Harvest Caye, Belize: Safe Tropical Paradise?

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, located in southern Belize. It is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers, offering a range of activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, zip-lining, and exploring ancient Maya cities. While Belize has had issues with high crime rates, Harvest Caye is considered a safe destination as it is privately owned and staffed by employees of the cruise line. The island offers a relaxing and enjoyable experience with a pool, beach, and wildlife exhibits.

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line

The island is an exclusive destination, meaning the only way to visit is by booking a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line or one of its luxury affiliates, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This exclusivity allows guests to enjoy a tranquil space without crowds of other tourists. Harvest Caye offers a range of activities, including a beach, a pool, and various shore excursions such as zip-lining, snorkelling, and exploring Mayan ruins.

The island features a 7-acre beach area with loungers and palm trees, as well as a 15,000-square-foot pool with a swim-up bar and a waterfall. There is also access to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, and a saltwater lagoon for water sports.

Harvest Caye provides a safe environment for guests. While Belize has had issues with high crime rates, the island is considered very safe due to the presence of staff employed by the cruise line and the partnership with the local government. English is widely spoken on the island, and both US and Belizean dollars are accepted currencies.

The weather on Harvest Caye is ideal for cruisers all year round, with temperatures ranging from the 80s to 90s Fahrenheit. The driest months are from January to May, while summer and fall tend to be rainier, with higher humidity. Sea temperatures are warm enough for swimming throughout the year.

It's safe, with staff always present

Harvest Caye in Belize is a very safe place to visit, with a number of features that ensure the security of tourists. Firstly, it is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, meaning that the only people on the island are other guests from the cruise ship and staff employed by the company. This limits the number of people on the island and ensures that everyone present is accounted for.

There is always a presence of staff on the island, which makes it very safe. In addition to the staff employed by the cruise line, there are also locals from Belize who work on the island with permission from the government. These local workers are generally friendly and are unlikely to scam tourists as they understand that their livelihoods depend on offering good service. The partnership with the Belizean government and the presence of local workers means that there is always staff on hand who are familiar with the area and can provide assistance.

The island is also very accessible, with a pier terminal where the ship docks, so there is no need to worry about taking a tender boat to shore. The pier is covered, providing shade on hot days, and transportation is available for those who prefer not to walk. The island is also conveniently located close to the mainland, with popular destinations like Placencia, ancient Maya cities, and nature reserves just a short distance away.

Harvest Caye is a safe and enjoyable destination, with plenty of activities and amenities to keep guests entertained. The presence of staff employed by the cruise line and local workers ensures the safety and security of guests at all times.

Belize locals work on the island and are generally friendly

Belize locals work on Harvest Caye, and they are generally friendly. The island is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, and the staff employed by the cruise line are always present. The Belize locals who work on the island are not employed by the cruise line, but they are given permission to work there in partnership with the government. They understand that their repeat business depends on offering good service, so they are friendly and won't try to scam you.

The local inhabitants own the businesses and work onsite, contributing to the local economy. They also own the island businesses, so ship cards are not accepted as a form of payment in restaurants, bars or shops. You will need to bring cash or a credit card, and be aware that American Express is not accepted.

Harvest Caye is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers, with lovely beaches, a swim-up bar, and plenty of things to do. It is a safe and easily enjoyable destination. The island is also home to a variety of natural wildlife, including a butterfly house, and it offers access to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world.

Harvest Caye is located just a few miles off the southern coast of Belize and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. It is also very close to the mainland, with popular destinations like Placencia, ancient Maya cities, and nature reserves just a short distance away. A ferry service to Placencia operates multiple times per day.

The official language in Belize is English, and American dollars are welcomed. The local currency is the Belize dollar, which is permanently pegged at 2:1 to the US dollar. This makes it easy to calculate prices.

Permanent residents of Belize are not allowed to visit without booking a cruise

Harvest Caye is a private island in Belize, owned by the Norwegian Cruise Line. This means that the only way to visit the island is by booking a cruise on an NCL ship or one of the two luxury cruise lines owned by the same company – Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Permanent residents of Belize are therefore not allowed to visit Harvest Caye without booking a cruise. They would have to book a cruise just like any other guest.

Harvest Caye is a popular destination that crops up on several itineraries for Norwegian Cruise Line, and occasionally other cruise lines too. It is located in southern Belize and is typically included on cruises that travel to ports around Central America.

The island is a safe and tranquil space, with the presence of staff employed by the cruise line, and the fact that it is a private island means that the only people on the island will be other cruise ship guests and staff. There are around 400 people who work on the island that are not part of the ship's crew. There is a pier terminal at Harvest Caye, so there is no need to worry about taking a tender boat from the ship to shore. The pier is quite long and covered, providing shade from the sun. Visitors can also go back and forth between the ship and the island as many times as they like before the final departure time, which is usually around 3 pm.

Harvest Caye offers a range of activities and excursions, including a wildlife sanctuary, a beach, a swimming pool, and a splash pad for children. There are also paid excursions such as zip-lining, snorkelling, and river rafting. There are restaurants and bars on the island, but food and drinks are not included in the cruise package – visitors must pay for these themselves, and prices are similar to those on the ship.

Belize itself has had issues with high crime rates, but Harvest Caye is considered a safe destination due to its private nature and the presence of staff. However, it is important to note that there are locals from Belize who work on the island and while they are not employed by the cruise line, they are given permission to work there in partnership with the government. Overall, Harvest Caye is a safe and enjoyable destination for cruise ship guests, but permanent residents of Belize must book a cruise in order to visit.

Food and drinks are not included

Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in partnership with the Belizean government. It is located off the southern coast of Belize and is part of the Norwegian Edge initiative, which aims to bring higher standards to cruising. The island boasts a wide range of activities, natural wildlife, and access to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world.

When it comes to food and drinks, Harvest Caye differs from most other private islands owned by cruise lines. Here, food and drinks are not included in the price of your cruise. This means that you will need to either purchase your meals and beverages on the island or return to the ship to eat and drink at no additional cost.

The island has eight venues for meals, snacks, and drinks, including Horse Eye Jack's, Laughing Bird Bar & Grill, Manatee Bar & Grill, and kiosks throughout the island. The most popular venue is likely to be Jimmy Buffett's LandShark Bar & Grill, which offers indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a swim-up bar attached to the pool.

The price of food and drinks on Harvest Caye can vary, but you can expect to pay around $12-$18 per entree, $9-$12 for a cocktail, and $5-$7 for a beer. If you are looking to save money, it is recommended to return to the ship for meals, as many people do. However, if you want to enjoy the local cuisine and atmosphere, there are various restaurants to choose from, catering to different budgets. You can pay with US dollars, Belize dollars, or a credit card. It is important to note that American Express is not accepted on the island.

Additionally, the NCL drinks package is not valid on Harvest Caye, as the bars are not owned by the cruise line. If you wish to utilise your drinks package, you will need to return to the ship. However, since the ship is easily accessible, you can always return to the island after grabbing a drink. It is also worth noting that you cannot bring drinks from the ship onto Harvest Caye.

Overall, while food and drinks are not included on Harvest Caye, the island offers a variety of dining and drinking options to suit different tastes and budgets. With its convenient location and unique atmosphere, Harvest Caye provides a great opportunity to experience the local cuisine and culture of Belize.

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