Family Cruise 2014: Day 7, Labadee

We had mixed views on our return to Labadee.  I had heard there would be another ship our size there, which would make for a lot of people.  However, it wasn't there.  In fact, maybe it was the cooler weather, but it actually felt less crowded than the first time we went. 

The first thing we did (after trying to figure out the maps and where to go...poor signage!!), was get to Columbus Cove and get some lounge chairs.  This was the first time we had someone set up the chairs for us, and I'm sure we could have done it ourselves.  Cheaper.  But I'm sure when it's busy, it might be more appreciated.

Lots of things have changed at Labadee, but the men hawking "Labadoozies" are still there!

The kids were thrilled to finally be in some calm water.  Though I think it bored Hugh quickly.  It did seem quite cool at first.

We got some lunch at Columbus Cove.  Some people loved the ribs, some people hated them.  I wish there was food available later in the day, even just some snack type things.

The kids had tickets for 1:00 at the water park.  They were excited though we let them know it wasn't as easy as it seemed.  They got off to a great start, and the adults relaxed on the beach.  After 20 minutes, Lou went over to check on them, and the kids were done, and some were upset.  Meg's lifejacket, although the right size, was floating above her ears and she couldn't climb up onto any of the inflatables.  Nya got a scrape from one thing and also had a hard time climbing up, even though she was taller than the minimum height.  They really didn't enjoy it.  They probably would have preferred the all day tickets for the waterslide, although we thought it was overpriced at $22 (I think).  I mean...you can go to a water park for not much more.

The waterslide was new; previously there had been an inflatable water slide.

Hugh hams it up underwater.

Hugh and Nya had fun playing aquatic engineers. 

There were some issues with other similar aged children though.  Just some weird kids/families.

Meg spent much of the time doing this (above; that's her floating with the snorkel)

The ladies decided to head up to the artisan's village to check things out.  I warned them about the aggressiveness of some (most) of the sellers.  Before we even were off the beach and onto the road below the village, these men in pink shirts were yelling to me.  It was rather uncomfortable (though I know we're safe, I don't like being approached and begged to buy things). 

These shots are from the trolley ride back to the dock.  Those pink shirt men were awful.  Other vendors in the village were not so bad, but it was quite the experience for the kids!  It made for some interesting discussions about poverty, business, and tourism.  "Are they willing to haggle so low because they are SO desparate for ANY money, or because that's the real value to them?".  Etc.

The artisans in the building in the town square are a totally different experience.

Lots of changes, this sign said something was being planned there.  I couldn't get anyone to visit the Dragon's Breath rock formation, or Adrenaline Beach, and the first two beaches when you come off the ship seem to be for the spa and high up Crown & Anchor people.

View from the pier, above, and close up below

Check out the Labadee posts from our earlier trips.

View of the top of the zip line.
Even on the pier, there were performers trying to make a dollar.  Things just seemed rather over priced (the floating beach mat?  Snorkel rental? ).  I'm not really interested in going back to Labadee, unless we rent a cabana (sort of surprised we didn't, given the number of people we had, but I think we would have had to rent two).

Once we were back on board...what did we do?  Ummm...probably eat and nap?  Swim?  I wanted to go to family scrapbooking, but it was at 5:15.  Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs was on the big screen, but at 6:00.  I do know that at 9pm we went to the Production Showtime, though I don't remember what it was about.  Maybe it was the History of Dance night.    All Production Showtime shows are worth going to.  Absolutely outstanding theater.  The Quest was also on that night, but none of us really wanted to go.  Lou hadn't been to one, but I suggested watching it on the TV later LOL.  Lucy and Hugh went to the Teen Quest, at 11pm with the friends they had made through Nya.  I'm not sure what time they got back, but it was after midnight.  They had a great time.  Even though Lucy wasn't technically old enough for the teen program, because she was going with a teen sibling, and was "almost" old enough, they allow it.  They should have mentioned this earlier in the week when Lucy complained about being too old for the kid program.  So keep this in mind if you're going with teens and pre-teens.  Know your kids and  their maturity and interests.

My take on Labadee...I don't have any interest in going back.  I really want to see their spot in the Bahamas.  Labadee is fine, and a nice relaxing day that can be a cheap day (watch those Labadoozies!), but unless you're into parasailing, and zip line, and the roller coaster, etc (ie: things that cost money!), then once is enough.  I am interested to see what they do in those areas that say they're "growing".