by Brian Major
Last updated: 4:30 PM ET, Thu March 17, 2016
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line's Harvest Caye private island development will debut in November off Placencia, Belize. (Photo by Brian Major).
For the first time since the project's announcement in 2014, Norwegian Cruise Line this week issued new details on the $100 million Harvest Caye private island development in Belize. Originally scheduled to open in February, the project's debut was recently re-scheduled to November.
Scheduled to open in November and located on two adjoining islands off shore from Placencia, a small former fishing village, the development will include Belize's first cruise ship pier, a marina facility for mainland excursions, a seven-acre beach, restaurants and eco-tourism and adventure activity centers, said Norwegian officials in a statement.
Harvest Caye's beach area will feature 11 enclosed, air-conditioned villas with lounge and dining areas, restrooms, indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks, and exclusive dining and beverage options. A 15,000-square-foot pool in a landscaped area will feature a swim-up bar with stools and lounge tables and 15 canopy pool cabanas available for rent.
A 130-foot-tall lighthouse structure will serve as the central area for aerial adventure activities including zip lining, suspension bridges and free-fall jumps. Watersports will include kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing in a dedicated shallow lagoon. The development will also feature a marina from which guests can depart for shore excursions including explorations of Belize's numerous Mayan ruin sites, river rafting, and diving and nature tours.
Harvest Caye will also offer cruise guests five dining and bar outlets including a two-story indoor/outdoor Landshark Bar & Grill. Casual "street style" dining will also be offered in Harvest Caye's shopping village.
Unlike other cruise line private islands, dining will not be included in the cruise fare at Harvest Caye - all of the restaurants will be a la carte options. Dining is complimentary at other private islands including Norwegian's own Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas as well as private islands and beaches operated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line.
Harvest Caye's shopping village will feature items from name-brand retailers and local Belizean craftsmen. The development will also include an aviary featuring endangered Scarlet Macaws and Toucans, Belize's national bird, a butterfly garden and an educational center.
Harvest Caye will be a port of call on Norwegian's western Caribbean itineraries and on select Caribbean sailings of sister brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.
Harvest Caye has been a controversial plan in Belize, as environmentalists have questioned the development's impact on the region's natural environment and small-scale tourism identity.
Indeed, work on the development has continued even after a judge ruled in a lawsuit filed in Belize that the Belizean government had taken improper shortcuts in its environmental review of the project in order to hasten its development.
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