Caribbean Cruise = Belize

ABOVE: The Nordic Empress.

Seventeen cruise lines now grace her waterways. It's Belize - the latest buzz word in Caribbean Cruise tourism. This multicultural, ecotourism and linguistic bridge between the Caribbean and Central America is now a fixture on the international Caribbean travel map. Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines have Belize as a permanent port of call. The 401 stops scheduled for the 2004 calendar involve some thirty different cruise ships, with exotic names like "Norwegian Dream", "Elation", "Inspiration", "Paradise" and "Enchantment of the Seas". These cruise ships range in size from smaller ships like the "Polar Star" which brings 105 passengers, to the much larger "Carnival Glory" which brings 3,500 persons. Cruise ships in Belize operate through Port Agents such as Eurocaribe Shipping Services Ltd, Marine and Services Ltd., and Caribbean Shipping Agencies Ltd. The industry is promoted by the Belize Tourism Board, which also involves itself with the training of local tour guides, licensing of ships and other sustainable approaches to development of this industry. The Belize Tourism Board's site and its travel email at vacation@travelbelize.org. is a resource for direct queries about the annual cruise ship calendar and trends.

Almost one million Caribbean Cruise tourism visitors are projected for 2004. If only 80% of this projection realistically occurs, cruise visitors triple the size of Belize's population. This has resulted in a dramatic makeover in the heart of the country's commercial and downtown center, whose flagship since the turn of the millennium has been the Belize Tourism Village, now called the Fort Street Tourism Village, or locally, just the Tourism Village. Certain cruise lines arrange to have tender boats pick up passengers directly from the anchored cruise ship in either Belize City or the Dangriga port of call and take them directly to snorkeling or diving trips at Goff's Caye, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Turneffe Islands, Half Moon Caye at Lighthouse Reef and other locations on the Belize Barrier Reef for either full or half-day excursions.

Entry Requirements for Cruise Ship Passengers:

All documentation for entry at port of calls is handled directly by the cruise ships upon booking the cruise and beginning one's adventure. All visitors need passports to enter the country; these should be valid six months beyond the intended stay. However, once the cruise ship anchors in Belize, local Immigration and Customs officials board the ship upon arrival and departure to handle entry and exit procedures directly with cruise line officials, working off the Passenger Manifest. Cruise ship passengers are considered in-transit passengers, and so no VISA is required for visits or tours.

VISA or direct immigration clearance as the as case may be are required if: " the cruise passenger is disembarking to stay overnight or longer; in such a case, that particular passport will be handled directly and all entry requirements, such as a VISA if required, should be in order (see "VISA Requirements" below)
" the cruise ship passenger is joining the cruise in Belize, because, for example, he or she missed the connection at Galveston or some other embarkation point); in such a case, with proper documentation, a VISA will be issued upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport.

VISA requirements for overnight visitors or non-cruise ship arrivals:

No VISA required. All visitors require a passport, but nationals of the following countries do not require VISA: Australia, New Zealand, Norway and colonies, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, Panama, United States, British subjects (Commonwealth citizens), Caricom nationals, nationals of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, San Marino ,Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Direct clearance required from the Director of Immigration

Additionally, in order to enter Belize, nationals of the following countries must have direct clearance from the Director of Immigration: Bolivia, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Cuba, and Ecuador. Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Sri Lanka, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. This clearance is processed through direct application at the nearest Belizean Consulate or Embassy. In countries where Belize is not represented, any British consular office can forward the application, except in Commonwealth countries where the government of such Commonwealth country can assist. (See www.belize.gov.bz for listing of Belizean embassies and consulates.)

All other visitors:

All other visitors who intend to overnight in Belize must be in possession of both passports and visas. The nearest Belizean Consulate or Embassy can be contacted for details on obtaining VISAS. For the contact numbers and addresses of the nearest to you, check the listing of Embassies and Consulates under the Belize Diplomatic and Consular List at the Government of Belize's website.

Next page: Belize City Port of Call