Drink Package Harvest Caye

[kapcruiser]

Can you use your drink package at harvest caye?

[PEBBarney]

Nope, sorry.

 

Some agreement Norwegian has with the government of Belize, who helped fund the port.

[BirdTravels]

2 hours ago, kapcruiser said:

Can you use your drink package at harvest caye?

All food and drink on the island is not included. Cash or credit cards. Lots of waiters on the beach, but  nothing is included. 

[DaCruiseBug]

2 hours ago, PEBBarney said:

Nope, sorry.

 

Some agreement Norwegian has with the government of Belize, who helped fund the port.

Nah, it's just NCL being cheap...

[MoCruiseFan]

1 hour ago, DaCruiseBug said:

Nah, it's just NCL being cheap...

 

Actually PEB is right.

[cruiseny4life]

11 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

Nah, it's just NCL being cheap...

When aren't they cheap? 

 

9 hours ago, MoCruiseFan said:

 

Actually PEB is right.

 

NCL easily could have just provided additional payments to the citizens of Belize, thus negating the impact on cruisers (except for a higher fare, perhaps). 

[Juncti]

Not only can't you use the package there, but the drinks are quite expensive. 

 

When we went about a year ago a Belikin beer on the island was like $8, last month we were on Carnival and wound up in the main Belize port, you could get a bucket of the beers for I think $15. Pretty much $3 a beer and the bucket was buy 5 get 1 free type of setup. 

 

Margarita's at the swim up bar (at least before it changed from Margaritaville) were like $15-20 each. 

 

Really the whole island is so much more expensive than if you go to the normal Belize port. 

[Beaver1975]

22 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

 

NCL easily could have just provided additional payments to the citizens of Belize, thus negating the impact on cruisers (except for a higher fare, perhaps). 

 

Huh??

[Beaver1975]

On 10/31/2022 at 12:11 AM, DaCruiseBug said:

Nah, it's just NCL being cheap...

 

How exactly is it NCL being cheap? They don't own the island and the people working there are not NCL employees.  NCL just has exclusive access due to assisting with the construction costs.

[DaCruiseBug]

7 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

 

How exactly is it NCL being cheap? They don't own the island and the people working there are not NCL employees.  NCL just has exclusive access due to assisting with the construction costs.

 

From the Belize Tourism Board...

 

"Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line"

 

https://belizetourismboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Placencia-TDDP-Final.pdf

 

While it was a joint development between NCL and Belize, NCL has exclusive access for 25 years. They agreed to have local staff on the island...but it doesn't mean they can't make the food/drinks free. Could have easily set it up like they do drinks while in port where you just pay taxes.

 

So yes...it's just NCL being cheap.

Edited November 1, 2022 by DaCruiseBug

[Beaver1975]

16 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

From the Belize Tourism Board...

 

"Harvest Caye is a private island owned by Norwegian Cruise Line"

 

https://belizetourismboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Placencia-TDDP-Final.pdf

 

While it was a joint development between NCL and Belize, NCL has exclusive access for 25 years. They agreed to have local staff on the island...but it doesn't mean they can't make the food/drinks free. Could have easily set it up like they do drinks while in port where you just pay taxes.

 

So yes...it's just NCL being cheap.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1418

 

5. Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line

Harvest Caye opened in 2016 and represents a partnership between the cruise line and the government of Belize, which owns the island. It serves as a private outpost for Norwegian, Oceania and Regent passengers cruising through the Western Caribbean. While Harvest Caye has typical private-island amenities like beachfront villas (and unique additions like a nature center and an enormous pool), one notable difference between the island and other private islands is that there is no free buffet lunch ashore. Ships dock rather than tender, so it's easy for cruisers to head back onboard for lunch.

 

 Your source is an upload on to the tourism boards web site. (can you say wikipedia). My source is right here at Cruise Critic and also from a Vice President within NCL.

 

So, No...it's NOT just NCL being cheap!!!

Edited November 2, 2022 by Beaver1975

[DaCruiseBug]

22 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1418

 

5. Harvest Caye, Norwegian Cruise Line

Harvest Caye opened in 2016 and represents a partnership between the cruise line and the government of Belize, which owns the island. It serves as a private outpost for Norwegian, Oceania and Regent passengers cruising through the Western Caribbean. While Harvest Caye has typical private-island amenities like beachfront villas (and unique additions like a nature center and an enormous pool), one notable difference between the island and other private islands is that there is no free buffet lunch ashore. Ships dock rather than tender, so it's easy for cruisers to head back onboard for lunch.

 

 Your source is an upload on to the tourism boards web site. (can you say wikipedia). My source is right here at Cruise Critic and also from a Vice President within NCL.

 

So, No...it's NOT just NCL being cheap!!!

