Belize Institutes New Cave-Tubing Policies After Tourist’s Death

Authorities in Belize established new protective policies for cave-tubing after a Carnival Cruise Lines passenger died on a shore excursion Sept. 24. Carnival has suspended all sales of the cave-tubing excursion in Belize.

A 52-year-old woman from Orlando, who was sailing on Carnival Glory, apparently drowned during the cave-tubing shore excursion. Cave-tubing allows people to float in rubber inner tubes on a river that flows through dark caves. Media reports from Belize said the river was high on Sept. 24 and strong currents pushed the victim directly into a cave wall.

On Oct. 2, the Belize Tourism Board and Belize’s National Institute of Culture and History announced new mandatory protective policies for cave tubing in Belize, effective Oct.15.

The incident remains under investigation by authorities, and includes an examination of Carnival and its contracted tour operator, Bel-Cruise. The Tour Operator Licensing Committee met Oct. 2 to review the facts in the case in an effort to finalize recommendations on what sanctions should be placed on the tour operator.

The BTB and the NICH have established several mandatory policies, set to be legally enforced beginning Oct. 15. These policies include enhanced, mandatory guide-to-guest ratios of 1-to-8 for all operating cave-tubing tour companies in Belize and additional signage posted in each cave-tubing excursion site informing participants of park rules and current water conditions and/or warnings.