short time in aruba

[annej]

hi - we are considering a cruise in february on the Westerdam, but in looking at the itinerary it seems the ship doesn't arrive in aruba until 3:30 PM and then leaves at midnite. What does that give us time to do? Is this worthwhile, or should we pick another ship arriving earlier in the day. We love this 7 day itinerary since it also goes to Curacoa

[jmps]

We are on this itinerary on the Westerdam in March. We are taking it for the same reason you are considering it - it is great to get to Aruba and Curacao on a seven day from Florida. Half Moon Cay is also a real plus from what I read on CC. The short stay in Aruba is the only downside. It still gives time to spend several hours on the beach. That is our plan. The last time we were there my family loved the beach.

There is plenty of gambling and night life on Aruba for the evening. That isn't our cup of tea but we are still going because of all the other advantages. Have you been on HAL before? We were on the Zuiderdam last June for Alaska and liked HAL very much. We usually sail on Celebrity.

[bluewave]

I am in the same situation - on the Westerdam in Feb. Sadly- our Aruba stop was seriously shortened as well. We are looking to get in some snorkeling anyway. Anyone have a suggestion for snorkeling at that time. I think we are probably going to miss most of the tours.

[Arubalisa]

What time of year are you considering? Depending on when, with the time of sunset you could probably get in a couple of hours of snorkeling.

[bluewave]

What time of year are you considering? Depending on when, with the time of sunset you could probably get in a couple of hours of snorkeling.

Well the HAL cruise is mid- Feb. - just 6 weeks from now! :D

[Arubalisa]

Sunset mid-February is 6:45 pm give or take a minute. If you snorkel at Boca Catalina, this is on the west side of the island, so plenty of sun. :)

[mardon]

Arubalisa - we will be in Aruba Feb 10. I want to go to a beach and relax. What would you suggest. Also, is there some hotel that would allow us to use their beach facilities, chaise lounge, umbrella etc where we can have a drink, maybe eat but not have to pay a hotel pass fee. Please email me your suggestions. I have read about Eagle Beach. I want a calm, white sandy beach.

marlenewendtch@sbcglobal.net

[Arubalisa]

Arubalisa - we will be in Aruba Feb 10. I want to go to a beach and relax. What would you suggest. Also, is there some hotel that would allow us to use their beach facilities, chaise lounge, umbrella etc where we can have a drink, maybe eat but not have to pay a hotel pass fee. Please email me your suggestions. I have read about Eagle Beach. I want a calm, white sandy beach.

marlenewendtch@sbcglobal.net
Eagle Beach is not always calm, for that you would want Eagle Beach.

The Amsterdam Manor Resort rents chaises and shade palapas, however they recently changed their policy that they will offer it based upon occupancy of the resort. There were issues with the resort's guests being "shut out" after paying big $$$ for a room. Imo, go to the Amsterdam Manor and have a back up plan just in case. All the beaches in Aruba are public so there is nothing which would prohibit you from placing your towel down on the sand and hanging out, however you would not be allowed use of chaises and palapas unless the resort allows you to do so.

The Amsterdam Manor has a beach bar which also serves food right on their beach as well.

You can find additional info on the forum at
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+amsterdam+manor (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+amsterdam+manor)
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+palm+beach (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+palm+beach)
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=radisson+aruba (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=radisson+aruba)
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+moomba (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=aruba+moomba)

[maidut]

We hired a taxi from the port. We told the person at the port what we wanted to see and they hailed us a cab that we had for about an hour or two at a flat rate. It was several years ago now, so I forget the exact cost, but I know it was reasonable. We had the driver drop us off at the beach after we saw the desert side of the island and went to a peak of a hill to overlook the island, etc.

It was not that far of a walk back to the port and we had time to get on the boat, eat quickly and change, then we headed to Carlos N Charlies.

It was a nice visit and gave us a tast of the island.

[bluewave]

Sunset mid-February is 6:45 pm give or take a minute. If you snorkel at Boca Catalina, this is on the west side of the island, so plenty of sun. :)

I am trying to locate it on the map and am having trouble. Is it good snorkeling from the shore? Also do you know of a boat tour for snorkeling that would leave that late? (3:30) We have enjoyed the 2 boat snorkel tours we did in Aruba. First time was Jolly Pirates - fun, once. The second time went on a tour with a drift snorkel - can't remember the name of the company this minute but it was the one with the pea soup! :p
Both good - just need something that will fit into this tiny time slot!

