Neighborhoods of Labadee Haiti

      Labadee Haiti

    Private Paradise

On the north coast of Hispaniola, surrounded by beautiful mountain slopes and exotic foliage, sits Labadee®, Royal Caribbean's private paradise. Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas sails there during the 7 Night Eastern Caribbean cruise.  This exclusive destination offers pristine beaches, breathtaking scenery and spectacular water activities. 

Labadee boasts new enhancements and amenities for guests. The beach destination now features seven neighborhoods, each with a distinct style: 

Buccaneers' Bay

You'll find the tour information and booking desk at Buccaneer's Bay, where you can book any remaining available spots for excursions. This is also the meeting point for our watercraft and boat tours. There is plenty to choose from including the WaveJet tour, Parasailing, Arawaky Snorkel Adventure, Haitian Hydro Highlights Express, Discover Haiti, Sandbar Rendezvous, Haitian Cultural Tour and Snorkel Safaris.

Dragon's Plaza

Located just outside Buccaneers' Bay. Here you'll be able to enjoy a barbecue style lunch buffet at the Dragon's Café. Dragon's Plaza is also the start of the longest beach on Labadee. Although not suitable for swimming (visit the beach at Columbus Cove instead), it is the perfect place to soak up the sun and listen to the sounds of the ocean. Be sure to take a walk out to Dragon's Head (a breathtaking natural rock formation). 

Labadee Town Square

Labadee Town Square boasts an expanded version of the popular artisan market and a festive atmosphere that comes alive with music, folkloric dancers and more. This location offers convenient meeting places where guests can enjoy the rich Haitian culture and take in shopping, shows, cultural activities and other memorable experiences.

At the end of your day at the beach, catch a tram ride back to Buccaneer's Bay where it's just a short walk to the exit and back to your awaiting ship.

Adrenaline Beach

Not only is this beach brand new, but it is also home to Labadee's newest attraction, the Dragon's Tail Coaster. Located by Labadee Town Square, Adrenaline Beach features soccer, basketball and beach volleyball games.

During our visit, we had olympic style games there raising money for "Make-A-Wish Foundation"  as part of our National Conference activities.

Columbus Cove

This family friendly spot is located in a protected cove that allows for swimming and floating on a beach mat. Trees along the sandy beach provide natural shade great for relaxation. Columbus Cove boasts one of the largest aqua parks in the Caribbean. The young and young at heart alike will enjoy family activities including: climbing "icebergs," the log roll, the teeter-totter, trampolines and a new water slide. This is also the site of one of our barbecue lunch buffet areas.

Nellie's Beach

Simply a slice of paradise. Want to enjoy a nice leisurely kayak trip to take in the sights of the surrounding coast and nearest village? Nellie's Beach is now home to the Kayak Adventure. You can also enjoy floating beach mats and complimentary beach lounge chairs on this picture perfect beach.

Barefoot Beach Club

Exclusively for Royal Caribbean International's Grand suites and above guests, the Barefoot Beach Club offers a total of 20 private cabanas along the water's edge and within the hillside areas. Enhanced food and beverage services are also available.





Guests are now able to dock directly on the Labadee coastline without having to tender onto a smaller vessel. This gives guests more time to enjoy the spectacular activities available on their own private beach destination. The pier stretches 1,300 feet (pier and trestle) in length and even allows the 225,282 gross registered tonnage berth of the Oasis of the Seas^®, Allure of the Seas^®, Freedom of the Seas^® and Liberty of the Seas^®.

To learn more about our recent Allure of the Seas cruise, and see more pictures, become a fan on our Facebook page:

Allure of the Seas Neighborhoods

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Oasis and Allure Family Offers

ALLURE of the Seas & OASIS of the Seas

Great for Families

Royal Caribbean's two newest ships, Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas offer great food, fun packed activities, and first-class entertainment options.  There is something for everyone to enjoy while on board the ship.  Plus, you travel to several of the Caribbean's top destinations during your week-long cruise vacation.   

