Freedom of the Seas berthed at Labadee, Haiti. Labadee is a small half-mile long peninsula jutting out from the north coast of Haiti. The land is rented by Royal Caribbean, for the exclusive use of its passengers. Cruise ships dock at the elbow shaped pier on the peninsula’s north west side.

Columbus Cove Beach

The beaches on the south side of Labadee are picture-perfect Caribbean beaches, with blue waters lapping against soft golden sands. Head right as you leave the pier, walk past Barefoot beach and Nellie’s beach and you’ll reach Colombus Cove beach, perhaps the best of the three. Find a beach-lounger and concentrate on the important business of improving your tan!

Marketplace

Drop by at the Haitian Marketplace to browse a wide range of local goods, like crafts, paintings, basketry, hats, jewelry and coffee.

Dragon Beach

Dragon Beach faces out from the north side of Labadee. Here the sea is not as calm as on the south, and the water can be quite choppy. Though one side of the beach is protected by a long rock wall a short distance offshore. Here’s a perfect spot for snorkeling, as the wall harbors a rich variety of sealife. To the west of the beach a short trail takes you to Dragon’s rock lookout, which offers magnificent views over the Caribbean sea.

Zip lining

If lounging by the beach is not your thing, and you yearn for something a little more adventurous, try the activities on offer at the hill behind the beaches. A 4x4 jeep takes you up to the Zip lining launch point, from where you launch yourself into the void above the jungle. Alternatively, ride the Dragon’s Tail Coaster, a gravity roller-coaster which swoops down through the tropical forest to finish back at the beach.