Free at Sea Open bar doesn't apply on Harvest Caye....

[Itchy&Scratchy]

So, what do people do to get a drink? Pay for it on the island or walk back to the ship to get a drink every time? Are the bars on the ship even open? Seems interesting that NCL charges us for the drinks that day, but we are unable to actually use it. Beverage packages work differently on Cococay and Princess Cay.

 

Unlimited Open Bar Package (Open Bar)

• Guests who receive the Soda Package may obtain fountain soda and juices at any bar, lounge, or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise, excluding Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.
• Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, sailings that are two (2) days or less, on selected charters, or on Pride of America.

[tonit964]

1 minute ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

So, what do people do to get a drink? Pay for it on the island or walk back to the ship to get a drink every time? Are the bars on the ship even open? Seems interesting that NCL charges us for the drinks that day, but we are unable to actually use it. Beverage packages work differently on Cococay and Princess Cay.

 

Unlimited Open Bar Package (Open Bar)

• Guests who receive the Soda Package may obtain fountain soda and juices at any bar, lounge, or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise, excluding Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.
• Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, sailings that are two (2) days or less, on selected charters, or on Pride of America.

When I was on the Escape, In the morning before leaving the ship, I got a margarita and a couple of shots and put it in my reusable cup and brought that off with me.

[mjkacmom]

Unlike GSC, NCL doesn’t own the island, or provide the drinks. It’s like going off of the ship in other ports.

[All-ready2cruise]

I've only visited Harvest Caye once but GSC many times. I don't care for HC so I avoid it. Simple solution for me anyway. 

[BirdTravels]

48 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

So, what do people do to get a drink? Pay for it on the island or walk back to the ship to get a drink every time? Are the bars on the ship even open? Seems interesting that NCL charges us for the drinks that day, but we are unable to actually use it. Beverage packages work differently on Cococay and Princess Cay.

 

Unlimited Open Bar Package (Open Bar)

• Guests who receive the Soda Package may obtain fountain soda and juices at any bar, lounge, or restaurant throughout the duration of the cruise, excluding Harvest Caye bars, restaurants, or venues.
• Offer is not applicable on Harvest Caye, sailings that are two (2) days or less, on selected charters, or on Pride of America.

It has always been that way. The concessions on the island are owned and operated by the local Belizean people, supporting their economy. Before we go there, it is not a money grab by NCL. NCL is not charging you for drinks, the local bar owner is. It is what the country of Belize wanted. 
 

Like getting off the ship and heading to Senior Frogs at other stops on that itinerary, or going to a beach bar at any beach in the Caribbean, most will just buy a drink at the bar on HC or a beer from one of the carts on the beach. 

Edited May 12, 2023 by BirdTravels

[Itchy&Scratchy]

3 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

NCL is not charging you for drinks, the local bar owner is

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day. It's sort of like a private island, kind of like Labadee. A free beach stop.

Since the package doesn't apply on Harvest Caye, I am asking if the bars on the ship are open. Some non-private islands have the rule that cruise ships may not sell alcohol or open the casino while docked.

The one time we were on Harvest Caye we didn't have a package, so I didn't care either way.

[tonit964]

3 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day. It's sort of like a private island, kind of like Labadee. A free beach stop.

Since the package doesn't apply on Harvest Caye, I am asking if the bars on the ship are open. Some non-private islands have the rule that cruise ships may not sell alcohol or open the casino while docked.

The one time we were on Harvest Caye we didn't have a package, so I didn't care either way.

We didn't stay long on the island and when we went back to the ship, the bars were open as usual. This was back in 2017 so maybe things have changed since then?

[DCGuy64]

5 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day.

You can still use the package the day the ship is at HC - on the ship. Of course, it would be another matter if they closed all the bars on the ship that day and you had to pay on the island.

Edited May 12, 2023 by DCGuy64

[dbrown84]

4 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day. It's sort of like a private island, kind of like Labadee. A free beach stop.

Since the package doesn't apply on Harvest Caye, I am asking if the bars on the ship are open. Some non-private islands have the rule that cruise ships may not sell alcohol or open the casino while docked.

The one time we were on Harvest Caye we didn't have a package, so I didn't care either way.

yes, the bars are open on the ship.  Not all of them, but you can check the freestyle daily to see which ones are open while in port

[cruiseny4life]

You also asked what others do. We take a couple refillable bottles of water with us when we get off in the morning, as soon as the ship allows us off. We spend three to four hours on the island, then head back to the ship for lunch. After lunch, we refill our bottles, then head back to the beach. 

