Cruises to Aruba

Cruises to Aruba give passengers the opportunity to soak in that island's sunny climate, picturesque architecture, and wide, white sand beaches. With its sun-drenched beaches, glittering casinos, abundant shopping, and European charm, Aruba is a popular port of call on many cruise ships’ southern Caribbean itineraries. This arid island is south and west of the typical hurricane track (and only twenty miles north of Venezuela), making it an excellent choice for summer cruises as well, with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Norwegian, Princess and other mainstream lines including Aruba on various voyages. Because of the island’s distance south, typically only longer voyages (seven days or longer) call on Aruba, particularly if the departure port is in the United States (Fort Lauderdale, FL; Tampa, FL) – many itineraries that include Aruba also depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Docked in Oranjestad.

Cruises to Aruba arrive at the island's well-equipped and modern cruise terminal at Orangestad, designed to accommodate even the largest vessels. A tourist information booth can provide local maps and attraction brochures and passengers can access ATMs, if necessary. As in most cruise ports, there are several local shops available right at the dock, though more varied stores await only a brief walk away, in the downtown shopping district.

Necessary information about Aruba:

• Dutch is the official language, but both English and Spanish are widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas.
• The Aruba florin is the official currency and is equal to approximately sixty U.S. cents, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
• All the island’s beaches are public, but visitors will be charged for the use of lounge chairs and shade umbrellas.

In addition to typical snorkeling, submarine tours, and glass-bottom boat tours, cruise ships offer a variety of more adventurous shore excursions in Aruba: powerboat tours, jeep off-road tours, and sailing tours are popular choices. Less strenuous shore excursions include sunset catamaran cruises (perfect for honeymooners or other romantics), cultural bus tours, and pub crawls, including a stop at the world-renowned Carlos'n Charlie’s.

For guests who wish to explore Aruba in a less organized fashion, there are many different cultural tidbits throughout the island that offer insights into Aruban culture, history, and lifestyle. Rental cars and mopeds are plentiful and the roads are generally well-maintained, making it easy to arrange your own individualized tour. Some of Aruba’s most intriguing attractions include:

• Archeological Museum of Aruba: This cultural haven highlights the island’s Amerindian heritage with multiple displays of pottery, stone tools, shells, bones, and other artifacts.
• Fort Zoutman: More than 200 years old, this defensive site houses another collection of artifacts for the culturally inclined.
• Numismatic Museum of Aruba: Near Fort Zoutman, this museum offers visitors an impressive collection of coins from more than 400 countries arranged in historical exhibits.
  

  Natural Bridge
• Natural Bridge: On the island’s northern coast opposite Oranjestad, this limestone arch is the nation’s most photographed attraction. The formation stretches twenty-five feet in the air and spans approximately one hundred feet of water.
• Hooiberg: Also known as the “Haystack,” this is another impressive natural formation: a 540-foot tall hill of boulders. Located near the center of the island, it is possible to see the Venezuelan coast on a clear day from the formation’s peak.
• Arikok National Park: Covering twenty percent of the island, this ecological preserve includes many caves that were once inhabited by various Amerindian tribes. Fontein Cave is decorated with primitive drawings, and nearby Baranca Sunu cave has a quaint heart-shaped entrance giving it the nickname the “Tunnel of Love.”
• Wilhelmina Park: Within walking distance of downtown Oranjestad, this small park includes a meticulously maintained tropical garden with a statue of Queen Wilhelmina as the highlight, emphasizing the island’s Dutch heritage.
• Beaches: With less than twenty inches of annual rainfall, Aruba’s beaches are perfect for serious sunbathers. Many beaches can easily be accessed by taxi for a moderate fee (taxi rates in Aruba are all flat fees – agree on a price before beginning the drive), and hotel beaches offer a variety of watersports including scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and water skiing.
• Shopping: For guests more interested in spending than sunning, Aruba has an amazing variety of stores concentrated in downtown Oranjestad. From hokey tourist shops to upscale boutiques, visitors can find amazing deals on chocolate, cheese, watches, jewelry, china, perfume, and crystal.

As with any port of call, visitors need to be aware of potential problems including occasionally aggressive merchants as well as locals too willing to give private island tours, particularly to women. Because of the island’s sun-drenched climate, cruise passengers should be sure to take appropriate precautions to avoid excessive sunburn or heat stroke, including drinking plenty of non-alcoholic beverages (taking a bottle of water along is a sensible choice). If renting a car or moped, drivers should note that many roads outside of the capital can become very slippery with blowing sand.

Aruba is a southern Caribbean gem with its turquoise waters, sunny beaches, and impressive array of rugged rock formations. With abundant shopping and numerous cultural points of interest, cruise travelers will always find something to intrigue them on this quaint island, adding yet another unique experience to their vacation memories.

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