[rocking apple]

Have you ever read what's going on there...

[bodomdragon]

We won't be really experiencing it since the port we are visiting is Royal Caribbean's private property, being totally isolated from the rest of the country. That's partially good news since we won't be affected by what's happening in Haiti, bad news is that not being able to exit the port limits the potential things to do basically to what RC offers - or chilling at the beach.

[Jabberwock]

It is a weird choice for a port though, unless I'm missing some crucial info, which may well be the case.

Like is Royal Caribbean just hoping that the local gangs / warlords aren't going to get bored and go after the wealthy tourists area next, or are they paying them off and just adding to the instability in that country? I don't think either is a good option, but hoping there's a third that I'm not considering.

[toby]

It is a weird choice for a port though, unless I'm missing some crucial info, which may well be the case.

Like is Royal Caribbean just hoping that the local gangs / warlords aren't going to get bored and go after the wealthy tourists area next, or are they paying them off and just adding to the instability in that country? I don't think either is a good option, but hoping there's a third that I'm not considering.

From what I recall, there are hired armed guards taking care of security. It's also like a reverse prison in that it's fenced off. It's also not easily accessible from the rest of Haiti.

[metalforever]

This location in Haiti I believe Royal Caribbean has a 50 year lease for . Hopefully another port is being considered. The advisory is Level 4 “ Do not go “. I realize the resort area is somewhat sealed off . Other charters at times do change port visits when level 4 advisory is in the picture. To put in perspective Jamaica was a level 3 which was “ Reconsider travel “. I enjoy 70000 Tons a great deal and everyone on board , I have attended 5 times .

[toby]

One thing to keep in mind is that these travel advisories are meant for air and road travel. The travel advisory specifically mentions flying into Port Au Prince or crossing the border by road from the DR. It specifically doesn't mention maritime travel and directs to check with maritime authorities. There don't appear to be any active alerts there. Personally, I'm fine with not getting off the ship in ANY port.

[metalforever]

One thing to keep in mind is that these travel advisories are meant for air and road travel. The travel advisory specifically mentions flying into Port Au Prince or crossing the border by road from the DR. It specifically doesn't mention maritime travel and directs to check with maritime authorities. There don't appear to be any active alerts there. Personally, I'm fine with not getting off the ship in ANY port.

I understand what you are saying. With that said better to error on the side of caution I feel personally. Figure this what if pirates “take the ship” , I am half serious and half joking around a little with you .

[cegr80]

I don't have anything against Labadee. IMO it is a well-kept destination and it fulfills our needs in terms of nice beaches and organized activities like the zip line, slide, jet skis, etc...

I just want a different destination because I do care about meeting new countries in the Caribbean.

[toby]

One thing to keep in mind is that these travel advisories are meant for air and road travel. The travel advisory specifically mentions flying into Port Au Prince or crossing the border by road from the DR. It specifically doesn't mention maritime travel and directs to check with maritime authorities. There don't appear to be any active alerts there. Personally, I'm fine with not getting off the ship in ANY port.

I understand what you are saying. With that said better to error on the side of caution I feel personally. Figure this what if pirates “take the ship” , I am half serious and half joking around a little with you .

I'm just laughing at the image of pirates trying to take the ship. They get onbroad and see all of us, and start jumping back off the ship. lol

[toby]

I don't have anything against Labadee. IMO it is a well-kept destination and it fulfills our needs in terms of nice beaches and organized activities like the zip line, slide, jet skis, etc...

I just want a different destination because I do care about meeting new countries in the Caribbean.

I've already been to a lot of places in the Caribbean, so it would take something really interesting to get me to bother getting off the ship. Turks might be the one that I'd like to see what all the hype was about.

[metalforever]

One thing to keep in mind is that these travel advisories are meant for air and road travel. The travel advisory specifically mentions flying into Port Au Prince or crossing the border by road from the DR. It specifically doesn't mention maritime travel and directs to check with maritime authorities. There don't appear to be any active alerts there. Personally, I'm fine with not getting off the ship in ANY port.

I understand what you are saying. With that said better to error on the side of caution I feel personally. Figure this what if pirates “take the ship” , I am half serious and half joking around a little with you .

