Under the palm trees: The white sand beach
Passengers on Norwegian Dawn have become the first visitors to NCL’s ‘paradise island’ of Harvest Caye, a mile off shore from Belize in Central America.
Guests sailed from New Orleans to the Caribbean resort which has a pristine white beach, swimming pool and beach villas, eco-activities and wildlife programmes and a cross-island zip line.
‘Harvest Caye is truly the ultimate Belizean experience and we are delighted to welcome our first guests today,’ said Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and CEO Frank Del Rio.
‘We have worked closely with the government of Belize to ensure this spectacular destination was authentic for our guests, provided economic opportunities for the local community and preserved and protected Belize’s incredible natural beauty.
‘We’re overjoyed with the results of this four-year development project, and we look forward to seeing Harvest Caye and Southern Belize grow as we delight the many guests that will call on the destination.’
Tempting: The pool
The pool, which has a waterfall, is surrounded by 15 cabanas available for daily hire. But the more adventurous can head to the 40 metre-high Flighthouse for aerial activities including zip-lining, suspension bridges, free-fall jumps and views of the mainland.
Water sports such as kayaking, paddle-boarding and canoeing in the shallow lagoon are also available.
There are five dining outlets and bars including a two-storey LandShark Bar & Grill, but guests can also buy Belizean cuisine from street vendors in the shopping village.
Wildlife spotters can see manatees in the lagoon, scarlet macaws and toucans in the aviary, insects in the Butterfly Garden and learn more about indigenous reptiles such as boa constrictors.
Wildlife expert: Tony Garel
Author Tony Garel will lead many of the island’s educational tours and be available to chat to visitors about the array of wildlife. More than 15,000 new mangroves have been planted throughout the island to increase the natural estuary system that serves as a habitat for birds, young fish and other marine species.
Guests will have the chance to visit Harvest Caye on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Western Caribbean itineraries, as well as on select Caribbean sailings on Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises in winter 2017 and autumn/winter 2018.