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On one of our earlier trips to Labadee we did have the opportunity to talk with one of the vendors.

 

He gave us some history of the island and talked about how RCI developed the area for tourism.

 

He talked about his family and told us they were converted to Catholic faith, but only on a very rare occasion do they get to attend a mass. No priest available only an occasional missionary priest.

He also told us that not all converted and Voodoo is still practiced on parts of the island .

 

The following year when we went back, we took some rosaries and religous cards.

Now mind you to some this may sound corny, but let me tell you when one of the older women saw the items, she got very excited.

We were swarmed with the locals but they waited their turn to get an item.

 

Something so small made them so happy.

 

We always buy something small, and believe me they are more than eager to sell.

 

Just wanted to share.

Oh I love that idea!! I know locals want money also but I know just by going to other very poor islands that many find "gifts" as a nice touch and a great way to say "thank you". These are people who dont have a Target down the road and no means to purchase these items so gifts in addition to money is a nice touch. I know in Jamaica school supplies for the kids is huge and the kids love getting their hands on a Barbie Doll.

Can anyone tell me if there is a hair salon on-board the Allure of the Seas. I'd love to schedule to have my hair curled for the formal evenings.

I just tipped generously. This way they could buy what they need most. We didn't get back on the ship until right before had to. Many people went back around 3pm and we didn't leave until 5...we had time to speak with the locals. Many walk several hours to work and back...when ships aren't in port they clean the beaches for no pay to keep them nice. Often spoke about how well Royal treats them. We saw all the leftover food, drinks etc being distributed to locals so as not to be wasted. I felt like it worked well for the locals.

Oh I love that they did receive the leftover food and drinks; I'd hate to think of it being thrown away when there are so many who would appreciate it. Thank you

Many times when traveling, and staying at resorts, I've packed "gifts" to give to my taxi drivers, housekeepers, etc... For instance in Jamaica and in Mexico I typically take dolls to give to people who have children, school supplies, treat style bags with candy, and sports clothing such as NFL or NBA related shirts; you get the idea. These items are so appreciated by locales at many islands where they are living in poverty. I'm considering doing this for my Labadee stop to give to our cabana attendant and whom ever else we may be in contact with. Has anyone else on here done this while on a cruise, and if so, what would be items you think would be loved and appreciated by the Haitians?

I've never been to Labadee so I'm not really sure how it all works there.

are you in a suite? Royal told me only onboard.

No, we aren't in a suite. We have a regular balcony cabin.

Did you book online? We have done it once before for about $250 but couldnt do it until we got onboard, now the OTW are $495????

Yes, we booked it online and yes we paid $495. I think the rate is quite high but we are taking my mother-in-law and an older aunt and uncle and we know that this will be great for them. I've heard you had to book onboard, but it showed up under excursions on my cruise planner and permitted me to pay in full and it shows on my schedule now as a paid and booked excursion.

I've already booked and paid for my OTW cabana for my July Allure cruise.

We are taking our kiddos with us on the Freedom this May. I heard that the kids can stay on the boat while in port...has anyone done this? How do they get ahold of you in case of emergency?

Yes, I have done this. My daughters were 5 and 6 and at our stop in Mexico we did this. My kids did the kids club and loved it. No problems and no issues at all. We were doing a Tulum excursion and I knew it would be too hot for them to be walking around the ruins all day.

Alright folks, I get that there is a safe in the room and you don't need much stuff most of the time. That's not really helpful information.

 

Part of my thought process was that each of our shore excursions will require a change of clothes, so we will probably take a normal bag with clothes, towel, water, etc. Something like this would go in there and valuables could go inside. If the excursion required us to be away from our bag (swimming, for instance), I could lock the bag whole bag to something or at least have the valuables locked away in the bag to make it harder for someone to just pocket the phone or wallet.

 

Passports: We have passport cards and full passports. Full passports go in the room safe, cards go in the wallet. I know that you don't always have to have them while ashore, but what happens if you miss the boat? I make sure I have an official ID and a CC with me for that reason.

 

On the boat: Phone or camera is with me almost the whole time, and if I'm swimming, it can't go in my pocket. And I've had my seapass come out of my pocket while swimming. Like I said, in past cruises, I've just slid them between the towel on our beach chair and crossed my fingers.

I personally think the problem with this is that all valuables are in one place and it wouldn't be too hard for someone to just take the entire thing and then you've lost everything that was most valuable to you.

You are great! Thank you for this information.

I can't recall which Captain told us that the main reason they gave up on the midnight buffets was that people came and took photos and then went to bed without eating anything. It was a lot of work and waste!

That makes sense. I was guilty of taking pictures and eating a small plate of fruit only.

It's been years since I've been on a cruise and I'm wondering if midnight buffets are a thing of the past or if I should expect to see a midnight buffet at some point during my 7 night Allure cruise this coming July?

Deck 14 observation area, above the bridge wings. Go forward in the deck 14 port side passenger corridor through a door.

Oh cool... for some reason I thought this was a suite guest only location. Is this marked or do we just head up the passenger corridor and we'll find it? I looked on the deck plan and it doesn't really show this.

I'll be on Allure in July. My husband and I are taking his mother and an Aunt and Uncle. I'd love to hear your feedback on where you'd recommend us to be for the sailaway. I'm not in a suite; I'm in a bumpout balcony room on the 12th deck (cabin 12200). This is only my fourth cruise, all have been on Royal Caribbean, so I'm only a base class C & A member. So, based on my cabin and my non existent C & A class; tell me where you'd recommend for a memorable and scenic sailaway. Thank you and I look forward to hearing your replies.

I just paid the $495 for the OTW for my July 2016 cruise on Allure. I really hated paying that much but my husband and I are taking my mother-in-law and also an Aunt & Uncle. I know that this will give them a nice place to relax and also serve as a home base for the time we are in port.

I'm doing this for my mother-in-law... we found a personalization website that had cruise ship shaped ornaments. On the ornament you could personalize it by putting a name on each person on the cruise ship ornament. I put the names of each person who is taking the cruise with her. (we are going with her and her sister and brother in law are also going).