I'm just laughing at the image of pirates trying to take the ship. They get onbroad and see all of us, and start jumping back off the ship. lol

That is funny, you made me laugh!

[toby]

I understand what you are saying. With that said better to error on the side of caution I feel personally. Figure this what if pirates “take the ship” , I am half serious and half joking around a little with you .

I'm just laughing at the image of pirates trying to take the ship. They get onbroad and see all of us, and start jumping back off the ship. lol

That is funny, you made me laugh!

Imagine you're a pirate and thinking you're going to take over a ship of rich tourists, and you walk into a black metal show with a lot of the audience in corpse paint too. lol

[metalforever]

I'm just laughing at the image of pirates trying to take the ship. They get onbroad and see all of us, and start jumping back off the ship. lol

That is funny, you made me laugh!

Imagine you're a pirate and thinking you're going to take over a ship of rich tourists, and you walk into a black metal show with a lot of the audience in corpse paint too. lol

If I was a well read pirate though , I would know those metal heads are virtually disarmed because they entered the ship legally though security screening . So not even a pocketknife, chains spiked wrist and neck bands and so on . With that said the metal heads would not fold without a fight of whatever options would be available to fight the good fight .

[Jabberwock]

The only pirates I'd prefer on board are Visions of Atlantis or Swashbuckle

[bodomdragon]

The only pirates I'd prefer on board are Visions of Atlantis or Swashbuckle

Visions of Atlantis playing Pirates I in its entirety in one set and Pirates II in the other one would be one of the most epic things to ever happen on the boat ever.

[toby]

That is funny, you made me laugh!

Imagine you're a pirate and thinking you're going to take over a ship of rich tourists, and you walk into a black metal show with a lot of the audience in corpse paint too. lol

If I was a well read pirate though , I would know those metal heads are virtually disarmed because they entered the ship legally though security screening . So not even a pocketknife, chains spiked wrist and neck bands and so on . With that said the metal heads would not fold without a fight of whatever options would be available to fight the good fight .

I would think that pirate knowing that would also know that those same metalheads probably don't have anything of significant value to take. lol

[metalforever]

Imagine you're a pirate and thinking you're going to take over a ship of rich tourists, and you walk into a black metal show with a lot of the audience in corpse paint too. lol

If I was a well read pirate though , I would know those metal heads are virtually disarmed because they entered the ship legally though security screening . So not even a pocketknife, chains spiked wrist and neck bands and so on . With that said the metal heads would not fold without a fight of whatever options would be available to fight the good fight .

I would think that pirate knowing that would also know that those same metalheads probably don't have anything of significant value to take. lol

LOL !

[MuzakMaker]

The only pirates I'd prefer on board are Visions of Atlantis or Swashbuckle

Visions of Atlantis playing Pirates I in its entirety in one set and Pirates II in the other one would be one of the most epic things to ever happen on the boat ever.

Personally I'd rather they play some of their old stuff. Pirates 1 and 2 just feel so samey.

Plus, Sonata Arctica already gave us both parts of White Pearls Black Oceans on 2018's boat and set the bar too high for the rest of the Power metal sea faring bands

[DeadPoet]

The only pirates I'd prefer on board are Visions of Atlantis or Swashbuckle

Visions of Atlantis playing Pirates I in its entirety in one set and Pirates II in the other one would be one of the most epic things to ever happen on the boat ever.

Seconded!

[cegr80]

Turks might be the one that I'd like to see what all the hype was about.

Best destination for me. The natural raw beauty of them beaches is worth seeing at least once in life

[toby]

Turks might be the one that I'd like to see what all the hype was about.

Best destination for me. The natural raw beauty of them beaches is worth seeing at least once in life

That's why I'm curious. Most of the destinations I've been to. I wouldn't mind going to Coco Cay at some point since I haven't been since before the "Perfect Day" remodels.

[metalforever]

Many good suggestions of other ports to visit . During part of 2024 Royal Caribbean did not go to Labadee , Haiti due to the Level 4
"Do Not Travel " advisory . Perhaps another port will get decided on by the powers that be , fingers crossed .

