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

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't go. But not because of the travel advisory on Haiti. I wouldn't go because I took a RC cruise this summer and it was horrible. Worst vacation I've ever had.

What ship? From where? Itinerary?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me again: wake up early and observe the island as you sail in. So lush and tropical. It’s truly gorgeous. A shame that corruption has destroyed the country and harmed its people.

People criticize Cuba but 70 years ago Cuba and Haiti had a lot of similarities. Cuba’s not doing great but it’s definitely doing better than Haiti. Although Haiti has also had more natural disasters than Cuba to deal with — I don’t think Cuba gets the earthquakes.

France forced Haiti to pay outrageous sums (like half a billion in today's dollars) at independence to compensate France for the "loss" of Haitian slaves. That debt has handicapped Haiti from the start.

Yep. People think Haiti’s troubles have their roots in natural disasters, but it was the crippling debt payment that went on until 1947.

The cruise lines that use Labadee pool together and employ a heavy duty security force. Also, it is simply geographically well secluded.

As for the pp who commented that in Haiti, “they” wouldn’t allow anything to harm tourism, I’m not sure if you mean the Haitian government. If so…uh, no. There is not much a government to be had, definitely not a tourism bureau, and even if there were they have no control over the gangs. The warlords are definitely not thinking about preserving tourism! But if the “they” you are talking about means the cruise companies, then yes. They are going to do their best to protect the tourists.

I have traveled to Haiti working for an NGO in the past. About five to eight years ago, I would have said foreigners were pretty safe. Then the unthinkable began to happen and kidnapping of foreigners started becoming common. These days, I would say cruisers in Labadee are safe, but I do wonder if someday that will be a thing of the past. For right now, personally I’d go and tip people well in cash. I always feel like an a-hole handing out cash like a big shot, but the situation is too bad to be worrying about that. People will be happy to get your tips.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me again: wake up early and observe the island as you sail in. So lush and tropical. It’s truly gorgeous. A shame that corruption has destroyed the country and harmed its people.

People criticize Cuba but 70 years ago Cuba and Haiti had a lot of similarities. Cuba’s not doing great but it’s definitely doing better than Haiti. Although Haiti has also had more natural disasters than Cuba to deal with — I don’t think Cuba gets the earthquakes.

France forced Haiti to pay outrageous sums (like half a billion in today's dollars) at independence to compensate France for the "loss" of Haitian slaves. That debt has handicapped Haiti from the start.

I wouldn't go. But not because of the travel advisory on Haiti. I wouldn't go because I took a RC cruise this summer and it was horrible. Worst vacation I've ever had.

Anonymous wrote:Me again: wake up early and observe the island as you sail in. So lush and tropical. It’s truly gorgeous. A shame that corruption has destroyed the country and harmed its people.

People criticize Cuba but 70 years ago Cuba and Haiti had a lot of similarities. Cuba’s not doing great but it’s definitely doing better than Haiti. Although Haiti has also had more natural disasters than Cuba to deal with — I don’t think Cuba gets the earthquakes.

We haven’t been to labadee but my understanding is that it’s basically a private island. I guess it’s possible that the Haitians could take it by storm (see, eg, American embassy in t Tehran or American medical school in Grenada) but it doesn’t seem likely. I don’t know why but it’s always struck me as more exploitative than the other Caribbean ports but maybe that’s not a rational conclusion. I’m sure the Haitians that work there are thrilled to have the jobs. Bring some extra money for tips.

Our cruise ship stopped at the DR (like Haiti, it's under State Dept travel advisory) and we even took an excursion tour (via the cruise line).

It's fine. Haiti is desperate for tourism and the gated-off area will be heavily secured. They don't want to make international headlines b/c something bad happens to tourists in Haiti so they will do all they can to keep that gated area secure.

Me again: wake up early and observe the island as you sail in. So lush and tropical. It’s truly gorgeous. A shame that corruption has destroyed the country and harmed its people.

Labadee is something like a 9 hour bus ride from the urban areas in the southern part of the island where the danger is. Plus, it’s completed fenced off (you won’t even see the fence as long as you opt for one of the first beaches when you get off the ship. Ever been to Disney’s Coco Cay? It’s just like that but more lush and authentic. We love stopping in Labadee!

The only locals you see work there (setting up chairs/umbrellas, at the buffet, etc.). Bring cash for tips.

We prefer the small beach towards the right (view of the ship) and away from the kids’ water activities.

Anonymous wrote:Don’t get off the ship if you’re so nervous about the stop.

This. But you’ll be missing out on sun, sand and beautiful water.

Really wondering if this is a troll post. Labadee is literally a cruise port that I think Haitians have no access to unless they are working there. None of the State department’s travel warning applies to visiting a beach bar at Labadee.

Don’t get off the ship if you’re so nervous about the stop.

There is currently a Level 4, Do Not Travel Advisory, to Haiti. However, Royal Caribbean cruises are still taking passengers to Labadee, Haiti. Apparently this is a "fenced off" area of Haiti that many cruise advocates say is really "safe" to travel to.

Spouse wants to go there on a cruise in the next few months. Thoughts? Would you go? I am a 100% no right now.



It sounds really bad:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/haiti-travel-advisory.html#:~:text=Haiti%20%2D%20Level%204%3A%20Do%20Not%20Travel&text=Last%20Update%3A%20Updated%20to%20reflect,and%20poor%20health%20care%20infrastructure.