t even get near the tourists!). You are the definition of eyes wide shut.

I don’t think you understand what a mess Haiti is. The jobs in the RC private beach at Labadee are highly desired positions for locals. Their economy is a mess and people live in abject poverty.

I didn’t bring up pollution. That’s a different debate.

But ICYMI: cruise ships have no issue with recruiting and retaining workers. Why? Because they are desperate for economic opportunity—and many are looking for safety. The cruise industry is widely known as a safe haven for the lgbtqi community. People literally run from family and home countries that refuse to accept them and find their tribe on board ships. If you bothered to speak with the crew, you’d understand where they are coming from.

Your solution is simply not to go to Haiti since practically speaking the only tourists arrive by RC (or sometimes their sister line Celebrity) to Labadee. Whether you admit it or not, that’s a big Screw You to the Haitians who work there. Their jobs sustain their families.