[mooyagi]

Straight from the US Embassy in Haiti:

"Labadee, a port near Cap Haitien in the north – only accessible by cruise ship passengers – has private security and low rates of reported crime. Travelers should exercise reasonable precautions."

https://ht.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-se ... travelers/

Labadee should be fine. We've been twice with 70k and it's been nice each time. Plus, the food is covered by your cruise fare. Royal Caribbean recently started going back to the port and it would be quite the disaster for them if something did happen anywhere near the port.

Situations have changed over the years but it's one of the ports the cruise has visited where I felt most at ease with my surroundings.

[metalforever]

Straight from the US Embassy in Haiti:

"Labadee, a port near Cap Haitien in the north – only accessible by cruise ship passengers – has private security and low rates of reported crime. Travelers should exercise reasonable precautions."

https://ht.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-se ... travelers/

Labadee should be fine. We've been twice with 70k and it's been nice each time. Plus, the food is covered by your cruise fare. Royal Caribbean recently started going back to the port and it would be quite the disaster for them if something did happen anywhere near the port.

Situations have changed over the years but it's one of the ports the cruise has visited where I felt most at ease with my surroundings.

You make some interesting points . If 70 K already went 2 times there it would be refreshing to go somewhere different that they have been to 1 or zero times I feel. How is the food included there ?

[mooyagi]

You make some interesting points . If 70 K already went 2 times there it would be refreshing to go somewhere different that they have been to 1 or zero times I feel. How is the food included there ?

It's more or less basic fare. All catered by RC at a couple of different points and buffet style like the Windjammer. Granted, we always wandered to the food pavilions a bit late so maybe the good stuff was gone. No extra cost at least!

Andy may be limited in port options based on cost and distance, plus places that can handle large ships. Could be he only has a list to pick from straight from Royal Caribbean. Not sure what else is within our cruising distance that we haven't covered.

[metalforever]

You make some interesting points . If 70 K already went 2 times there it would be refreshing to go somewhere different that they have been to 1 or zero times I feel. How is the food included there ?

It's more or less basic fare. All catered by RC at a couple of different points and buffet style like the Windjammer. Granted, we always wandered to the food pavilions a bit late so maybe the good stuff was gone. No extra cost at least!

Andy may be limited in port options based on cost and distance, plus places that can handle large ships. Could be he only has a list to pick from straight from Royal Caribbean. Not sure what else is within our cruising distance that we haven't covered.

Thanks for explaining further about the food . You are right with port selections there are quite a few factors to consider and cost and distance definitely figure into things . If they added 1 extra day to extend things I feel that would be great on many levels.

[mooyagi]

If they added 1 extra day to extend things I feel that would be great on many levels.

Not great for my bank account! I don't want to know what it would cost to add more days.

[BoltThrower]

To me, all Caribbean countries look about the same. I’d rather not go anywhere and save all that fuel. I get that you have to have a non-American destination in order to pay the cruise workers slave wages and to fire up the casino, so let’s just go to Bahamas and park the boat.

[toby]

If they added 1 extra day to extend things I feel that would be great on many levels.

It would also be pretty bad on a cost level. Base charter cost would go up by US$1 million+ to go to 5 days. That's about a 55% increase. Cheapest double would go from US$1799pp to US$2789pp at a MINIMUM. Probably have to go up more than that to make up for all the people that couldn't afford to go at that price, especially those whose exchange rates are in the crapper at the moment.

[metalforever]

If they added 1 extra day to extend things I feel that would be great on many levels.

It would also be pretty bad on a cost level. Base charter cost would go up by US$1 million+ to go to 5 days. That's about a 55% increase. Cheapest double would go from US$1799pp to US$2789pp at a MINIMUM. Probably have to go up more than that to make up for all the people that couldn't afford to go at that price, especially those whose exchange rates are in the crapper at the moment.

I have noticed on some charter music cruises for example Monsters of Rock and 5 nights on that cruise seem to be pretty good. By far as much as I like 70000 Tons it by far is the most expensive out of all other music cruises proportionately . If possible I would like to attend again for my sixth time , but I am keeping all options open for consideration.

[toby]

If they added 1 extra day to extend things I feel that would be great on many levels.

