Haiti...Wait. What?

Port au Prince is in southern  Haiti... I'm goin' north

When Maureen first told me that one of our stops on the cruise was Haiti, I almost did a spit-take (likely involving Diet Coke, because, let's face it- it's my crack). Anyone else remember the huge disaster that struck Haiti about 2-4 years ago? Remember all of the fundraisers, all of the good people of the world going overseas to help rebuild cities and rescue survivors? This was going to be a part of my vacation?

Not that I wouldn't love to go and help, but apparently Royal Caribbean would like to take us to a *different* portion of Haiti, one that the cruise line leases (which is so weird to me), one that is on the complete opposite part of the island that was hit the hardest.

Dare me to swim back to the boat??

Our last port of call is Labadee, Haiti. Leased by Royal Caribbean, Labadee is near the town of Labadie, which was named for French money-maker Marquis de La'Badie. La'Badie made his dough by provisioning boats that came to and from the city. While Labadie may have rich culture, we do not have the chance to really visit it. Rather, this stop is a "Caribbean paradise," lined with beaches, water activities, cool rum drinks, and sun.

The big pulls to this location?

• Aqua Park - Icebergs (?!) in the Caribbean at the Arawak Aqua Park. Enjoy bouncing on the giant floating trampolines, water slides, rolling log, and many other water toys that will keep you cool while having fun. $15
• Aqua park and Dragon's Tail Roller coaster: water park plus a 3-5 minute ride on an "alpine coaster" $29
• Snorkel Adventure: $69. 
• Rent a Beach Cabana: floating mats, private cabana, upgraded lunch, personal attendant service. $175-200 (per cabana, not per person)
• Castaway at Malfini- trip to a private beach for the day (20 minute boat ride) $65
• Discover Haiti Coastal Tour:  Narrated boat tour of the coast $45
• Dragon's Breath Flight Line: Soar over the beaches at 500 ft above ground, going 40-50 MPH, covering 2600 feet of beach. HELL NO! I'm scared just reading about it! $85
• Dragon Tail Coaster- all day riding privileges for $40, or a one-time ride for $19
• Rent a beach mat- $12
• Haitian Culture Tour and Beach Break - Short ride to Le Village at Paradise Cove and a stop at Paradise Cove Beach $65
• Hydro Express 45 minute boat tour- $42
• Kayak Tour- $32 for 90 minute kayak rental
• Labadee historic tour- Wait. This area isn't too known for its history. But, you can walk around, listen to a history lecture, hear Dragon's Rock "breathe" and visit Nelli's Tower. $18
• Snorkel Safari- Not sure how this is different from the other snorkeling... $47
• Wave Jet Tours (waverunners): driver pays $85, but if you just want to sit and observe on the back of a waverunner, it's $29.
• Parasail: OK, this I may want to do. 5-6 minutes of parasailing (plus a 45 minute boat ride) 400 feet above the water. $79
• Sandbar Adult Getaway: Catamaran ride to the sandbar, stand in the middle of the ocean, relax on a beach mat. Booze involved. $49

Seems like there is a lot to do, but what if a girl just wants to sit in a hammock and nap?? There is a baazar shopping area (open market), and YES there are FREE chairs lined up at the beach by the boat dock. There are even some hammocks placed around the beach. And, lunch is provided while on the island by the ship's chefs. I can handle that.

I'm ready to go... but I may need to go and buy an extra swimsuit or two :-)

Please?