Labadee, Haiti-What happens if unrest?

[Iamcruzin]

On 7/9/2021 at 7:33 AM, Bobal said:

 

I agree. Last time we called there we said if we visited again we'd stay on the ship

 

On 7/9/2021 at 7:25 AM, Ocean Boy said:

Some people really seem to like the private stops like Labadee. I'm not one of them. We missed Labadee once because of weather. We sailed right by at swimming distance. In return we had a much longer day at our next port, San Juan PR. I was a very happy sailor.

Unless you enjoy swimming and sunbathing the private islands don't have much to offer. With that said we enjoyed our stay at Labadee. It was really the only island that we had a full beach day. The other islands were excursions.  

[Iamcruzin]

19 hours ago, Jtd724 said:

I feel the same about San Juan boring as heck.  I never get off the ship when we hit San Juan ever. I must say I do love Labadee and Coco Cay though. Everyone has their tastes and preferences 🙂

I have been to San Juan many times. Last time it was a hit and run port. We were only there a short time I got off the ship and went to CVS across the street from the ship for some body wash and got back on the ship. The rest of the group went on a ship excursion to the rain forest. The excursion was so bad they got a refund. 

[Iamcruzin]

19 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Your right. I always look forward to returning to San Juan.

For future reference what do you do in San Juan? Can you recommend anything?

[Jtd724]

5 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

For future reference what do you do in San Juan? Can you recommend anything?

Great question. I’m sure there’s so much I missing out on but I am so sick of old San Juan.

[Iamcruzin]

1 minute ago, Jtd724 said:

Great question. I’m sure there’s so much I missing out on but I am so sick of old San Juan.

Me too.  Also tired of shopping and eating at restaurants.  To me it's Manhattan with palm trees with the fake Louis Vuitton handbag vendors on every other corner. 

[florida eagle]

17 hours ago, bruzin_for_a_cruizin said:

I quite enjoy Labadee as a port stop. We always head straight for Columbus Cove; it's the furthest beach from the pier, and while you have to "run the gauntlet" of local "artisans" selling "handmade" "crafts" at "low, low prices" you are rewarded with a great beach with great views of the moored ship. And because it's the furthest away, it's usually the least crowded beach.  And perhaps most importantly, since Labadee is RCL property, drink packages apply! 

 

The port is well-guarded and secure. I don't expect any ships to deviate from any planned stops due to a touch of political unrest in a country which is almost always in some form of upheaval.

 

That said, I think Haiti as a country is a complete failure. When they had that massive earthquake in 2010, I was very vocal in my opinion: instead of sending aid dollars, countries should just set up emigration tents. Instead of giving the corrupt, inept government there $100,000,000 to no effect, give each person $100,000 and refugee status in a first world country. For the same amount of money, you can actually help people. Then, they can abandon that god-forsaken rock.

They share the island with the Dominican Republic which is not wealthy. But seem like it compared to Haiti. There has been resources spent or sent to uplift the people there.

[Dett]

If you are interested in history, we enjoy going to the forts.

[ONECRUISER]

4 hours ago, CRUISEFAN0001 said:

Every incident is unique - the latest one especially egregious.

Yup, point being I did 2 Cruises in 90's during the overthrow/Coup. One week we didnt go to Labadee the second we did. This when we had US Military involved. These issues been there, including US Military on/off for 100yrs. Only major difference this time is Covid/Labadee shutdown makes it easier for Royal to say no

Edited July 10, 2021 by ONECRUISER

[Iamcruzin]

1 hour ago, Dett said:

If you are interested in history, we enjoy going to the forts.

Thank you. We have been to the one in San Juan and the one in Bermuda several times.

[smokeybandit]

I like San Juan as a home port, but as a port stop, it's one of the worst. 

[Dett]

4 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

Thank you. We have been to the one in San Juan and the one in Bermuda several times.

There are actually 2 forts in San Juan.  We took a free trolley, got off visited one, got back on later and went to the other one.  Not sure if trolley is still operating.

[mafig]

One time on a Holland America cruise we were there from early AM to midnight.  We rented a car and drove around the island and stopped where they have the pig dinners (I think they call it "lechan", or something like that...🤔).

We used to go to the Casino when the Sheraton had one....now it's closed.

We have taken a bus to the casinos in Isla Verde.

We once took a cab to the Coranado section ....went to the casinos there, too.

We went to the Rum factory.  Did it on our own, not a ship excursion, practically free.

Our very first cruise we toured  the Fort.  They had a free bus that ran there (probably no longer in service).

 

^This is for San Juan, obviously, not Labadee.

