TexanTwoStep Posted June 20, 2023 Report Share Posted June 20, 2023 Just booked our next cruise on Adventure OTS June 1-7! We're (thankfully) NOT going to Cozumel and Costa Maya, so I'm looking for recommendations, especially for Puerto Plata! So please, tell me what you liked/disliked about Puerto Plata and Labadee! markinct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted June 21, 2023 Report Share Posted June 21, 2023 Labadee is a beach day. The activities, if you're interested in coaster, zip lines etc are fun. I like to head over to Columbus Cove and relax. You can take the ferry over if you don't want to make the walk, but you do need to walk back. Puerto Plata, I'll be hitting for the first time later this year, we've booked a snorkeling boat but also considered a horseback riding excursion. (both outside of Royal). If you check Viator, the popular ones seem to be around the Damajagua falls ChessE4, TexanTwoStep and markinct 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexanTwoStep Posted June 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2023 On 6/21/2023 at 12:30 PM, Xaa said: Labadee is a beach day. The activities, if you're interested in coaster, zip lines etc are fun. I like to head over to Columbus Cove and relax. You can take the ferry over if you don't want to make the walk, but you do need to walk back. Puerto Plata, I'll be hitting for the first time later this year, we've booked a snorkeling boat but also considered a horseback riding excursion. (both outside of Royal). If you check Viator, the popular ones seem to be around the Damajagua falls Awesome, thanks for the recommendations! We were planning on this to be a beach-heavy trip since we're stopping at Labadee and Coco Cay. I just didn't know if there were any "must dos" at any of these ports Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reigert2008 Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 On 6/25/2023 at 6:11 AM, TexanTwoStep said: Awesome, thanks for the recommendations! We were planning on this to be a beach-heavy trip since we're stopping at Labadee and Coco Cay. I just didn't know if there were any "must dos" at any of these ports On 6/21/2023 at 1:30 PM, Xaa said: Labadee is a beach day. The activities, if you're interested in coaster, zip lines etc are fun. I like to head over to Columbus Cove and relax. You can take the ferry over if you don't want to make the walk, but you do need to walk back. Puerto Plata, I'll be hitting for the first time later this year, we've booked a snorkeling boat but also considered a horseback riding excursion. (both outside of Royal). If you check Viator, the popular ones seem to be around the Damajagua falls just checking in to see if either of you had any further information about the port area in Puerto Plata? We don’t generally do excursions and was wondering if the port area was walkable and if they had some shops to buy postcards and maybe a tshirt. We will have my in-laws with us this time and we will probably pop off the ship long enough to look around and then get back on to enjoy the ship. It’ll be their first time on a Voyager class ship after cruising on Oasis class ships several times and one 4N on Freedom class. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 9 hours ago, Reigert2008 said: just checking in to see if either of you had any further information about the port area in Puerto Plata? https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/12/27/ultimate-guide-puerto-plata-cruise-port The port area is great there! PPPJJ-GCVAB, Reigert2008 and WAAAYTOOO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 6 Report Share Posted January 6 Puerto Plata has an awesome port area....the best I have experienced in the Caribbean. Lots of shops....lazy river, swim-up bar in the pool, lots of food options. This port is a great addition and I hope that Royal continues to utilize it. We need more options !!!! NewlyRoyalBuckeye and Reigert2008 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewlyRoyalBuckeye Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 We just got back and I was also very impressed by the Puerto Plata port area. Very nice bars, pool, and lazy river. A bunch of shops and some gorgeous macaws and parrots. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted January 7 Report Share Posted January 7 Labadee/ Nellie’s Beach. It’s best to get there as early as possible to get your pick of the chairs and the location you prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted January 8 Report Share Posted January 8 Labadee is a lot of fun and it's really fun to sit and watch the zip liners fly over the ocean past the beach. I recommend the dragons fire coaster depending on how old your kids are. Very exciting! Be aware that some of the staff who help you out on the island will expect a tip. Last time I went, someone escorted me to an empty pool chair, opened my umbrella, and then stood there waiting for me to give them a tip. You might want to bring cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexanTwoStep Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 On 1/6/2024 at 7:37 AM, AshleyDillo said: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/12/27/ultimate-guide-puerto-plata-cruise-port The port area is great there! Thanks for this! I'm excited about exploring a new port area that isn't like Costa Maya or Cozumel. Cozumel isn't horrible but Costa Maya? Sheesh. AshleyDillo and Butters530 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexanTwoStep Posted January 10 Author Report Share Posted January 10 On 1/7/2024 at 6:33 PM, She Sails Away said: Labadee is a lot of fun and it's really fun to sit and watch the zip liners fly over the ocean past the beach. I recommend the dragons fire coaster depending on how old your kids are. Very exciting! Be aware that some of the staff who help you out on the island will expect a tip. Last time I went, someone escorted me to an empty pool chair, opened my umbrella, and then stood there waiting for me to give them a tip. You might want to bring cash. I'm not trying to start the "tip debate", but aren't they RC employees who are already getting gratuities from the ship? I bring cash anyway (we actually got a deal on a beach bed in Labadee, so we'll have a waiter/waitress/attendant), but just curious if they're covered in the grats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FionaMG Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 28 minutes ago, TexanTwoStep said: I'm not trying to start the "tip debate", but aren't they RC employees who are already getting gratuities from the ship? I bring cash anyway (we actually got a deal on a beach bed in Labadee, so we'll have a waiter/waitress/attendant), but just curious if they're covered in the grats. In full disclosure, I don't know the answer so I could well be mistaken but I was always under the impression that the ones who help out with the loungers are locals who are brought in each time there's a ship in port. TexanTwoStep 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She Sails Away Posted January 12 Report Share Posted January 12 On 1/10/2024 at 3:45 PM, TexanTwoStep said: I'm not trying to start the "tip debate", but aren't they RC employees who are already getting gratuities from the ship? I bring cash anyway (we actually got a deal on a beach bed in Labadee, so we'll have a waiter/waitress/attendant), but just curious if they're covered in the grats. I believe they are not ship staff, they are locals who work there and only there. It's a big staff and they were all bustling around when we arrived and nobody got back on ship with us. I saw staff fighting with each other as to who got to help approaching guests (who then would tip), bickering and so forth, and we also had a staff member who reeked of pot and was clearly high "overseeing" the top of the Dragon's Tail coaster. I went three times in a row and each time he was a little deeper into his chair snd the smell of pot was a little stronger. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.