warmwinds Posted August 3, 2012 #1 Share Posted August 3, 2012 The cabana service - will they bring you alcoholic drinks? Do they take credit cards or is it cash only? Can you get more towels if needed? And I just realized that the Celebrity description does not mention transportation to the beach and back from the ship. So what is the transportation situation? And I will sneak in a location question. We chose on the beach because of mobility issues - we want to be as easily accessible to the sand and water as possible. We like to swim and then be in the shade, so we'll be going back and forth from cabana to water quite frequently. I've read conflicting descriptions of where the beachside cabanas are - some have mentioned being separated from the beach by piles of rocks. Very confused. And I can see why they are so popular - with the thousands of people on every ship, it seems that there are really very few of them...so I have the opportunity to switch soon if beachside is an accessibility issue (but I can't see how hillside or over-water can be better). Very confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowers44 Posted August 3, 2012 #2 Share Posted August 3, 2012 You will use your sea pass card on Labadee for any purchases such as mixed drinks. I have read there are towels in the cabana but if you need more, your cabana boy will bring you more. There are golf carts that are used to drive you to your cabana and transport you around if needed. You might want to bring some cash along with you to tip the driver and your cabana boy. I have read that $5 for the driver and $20 for your cabana boy upon your arrival insures excellent service. There is also a "shopping area" on Labadee that the locals sell there crafts. Beware, they are really pushy, also leaned by the cc threads. Don't know anything about the location and accessiblity of cabanas. We will be using our cabana the first week of September. I am planning on posting answers to some of these questions that keep appearing after we return. I will do picures too, if I can figure out how to get them on the site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warmwinds Posted August 3, 2012 Author #3 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Thank you Flowers, very helpful. However, I'm not sure the golf carts fetch you from the ship, do they?...I'm wondering if the ship has shuttles to the beach, or if you need to catch a taxi or bus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowers44 Posted August 3, 2012 #4 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Labadee is a "Private Island. The ship docks right at the pier which is part of Labadee. It is not like docking in St. Thomas or any of the other islands. The ships use to have to stop out in the water and you had to tender into Labadee but they have done improvments and the ship now ties up right at the pier. The golf carts are right as you come off the dock and if you have a cabana rented, they shuffle you right off to your cabana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warmwinds Posted August 3, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Wow, it just gets better and better! Thank you! So I guess they run continuously back and forth so anytime you want to leave you won't have that long a wait? I'm also a little weirded out by tipping in advance, used to tipping after a service, but it's a done thing there to tip your cabana boy up front? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbur Posted August 3, 2012 #6 Share Posted August 3, 2012 you walk down a fairly long pier to get to the shuttles, and then they take you to the beach. The cabana attendent will get drinks, ice, etc for you. It is well stocked with towels but depending on the # in your party you may want more. And . . . location . . . wow everybody's burning question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowers44 Posted August 3, 2012 #7 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Tipping is entirely up to you. I know I have read on many threads that people will give even a partial tip in advance to "Get the person's attention." If the service is great, then you can tip a further amount at the end of the day. Some people give their cabin steward onboard ship an early additional tip and get fantastic service for the whole cruise. One person on this site said they tipped at the beginning of the day on Labadee and never waited for their golf cart or having drinks delivered to their cabana. They were even picked up by the cart and driven to the noon Buffet. They had totally great service for their drink orders. All of the staff works for their tips and money talks with most of them. Again, tipping a personal decision. Just repeating what I have read on the site. I have not experienced Labadee or the "Cabana Life" yet, myself but I am really looking forward to our trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Italy52 Posted August 3, 2012 #8 Share Posted August 3, 2012 My cabana confirmation from RCI says 9 AM. What does that mean exactly? Do I go to a particular spot to find out what my cabana number will be? We arrive Labadee at 8 AM according to our itinerary --- does this 9 AM reservation time mean that I will have to wait until 9 AM to go on the beach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbur Posted August 3, 2012 #9 Share Posted August 3, 2012 My cabana confirmation from RCI says 9 AM. What does that mean exactly? Do I go to a particular spot to find out what my cabana number will be? We arrive Labadee at 8 AM according to our itinerary --- does this 9 AM reservation time mean that I will have to wait until 9 AM to go on the beach? yes, as you are escorted and the person assigned to do this arrives at the end of the pier at 9AM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbur Posted August 3, 2012 #10 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Tipping is entirely up to you. I know I have read on many threads that people will give even a partial tip in advance to "Get the person's attention." If the service is great, then you can tip a further amount at the end of the day. Some people give their cabin steward onboard ship an early additional tip and get fantastic service for the whole cruise. One person on this site said they tipped at the beginning of the day on Labadee and never waited for their golf cart or having drinks delivered to their cabana. They were even picked up by the cart and driven to the noon Buffet. They had totally great service for their drink orders. All of the staff works for their tips and money talks with most of them. Again, tipping a personal decision. Just repeating what I have read on the site. I have not experienced Labadee or the "Cabana Life" yet, myself but I am really looking forward to our trip. Tipping whenever doesn't change the level of service - we wait til the end when we are leaving and still never waited for anything and got stellar service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Italy52 Posted August 3, 2012 #11 Share Posted August 3, 2012 yes, as you are escorted and the person assigned to do this arrives at the end of the pier at 9AM Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddie Posted August 3, 2012 #12 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Can you inquire at the Excursions desk once onboard to check your cabana assignment? I have an over the water at Nellie's, but I would prefer not to have one in particular. Teddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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