UNCFanatik

Yes, we love South Beach. This will be our 5th time to Coco Cay and South Beach is usually our go to. One day, I would like to try the Beach Club as well but that has to be at a price I am willing to pay.

Worth is such a subjective thing. There is not a set answer. For me, on my upcoming cruise in June, I bought 2 tickets for Hideaway because I wanted to check out what they had new. Once me & the wife have been, we will then decide if its something we want to do in the future and how much money we would spend on it. From watching videos, I will enjoy the adults only aspect but I dont think the DJ music and party vibe around the pool from what in being reported is not something I would really enjoy. But I want to check it out for myself and since I got tickets around $35/person, I think it warrants me to check it out.

I think this excerpt is referring to the airport in Port Au Prince and not Cap Haitien. But it would be once harrowing journey if you had to make it from Port Au Prince to Cap Haitien to be evacuated. "Cap-Haitien is more than 100 miles from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, where the airport has been under siege by gangs amid fighting between the clans and police in the surrounding area."

I think its a matter of perspective. CocoCay is great with tons to do but I feel Labadee has more natural beauty with the Mountains in the back drop. Labadee has more trails to explore as well. And you get a little more local flair at Labadee than Coco Cay. I hope that Royal resumes stopping at Labadee again. I have only been there once and would love to go there again.

I have been on Allure and Mariner I prefer Oasis Class ships but I did enjoy Mariner. What me & family liked about Mariner over Allure: 1. Water Slides 2. Bamboo Room-Their Tiki Bar 3. I liked the Star Lounge area better for Karaoke than the space on Allure. 4. More ocean views from the Mid Decks Allure over Mariner 1. More complimentary food options. 2. Separate Promenade Cafe and Serentos. Its just one area on Mariner 3. Solarium area 4. Zip Line 5. Central Park and Boardwalk Cant go wrong with either ship. Just a matter of preference

You do understand that some Haitians believe that the former US support for Henry is causing the civil unrest..dont you? I wouldnt have confidence to say that the US was great in their forecasting ability. And as others have said, there are other multiple factors that led Royal's decision to suspend stops to Labadee. I highly doubt, an impending raid/Invasion from Cap Haitien was one of them.

Ah, point taken

I never said that Royal would never suspend Labadee stops. I merely pointed out that there have been Do Not Travel Advisories in the past as well to Haiti and Royal never suspended stopping there because of said advisory. I also pointed out the financial ramifications to the local Haitians that rely on tourist dollars from cruise passengers if Royal stopped going to Labadee. I will still stand by my position that Labadee/Cruise ships in port are not in danger of being attacked by the civil unrest. Royal had to make a business decision in this matter and as others have pointed out, it may have to do with insurance and the growing negative PR and pushes from the more nervous, uninformed cruisers out there.

How long do you think Royal should stop porting there? And what would constitute the situation getting "better"? Transitioning to new government leadership that the Haitian people support will be a lengthy process and will not be resolved anytime soon. But Royal halting sailings will definitely have a negative impact on the workers/vendors of Labadee that rely on tourism.

Do you have confirmation that they have actually shut down the vendor village area of Labadee?

Do you realize how long Haiti has been in turmoil. Should Royal stopped going long ago? In 2010, there was a big debate about whether Royal should stop going to Haiti after the earthquake struck. Royal donated a million dollars in humanitarian aid and ferried in supplies. Like it or not, tourism generates income to the Haitians that work in Labadee. Pulling out of Labadee would have a detrimental effect on local Haitians.

looks like US met with other Caribbean nations as well to discuss Haiti situation and US agreed to contribute $100 million towards multinational force to keep the peace. Will be interesting to see when new elections will take place and how the Haitians will receive the transition to new PM

but… but… Cape Haitian is just 35 miles away!!! Doesn’t the captain know about that staging point if the impending invasion of Labadee??!!!

Of course they will continue but the latest uprising seemed to center around not allowing the PM to return to the country and forcing new election. no easy solutions to the mess in Haiti that has gone on for many years

The part that is misinformation is the totally implausible idea that Cap Haitien will be used as some staging point for an invasion of Labadee. You again are just grasping at straws. You just looked at google maps and said, "look there is a town that is a 35 minute drive from Labadee" Again, 2023 is when the US issued a do not travel advisory to Haiti. There has never been a risk that the population of Cap Haitien will storm Labadee nor is there one now.

The gangs main goal it seems is the resignation of the current PM, which he just did yesterday. What comes next is the question. Will they have an election? And how does this affect Labadee? Do you really see a new government ending a lucrative deal with Royal that extends to 2050?

ok… please let me know when they launch an invasion of Labadee from Cap-Haitien… he just looked on google maps and said “look!! What’s that town closer to Labadee than Port Au Prince??!!!” It’s the well known staging point for a Labadee invasion!!!” not ever gonna happen no matter how much hyperbole and overreaction ppl have

Grasping those straws I see...

I am just glad Royal didnt suspend their stops in Labadee in July 2023 when the US issued a DO NOT TRAVEL advisory to Haiti like you think they should have. Glad to see 1000s of people enjoying their stop in Labadee and spending money on Haitian vendors. Glad that Royal was able to employ Haitians at Labadee since July 2023 when you think Royal should have stopped going. I cant believe all those US citizens that ignored the US DO NOT TRAVEL advisory to Haiti and risk their lives to go to Labadee. I am amazed they all made it out.... Feel free to do whatever you like with your family but you can spare the rest of us by calling us naive.

You are the one that is so very naive if you dont think that the criminals werent ravaging the local citizens of Haiti in 2023 as well especially in Port Au Prince. This just didnt start these last few months. And yes, if Royal suspends going to Labadee, it will have a detrimental effect on the Haitians that work there

July 2023, The US issued the DO NOT TRAVEL advisory to Haiti: "Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure." In, July 2023 the country was overrun by gangs as well. You think the Haitians that work in Labadee want Royal to stop coming? You understand the financial impact that has on the workers and vendors there if Royal doesnt port there? You would deprive these decent Haitians their opportunity to make money? Your profile says Miami. Should people stop vacationing in Miami because of high crime and people in the city living in poverty?

Where were you in July 2023 advocating for Royal to avoid Labadee when the US issued a DO NOT TRAVEL advisory for Haiti? You dont have to go to Labadee...good. but the rest of us arent naive if we choose to go. Its not like we are trying to board a plane to vacation in Port Au Prince. Quite the distinction that I am afraid your hyperbole is missing

You do know that in July 2023, the US issued a DO NOT GO travel advisory to Haiti, dont you? And yet Royal still went to Labadee. Can you point out any incidences since July 2023 at Labadee?

Let me know when Haitians start attacking cruise ships....

Our government has travel advisories to other ports of call as well... Why risk going on a cruise at all? Why risk getting of the ship at any port? Why risk doing any excursions? I mean the mode of transportation could crash? Why risk going in the ocean? Sharks!! Stingrays!! Drowning!! Is all that worth it??!!!! So much overreaction...