Belize Cruise Tourism Sees Strong Growth and High Passenger Demand

Belize’s cruise tourism industry is enjoying a strong year, bringing a significant number of international visitors to the Jewel between January and the present, and reinforcing the sector’s role as a key contributor to the national economy.  Known for its diverse portfolio of “bucket-list” excursions, from ancient Maya temples and rainforest adventures to barrier reef snorkeling and cultural village tours, Belize continues to stand out as a preferred Caribbean cruise destination for travelers seeking variety and authentic experiences. While the country has yet to develop a dedicated cruise port facility to accommodate large vessels dockside, passenger demand has remained consistently high.  Love News spoke with Lloyd Enriquez, Director of Cruise and Capacity Development at the Belize Tourism Board, who described the state of the cruise sector as “very stable.”

Lloyd Enriquez, Director, Cruise and Capacity Development, BTB: “So cruise, cruise is doing well. Belize’s cruise industry is very stable I would say. We’re looking at the end of it, at the end of this year 2025 to be somewhere in the region of 950,000 passengers for the year. The split is about 75% for Belize City, 25% for Harvest Caye. Very stable, very healthy. December is of course mid-November into December is our high season. So right about now, like today, we have two ships in port. Two ships, three ships in port Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday is the norm and we can expect that to go on through April. So the biggest ship so far has been one that has carried about 4,000, just over 4,500 passengers. That’s about the largest that we can accommodate at this time without a docking facility. Of course, that is in the works. We hope to have our port by 2028, 2029 the latest, docking facility and then we’d be able to take on larger ships such as the Icon of the Seas and others like that. Belize is unlike any other. We go to other destinations, it’s pretty much the sand, sun. Belize has a wide variety of things that guests can partake in. They can go to Maya sites, they can go snorkeling, they can go to the zoo, they can go zip lining, And these are all very authentic destinations. So for sure excursions in Belize the cruise lines tell us that they make more money on average than they do in another port in the region. And that’s a big draw for us. A very authentic experience that the cruise passengers have when they’re here.”

Enriquez noted that the steady flow of visitors reflects continued confidence by cruise lines in Belize’s tourism product, bolstered by the wide range of excursions offered and the collaborative efforts of tour operators, port agents, and community vendors across the country.  Since 1991, when the first cruise ship anchored off Belize’s coast, the industry has grown into an important pillar of the tourism sector, generating employment and income for hundreds of Belizeans, from tour guides and transportation providers to artisans and hospitality workers. Although cruise visitors are often limited by time, officials say each visit delivers meaningful economic benefits, particularly in coastal communities and inland tour destinations.