It would also be pretty bad on a cost level. Base charter cost would go up by US$1 million+ to go to 5 days. That's about a 55% increase. Cheapest double would go from US$1799pp to US$2789pp at a MINIMUM. Probably have to go up more than that to make up for all the people that couldn't afford to go at that price, especially those whose exchange rates are in the crapper at the moment.

I have noticed on some charter music cruises for example Monsters of Rock and 5 nights on that cruise seem to be pretty good. By far as much as I like 70000 Tons it by far is the most expensive out of all other music cruises proportionately . If possible I would like to attend again for my sixth time , but I am keeping all options open for consideration.

MORC until recently was on smaller ships, so charter costs are different. For example, the charter cost for Radiance class for 5 days is about the same as Freedom class for 4 days. But even then, MORC managed to keep the cheapest interiors somewhat in line with 70K because of their VIP categories. Their business model is drastically different. The VIP thing is only one of their upcharge options. But they also include significantly less bands. You get a far bigger 'bang for your buck' with 70K. And I'm speaking from the experience of having been on MORC 8 times. I know a fair number of people that still go, and their biggest complaint is that costs are getting out of hand. I enjoyed the hell out of the years that I went, but in 2019, I got onbroad with 70K and that was my last year on MORC.

[metalforever]

It would also be pretty bad on a cost level. Base charter cost would go up by US$1 million+ to go to 5 days. That's about a 55% increase. Cheapest double would go from US$1799pp to US$2789pp at a MINIMUM. Probably have to go up more than that to make up for all the people that couldn't afford to go at that price, especially those whose exchange rates are in the crapper at the moment.

I have noticed on some charter music cruises for example Monsters of Rock and 5 nights on that cruise seem to be pretty good. By far as much as I like 70000 Tons it by far is the most expensive out of all other music cruises proportionately . If possible I would like to attend again for my sixth time , but I am keeping all options open for consideration.

MORC until recently was on smaller ships, so charter costs are different. For example, the charter cost for Radiance class for 5 days is about the same as Freedom class for 4 days. But even then, MORC managed to keep the cheapest interiors somewhat in line with 70K because of their VIP categories. Their business model is drastically different. The VIP thing is only one of their upcharge options. But they also include significantly less bands. You get a far bigger 'bang for your buck' with 70K. And I'm speaking from the experience of having been on MORC 8 times. I know a fair number of people that still go, and their biggest complaint is that costs are getting out of hand. I enjoyed the hell out of the years that I went, but in 2019, I got onbroad with 70K and that was my last year on MORC.

You make interesting points. As I am a little bit of a older person , I need my rest in the middle of the night several bands played 4 Am 5Am when I was getting my beauty sleep, so I didn’t get to see them .I did have a good time I enjoyed the cruise and the people. Each year I weigh it out as to what is best for me personally to go or not to go .

[toby]

I have noticed on some charter music cruises for example Monsters of Rock and 5 nights on that cruise seem to be pretty good. By far as much as I like 70000 Tons it by far is the most expensive out of all other music cruises proportionately . If possible I would like to attend again for my sixth time , but I am keeping all options open for consideration.

MORC until recently was on smaller ships, so charter costs are different. For example, the charter cost for Radiance class for 5 days is about the same as Freedom class for 4 days. But even then, MORC managed to keep the cheapest interiors somewhat in line with 70K because of their VIP categories. Their business model is drastically different. The VIP thing is only one of their upcharge options. But they also include significantly less bands. You get a far bigger 'bang for your buck' with 70K. And I'm speaking from the experience of having been on MORC 8 times. I know a fair number of people that still go, and their biggest complaint is that costs are getting out of hand. I enjoyed the hell out of the years that I went, but in 2019, I got onbroad with 70K and that was my last year on MORC.

You make interesting points. As I am a little bit of a older person , I need my rest in the middle of the night several bands played 4 Am 5Am when I was getting my beauty sleep, so I didn’t get to see them .I did have a good time I enjoyed the cruise and the people. Each year I weigh it out as to what is best for me personally to go or not to go .

Yeah, we all have our own criteria to make our entertainment decisions. 2026 is going to be a wait and see decision for me mostly dependent on pricing vs number of bands I actively want to see.That wasn't the case my first few rounds because the pricing was different back then.