This summer Royal Caribbean is taking family entertainment to a whole new level with DreamWorks Animation®'s Kung Fu Panda 2™ onboard - see the movie on us! Plus, check out all these other experiences included in the price of your cruise:

• Exclusive DreamWorks® Experience, featuring complimentary character breakfasts, 3D movies, parades, photo opportunities with Shrek, Po from Kung Fu Panda® and more
• Award-winning, complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program
• Broadway shows, ice shows, thrilling nightlife venues
• Fine dining in multiple restaurants, plus room service – included!
• Pool & Sports Zone with signature FlowRider® surf simulator, full basketball courts, table tennis, rock-climbing walls and world-class fitness center

ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S BEST 

SUMMER VACATION OFFER YET!

Sail with your family on Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas^SM this summer,
and enjoy hundreds to spend on the world’s most innovative class of ships.

• Reserve two neighborhood balconies* and get $400 credit
• Reserve three neighborhood balconies* and get $600 credit
• Good for any Oasis of the Seas® or Allure of the Seas^SM sailing departing in June, July, and August 2011

Enjoy the complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program, more than two dozen dining options, Broadway entertainment, thrilling nightlife and plenty more across seven amazing neighborhoods.

*BOOK BETWEEN APRIL 6TH - 13TH, 2011
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER

TWO WORDS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
“IT’S INCLUDED.”

$100 ONBOARD CREDIT
Receive $100 to spend onboard when you book a balcony** in
Central Park® or Boardwalk® neighborhoods on the Oasis class.
APPLICABLE FOR SAILINGS IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST 2011.

**BOOK BY APRIL 30, 2011 TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OFFER

Both of these offers must be booked through a Travel Agent

Contact Us Today for Details

Where is Chris - Featured Destination Sept 09

It’s a gorgeous morning where I am. The sun is shining, and the trees are gently swaying in the warm breeze. Back home, the wind is howling and the snow is blowing. I am very thankful that I am here.

Where is Chris? I’m not going to tell you right away. Close your eyes and imagine you are standing next to me while I paint a picture of what I saw today and we will see if you can figure it out.

Arriving early in the embarkation port ...

I decided to fly in a few days early before my cruise started to visit a city I had heard about but never visited. It is a diverse city and inexpensive to explore and enjoy. There is plenty of entertainment, places to see and things to do. You will not be disappointed in exploring it.

Exploring the neighborhoods ...

The first thing I do after breakfast is get a map of the city. With a map, I can plot out what I want to see without wandering and getting lost. The city is divided into neighborhoods and each one has a map of the things to visit in their area. I decided to just explore some of the neighborhoods since there is another destination that I want to see before my cruise starts.

Exploring Microcentro...

You will spend plenty of time in this part of the city since it is the hub of the government, banks, services and everything that makes this city tick. The area’s defining feature, that connects two neighborhoods, is the pedestrian thoroughfare that is crowded by day with shoppers and at night the performance artists thrill tourists and locals alike.

The biggest attraction/destination is situated in an old restored building that houses valuable and artistic murals. It offers an extensive list of choices – stores of fashionable clothes, leather articles, books, jewelry, souvenirs and many more things. It has movie theatres and a graceful dining area offering all types of options. It also houses a famous Ballet School.

Exploring a classy neighborhood ...

Another classier neighborhood is lined with handsome apartment buildings and is home to fine shops, art galleries and restaurants. This neighborhood grew up around an area that covers 4 square blocks and has one of the city’s most visited attractions. The ancestors of the city’s aristocracy are buried here. The Recoleta Cemetery is a virtual crypt city of tall and elaborate tombs and mausoleums. The monument most people seek out is the simple dark marble crypt belonging to the wife of the dictator Juan Peron and the heroine of the city’s working class- Eva Peron.

Where am I ?

If you haven’t figured out by now, the city I am spending a few days in is Buenos Aires, Argentina. Buenos Aires is either the starting point or is in the middle of various cruises. Some of these cruises sail around the tip of South America and end in Valparaiso, Chile.

