home-mom Posted February 6, 2017 #1 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Just back from the 1/29/17 Dawn. Was a great cruise except that we didn't go to Harvest Caye. Beyond disappointed about that. I know the rules and they don't have to take us anywhere etc., but it's still depressing. We booked this cruise specifically to go there. We booked it last year, but when it wasn't going to be ready we cancelled and picked a different cruise. One it turns out that had a medical emergency causing us to miss a port and have it substituted for a different one. We received a letter in our room the afternoon before saying it was to be cancelled due to a possible obstruction in the channel and need to be inspected and we would go to Belize City instead. I wish we could've been told sooner. We would've planned to go to a beach in another port. We chose not to because we had planned to rent a villa on Harvest Caye and be pampered for the day :) I felt sorry for the concierge. He said he had been blasted with angry calls all day. He said some of the senior officers and himself had asked for more information from the captain to relay to the guests and they were met with a very rude "They don't need to know anything, tell them there is an obstruction and we're not going." He did make an announcement later repeating the letter and adding that he did not want anyone to go to or call guest services about it. We knew there was nothing we could do and we didn't want it to spoil the rest of our cruise, but we did have to ask about our villa rental, we booked and prepaid for it a month before boarding. They said they would put it back on our credit card, then they said they talked to shore side and it would be put on as onboard credit. We didn't spend it all as I had prepaid our gratuities, so in the end we had a huge credit and we were told a check would be mailed to us. We'll see. Sorry for the long post, we were upset for sure, but made the best of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissmeyoufool Posted February 6, 2017 #2 Share Posted February 6, 2017 I am leaving on the Dawn February 12 and I hope to get your harvest caye really looking forward to it because it's really going to be our beach day also Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NLH Arizona Posted February 6, 2017 #3 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Wow! The Concierge threw the Captain under the bus. Hopefully NCL isn't readying this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty em Posted February 6, 2017 #4 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Yes, for the concierge to say such a thing to the passenger strikes me as a very disloyal employee and not so very professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
home-mom Posted February 6, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Yeah, I was taken back by his statement as well. We said we noticed some changes since O'Sheehan left and he actually said it has been worse for the staff since then as well. That is what prompted him to tell us about the statement from the captain. He also said they used to be able to do things for themselves. Now if a guest asks for something such as a credit, etc. instead of deciding what to do himself he has to ask the Hotel Director who then has to contact shore side and it's a big process now to get even the smallest things remedied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoastman Posted February 6, 2017 #6 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Holy cow I have no issue with the concierge! I appreciate is honesty. Now the captain on the other hand comes across as being very sketchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
home-mom Posted February 6, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted February 6, 2017 The captain came across a bit bitter at the meet and greet. He mentioned everything he had done up to that point stating he had been captain of the Dawn the last few years and perhaps it was time for a change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
home-mom Posted February 6, 2017 Author #8 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Now I'm super mad, just read this article online asking why we skipped, saying there was no obstruction. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/02/03/ncl-ship-divert-harvest-caye/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseguy2424 Posted February 6, 2017 #9 Share Posted February 6, 2017 I was on same cruise and did not buy that excuse at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cage keeper Posted February 7, 2017 #10 Share Posted February 7, 2017 That stinks. That port looks amazing and I would also book just to go there. So sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyKitty Posted February 7, 2017 #11 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I wonder if other ships are getting to Harvest Caye we should go soon on Gateway and I already planned easy day on the beach. If possibility of "real" Belize is here I might need to make some backup plans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyKitty Posted February 7, 2017 #12 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Now I'm super mad, just read this article online asking why we skipped, saying there was no obstruction. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/02/03/ncl-ship-divert-harvest-caye/ ohho - 1 ship mechanical problem...if Dawn was told "obstruction" means Gateway got issues? oh my.. I dont want to be on ship with "mechanical problems"..not at all..:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abear2 Posted February 7, 2017 #13 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I went to Harvest Caye in December and I have to say, it is much better than Belize City!! So sorry y'all missed it! I am leaving on the Dawn Sunday, so I hope we get to go back to Havvest Caye! :o I am hoping it isn't this ship with the mechanical problems!!! :o Who was the captain and who was the conceige if you don't mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtw Posted February 7, 2017 #14 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Not a big fan of Belize City, but you didn't miss much on Harvest Caye. Dirty beach, no snorkel worthy waters, high prices for everything, empty bird cages. The pool is okay, but nothing worth spending a day. There were Toucans which were cool to see. But the island is a trap. And not even a Belizean trap, totally a Norwegian trap. I would have preferred staying on the ship!! Seriously, $8 beers and $15 burgers? And we tried to walk the island to explore but a lot was off limits, you can't even access the far beach that is visible from the ship. I'm really not that picky, I just was not impressed and did not enjoy. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
