UNCFanatik

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

If you find that Hideaway doesn't suit your needs for whatever reason, I would recommend you try South Beach. It is further away from the dock area. I found it very quiet and not really an area that would be an attraction for kids. 

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. 

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

It was a report I saw on one of the National News networks.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/us/haiti-state-department-charter-flight/index.html

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."

2 minutes ago, Cruise a holic said:

cococay such a big improvement over Labadee. Have just got off the Icon and CoCo cay was perhaps the best stop.  We have a scheduled cruise on the Symphony in August- Hope it stops two times in CoCo Cay and forget labadee-

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 

8 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

Things have gone completely downhill in 2024 compared to July 2023. The US has done a great job at forecasting the unrest. I applaud RCCL for making the right decision given the recent events. 

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. 

1 minute ago, jean87510 said:

The POSTS have disappeared.  Not the posters.  

Ah, point taken

5 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

Some have disappeared.

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.

1 minute ago, jean87510 said:

I suggest you may want to read recent reports on what is happening there now.  It is hardly safe.

 

I would like to respond more to this situation on what I think will definitely happen in respect to the US in the next few months and to current residents, and foreign workers but know my post will be deleted.  All I can say is it is definitely an ugly situation there and although Labadee is far, I sincerely hope Royal cancels cruises there until situation gets better.  This is only my opinion after reading and watching.

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.

1 minute ago, prmssk said:

If they are cancelling excursions, only allowing staff and guests (so likely no vendors), bringing food from the ship, using ship crew, etc., what tourism money is making it to the average Haitian?  The port fees and whatever other fees RC pays for Labadee likely are going to some government entity which is corrupt so not likely trickling down to the suffering average Haitian citizen.

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

5 minutes ago, gavvy said:

 

 

you are confusing again the total breakdown of a country with what- social issues in other places- you really think they can just brush this off, no country a cruise ship visits is anywhere near this, I just cant see how you are so so blind 

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.  

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

As predicted, the interim PM resigned today. That should calms thing down.

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

1 minute ago, watcher_62 said:

On the Adventure docked at Labadee. Gangways are open.The captain just announced that the issues are 130 miles away in port au prince, that only staff and suppliers are allowed access to the area, and if we want to stay onboard that’s ok too… So Labadee is fully operational today. 

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

30 minutes ago, Pochi Hanaki said:

Yep the murders and r*pes were just to get rid of the PM. Those will all stop now. 

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 

10 hours ago, Nolefan95 said:

This isn’t misinformation. The 36 minutes isn’t even the nearest point of the closest big city Cap Haitien. 

 

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. 

6 hours ago, sfaaa said:

They don't need to invade. Once BBQ gang overpowers the Haitian police and captures Port An Prince, they will become the next government and own the entire country including Labadee.

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? 

1 hour ago, CSHS1979 said:

He's not wrong

 

 

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 

9 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

This is a false rumor that has spread over the years. Labadee is a 35 minute drive from the large city of Cap-Haitien. It is not some isolated place like many say it is. 

Grasping those straws I see...

Just now, Nolefan95 said:

Ok. We can stop going back and forth now. You aren't changing my mind and I am not changing yours. Like I said, I wish you and everyone that goes there a WONDERFUL TRIP. I have no ill-will towards you. Most likely, nothing will happen. I just refuse to put my family in that situation when our Government says not to go. 

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. 

6 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

Hurt the local economy? Get out of here. Criminals are taking everything from the citizens of Haiti as we speak. Like I said earlier. You do you. I'll do what's best for my family whose safety is my top priority. Enjoy your trip to Haiti. I seriously do hope you have a great uneventful trip.

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

Just now, Nolefan95 said:

It has just recently boiled over. This clearly is not a good situation currently unfolding in Haiti. To have tourists in the country enjoying themselves while the rest of the country is being overrun by criminals is, to me, disgraceful to the decent people of Haiti under siege at the moment. Pretty disgusting actually.

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?

3 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

These are the do not go travel advisories. Haiti is the only place RCCL goes to currently. Again, just because something has thankfully not happened DOES NOT mean it won't. And if the USA is telling its citizens NOT TO GO, do you really feel confident that will safely have you returned if something happens after being warned? I don't. Again, you guys do what you want. We are all free to do so. I choose not to go to Haiti. I do understand why you feel like you do. You aren't alone. Many people feel like you do. But for me and my family, no way when there are sooooo many other wonderful options. 

 

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

4 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

Those other travel advisories aren't "DO NOT GO" travel advisories. 

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?

8 minutes ago, Nolefan95 said:

Oh you think you are safe on a ship docked in Haiti? People really are naïve 

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

Just now, Nolefan95 said:

Exactly. Why even risk it? Is it really worth it? Just go to another port until things are under control. Our own government says to avoid Haiti but RCCL says otherwise? Really???

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...