Cruising To Belize: Exploring The Nola-Belize Route

Belize is a popular cruise destination, with its blue waters, green mountains, and colourful coral reefs. It is possible to cruise to Belize from New Orleans, also known as Port NOLA. Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are among the cruise lines that depart from this port. A cruise from New Orleans to Belize usually includes stops at other ports such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Progreso.

Cruise lines that depart from Port NOLA

Port NOLA in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the sixth-largest cruise port in the United States. It offers cruises to the Caribbean, including Belize, and river cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line offers cruises from Port NOLA to Belize City, Belize, on the Carnival Liberty. The cruise lasts seven nights and includes stops in Mahogany Bay and Cozumel.

Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International offers cruises to Belize City, Belize, on the RCL Grandeur of the Seas. This cruise lasts six nights and includes a stop in Roatan, Honduras.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers cruises from Miami, Florida, to Harvest Caye, Belize, on the NCL Norwegian Breakaway. This seven-night cruise also includes stops in Roatan and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten offers an extensive 95-night cruise from Vancouver, Canada, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a stop in Belize City, Belize. This cruise is aboard the MS Roald Amundsen.

American Cruise Line

American Cruise Line offers river cruises from New Orleans to Memphis, as well as New Orleans to St. Paul, New Orleans to Vicksburg, and round trips to and from New Orleans.

Things to do in New Orleans before a cruise

Yes, you can cruise to Belize from New Orleans. Here are some things to do in New Orleans before you set sail:

Listen to Live Music

New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, so it's no surprise that the city has a rich musical heritage. Wander the streets and you'll hear music of every genre, from jazz to indie rock and punk. Head to Three Muses, Chickie Wah Wah, or House of Blues to discover new artists and experience the city's vibrant music scene.

Indulge in Delicious Food

New Orleans is a culinary capital, renowned for its Cajun, Creole, and French-inspired cuisine. Start your day with char-grilled oysters at Drago's Seafood Restaurant, then sample the famous po'boy sandwiches at Johnny's Po'Boys. Don't forget to leave room for dessert—the beignets and coffee at Cafe du Monde are a must-try.

Explore the French Quarter

Take a stroll through the French Quarter, the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans, and admire the colourful buildings, ornate balconies, and historic sites. Visit the Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Ursuline Convent, and the French Market, where you'll find unique gifts, local art, and fresh produce.

Take a Bayou Tour

Get a taste of the great outdoors with a bayou tour. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, wild boars, and birds as you glide through the swamps. Learn about Cajun culture, listen to Cajun music, and discover the legends of the bayou.

Celebrate Mardi Gras

If you're visiting New Orleans before Mardi Gras, join in the festivities! Mardi Gras is famous for its parades, parties, and revelry. Don a costume, join a street party, and indulge in some king cake to get into the spirit of this festive season.

Discover the City's History

New Orleans is steeped in history and culture, with a blend of French, Spanish, and African influences. Take a ghost tour of the city's haunted streets and cemeteries, or visit the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum to learn about the city's spiritual past.

Belize cruise deals

Belize is a popular cruise destination, with its blend of blue waters, green mountains, and colourful wooden houses. The country offers a unique mix of Central American culture and the soul of a Caribbean isle.

There are many cruise deals to Belize, with prices varying depending on the length of the cruise, the cruise line, and the departure port. Here is a selection of deals I found:

Royal Caribbean International (RCL)

RCL offers a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise starting in Tampa, with stops in Cozumel, Roatan, Belize City, Puerto Costa Maya, and back to Tampa. This cruise is available on various dates in 2024, including July 13, July 20, July 27, and August 3.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL offers a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean, departing from Miami, with stops in Harvest Caye, Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and back to Miami. This cruise is available on July 28, 2024.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines has a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston, TX, with stops in Costa Maya, Belize, Cozumel, and back to Galveston. This cruise is available on various dates in 2024 and 2025, including August 4, August 18, September 15, and October 13.

Carnival Liberty also offers a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from New Orleans, with stops in Mahogany Bay, Belize, Cozumel, and back to New Orleans. This cruise is available on various dates in 2024 and 2025, including August 11, August 25, September 8, and September 22.

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten offers a unique 95-night Pole to Pole Adventure cruise, departing from Vancouver to Buenos Aires. This cruise includes a stop in Belize City, Belize, and is available on August 4, 2024.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises offers a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise, with Belize City as one of its ports of call. While they do not list specific prices, they do mention a deal that includes 75% off the second guest's cruise fare and bonus savings of up to $250.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruises offers a range of 7-night and 6-night Western Caribbean cruises, with prices starting from USD 517. They also mention Belize cruise deals and encourage users to sign up to get access to these deals.

Belize's ancient ruins

Belize is home to the largest number of ancient Maya ruins in Central America. There are over 600 Mayan sites in the country, including sacred temples, ceremonial pyramids, and ancient water reservoirs. Here is a closer look at some of the ancient ruins in Belize:

Caracol

The largest ruin in Belize, Caracol is located in the Cayo District. This ancient city was once one of the most powerful in the Maya world, with a population of about 120,000 to 140,000 people. The tallest man-made structure in Belize, the Caana pyramid (also known as Sky Palace), can be found here. Caracol covers 30 square miles of thick jungle, with five plazas, an astronomic observatory, ball courts, reservoirs, and hieroglyphics. The site is still being excavated, and only the last 10 miles of the one-way road to Caracol is paved, so it is recommended to drive a 4x4 vehicle.

