Gene Sloan

USA TODAY

PLACENCIA, Belize -- What's it like at Harvest Caye, the new cruise destination along the coast of Belize? See for yourself with a scroll through our newest Cruise Port Tour, in the carousel above.

As can be seen in the tour, the 78-acre island playground features a seven-acre beach, sprawling pool area, zip lines, water sports, eateries, bars and shops. It also serves as a hub for tours to Mayan ruins and other sites on the mainland of Belize.

Unveiled in November, Harvest Caye was developed by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises. All three lines have ships scheduled to visit the island over the coming year, and the port eventually could draw vessels from other lines, too.

Cruise ships arriving at Harvest Caye tie up at a newly built, multi-million dollar pier. Its construction was a milestone for Belize, which never has had a pier capable of receiving large passenger vessels.

First look: Inside Norwegian Cruise Line's giant new ship

Harvest Caye also is home to a small outdoor nature center that features such iconic Belizean animals as toucans and a boa constrictor -- the latter discovered on the island during construction. It also has a walk-through butterfly house teeming with iridescent blue morpho butterflies.

Passengers also can observe local manatee during tours of Harvest Caye's lagoon.