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Harvest Caye


skyfire53
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Trying to determine what we are doing. Guess we need to review the excursions in other ports since Harvest Caye probably won't be ready. Our friends are getting married on this cruise. Thank goodness the wedding was planned for another port.

 

We planned our other excursions and left this one open (July 3-10 cruise). We're just going to wing it and see where we end up.

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Just posted over on NCL general threads...and CC News item from yesterday confirms it. So, the mystery is over--for now.

 

Called NCL Shore Ex and was told an e-mail will be going out to all who have booked cruises coming up including Harvest Caye in itinerary. We're sailing in April and glad to have this settled once and for all.

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My hubby and I will be sailing mid March and was very disappointed to learn that Harvest Cay will not be ready until November 2016. After doing some research we have decided to stay on the Dawn and enjoy the boat. Does anyone know if the casino will be open when we port at Belize. Since we have to tender to the island I just assumed the casino will be open.

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My hubby and I will be sailing mid March and was very disappointed to learn that Harvest Cay will not be ready until November 2016. After doing some research we have decided to stay on the Dawn and enjoy the boat. Does anyone know if the casino will be open when we port at Belize. Since we have to tender to the island I just assumed the casino will be open.

 

I can't answer your question for sure, but I have never seen the casino open while in any port. Not even tender ports.

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Does anyone know if the casino will be open when we port at Belize. Since we have to tender to the island I just assumed the casino will be open.

 

 

As far as I know, the ship has to be in International waters before the casino can open, and I don't think you're out that far, even when tendering. The casino is closed when we've gone through it on the way to excursions.

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My hubby and I will be sailing mid March and was very disappointed to learn that Harvest Cay will not be ready until November 2016. After doing some research we have decided to stay on the Dawn and enjoy the boat. Does anyone know if the casino will be open when we port at Belize. Since we have to tender to the island I just assumed the casino will be open.

 

No, the casino will not be open since the ship is not in international waters when anchored for tendering.

 

We stayed aboard ship last April in Belize since we'd been there twice before.

The casino was not open.

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  • 2 months later...

WE were to go to Harvest Key, but not ready, so went to Belize City instead. We were told in plenty of time to make other plans. Was hoping it was the private island like the other lines have...get off and sit on the beach. That is all I need in Belize area. Anxious to hear from the April Cruisers to see if it is open yet. post photos please! My friend got off NCL (different ship) and said that there will not be many services available at this port. Anxious to hear. going again on Dawn out of NOLA in Jan!

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WE were to go to Harvest Key, but not ready, so went to Belize City instead. We were told in plenty of time to make other plans. Was hoping it was the private island like the other lines have...get off and sit on the beach. That is all I need in Belize area. Anxious to hear from the April Cruisers to see if it is open yet. post photos please! My friend got off NCL (different ship) and said that there will not be many services available at this port. Anxious to hear. going again on Dawn out of NOLA in Jan!

 

 

I don't believe Harvest Caye is supposed to open until November 2016.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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We just booked on the NCL Getaway Yesterday for Nov 20th. The consultant I spoke to said he loves Harvest Caye and that they spent 100 million on it. Apparently there is a big pool, two story restaurant, and I don't rememeber what else.

 

That's what they're planning, trying to build. Not open yet so how can the consultant love it. No one's been there.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Well, I don't know if we're going to get to Harvest Caye or not, we're booked on the Norwegian Jade for Dec. 4-11 and there have been plenty of delays in getting the island ready. Pretty contentious with the locals, too, lots of concern about environmental impact.

 

Anyway, I've been trying to figure out if there will be any decent off-the-beach snorkeling on the island, haven't been able to find any info, and looking at the satellite view with Google Maps, it doesn't look too promising. Does anyone have any information about this?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

--Jon

St. Pete, FL

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As a frequent visitor to Belize, to scuba dive on their magnificent reefs, I can verify that the people in Belize, especially Placencia, the closest city to HC, are very upset about the environmental impacts. Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world and HC is very close to where whale sharks feed March thru June. I was very surprised HC was even approved, but money talks. And I'm sure a lot more will have to be paid before HC is completed.

 

Placencia is a charming little town but apparently there will be no way to get there.

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I have to agree with you, Celeste, we've seen a lot of places commercialized and ruined over the past 30 years. We're not of strong enough convictions to boycott the cruise, though.

 

Think there will be any decent snorkeling or diving from the shore?

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  • 1 month later...
I have to agree with you, Celeste, we've seen a lot of places commercialized and ruined over the past 30 years. We're not of strong enough convictions to boycott the cruise, though.

 

Think there will be any decent snorkeling or diving from the shore?

 

They had huge dredging boats out there the last time I was in Placencia and one of the locals told me they were nowhere near the reef so I doubt there will be any decent snorkeling.

 

The last I read, there will be excursions from HC, but no transportation to Placencia. That may change.

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  • 4 months later...

Dear Friends,

 

I have just spoken to NCL regarding how to get to Placencia from Harvest Caye...this is what they said.

 

"There is no transportation of any kind (ferry, small watercraft, etc.) that will take you anywhere off the caye. There is no water taxi that will take you to Placencia or other parts of mainland Belize. Also, outside contractors, agents, or tour groups cannot come to the caye to pick up guests. If you want to leave the caye you need to book an excursion with NCL."

 

...or swim I suppose.

 

Many of the excursion NCL offers @ HC are absolute garbage. Maybe rent a kayak and take that out to sea [or Placencia :)]?

 

Really disappointed about this and that's why I wanted to get it out to everyone who is looking for more information or booked a/contemplating a trip with NCL to Belize. I will be leaving on the Dawn November 11th and will update everyone with photos and explicit details on the caye.

 

Hopefully this is something they resolve in the future.

 

Happy Cruising Everyone!

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