The temperature averages 67 to 85 degrees F year-round, so shorts or a bathing suit are always appropriate, and bring footwear. The ship provides beach towels for you to take ashore.
You can sunbathe, stroll or play volleyball on several pristine beaches that line the shore. The water is intensely blue and warm, and the sand is sugary but dangerous. Don't go barefoot because sharp coral lies just beneath the sand, even on walking trails that wind through lush tropical foliage.
Lounge chairs and hammocks are available, as well as beach mats for floating in the surf.
The Aqua Park has a floating trampoline, water slides, an inflatable iceberg to climb and a rolling log. Another kids' activity is Luc's Splash Bash, with ground geysers and water archways as a backdrop for a pirate ship with water cannons. There's even a treasure map trail.
Snorkeling is great among the coral reefs teeming with marine life. You can also kayak along the coastline of the Bay of Labadee past Haitian fishing villages.
Parasailing puts you 400 feet up for an aerial view of Labadee and surrounding islands.
Speeding along the coast on a Waverunner is another wet thrill. You must be 16 years old and have a valid driver's license to navigate one.
The Artisan Market features the best of Haitian woodwork, arts and crafts, and liquor. Haggling is OK at the indoor Haitian Flea Market stuffed floor to ceiling with all kinds of colorful souvenirs. You'll need cash to buy, and the U.S. dollar is accepted.
A barbecue buffet lunch provided by the ship is available from 11:30 a.m. through 2 p.m. in several spots on Labadee. Haitian entertainers are often on hand to perform for passengers.
The libation of the day is a frozen Labaduzee, made with dark and coconut rums, orange, pineapple and papaya juices, grenadine and cream of coconut. Drink one if you dare.
Because of Haiti's chronic poverty and political instability, RCI offers no shore excursions to explore the rest of Hispaniola and discourages passengers from leaving Labadee except for tours by water.