 

How does uploading a link from a Belize government agency equal wikipedia? Your article just says it's a partnership with Belize. They're both joint owners...which means...that NCL also OWNS the island as the Belize government agency link says.

 

Regardless of who owns the island, NCL absolutely CAN make food and drinks FREE on the island. There's absolutely NOTHING stopping them from having that kind of contract with the vendors. NCL has made a CHOICE not to do that because they're CHEAP.

 

Nice try...well...not really but...

[mjkacmom]

4 minutes ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

How does uploading a link from a Belize government agency equal wikipedia? Your article just says it's a partnership with Belize. They're both joint owners...which means...that NCL also OWNS the island as the Belize government agency link says.

 

Regardless of who owns the island, NCL absolutely CAN make food and drinks FREE on the island. There's absolutely NOTHING stopping them from having that kind of contract with the vendors. NCL has made a CHOICE not to do that because they're CHEAP.

 

Nice try...well...not really but...

Are the drinks free when Oceania and regent cruise ships are there?

[Beaver1975]

5 hours ago, DaCruiseBug said:

 

How does uploading a link from a Belize government agency equal wikipedia? Your article just says it's a partnership with Belize. They're both joint owners...which means...that NCL also OWNS the island as the Belize government agency link says.

 

Regardless of who owns the island, NCL absolutely CAN make food and drinks FREE on the island. There's absolutely NOTHING stopping them from having that kind of contract with the vendors. NCL has made a CHOICE not to do that because they're CHEAP.

 

Nice try...well...not really but...

 

Uploading means that others can "upload" information on to the Chamber of Commerce's web site .It does not mean it is information from the Chamber of Commerce. Hence the reference to Wikipedia.

 

You have a problem with reading comprehension?  It says they have a joint partnership with the Belize government, WHICH OWNS THE ISLAND.  Where did you see joint ownership?

 

How can NCL make drinks and food free on an island that they do not own and from vendors that do not work for them?

 

Nice try!!!

Edited November 3, 2022 by Beaver1975

[mtrancher]

I hesitate to enter this conversation as I am about to prove myself 'not totally correct' on my original beliefs. I too believed in the joint partnership which I still believe exists and might interfere with NCL being able to extend ship privileges to guest on the island. However, I do have to say based on NCL financial disclosures and actions it appears they (NCL) does own the island outright. Again, I think the operations on the island are joint in nature but as far as the deed goes, it appears NCL owns the island. 

As reference to support my position, please read the following link -- https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/202447

 

In short it references NCL's use of Harvest Caye as collateral when floating bonds for their 2 billion dollar loan to help kick start back up after the COVID shutdown. A direct quote from the Prime Minister of Belize (quoted in the article), "Norwegian having bought the caye free and clear certainly and legal was entitled as they have done to put it up as part of the collateral for the loan or the bond that they were floating."

 

I still believe NCL had to come to an operating agreement with the Belize Government as Belize has ruled all the islands as national treasures. So even though NCL could buy it from the previous owner NCL likely had to make some agreements with Belize to be able to do what they have done to the island and be able to hire staffing. Just thoughts, nothing to support it with actual proof.

[DaCruiseBug]

12 hours ago, Beaver1975 said:

 

Uploading means that others can "upload" information on to the Chamber of Commerce's web site .It does not mean it is information from the Chamber of Commerce. Hence the reference to Wikipedia.

 

You have a problem with reading comprehension?  It says they have a joint partnership with the Belize government, WHICH OWNS THE ISLAND.  Where did you see joint ownership?

 

How can NCL make drinks and food free on an island that they do not own and from vendors that do not work for them?

 

Nice try!!!

If anything, your reply shows just how wrong you are. You’re using a cruisecritic “article” to make your case. I used a link to a government agency of Belize to make my case. 
 

The case for NCL ownership of the island was further proven by the link posted by mtrancher which quotes the Prime Minister of Belize who states that NCL owns Harvest Caye free and clear.

 

We then have a quote from Colin Murphy Senior VP at NCL - “I think we first started looking for islands in Belize in 2012. I believe we bought the island in 2013 and we started construction in April of 2014”

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=38736

 

On top of all this we can also look at NCLs own website which says “Owned in partnership by NCL and the Belizean government”

 

 

But hey…this is more about you trying to be right (when you’re wrong) rather than having an honest conversation with actual facts.

[PATRLR]

On 10/31/2022 at 11:39 AM, cruiseny4life said:

NCL easily could have just provided additional payments to the citizens of Belize, thus negating the impact on cruisers (except for a higher fare, perhaps). 

On 11/1/2022 at 9:41 AM, Beaver1975 said:

Huh??

On 11/1/2022 at 9:44 AM, Beaver1975 said:

How exactly is it NCL being cheap? They don't own the island and the people working there are not NCL employees.  NCL just has exclusive access due to assisting with the construction costs.

