NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line announced last week that it would resume port calls to Harvest Caye Belize (NCL private island), on August 9.
NCL Norwegian Joy is scheduled to depart from her homeport in Montego Bay Jamaica on August 7, and include Belize as a part of its 7-day Western Caribbean itinerary.
The Belize Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations welcomed the Return to Service announcement from NCL, as it signaled the safe reopening of the cruise sector in Belize.
It has been more than a year since the industry in the region has been suspended. The thousands of Belizeans who work in the sector are now ready to welcome cruise passengers once again.
COVID-19 vaccinations are being rolled out to the country's tourism workforce, and an increase in tourism businesses in the cruising sector continues to meet the requirements for Gold Standard Certification (Belize’s Health & Safety Management Program for the Tourism Sector). Via the collaboration of relevant government agencies and the private sector, Belize has developed health and safety protocols to support the safe restart of sailing to Belize.
Cruise companies have also developed their own health and safety protocols and carried thousands of vacationers successfully on sailings in Asia and Europe in recent months. NCL will use their SailSAFE Health and Safety Program in order to ensure the safety of passengers while onboard and onshore. As a part of the measures, NCL requires mandatory vaccination of all passengers and crew members. Each destination will also be operating with enhanced protocols. The cruise ships have undergone extensive renovations like upgraded medical-grade air filtration systems onboard, upgraded medical facilities, and revamped layout of activity areas to meet enhanced sanitizing stations and social distancing.