[Arubalisa]

The "pea soup" snorkel tour is Tranquilo. :)

Jolly Pirates has a trip that goes out 3- 6 pm or 5 to 7 pm
http://www.jolly-pirates.com/web/Tours.php (http://www.jolly-pirates.com/web/Tours.php)

Boca Catalina is north of Palm Beach on the coastal road. I have info and a map at http://www.arubabound.com/dive/snorkeling.htm (http://www.arubabound.com/dive/snorkeling.htm)

[bluewave]

You're right - it was tranquillo. I emailed him about the sunset cruise he has got going the day we are there. Any idea how much snorkeling you get in? I liked his 1/2 day tour that we went on - especially the drift snorkel but there were a lot of people on his boat and not enough shade for everyone who wanted it - including me! I ended up feeling a little sick because of it. This time it might not be as much of a problem because of the time of day and that it is shorter overall.

[Arubalisa]

Sorry we've never done the sunset cruise on Tranquilo.

[bluewave]

I did hear back from tranquillo - he said the sunset cruise is not usually as crowded but that the snorkeling time is pretty minimal.
Hmmm - now what?

[bluewave]

How far away is Boca Catalina? Do you remember the taxi cost?
I am thinking this might be our best bet - which, of course, you suggested at the beginning.:o

[Arubalisa]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=boca+catalina (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=boca+catalina)

I have more infohere (http://www.arubabound.com/dive/snorkeling.htm) about Boca Catalina

Taxi is $20 each way, or the bus is an option, but would take longer so less time snorkeling

[bluewave]

Thanks!
$20 each way seems like a lot. I hope it is for the cab - not pp.
I think we will definitely be planning that.
Thanks again!

[phoenix1181]

Check this site out http://www.aruba-sailing.com/

I had to cancel our reservation in November due to Vertigo but have heard great things & will be trying again when we're there this year.

[bluewave]

ahoy - sorry to put a stick in ur wheel -

just trying to help.

if ur ship arrives at 3:30pm- you will need time to disembark and get urselves to a snorkel area.

This will not give you much time to snorkel and ideally this is not the best time to snorkel - as the sun sets.

I think the suggestion for a sunset sail is a good one and to snorkel on another day. I wldnt worry about crowds, the island has been quiet lately.

You might want to ck out what your ship's excursion desk are offering. They will certainly have arranged tours for you to choose from in the time frame ur ship is in Aruba.

Hope this helps.

Jolly

Is it a problem to snorkel late in the day? Should I be worried? :confused:
I can't book the ship tour anymore. It is too close in. HAL won't even let me see the choices on line anymore. (a little weird that way...)
I will look into the other one - the black pearl.
Thank you , BTW, for your advice. I don't want to do anything stupid, out of plain inexperience.;)

[morecruise4me]

I am trying to locate it on the map and am having trouble. Is it good snorkeling from the shore? Also do you know of a boat tour for snorkeling that would leave that late? (3:30) We have enjoyed the 2 boat snorkel tours we did in Aruba. First time was Jolly Pirates - fun, once. The second time went on a tour with a drift snorkel - can't remember the name of the company this minute but it was the one with the pea soup! :p
Both good - just need something that will fit into this tiny time slot!

We were at Boca Catalina last week and the snorkeling was pretty good. The tour boats (Pirate ships) came there to let their customers snorkel. There are no facilities or shops so you need to bring food and water. But the beach is uncrowded (before and after the tours) and calm waters. We loved it. It was our favorite stop this trip!! There were pelicans hanging out on the rock outcroppings and we saw octopus, squid, and a mirad of fish in the water. Someone else said they saw a turtle. We took the bus from town ($2.30 round trip) and had no problems whatsoever.

Stop inside the cruise terminal at the information desk and they will give you a map and direct you to the bus or any other tours you might want.

[bluewave]

Thanks - sounds great!
No problem about the lack of facilities as we will only be there a short time. Glad to hear about the bus! Did it take a long time? How often did it go by - for getting on the way back? I don't want to get stranded.