A Typical Day in Belize
In 18 cruises, we have been to Belize 7 times and it is part of the itinerary that we frequent most when sailing out of Galveston or New Orleans. Belize is a great spot for snorkeling but not necessarily diving. Most cruise ships travel to Belize City but some cruise lines, like Norwegian, have their own private Belize port. Because of the shallow waters near the shores of Belize, ALL cruise ships must anchor off shore (about 5 miles) and then tender into the shore.
Morning
As per typical with port days, we like to wake up prior to arrival time so we can watch the approach to the port. This is so cool because we get to see the port workers tie our MASSIVE ship off to the pier with just a few ropes!
Watching the approach to Harvest Caye- NCL Pearl 2018
This also means that while we are watching the approach, the rest of the passengers are getting breakfast! This is VERY helpful if we plan on eating at the Lido Buffet as it will be VERY crowded with everyone getting off the ship to explore the destination. As mentioned in previous blogs, if the cruise ship offers breakfast in the Main Dining Room, we try to eat there as it is not near as crowded and the service is MUCH better than the buffet.
Watching the approach to Harvest Caye- NCL Pearl 2018
This also means that while we are watching the approach, the rest of the passengers are getting breakfast! This is VERY helpful if we plan on eating at the Lido Buffet as it will be VERY crowded with everyone getting off the ship to explore the destination. As mentioned in previous blogs, if the cruise ship offers breakfast in the Main Dining Room, we try to eat there as it is not near as crowded and the service is MUCH better than the buffet.
After breakfast we work our way towards getting off the ship. Since the waters are so shallow at the shores of Belize, all passenger must tender into shore. If you have a tour through the cruise line, you will be given a tender ticket automatically and will have to meet at a designated location on the ship. However, if you do not have an excursion through the cruise line and are doing the day "on your own", you will need a tender ticket. Most cruise lines pass these out the morning of arrival and there is typically a long line. Then you will be called to board a tender boat according to your tender ticket number, which is usually 1-20 or so. This whole process can take a VERY LONG time so be prepared if you choose to see Belize on your own.
The tender ride to Belize City- Carnival Breeze 2017
Tender Ride to StarFish Island- Carnival Valor 2016
The tender ride to Belize City- Carnival Breeze 2017
Tender Ride to StarFish Island- Carnival Valor 2016
Tender Rider to the Western Barrier Reef- Carnival Conquest 2013
In recent cruises, we have toured Belize on our own and since there is a wait to get tender tickets, we take the morning as slow as possible to avoid the crowds. Belize is not our favorite port, so the past 2 times to Belize, we have actually not even gotten off the ship and spent the day enjoying the activities and amenities on the ship when it is much less crowded. This is a GREAT tip if you are on a MEGA ship that has a LOT to offer. Be sure to look at the Cruise Daily Newsletter (FunTimes or Cruise Compass) to check for times the Water-park or other activities are open! In some cases of bad weather during sailing, this may be the only time to enjoy such perks as the trampoline park or SkyRide.
We stayed on the ship and enjoyed EVERYTHING it had to offer- NCL Breakaway 2018
We stayed on the ship and enjoyed EVERYTHING it had to offer- NCL Breakaway 2018
There are still a few activities we would like to try the next time we go to Belize such as, Cave Tubing and Blue Hole snorkeling. However; these are the activities we have enjoyed over the years:
Our Belize Excursion Experiences:
Western Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour
We did this tour through Carnival Cruises Lines when we sailed on the Carnival Conquest in 2013. This was our very first trip to Belize and we were BLOWN away with the beauty of the blue waters. The tour picked us up from the ship via our own Tender Boat and took us to the Great Western Barrier Reef. This is the largest reef outside of the actual Great Barrier Reef near Australia. The coral formations were absolutely incredible and we had a GREAT experience of snorkeling. In fact, through this experience is when we fell in love with snorkeling! We got about 1.5 hours of snorkeling and then we were taken to a local smaller island called Banister Bay for some beach time. We stayed on this island for over an hour before boarding the small tender boat again and sailed in the open ocean with drinks and snacks on our way back to the ship.
It was a GREAT excursion and I highly recommend it!
This was some of the BEST snorkeling we have ever experienced- Carnival Conquest 2013
Starfish and Conch at Banister Bay- Carnival Conquest 2013
Banister Bay, Belize- Carnival Conquest 2013
It was a GREAT excursion and I highly recommend it!