Edited July 10, 2021 by mafig

[ONECRUISER]

19 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I like San Juan as a home port, but as a port stop, it's one of the worst. 

I'd pick there over Jamaica any day. Though was more to do in PR when Royal had longer ship stops staying until 10pm or Midnight. Excursions are limited with shorter stops. But agree that everyone has Favorites. I'm more likely to choose Cruise by Ship and Cabin then all the stops

Edited July 10, 2021 by ONECRUISER

[island lady]

9 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

I'd pick there over Jamaica any day. Though was more to do in PR when Royal had longer ship stops staying until 10pm or Midnight. Excursions are limited with shorter stops. But agree that everyone has Favorites. I'm more likely to choose Cruise by Ship and Cabin then all the stops

 

Me too.   Most times, the Carib cruises I am doing, I hardly look to see what ports we are going to.  Been to so many already, but we usually always find something different to do in each repeat port.  Just takes a little research to make it interesting.  🙂 

[DaniDanielle]

San Juan is our CVS stop.  One time we went to CVS with my cousin, his first time in SanJuan.  He kept looking at things and complaining that a lot was in Spanish! Needless to say he was not a world traveler 🤪

[Lionesss]

@DaniDanielle

 

OMG

 

Ditto, when we leave the ship and head down the pier, do whatever we do excursions, walk, we always stop at CVS, reload on suntan lotion or whatever before heading back onboard.

 

Always go to the cash register by the side entrance, never seems to be a long line there, like the front of the store.

 

We give our phone number from back home to get our loyalty points.

 

Stay safe.

[boscobeans]

4 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

Me too.  Also tired of shopping and eating at restaurants.  To me it's Manhattan with palm trees with the fake Louis Vuitton handbag vendors on every other corner. 

DITTO

An hour or so to walk around and stretch our land legs, see if we notice anything different (the cobblestones are still blue) and that's it.

 

The only shopping is at the CVS to pick up some Pepsi and some snacks on our walk back to the ship.  

[lenquixote66]

Three highlights of San Juan:

 

1) CVS

 

2) Senor Frogs

 

3) The guy standing across the street from the cruise pier saying that he was a stranded traveler from Minnesota asking for money to get back home.

He never seems to leave the corner .Every time we are in San Juan he is there

[jean87510]

Don't know how active anyone is but husband and I rented bikes in San Juan and rode all over.  This was April 2018 right after the hurricanes.  Some places were closed but it was a fun few hours.

[ONECRUISER]

30 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

Don't know how active anyone is but husband and I rented bikes in San Juan and rode all over.  This was April 2018 right after the hurricanes.  Some places were closed but it was a fun few hours.

Good idea, never thought about Bike rental. I remember 3 Decades ago you's see a few Cruise Passengers taking Bikes on board for Port Stops along with Dozens of Golf Bags. Back then you could also hit Golf Balls off the ship. Don't see any of that anymore... 

Edited July 10, 2021 by ONECRUISER

[Iamcruzin]

2 hours ago, boscobeans said:

DITTO

An hour or so to walk around and stretch our land legs, see if we notice anything different (the cobblestones are still blue) and that's it.

 

The only shopping is at the CVS to pick up some Pepsi and some snacks on our walk back to the ship.  

That CVS must make money hand over fist with all of the cruise ship shoppers. They are probably feeling the pinch this past year.

[death_star]

There is also the Walgreens there too. My favorite is going to Chocobar Cortes. Their regular food is quite good if you don't like chocolate. 

[Ocean Boy]

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

Don't know how active anyone is but husband and I rented bikes in San Juan and rode all over.  This was April 2018 right after the hurricanes.  Some places were closed but it was a fun few hours.

Interesting. I would not have thought about biking with the cobblestones and narrow traffic filled streets. And I love to bike.

[Cruise a holic]

8 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

I have been to San Juan many times. Last time it was a hit and run port. We were only there a short time I got off the ship and went to CVS across the street from the ship for some body wash and got back on the ship. The rest of the group went on a ship excursion to the rain forest. The excursion was so bad they got a refund. 

We also don't like San Juan and typically just walk off the ship and buy tee shirts for the grandkids.  Sorry they typically get to the port around 3.  Would enjoy a beach day.  Now we spend the afternoon and evening on the ship.   The first year we did a city tour,  but after that no other tour.

[2chiefs]

On 7/9/2021 at 7:50 AM, molly361 said:

 

I LOVE the private islands.  Why you might ask, because most everyone gets off the ship and we DON'T😇 love the almost empty ship

Same here!!