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But, we wondered, how is that the employees of the industry resist the urge to "bruk out" on New Year's Eve? We went out and spoke to a few of the operators about it, and they said that they understand their business very well:

John Pollard - President, Tourist Village Taxi and Transfer Service
"It is more than a sacrifice. Cruise ships are seasonal; you have 6 months where it is pretty high and you have months where it is pretty slow. It so happens for all of us as tour operators operating in the zone here as tour guides operating here that this is now the up tempo time. So, we have no choice but to be out here when the ships comes along; Christmas Day which was 3 ships and tomorrow New Year's day which is going to be 4."

Daniel Ortiz
"How does your family view it the fact that this is a time for spending time with your family, but you guys are out here working and they would have rather have you home?"

John Pollard
"For me this is like 11 years in the business, so it's nothing new for them. They know exactly by the sweat of thy blood, thou shall eat bread, so that's how it is with me today."

David Almendarez - Member, FECTAB
"We live by a simple motto: when it rains, collect your rain. It's true we won't be able to party as hard as the regular Belizeans folks, but come September we will enough time to party when the season is very slow. In hospitality, this is the height of our travelling season, so we have to have our "A game" ready."

John Pollard
"Tomorrow is a 4 ship day. Tomorrow, if you take a look at those tents, my group is going to be number 1. We should be eating pretty fairly good tomorrow and everybody in my association should take home something pretty handsomely to their family tomorrow. It is rules and regulation for all the operations out here, so tonight, none of my members our other members working in these zones should not go out to drink and get drunk because as of 6 in the morning we'll be here operational wise."

Daniel Ortiz
"The culture right now, everyone is looking forward to a New Year's Day party, let's bring in 2014. How do you encourage and motivate your employees that look you have to overlook that stuff, tomorrow there is a big day."

John Pollard
"My employees know already business first, party comes after. We could always party when there is no ship, but whenever there is ship in the harbor and especially a day like tomorrow which is 4, then we know we must work tomorrow."

And that's a good way for them to start the year, because the scheduled arrivals show as many as 40 cruise ships scheduled for January 2013, which is very high.