Norwegian Cruise Line's plan to add a second private port to its holdings took a giant step forward, when the company announced the purchase of 75 acres in southern Belize.

Called Harvest Caye, the new destination -- comprising two adjoining islands -- will have an "eco-friendly" focus, according to a release from the company, which will spend $50 million on the project. It will include a floating pier, island village with raised-platform structures, a marina, a lagoon for water sports and a beach. The line also plans a transportation hub to run shore excursions to the mainland. The project could be completed by 2015, pending necessary approvals.

Harvest Caye had already been approved for resort development, the company noted. According to Norwegian's news release, Belize's Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the country wanted to "decentralize cruise tourism" from Belize City -- which receives as many as nine ships a week during peak season -- to reduce overcrowding.

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan said the line expects to "bring four times as many guests to Belize" once Harvest Caye is complete. "In our quest to continuously look for new and exciting destinations for our guests, we plan to develop a cruise destination focused on sustainable design and eco-friendly principles that will retain the natural beauty and local culture of this tropical paradise," he said.

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*on select voyages when booking a balcony or suite

Experience Royal Caribbean International's transatlantic voyages in a way that none have before, with programming designed to WOW you in a whole new way.  Become a wine connoisseur, sip by sip.  Pick up a few moves - like Salsa, Samba & Swing.  Or learn some palate pleasing tricks from a renowned chef.  And that's just the beginning.

Each Royal Caribbean Ocean Voyage features a guest expert who leads a series of seminars on enlightening topics like painting, photography, and dance.  Also, enjoy exclusive Ocean Voyage events like the Black & White Masquerade Party.

• Wonders under the Waves
• Wine Immersion
• Passion of the Dance
• The Mind Body Connection
• Get the Picture
• Behind the Movie-Making Magic
• Fine Living Series
• Behind Broadway Lights
• Quantum of the Seas: Insider's Look

To visit the Royal Caribbean Cruises website, please click here.

For more information on Royal Caribbean's new Ocean Voyage cruises, or to get help planning your next Royal Caribbean cruise, please feel free to contact me anytime! 

First...

If you don't have a Nexus card, get one!

My Nexus card has saved me hours in waiting time for Customs!

For more information and to apply for a Nexus card, visit the Global Online Enrollment System website by clicking here, then click on the Nexus logo.

There is an application process followed by interviews with both US & Canadian Customs Officers.  Once issued, your Nexus card is valid for five years.

Now...for those of you with Nexus cards, let me introduce the Whirlpool Bridge!

The Whirlpool Bridge is a dedicated NEXUS crossing located in Niagara Falls, Ontario in the heart of downtown and only a few minutes from the Horseshoe Falls. Only NEXUS members are permitted to use the Whirlpool Bridge resulting in minimal to no delays when entering or returning to Canada.

Hours of Operation at Whirlpool Bridge

Monday - Sunday
7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Toll at Whirlpool Bridge

The toll is collected on the U.S. side as vehicles are entering Canada. The only toll accepted at the Whirlpool Bridge is prepaid on your NEXUS card. Cash and tokens are not accepted to pay the toll. You must be enrolled in the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) toll program prior to crossing. This can be done at the kiosk located on the U.S. side of the bridge. Only Canadian or U.S. currency can be used to prepay your tolls at the kiosk. For more information on enrolling in the toll program, refer to the NFBC Web site.

Using your NEXUS card at Whirlpool Bridge

When you present your NEXUS card at the NEXUS reader located in front of the entrance gate on the United States side of the Whirlpool Bridge, your card will be checked for security clearance and a toll charge will be deducted from your account. A successful operation will be signalled by a green light, a "Thank you for using NEXUS" message on the patron fare indicator and the gate will open. You are then cleared to proceed across the bridge. You must then present your NEXUS card at the reader located just prior to the CBSA inspection booth and have a quick word with the Canada Customs Agent on duty.

In my most recent trip to the US, customs wait times were running around 2 hours at every bridge except the Whirlpool...We were across in about 5 minutes!