This was some of the BEST snorkeling we have ever experienced- Carnival Conquest 2013
Starfish and Conch at Banister Bay- Carnival Conquest 2013
Banister Bay, Belize- Carnival Conquest 2013
Belize City Tour
Chris and I found this tour when we went into Belize City in 2016 when sailing on the Caribbean Princess. This was a private tour via car of the town of Belize City. The tour guide took us to local schools, markets and showed us the actual sights of Belize City. It IS a Third World country and this tour confirmed that. It was humbling to see and tears were shed as I thought about everything these people DON'T have and I DO have. We saw chickens roaming the streets and dogs running all over the place. It was dirty and gross but eye opening for sure. Towards the end of the tour the driver took us to a "locals beach" that was off the beat path and it was gorgeous! I now pray a LOT more for the country of Belize after taking this tour but I am glad I did! I am blessed beyond measure! Thank you Jesus!
Welcome to Belize- Caribbean Princess 2016
Marion Jones Sport Facility, the only one of it's kind in Belize. Are you kidding me? We have one of these every 2 miles here in the US.- Caribbean Princess 2016
I swear ALL Caribbean tour guides are CRAY CRAY- Caribbean Princess 2016
Welcome to Belize- Caribbean Princess 2016
Marion Jones Sport Facility, the only one of it's kind in Belize. Are you kidding me? We have one of these every 2 miles here in the US.- Caribbean Princess 2016
I swear ALL Caribbean tour guides are CRAY CRAY- Caribbean Princess 2016
Star Fish Island, Belize Small Group Day Tour
This is a tour offered through Carnival Cruise Lines we took with the kids in 2016 while sailing on the Carnival Valor. This was a day long beach break to Starfish Island on the outskirts of Belize City. This was the exact same island we went to in 2013 on the Carnival Conquest but it had been built up for tourists and excursions via Carnival Cruise Lines. Since 2013 this island added more beach seating, a small starfish pond, a playground, restaurant and even a gift shop. This was a GREAT way to spend the day with your family. The starfish pond was awesome and the kids LOVED being able to pick up starfish! The playground was also really nice since, at the time, Luke was not a water baby and did not want to swim in the ocean! We spent over 5 hours here and it was PERFECT! This excursion was $60 for adults and $50 for kids and it was WELL worth that! We loved it!
This playground is so cool to be right on the beach. Natalie would swim and Luke would swing!
It was perfect- Carnival Valor 2016
The kids LOVED the Starfish pond! To tell the truth... SO DID I!
We loved Starfish Island!- Carnival Valor 2016
This playground is so cool to be right on the beach. Natalie would swim and Luke would swing!
It was perfect- Carnival Valor 2016
The kids LOVED the Starfish pond! To tell the truth... SO DID I!
Carnival Valor 2016
Its a PERFECT day for Natalie! She loved these hammocks- Carnival Valor 2016
We loved Starfish Island!- Carnival Valor 2016
Belize City Harbor Tour
This was a tour we found on our own as we were meandering around the port entrance to Belize City while sailing on the Carnival Breeze in 2017. Since we had the kids with us on this cruise, we were not able to snorkel so we just went into port to "look around". It was during this time we found a nice local who offered a great deal on a private boat tour of the city. This was a $20 per person excursion that took us all over the shore of Belize City and into the nearby Caribbean open waters. This was a very informative tour but the tiny boat meant it was not for those who suffer from sea sickness. Luckily, none of us do suffer from this but the trip back to Belize City was very rough! Poor Luke was scared to death! But we made it back to dry land and had memories to boast! It is a good way to spend an afternoon but I would not do it again!
Luke was all smiles before the choppy waters arrived- Carnival Breeze 2017
Welcome to Belize- Carnival Breeze 2017
Luke was all smiles before the choppy waters arrived- Carnival Breeze 2017
Welcome to Belize- Carnival Breeze 2017
Harvest Caye, Belize (NCL Private Island)
Harvest Caye is Norwegian's private island on the east side of the country of Belize. We've been lucky enough to have been to this small island twice; NCL Pearl 2018 and NCL Breakaway 2018.