It is the capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southern shore of the Rio de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent. It has a population of around 13 million and is considered the richest city in South America and the Southern Hemisphere.

Time for you to continue the exploration ...

Let me help you plan a cruise vacation to South America which starts or ends in Buenos Aires. Extend your stay before or after the cruise so that you can visit the many diverse neighborhoods of this city on your own. I have selected a couple itineraries that you might consider in February, 2010.

Select from these Celebrity Infinity Cruises or contact me for other choices ...

14-Night South America, Buenos Aires to Valparaiso

14 Night Antarctic Cruise, Buenos Aires R/T

Let us CUSTOM DESIGN a SOUTH AMERICA CRUISE VACATION for YOU.

e-mail us: cpappin@cruisesinc.com to start planning YOUR cruise

Oasis of the Seas Takes to Water

Photos Courtesy STX Europe

Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas

Begins Sea Trials

Like a "duck to water" Royal Caribbean International's latest ship, Oasis of the Seas, took to the water in Turku, Finland last week as she began the first of her sea trials. Weighing in at 225,000 GT she becomes the largest cruise ship in the world. In fact, when Oasis of the Seas leaves Turku for Miami, Fl. this autumn, it will be the biggest export product of Finland ever.It is quite an accomplishment for shipbuilder STX Europe ASA. Formely known as Aker Yards ASA, the group changed its name to STX Europe in November, 2008.

Oasis of the Seas is 47 metres wide and 360 metres long, i.e. 40 m longer than the height of the Eiffel tower! Height over the water line is 65 m. Building the vessel has been compared to a huge 3-dimensional puzzle. The vessel consists of 180 grand blocks, the biggest with a size of length 22 m, width 30 m and weight 600 tons! The vessel´s weight is 12 times the weight of the Eiffel tower.

It's hard to believe that it was just on November 21, 2008, that the launching ceremony of the Oasis of the Seas took place at STX Europe's shipyard in Turku. Martin Landtman, President of STX Finland Cruise Oy was joined by Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and other executives of the yard and owners to turn the valves releasing water into the drydock and letting the vessel float out to its own element.

According to Royal Caribbean's Chairman & CEO, Richard Fain, who was onhand for the event, "Most of the trials were a terrific success. The ship performed her various tests very well and everyone is very excited." The ship is now back in her construction berth.

There was one surprise, however. They were thinking of adding an aerostat to the ship and were doing a test to see if it was practical/desirable. You can see the blimp in the picture above. However, if you had been there, you would have noticed that it was missing later. In fact, they had to fetch it out of the water. So, I guess it's back to the drawing board for this new innovation. Fain took it light-heartedly saying "This is precisely why we do such tests (and why I don’t take credit until we know whether or not they are successful)".

Oasis of the Seas will be like a floating resort with seven neighbourhoods - themed areas offering experiences for passengers of all ages: the Promenade, a shopping mall with boutiques and restaurants, Boardwalk with the first amfi theatre at sea, Vitality Spa, Pool & Sports Zone with water park activities, Youth Zone with playing possibilities from babies to teens, Entertainment Place with casino and dance hall. And the Central Park with a revolutionary design in which the centre of the ship opens to the sky. With the length of a soccer field, some 110 metres and a width of 19 metres the park will have growing lawn, trees and other vegetation. Sun will be shining to this unique open outdoor space surrounded with restaurants, shops and cafés. Learn more about all the neighbourhoods.

See the Video: Oasis of the Seas Sea Trial

STX Europe is not just building the Oasis of the Seas, but it has also laid the keel for it's sister ship, Allure of the Seas which is due out in 2010.

Perhaps this summarizes it best: "We are not building just ships, we are building experiences" says Martin Landtman, President of STX Finland Cruise Oy. "The world's largest cruise vessels are innovations themselves, and have several innovations inside. Cruise passengers are expecting new unparalleled experiences, and that is what the owners and the yard continuously are creating in good cooperation".