Lamanai

Lamanai, located in northern Belize, is one of the oldest continuously occupied Maya sites in the country. The name means "submerged crocodile" in Maya, and the site is situated near the New River Lagoon. Lamanai is prized for its ruins as well as its spectacular jungle setting. It is believed to have been inhabited for over 3,000 years and is one of the largest Mayan sites in Belize. Notable structures include the High Temple, the Jaguar Temple, and the Mask Temple.

Altun Ha

Altun Ha is the closest Mayan ruin to Belize City and is also one of the country's best-excavated sites. It features two large central plazas and pyramids, with flat grassland making it easy to walk around. Altun Ha is so significant that it is featured on the national currency and the bottles of Belize's leading beer, Belikin. The site has yielded important artefacts, including a 6-inch, 10-pound jade carving of the Mayan sun god, Kinich Ahau.

Xunantunich

Xunantunich, which means "stone woman" in Maya, is located near the village of San Jose Succotz. Visitors can take a free hand-cranked cable ferry across the Mopan River to reach the site. The largest temple at Xunantunich is El Castillo, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area, including Caracol and Guatemala on a clear day. Xunantunich is believed to have been inhabited as far back as 3,000 years ago.

Cahal Pech

Cahal Pech is a smaller Mayan site located just outside of San Ignacio in the Belize River Valley. It was originally built as a place for the wealthy and consists of several pyramids, residence buildings, and seven courtyards. The site offers panoramic views of San Ignacio and the Belize River Valley.

Lubaantun

Lubaantun is the largest Mayan site in southern Belize, featuring 11 limestone pyramids, five plazas, and three ball courts. Unlike other ruins in Belize, Lubaantun was constructed without mortar. Each stone was carefully measured and cut to fit together perfectly. The site is believed to hold a mysterious crystal skull, although no discoveries have been made to confirm this.

Nim Li Punit

Located in the Toledo District, Nim Li Punit is a smaller Mayan site known for its large stone columns (stelae) carved with Maya hieroglyphs and pictures. The name "Nim Li Punit" means "big hat" in Maya, derived from a carving of a figure with a super-sized headdress found at the site.

Belize's natural wonders

Belize is a small country with a big variety of natural wonders. From the second-largest coral reef system in the world to ancient Mayan ruins, here are some of the natural attractions that make Belize so special:

The Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Reef system and is the second-largest and healthiest stretch of coral reef in the world. It runs the entire length of the country's coastline and is home to hundreds of species of colourful coral and sea creatures. It's one of the best places in the world for snorkelling and scuba diving, and it also protects the shore from erosion and hurricanes.

The Atolls

Belize has three mid-ocean atolls: Turneffe Island, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's Reef. These unique formations of small islands and reefs surround mid-ocean saltwater lagoons, creating a sense of adventure, isolation, and romance for visitors.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Cockscomb Basin Forest Reserve

This huge protected area in southern Belize is comprised of rugged, forested mountains. It's home to the largest new-world cat, the jaguar, as well as Belize's other four wildcat species, Baird's tapirs, coati-mundis, tayra, kinkajous, deer, peccaries, anteaters, and armadillos. It's also a bird-watcher's paradise, with around 300 species of birds, including the endangered jabiru stork.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary in northern Belize is a swampy lowland that's home to over 250 resident bird species and serves as a resting spot for migratory birds. It's also a great place to spot crocodiles, iguanas, coati-mundis, and howler monkeys. The best way to explore Crooked Tree is by canoe, paddling through the network of lagoons.

Río Bravo Conservation Area

This massive mixed tract of virgin forest in northern Belize is home to nearly 400 bird species and over 200 species of tropical trees. It's also a great place to spot jaguars and other new-world cat species. The area also includes La Milpa, an ongoing excavation of a major Mayan ceremonial city.

Caves

Belize has an extensive network of caves, which the ancient Maya believed to be a mystical portal to the underworld. Evidence of Mayan use has been found in almost every explored cave in Belize, including fire pits, campsites, burial mounds, ritual altars, pottery, and human remains.

Río on Pools

This series of flowing falls and pools in western Belize is reminiscent of Ocho Ríos in Jamaica. While the base of the falls is great for swimming, the hike upstream reveals even more stunning views and numerous pools perfect for sunbathing.

Mayan Ruins

Belize is also known for its ancient Mayan ruins, including the step towers of Altun Ha and Xunantunich in the Toledo's Deep South and the Cayo District, and the pyramid ruins of the Sky Palace, El Caana, in Caracol.

The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a thousand-year-old limestone formation with an intriguing collapsed roof that was later engulfed by rising sea levels. Scuba diving into the mouth of the sinkhole reveals an array of exotic sea life.

St. Herman's Blue Hole

St. Herman's Blue Hole is a natural pool that formed when a wall in an underground water passage collapsed. The clearest of freshwater, the pool's water displays deep hues of blue, though it can be pretty cold for swimming unless it's a sunny day!

Frequently asked questions