It was bought and build up by NCL nearly a decade ago solely for Norwegian cruise passengers. This island includes a large beach area with chairs and sunbathers, a HUGE pool, Splash pad area for kids, Zip-lining and so much more. Norwegian has done an OUTSTANDING job with this island and we were VERY impressed with it. The beach area is not as crystal clear as other beaches in the Caribbean but it is smooth (due to it being man made) and not rocky at all. The pool is MASSIVE and even has a water fall area and a swim up bar. The splash pad is great and our kids LOVED it. TIP- This Splash pad is made for kids 2-10 and not necessarily pre-teen or teenage friendly. BUT we still LOVED it!
A map of Harvest Caye. There is a LOT to offer!
The pool was MASSIVE! We loved it!
The Splash Pad was a GREAT option for families!
The beach area was VERY LARGE! It offered free lounge chairs and the clam-shells were only $20 for ALL day!
Harvest Caye beach- NCL Pearl 2018
The entrance to Harvest Caye- NCL Breakaway 2018
We LOVE the pool! I swear we spent at least 50% of our day here- NCL Breakaway 2018
NCL Breakaway 2018
A map of Harvest Caye. There is a LOT to offer!
The pool was MASSIVE! We loved it!
The Splash Pad was a GREAT option for families!
The beach area was VERY LARGE! It offered free lounge chairs and the clam-shells were only $20 for ALL day!
Harvest Caye beach- NCL Pearl 2018
The entrance to Harvest Caye- NCL Breakaway 2018
We LOVE the pool! I swear we spent at least 50% of our day here- NCL Breakaway 2018
NCL Breakaway 2018
In 2018, Natalie and I did the Zip-lining over the island and it was INCREDIBLE! It was a little pricey at $99 for adults and $89 for kids but it was worth it and I would do it again in a heart beat. We were able to zip line OVER the ocean! It was so exhilarating!
Part of the Zip Line that went over the beach- NCL Breakaway 2018
Part of the Zip Line that went over the beach- NCL Breakaway 2018
Unlike other cruise line private islands, food and drinks are NOT included at Harvest Caye but the ship is a very short walking distance away so that was not an issue for us! We did the beach, walked to the ship to get lunch and drinks, and then walked right back off to the beach! It is GREAT!
We LOVE you Harvest Caye! We will be back!
We LOVE you Harvest Caye! We will be back!
NCL Breakaway 2018
Afternoon
After we have a day of fun in Belize, we get back on the ship fairly quickly and grab a bite to eat. As mentioned previous, the food lines are longer in the afternoon on port days. We also take this time to do lots of the activities the ship has to offer with fewer crowds and people. TIP- Do not forget that this is a tender port and the last tender leaves Belize City approximately 30 minutes PRIOR to the all-aboard time. Do not miss this tender... Or you'll miss the ship!
It hot tub time after a day ashore- Carnival Valor 2016
It hot tub time after a day ashore- Carnival Valor 2016
Evening
After a long day ashore and busy afternoon on board with activities, we get showered and cleaned up for an evening on the ship. This is an evening we usually try out a specialty restaurant, such as Chop's Grille on Royal Caribbean or Fahrenheit 555 on Carnival ships, or have dinner in the Main Dining Room. This is also an evening that the cruise ship has better entertainment so we plan our evening around this. Be sure to check the daily newsletter for entertainment details and times.
Luke chows down on his Mac and Cheese dinner in the MDR- Carnival Valor 2016
Rock of Ages (NCL's BEST show)- NCL Breakaway 2018
We were even able to catch the CD Vincent this night- NCL Pearl 2018
Luke chows down on his Mac and Cheese dinner in the MDR- Carnival Valor 2016
Rock of Ages (NCL's BEST show)- NCL Breakaway 2018
Ice Cream... There is ALWAYS time for Ice Cream- Carnival Breeze 2017
We were even able to catch the CD Vincent this night- NCL Pearl 2018
Belize is usually the 2nd stop in a 3-stop seven day cruise so we do not stay up too late on this night as we know there is still one more port to see and do so we get plenty of rest. After an evening of entertainment and drinks, we call it a night to prepare for the next day!
Despite Belize not being our favorite port in the Western Caribbean, we have had some GREAT memories and fun times on Belize Day!
Stay tuned for more Western Caribbean Port Days and tips and tricks for Western Caribbean favorites like Grand Cayman and Jamaica! Thanks for following along!
GOD IS GOOD... ALL THE TIME!
Want to see what the 7 trips to Belize looks like for Cruise Like a Davis?
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Want to see what the 7 trips to Belize looks like for Cruise Like a Davis?
Click on any cruise link below to check it out:
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