 

We're cheap and don't spend money at Harvest Caye. I don't really understand why anyone would, given the ship is just a ten to fifteen minute walk away. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

10 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

We take a couple refillable bottles

 

1 hour ago, tonit964 said:

In the morning before leaving the ship, I got a margarita and a couple of shots and put it in my reusable cup and brought that off with me.

 

We'll do just that, thank you. Just fill up our contigo tumblers with some yummy goodness and off we go to enjoy the beach. We don't ever get alcohol packages, since we don't usually drink at all (like - at all), but may get an occasional mojito on a cruise. So, full price packages are a definite no-go, because we'll never drink that much. Since it's only $150 pp for 7 days, I am really considering it. Maybe, a couple of mojitos or margaritas a day, plus some sodas, and we'll break even in no time.

 

I do wish it included fancy coffee drinks (not necessarily Starbucks, but other lines have their own house cappuccinos and lattes), since it's my guilty pleasure while cruising (but once again, like with alcohol - not at home). 

Edited May 12, 2023 by Itchy&Scratchy

[Liljo22]

3 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day. It's sort of like a private island, kind of like Labadee. A free beach stop.

Since the package doesn't apply on Harvest Caye, I am asking if the bars on the ship are open. Some non-private islands have the rule that cruise ships may not sell alcohol or open the casino while docked.

The one time we were on Harvest Caye we didn't have a package, so I didn't care either way.

When you stop in Roatan, Costa Maya or Cozumel you are charged for that days drink package also.  How is that any different.  

[BirdTravels]

4 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day. It's sort of like a private island, kind of like Labadee. A free beach stop.

Since the package doesn't apply on Harvest Caye, I am asking if the bars on the ship are open. Some non-private islands have the rule that cruise ships may not sell alcohol or open the casino while docked.

The one time we were on Harvest Caye we didn't have a package, so I didn't care either way.

The bars on the ship are open. None of the bartenders have to go to the island because the bars are being run by the local owners. 

[SeaShark]

I keep coming back to the thread title

 

Free at Sea Open bar doesn't apply on Harvest Caye....

I kind of thought the answer was obvious since "on Harvest Caye" is NOT "at Sea"

[cruiseny4life]

4 minutes ago, SeaShark said:

I keep coming back to the thread title

 

Free at Sea Open bar doesn't apply on Harvest Caye....

I kind of thought the answer was obvious since "on Harvest Caye" is NOT "at Sea"

But, using your logic, Free at Sea shouldn't apply to Great Stirrup Cay.

Edited May 12, 2023 by cruiseny4life

[Cruising Lynne]

9 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I mean - NCL is charging us for the drink package for that day. It's sort of like a private island, kind of like Labadee. A free beach stop.

Since the package doesn't apply on Harvest Caye, I am asking if the bars on the ship are open. Some non-private islands have the rule that cruise ships may not sell alcohol or open the casino while docked.

The one time we were on Harvest Caye we didn't have a package, so I didn't care either way.

Just in case you did not know, for future reference, NCL has another private island, Great Stirrup Cay. On GSC the drink package does apply. It makes it a favorite beach day for a lot of people. I enjoy GSC, but would like to try Harvest Caye some day. I like that Harvest Caye has a peer so you do not have to tender like at GSC. If I go to Harvest Caye I would also fill a drink bottle with one or two drinks from the ship.

[Boxerjim]

Last time we got off at this stop, it wasn't a Belize stop.  It was a NCL private beach set-up, with 'someone's shops and bars'(We really know whose shops and bars, NCL).Got right back on.  Carnival and other cruise lines take you to the real Belize.  

Edited May 13, 2023 by Boxerjim

[Itchy&Scratchy]

11 hours ago, Cruising Lynne said:

Just in case you did not know, for future reference, NCL has another private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

Thank you, I do know that, but the cruise I am about to book is going to Harvest Caye yet again. 🙂 It's the same exact itinerary we were on in 2018, but a different ship.

It is a nice free island.  My mom went exploring after the beach session and found a lovely little aviary and a butterfly house in the back - an unexpected bonus. The island also had a kid's aquapark.

And, yes, having a pier instead of tendering is always great.