Royal Caribbean's Belize Docking Destinations

Belize City cruise port is located in the second smallest country in Central America. The port is in the country's largest city, which is also called Belize City. Cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize, and passengers are tendered to the port via high-speed boats. A new state-of-the-art cruise port, Port Coral, is being built four miles away from Belize City on Stake Bank Island. The new port will be able to handle four Royal Caribbean Oasis-class vessels at any given time.

Cruise ships anchor in the bay of Belize

The cruise port of Belize City is located in the country's largest urban centre. The port is known as Fort Street Tourism Village and is a safe, secluded area just a stone's throw from the historic centre of Belize City. The terminal building contains basic services and modern amenities, shops, a few restaurants, and an internet cafe.

Belize City itself has a few interesting landmarks, including the Museum of Belize, the Baron Bliss Memorial, the Fort George Lighthouse, and St John Cathedral. However, the city is not particularly appealing or safe for tourists to explore on their own. The best way for cruise visitors to explore Belize is with shore excursions, as public transportation is not very good.

Belize offers many attractions, including Mayan ruins, breathtaking scenic sights, wildlife parks, and water sports. The Mesoamerican Reef is a popular spot for snorkelling, scuba diving, or fishing, and there are many secluded beaches.

Passengers are tendered to shore via high-speed boats

Getting to Belize City Cruise Port

Belize City cruise port is located in the second smallest country in Central America. The port is in the country's largest city, Belize City, on the East coast of the country, bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The cruise port is 191.67 nautical miles (354.97 km) south of Cozumel cruise port, 118.25 nautical miles (219 km) northwest of Roatan, and 407.21 nautical miles (754.15 km) west of Grand Cayman.

Cruise ships do not dock in Belize City port. The Caribbean Sea waters are too shallow by the port, so cruise ships anchor around 2 miles from the coast. Passengers are then tendered to shore via high-speed boats, which takes approximately 20 minutes. Each of these tender boats has three powerful engines.

The tender boats dock at the Fort Street Tourism Village, which is a safe area just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City. The village boasts a collection of gift shops, restaurants, and tour operators along the harbour.

From the Tourism Village, it is just a short taxi ride to the centre of Belize City. However, it is worth noting that Belize City has a reputation for being unsafe for visitors, and it is recommended to stick to the busiest sections of downtown and obvious tourist districts.

Belize City is the country's largest urban centre

Belize City was founded as "Belize Town" in 1638 by English lumber harvesters, who used the site as a central post for shipping logwood and mahogany downriver. Belize Town also became the home of thousands of African slaves brought in by the English to work in the forestry industry. Belize City remained the capital of British Honduras (as Belize was then called) until the government was moved to Belmopan in 1970.

Belize City has a tropical monsoon climate, with warm to hot and humid conditions throughout the year. The city has a lengthy wet season, from May to February, and a short dry season for the remaining two months.

As the country's largest urban centre, Belize City is a hub for tourism, with cruise ships anchoring outside its port. The city has a range of attractions, including the Museum of Belize, St. John's Cathedral, and the House of Culture. The city is also known for its bustling downtown area, with trendy boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

Belize City is also a popular hub for excursions to nearby attractions, such as the Belize Zoo, the Altun Ha Mayan Temple, and the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins. The city's commercial centre is located along Albert Street, where visitors can find banks, shops, and restaurants serving local cuisine.

The new 'Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility' will be able to handle four Royal Caribbean Oasis-class vessels at any given time

Belize is a popular cruise destination, known for its Mayan heritage sites, eco-tourism, water-sports, and sub-tropical climate. However, the current cruise port in Belize City has limitations, as cruise ships have to anchor a few miles offshore and passengers have to be tendered to the port, which can be a 20-minute ride.

To address these issues, a new cruise port is being developed, named Port Coral or the Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility. This new port will be located on Stake Bank Island, four miles from Belize City, and will offer a range of modern facilities and attractions.

The new Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility will be able to handle four Royal Caribbean Oasis-class vessels at any given time. The facility will have two large piers, each berthing two vessels, with a total docking capacity of four liners. This will significantly improve the cruise passenger experience and reduce the challenges currently faced by the Belize City port.

In addition to the docking facility, the new port will also feature a 60-slip yacht marina, an 80-room supporting facility, a shopping complex, a Mayan-themed aqua park, and a dedicated beach. The project also includes the development of a resort and theme park on Stake Bank Caye, located just a short boat ride from Belize City.

The Stake Bank Cruise Ship Docking Facility is being developed by Stake Bank Enterprises, also known as the Feinstein Group of Companies, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 or early 2022. The project is estimated to cost USD 82 million and will boost the country's tourism sector, which accounts for 30% of Belize's GDP.

The city's downtown hub is compact and easy to navigate on foot

Belize City's downtown hub is compact and easy to navigate on foot. However, it is not particularly appealing to explore independently, and many cruise passengers feel intimidated when walking around the city. The city has a reputation for being unsafe for visitors, so it is recommended to stick to the busiest sections of downtown and obvious tourist districts.

The tender boats dock at the Fort Street Tourism Village, which is right by Belize City downtown. The cruise terminal is a safe area just a stone's throw away from the historic centre of Belize City. The terminal building houses all basic services and modern amenities, many typical shops found all over the Caribbean, and a few restaurants.

The city's commercial centre is along Albert Street, where you can find banks and various shops. An interesting place to visit is a small music shop where you can buy Belizean and Caribbean CDs and cassettes. Battlefield Park is famous as a place for social gatherings and political speeches. If you want to taste real Belizean cuisine, try the homemade dishes offered at street corners and sidewalks.

Belize City is divided in two by the swing bridge at Haulover Creek's mouth. The bridge is old and manually operated; it is opened twice a day. The Marine Terminal houses two museums: the Coastal Zone Museum and the Marine Museum.

Frequently asked questions