Harvest Caye Belize is Norweign Cruise Line’s private island. However, it is different than most cruise lines private island because all activities, food, and drinks have to be paid for.
The island is beautiful and you could spend all day on the island enjoying the beach without spending anything (you can go back aboard the ship for lunch).
Something my family has always wanted to do was splurge on a private beach cabana however they have always sold out before we could book one. On this cruise, we were able to snag one and while you might think they are outside your budget I’ve got 8 reasons why they are a great option, why you should book one, and why I’ll be booking one again.
1. Up To Six People
The $350 price tag is per cabana, not per person. If you’re traveling with family, or if you’re a couple and want to go in with two other couples the per-person price drops to about $58 if you can fill the cabana to capacity. The price gets even better if you have the $50 off an excursion promo because then the price goes down to $50 per person. You’d probably pay similar (or more!) for a beach break shore excursion in some ports. And with plenty of indoor and outdoor space, it’s not like the cabana will feel crowded at maximum capacity.
2. Private Beach
All of the cabanas are lined up in a row at the farthest end of Harvest Caye’s beach. This waterfront area is roped off from the main beach, so instead of fighting the crowds or sharing the water with hordes of screaming children or drunk party people, you get a quiet slice of beach to share with only the other cabana residents. This private beach was the perfect place for my daughter to play and I didn’t have to worry about beach toys walking off. Truthfully hardly anyone was in the water or along the beach at any given time on the private beach.
3. Air Conditioned Interior
If you love the beach but overheat, your cabana offers an indoor retreat with air conditioning, a couch, and a dining area. You can cool off without going back to the ship. This is also a great place for young children to nap, while you continue to enjoy the island life. The indoor space is stocked with beach towels and a mini-fridge filled with water and a fruit tray. The first six bottles and fruit tray are included in the price; after that, there’s a per bottle charge.
4. Private Bathroom
This is probably the best perk of the cabanas. You get your own private bathroom attached to your cabana that has a full shower. Each cabana also has a beach shower for rinsing off sandy feet before going back onto the porch or inside.
5. Outdoor Seating
On the main beach, which offers little shade from the intense sun, thousands of passengers will fight for prime lounge chairs and have to pay extra if they want clamshell shade. Cabana guests have their choice of places to relax, including four padded lounge chairs on the cabana’s ocean-facing deck, a hammock strung between palm trees (one per cabana), two Adirondack chairs in the shade of a palm tree, and six lounge chairs on the beach under two umbrellas.
6. A Personal Butler
One complaint about Harvest Caye is that, unlike other private islands, there is no complimentary beach barbecue and drinks aren’t included in your beverage package. In fact, all food and drink on the island has to be paid for with cash or credit card (you can not charge it to your onboard account). Food isn’t free for cabana guests either, but if you get hungry, you don’t need to trek over to the Landshark Bar and Grill. Just give your food or drink order to the cabana butler, and he or she will return with your meal. Your butler will also check on you regularly to make sure you are okay or if you would like anything else. All food and drink for cabana occupants come from the nearby Horse Eye Jack’s Bar and Grill.
7. Free Wi-Fi
If can’t survive without catching up with the world or posting photos to social media you are in luck because the cabanas have free Wi-Fi and it works much better than the ships.
8. A Chauffeur
The cabanas are quite a walk from the cruise ship pier, as they’re located at the farthest end of the beach area. But you do not have to walk that distance. Shuttles (large golf carts) run back and forth from the cabana check-in area to the cabanas and back to the ship. It’s better than walking in the heat especially with kids.
I will definitely book another beach cabana on Harvest Caye Belize. It was a wonderful experience and made the whole beach experience so easy especially with kids.
