Harvest Caye is Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Private Island nestled off the coast of Belize. The private island has amazing white sand beaches and a large pool.

Although the island of Harvest Caye is apparently exclusive to Norwegian Cruise Line, many first time NCL Cruise ship passengers were surprised to discover that ship board beverage packages and complimentary food privileges did not extend to the island. Instead, cruise ship passengers were required to pullout cash ($USD) and credit cards to purchase high priced, limited selection of food and a vast variety of overly priced cold beverages.

One casual observation, the poolside bar service on the island was glacially slow and inefficient. At the Harvest Caye Bar and Grille, there were four gents crowded behind the bar to fulfill drink orders of the thirsty horde. Yet, it took too long for the gents to complete each beverage transaction.

For whatever reason, it took this quartet of bartenders more than five minutes to fulfill each beverage transaction. How do I know…because I took the opportunity to time two of the bartenders’ transactions from the moment they took a guest’s order to the time that guest walked away with their ordered beverage in hand.

In my attempt to order a beverage, I waited in the relatively short queue more than fifteen minutes, before I decided to abandon my quest for a beverage from the bar. And, I was not the only making the decision to forego a beverage because of the bars‘s inefficiencies.

NCL is leaving quite a bit of money on the table due lack of customer service and bar service training provided to the four gents. From my observations, it should not take a bartender, if properly trained and managed, five to eight minutes to fulfill a simple drink order like pouring a beer or a making a margarita.

The island’s pool area was large and well laid out with ample number of chairs and umbrellas available, if there was only a single NCL cruise ship present. Unfortunately, multiple ships were concurrently visiting the island. And, as a result, I did have a challenge locating an available chair and umbrella combo that would provide shade and cover from the blistering heat of the this early March day.

Many of the poolside chairs were apparently reserved by cruise ships’ guests who left behind towels or other personal belongings to indicate there unavailability. This was truly a case of the early birds getting the worm. And in this case, the worm were the pool side and beach chairs and umbrellas.

Thankfully, the crystal clear aqua blue water surrounding the island was relatively mild temperature-wise. I did take advantage of the opportunity to wade shoulder deep into the surf to swim and view the ocean bottom. The experience floating with the Caribbean surf proved quite memorable and relaxing.

Overall, it was a pleasurable visit to Harvest Caye and I look forward to returning to picturesque Harvest Caye island in the near future.