CAP-HAITIEN – Labadee, the Royal Caribbean-owned beach resort off Haiti’s northwestern coast popular with cruise lovers, is once again open after being shuttered nearly two years ago, government officials said.
“Welcome back to Labadee, Haiti to almost 3,000 tourists with Harmony of the Seas,” Bocchit Edmond, Haiti’s Ambassador to the U.S. tweeted on Jan. 27.
Labadee had closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thursday, the 18-deck ship welcomed 2,896 passengers on board on its return day, with a staff of 1,979 members.
Through its Labadee Resort, located in the port town called Labadie, Royal Caribbean promotes a “paradise found” experience complete with boat and coaster rides, relaxation spots with sweeping vistas and local cuisine.
Depending on the ship, location and time of year, prices range from $220 per person to upwards of $2,000 per person, according to the company’s site. When a ship docks at Labadie, guests are ferried to the Labadee Resort for excursions for a day, then return to the ship to continue on their island-hopping sojourn.
Royal Caribbean has been operating cruises to its Haitian resort since 1986. It has said the resort provides about 300 jobs to locals and welcomes 200 more people to sell items for a fee.