Belize City Emergency Leaves November Cruise Calls Unchanged

Belize’s government has imposed a 30-day state of emergency in 19 areas of Belize City beginning November 1, 2026, but the cruise port is outside the designated zones. No cruise line has changed its itinerary in response, and 27 ship calls remain scheduled for the city during November.

The U.S. Department of State has retained its Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” advisory for Belize, while the south side of Belize City remains at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel.” Crime is the stated concern behind both advisories.

In a November 4 security alert, the U.S. Embassy in Belize linked the emergency declaration to a recent increase in crime. It urged U.S. citizens traveling in and around the city to remain cautious because of gang violence and “random, potentially violent, crimes of opportunity.”

November’s scheduled visitors include ships operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Margaritaville at Sea, Holland America Line and MSC Cruises. Explora Journeys, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, TUI Cruises and Viking also have calls planned.

Where the emergency declaration applies

Seventeen of the designated city areas lie south of Haulover Creek. The two north-side areas include zones around Queen Street, Handyside Street, North Front Street, Barrack Road, Victoria Street and Pickstock Street.

The cruise port lies north of the creek, on the eastern side of the city. Nearby Fort Street Tourism Village, the Welcome to Belize sign and Baron Bliss Lighthouse are also outside the emergency boundaries.

The declaration extends beyond Belize City to Ladyville Village in Belize District, along with Cotton Tree Village and Unitedville Village in Cayo District.

Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam signed the order on October 31. It can be revoked before its scheduled term ends. Under section 18 of Belize’s Constitution, an emergency proclamation ordinarily remains in force for no more than one month unless the National Assembly approves an extension; emergency regulations generally apply within the specified geographic area.

Tender access and excursion timing

Belize City is a tender port, with cruise ships anchoring offshore and passengers traveling by boat to Fort Street Tourism Village. The crossing typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and the landing facility is gated and secured. There is no conventional cruise-ship pier in the city.

Independent passengers may need a tender ticket, while travelers on ship-sponsored excursions commonly receive priority for the trip ashore. Licensed tour operators coordinate excursions from the tourism village, where a Belize Tourism Board information desk also provides visitor assistance.

Additional police checkpoints during the emergency may slow road traffic. Passengers taking excursions beyond the city should allow enough time for those potential delays as well as the tender journey back to their ships.

The State Department advises travelers to avoid walking or driving at night and not to display expensive watches, jewelry or other signs of wealth. Its advisory also cautions that violent crime can occur during daylight hours and in tourist areas, even though the south side has historically had the city’s highest concentration of violence.

During November, sunset in Belize City is as early as 5:16 p.m. Most cruise ships depart by 6 p.m., and passengers must be back aboard well before then.