The Best of Belize and the Barrier Reef
Cruise Highlights:
- Visit breathtaking Southwater Cay.
- Cruise the dramatic gorges of the Rio Dulce.
- Tour a 400-year-old Spanish fort.
- Delight in water sports in the unspoiled inner lagoon of the Belize Coastal Zone.
At a glance
Duration: 12 Days, 11 Nights
Coverage: Roundtrip Belize City, Belize
From: $3,779
Season: January - February
Activities: Bird Watching, Kayaking, Photography
Ports Visited
Belize City, Belize • Southwater Cay, Belize • Glovers Reef, Belize • Laughing Bird Cay, Belize • Placencia, Belize • Lime Cay, Belize • Punta Gorda, Belize • Livingston, Guatemala • Casa Guatemala • Castillo de San Felipe, Guatemala • Nana Juana, Guatemala • West Snake Cay, Belize • Moho Cay, Belize • Water Cay, Belize • Goff Cay, Belize
Pick a place you’ve always wanted to go, then let our cruises take you even further.
An onboard naturalist enhances your journey. Visit breathtaking Southwater Cay. Sway to the sounds of a Marimba Band during our top deck cocktail party. Cruise the dramatic gorges of the Rio Dulce. Tour a 400-year-old Spanish fort. Delight in water sports in the unspoiled inner lagoon of the Belize Coastal Zone. Ride our glass bottom boat in search of brain corals, parrot fish and sea fans.
We took your Belize, Barrier Reef and Guatemala cruise. Fantastic! The experience anchoring on deserted islands and climbing ashore from the bow ramp was truly amazing. We travel a lot and have cruised several times. Small ship cruising is much more our style. Well done and we will be back.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
- Day 1 - Belize City, Belize
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Welcome to paradise as you embark in Belize City for an adventure along the amazing Barrier Reef.
- Day 2 - Southwater Cay
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Our onboard naturalist helps you explore breathtaking Southwater Cay, a private, 12-acre island listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With fascinating reef ecosystems, discover tropical fish and colorful coral when you swim, snorkel or kayak.
- Day 3 - Glovers Reef, Belize
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Slip on your swimsuits and jump into the turquoise waters of Glovers Reef lagoon as we bow land amidst a living coral reef and diverse species of fish.
- Day 4 - Placencia, Belize
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A dramatic bow landing in Placencia takes you from the ship to the shores of this charming Caribbean village, where the gentle pace of island lifestyle surrounds you. Later, witness wildlife in its natural habitat during an optional guided tour of the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve.
- Day 5 - Lime Cay
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Today swim and snorkel in the clear green waters of Lime Cay.
- Day 6 - Punta Gorda, Belize/Livingston, Guatemala
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Visit Belize’s southernmost city of Punta Gorda, home to a unique mix of Garifuna, Creole, and Mayan cultures. Cross into Guatemala, stopping in Livingston, a colorful Garifuna beach town.
- Day 7 - Castillo de San Felipe, Guatemala/Nana Juana, Guatemala
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In Guatemala cruise the gorgeous Rio Dulce, brimming with lush, dramatic gorges. Tour Castillo de San Felipe, a 400-year-old Spanish fort built to protect Lake Izabal from pirates! Docked at the Nana Juana Eco-hotel and Marina, you will relish the spectacular setting, pool and hot tub, then venture to the heart of unspoiled tropical forests on an optional jungle trail and canopy tour.
- Day 8 - Casa Guatemala, Rio Dulce, Guatemala
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An optional excursion transports you to another time as you tour the Quirigua Mayan Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Behold outstanding 8th century monuments and a series of carved stelae, considered by archaeologists to be the finest example of Mayan carving anywhere. Later, visit the Casa Guatemala orphanage and spend time with these inspiring and hopeful children. Then cruise again along the Rio Dulce, covered with teak, mahogany and palm trees. Search for howler monkeys, toucans and picturesque waterfalls as you cruise among the verdant hillsides.
- Day 9 - Punta Gorda, Belize
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Return to Punta Gorda for a day of tropical relaxation. Take an optional excursion and indulge in the decadence of traditional Mayan chocolate as you visit a local cocoa farm, including lunch with the farmer’s family, then tour a local chocolate factory. This afternoon, lounge in sunny splendor on the top deck or stroll along the waterfront.
- Day 10 - West Snake Cay, Belize
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At gorgeous West Snake Cay, a bow landing brings you up-close for premier water sports in the unspoiled inner lagoon of the Belize Coastal Zone.
- Day 11 - Goff Cay, Belize/Belize City, Belize
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Goff Cay sits on the edge of the Barrier Reef. Here, warm waters support thriving populations of lobster and conch. Tonight in Belize City a steel drum band performs.
- Day 12 - Belize City, Belize
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Disembark in Belize City.
Dates & Rates
| Grande Caribe | Categories | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| January 6, 20 | $3,579 | $4,059 | $4,279 | $4,569 |
| February 3, 17 | $3,579 | $4,059 | $4,279 | $4,569 |
Map
Ships
Grande Caribe
Built by Blount Boats in Warren, RI, and commissioned in 1997, the Grande Caribe carries 96 passengers everywhere from Belize to Baltimore. She was completely renovated in 2009, with new furniture and décor in the lounge, cabins and dining rooms, a state-of-the-art audio-visual system, and sparkling new showers and washrooms. So whether you find yourself chatting under the glimmering canopy lights of the top deck, or enjoying a lazy morning in your cabin, the Grande Caribe was built with you in mind. The M/V Grande Caribe was completely refurbished in 2009. Among the many changes are: Cabin configurations; New furniture and décor in the lounge, cabins and dining rooms; A state-of-the-art audio/visual system in the lounge; And new showers and washrooms in cabins. View ship details...
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