NCL entered into a contract with the Belize government to construct the island.  They could have, if they wanted, included in the contract that the food and drinks would be either supplied by or paid for by NCL.  They chose not to.  That is how they were being cheap. 

What none of us knows is just how cheap.  Likely the Belize government very strongly wanted their local or chosen vendors to have an opportunity for the concessions.  In which case it would have been prohibitively expensive for NCL to buy their way past the government's requirement.  Everyone and everything has a price.  I'll give NCL the benefit of the doubt in this case and say their "cheapness" was likely understandable.

 

Edited November 4, 2022 by PATRLR

[sheila77]

I think everything on Harvest Caye is overpriced! - I go walk around and then return to the ship for the things included in my cruise fare.  I liked when NCL actually went to Belize and we can go get a beer for cheap if so desired. 

In my opinion goods (food and beverage) could be offered for a lower price point on Harvest Caye.  

[DCGuy64]

Of course, missing from this discussion is the notion that NCL could make the food and drinks on Harvest Caye "free," which I put in quotations because nothing in life is ever free. Instead, NCL would just raise the price of cruises to compensate, and then there'd be 177 threads about how NCL was price gouging. If I've learned one thing from these boards, it's that no matter what a cruise line does, someone will come here to b**** about it. 😆🤣😁

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Of course, missing from this discussion is the notion that NCL could make the food and drinks on Harvest Caye "free," which I put in quotations because nothing in life is ever free. Instead, NCL would just raise the price of cruises to compensate, and then there'd be 177 threads about how NCL was price gouging. If I've learned one thing from these boards, it's that no matter what a cruise line does, someone will come here to b**** about it. 😆🤣😁

Awww, you put into words what I couldn't, hence folks confusion about what I said above! 

 

On 10/31/2022 at 11:39 AM, cruiseny4life said:

NCL easily could have just provided additional payments to the citizens of Belize, thus negating the impact on cruisers (except for a higher fare, perhaps). 

Yep, I quoted myself y'all! 

 

Personally, I'd rather a more expensive fare than having to pay out of pocket for things. I understand other folks don't and I'm happy to understand their perspective. But, you're right! I suppose instead of "nickel and diming (which I accuse NCL of)", everyone would just yell "price gouging!" 

5 hours ago, PATRLR said:

Everyone and everything has a price.  I'll give NCL the benefit of the doubt in this case and say their "cheapness" was likely understandable.

I definitely get this point! At the end of the day, one just has to walk back onto the boat to get a drink/food if they don't want to pay the prices, thus saving themselves money, rather than NCL raising fares. As I mentioned just above, I'd personally just pay a higher fare to get some food on the island, but that's just one random guy in Central NY. 🙂

[kapcruiser]

Is there free Wi-Fi available anywhere?

[mtrancher]

1 hour ago, kapcruiser said:

Is there free Wi-Fi available anywhere?

Yes but with the caveat that wifi service is somewhat spotty on the ship and therefore your service will vary depending on your location and I suppose the number of others using the same hotspot.

[phillygwm]

So I'm here next year.  When I've done the itinerary previously, we did Belize City, which I enjoyed.  I know there were some safety/security issues and not sure if that played into the HC calculus.  

 

So TL;DR of the thread is it's NOT inclusive in terms of food and drink.  My question is, is it food that you might otherwise get on the ship (burgers, hot dogs, etc.) or is it something otherwise "special?"  Also, do you pay with your room card or does it require cash (specifically US cash?)

 

Thanks!

[newbe dave]

I love Harvest Caye and, for me, drinks and food are free.  This is because I walk the short distance back to the ship that is docked at the island and fill my metal Tervis with a double of my favorite drink. It stays cold for hours (like a drink will last me hours. HA HA). I can even get a bite of food while I have returned to the ship. This serves to help me get some of my daily exercise (needed when cruising) and lets me eat and drink for free. The walk is paved and flat so it is very easy. It only takes me about 20-30 minutes to get my refill and return to my island enjoyment. Add to it that I get to relax in the wonderful pool on the island too. 

[kayjaypea42]

3 hours ago, newbe dave said:

I love Harvest Caye and, for me, drinks and food are free.  This is because I walk the short distance back to the ship that is docked at the island and fill my metal Tervis with a double of my favorite drink. It stays cold for hours (like a drink will last me hours. HA HA). I can even get a bite of food while I have returned to the ship. This serves to help me get some of my daily exercise (needed when cruising) and lets me eat and drink for free. The walk is paved and flat so it is very easy. It only takes me about 20-30 minutes to get my refill and return to my island enjoyment. Add to it that I get to relax in the wonderful pool on the island too. 

 

So that answered a question I had: are you allowed to take food/drink off the ship in like a metal Yeti cup?  If so, I'll just order a couple of margaritas, fill my cup, and I'll be good to go!