Cruise Line Buys Belize Islands

Vacation News » Latin America Vacation News Edition | By Francys Vallecillo | August 19, 2013 8:10 AM ET

Norwegian Cruise Line has purchased 75 acres on two adjoining islands in southern Belize, which it plans to develop as a private cruise destination.

The cruise line didn't announce a sale price, but said it would spend $50 million to build the facility on the private islands, known as Harvest Caye, which are located south of the growing tourist destination of Placencia. The project will include a floating pier, retail space, a marina, a transportation hub for tours to the mainland, a lagoon for water sports and a beach area.

When the destination is complete, the company expects to "bring four times as many guests to Belize than we do today," Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive, said in a statement.

Overall, Norwegian expects to double the number of passengers on western Caribbean itineraries by 2017.

Norwegian's plans have been controversial in Belize, with environmentalists protesting the impact of the large cruise ships. In June the government rejected the cruise line's proposal to develop Crawl Caye, saying the plan was too large and too close to sensitive environmental areas.

Members of the Placencia chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association have aggressively opposed Norwegian's Harvest Caye plans. In a recent interview with the local press, developer and BTIA chapter president Stewart Khron accused the cruise of "green-washing" - trying to make something look environmentally sustainable when it's not.

"I would say what NCL is proposing for Harvest Caye is probably the ultimate 'green-washing,'" Mr. Khron said.

Norwegian repeatedly emphasized the "eco-friendly" elements of the project in its release announcing the sale. Harvest Caye had already been approved for a resort development and air strip, the company notes. And the plan will remove pressure on the limited facilities for cruise ships in Belize City, which is not known as tourist friendly.

In its agreement with the Government of Belize, Norwegian has promised to adhere to the country's environmental standards and create jobs for Belizeans, according to the release. The master plan for the project is still under development, but the company said the facility would use Belize companies and include a "mainland connection point for inland tours."

The company has hired Florida-based IDEA Inc., a veteran of Caribbean destination developments, to design the project.

"This project will set a new standard in the development of an eco-friendly destination," said Hugh Darley, president of IDEA, Inc, in the release. "Rather than an imposed plan, we are focused on a design approach that is determined by the local environment to ensure that the unique surroundings and features of the area will be protected and showcased for all to enjoy."