home-mom Posted February 7, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Captain Teo Grbic Concierge Roel Gonzales Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpcdds6 Posted February 7, 2017 #16 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Captain Teo GrbicConcierge Roel Gonzales We had Roel last year as our concierge. He was terrific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted February 7, 2017 #17 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Not a big fan of Belize City, but you didn't miss much on Harvest Caye. Dirty beach, no snorkel worthy waters, high prices for everything, empty bird cages. The pool is okay, but nothing worth spending a day. There were Toucans which were cool to see. But the island is a trap. And not even a Belizean trap, totally a Norwegian trap. I would have preferred staying on the ship!! Seriously, $8 beers and $15 burgers? And we tried to walk the island to explore but a lot was off limits, you can't even access the far beach that is visible from the ship. I'm really not that picky, I just was not impressed and did not enjoy. Good luck! I agree; just not that impressed. It was okay if all you want to do is lay in a lounge chair--doing anything else, including food, was expensive. The beach wasn't great, I tried snorkeling in two different areas--got stung by a jellyfish but saw almost no fish. It is pretty and brand new; the pool looked great, if crowded. I guess just not what we were looking for in Belize. I'd much rather go to the mainland for other activities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted February 7, 2017 #18 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I agree; just not that impressed. It was okay if all you want to do is lay in a lounge chair--doing anything else, including food, was expensive. The beach wasn't great, I tried snorkeling in two different areas--got stung by a jellyfish but saw almost no fish. It is pretty and brand new; the pool looked great, if crowded. I guess just not what we were looking for in Belize. I'd much rather go to the mainland for other activities. Is there any sort of reef to snorkel or is it just open water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtw Posted February 7, 2017 #19 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Is there any sort of reef to snorkel or is it just open water? Looks to be a reef, if you want to swim half mile or so off the beach. I didn't think that safe, for me anyhow. There were a couple swimmers out that way, I presume they made it back alive! Water along the beach is no fun. You can snorkel, just not much to see. More like TX beaches, less like Caribbean beaches. They have excursions, probably the best way to snorkel or dive here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norway olin Posted February 7, 2017 #20 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Looks to be a reef, if you want to swim half mile or so off the beach. I didn't think that safe, for me anyhow. There were a couple swimmers out that way, I presume they made it back alive! Water along the beach is no fun. You can snorkel, just not much to see. More like TX beaches, less like Caribbean beaches. They have excursions, probably the best way to snorkel or dive here. Unfortunately, none of the current Harvest Caye excursions include snorkeling or diving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty em Posted February 7, 2017 #21 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Curtw, When we went (twice) to NCL's island in the Bahamas, the food was free, under an open pavilion. (Drinks were an extra expense, I believe). Not that way on Harvest Caye? That is going to be an extremely expensive day for me and my 24 other family members when we go in April if we have to pay for food as well. I have already rented a pavilion; I may have to reconsider. That's an awful lot of money to spend and then have to buy food and drink extra on top of that cost. And that's not even doing anything but laying around in the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebr.cruiser Posted February 7, 2017 #22 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Is there any sort of reef to snorkel or is it just open water? There might be a reef way out; didn't go that far. I tried just past the deep water along the beach and also along the rocks near the dock. Almost no fish, coral or anything--except, obviously, jellyfish, since I got stung! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted February 7, 2017 #23 Share Posted February 7, 2017 There might be a reef way out; didn't go that far. I tried just past the deep water along the beach and also along the rocks near the dock. Almost no fish, coral or anything--except, obviously, jellyfish, since I got stung! Yah. Another fellow said maybe a half mile swim to a reef. That ain't happenin'. It's looking more and more like a day to sit on the ship and use the drink package. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenlyn Posted February 8, 2017 #24 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I'm jealous! At least you got to get off ship at another port. I was on the Getaway and we got stuck with another sea day. We were also told obstruction in the channel. All cabins got a fifty dollar onboard credit and the port charges refunded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted February 8, 2017 #25 Share Posted February 8, 2017 I'm jealous! At least you got to get off ship at another port. I was on the Getaway and we got stuck with another sea day. We were also told obstruction in the channel. All cabins got a fifty dollar onboard credit and the port charges refunded. I've gotta say that I have always enjoyed visiting Belize at Belize City. Locals are wonderful, ruins tours were terrific. went tubing and we also deplete the supply of Belikin. Went snook fishing there as well. Getting stuck on the Getaway would've been a bothersome day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now