Cruise Travel in Belize

Cruise Travel

Cruising is an increasingly popular way to see Belize. You can choose a small ship of about 200 passengers or less, which can visit small cayes and atolls such as Turneffe Atoll, Tobacco Caye, and West Snake Caye, along with resort areas such as San Pedro (Ambergris Caye) and Placencia. You can also choose a large cruise ship, which carries thousands of passengers and provides all of the amenities of a large floating resort. These big boats call on Belize City. Because of shallow water near shore, passengers are brought ashore in small boats called tenders. Passengers then can take snorkel or Maya ruin tours, or wander around the historic Fort George area of Belize City, visiting the Fort Point Tourist Village and its shops. The Belize government says that nearly a million cruise passengers visit Belize annually. Carnival Cruise Lines has agreed to build a new US$50 million cruise terminal in Belize City, expected to be completed in 2007.

Cruise Lines

American Canadian Caribbean Line (800/556-7450. www.accl-smallships.com). Carnival Cruise Lines (888/227-6482. www.carnival.com). Celebrity Cruises (800/722-5941. www.celebritycruises.com). Holland America (877/932-4259. www.hollandamerica.com). Norwegian Cruise Line (800/327-7030. www.ncl.com). Princess Cruises (800/774-6237. www.princesscruises.com). Royal Caribbean (866/562-7625. www.royalcaribbean.com). Windstar Cruises (800/258-7245. www.windstarcruises.com).