Questions for ISA65 or anyone that lives in or knows Curacao

[crunchy05]

Originally Posted by Isa65

The downtown area is not that big, so you can easily walk around, shop a little and still have time to head over to Blue Bay or Hemingway's.

The Kura Hulanda Museum is impressive (same side of the canal where the ship docks), the Floating Market makes an attractive photo-op, beautiful buildings everywhere, the synagogue - much to see on foot.

On mainstreet (called Breedestraat) you will find taxis lined up.
Or if you cross the bridge back towards the ship, there is a taxi stand with vans and taxis available.

Enjoy your day - take lots of pictures!

Thank you so much. I am so looking forward to visiting this port.

[MilVet]

Isa65 --

Odd question but do the buildings/homes downtown have the pulleys/hooks for furniture?

[Donder1]

Hi, we will be in Curacao on 2/12/13 from 1-19PM on Caribbean Princess. This is the day of the Grand Farewell Parade. Any advice as to the best place to view the parade? Are we in walking distance fromt he pier?

Any info would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

[Isa65]

Originally Posted by MilVet

Isa65 --

Odd question but do the buildings/homes downtown have the pulleys/hooks for furniture?

Great question - like the buildings in Europe, you mean? I'll have a look, honestly I haven't noticed them. Will tell you later this afternoon.

[Isa65]

Originally Posted by Donder1

Hi, we will be in Curacao on 2/12/13 from 1-19PM on Caribbean Princess. This is the day of the Grand Farewell Parade. Any advice as to the best place to view the parade? Are we in walking distance fromt he pier?

Any info would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

The Farewell parade is awesome! Unfortunately the parade will finish quite near the pier, but at midnight. You will not be able to see the parade where the ship docks until much later in the evening.

With a 19 pm departure it is very difficult -as the start is at 17.00 pm and many many miles away.
For guests leaving later in the evening I would advise catching a cab and see the start and get back to ship via the back roads (EEG-weg).

Eventhough you won't see the parade itself, you will catch the vibe when walking in the streets downtown.

Enjoy your cruise!

[beachbaby2]

where is a good resturant on the beach that you can watch the sunset? and close to the port.

[happytails]

Hi we have a group of 15 sailing into port on Carnival Breeze May 1, 2pm - 11pm. I am interested 2 options... one, a day pass at a resort - the only one mentioned on this thread is the Marriot? Is there any all inclusive type day resorts (drinks included)? I'm not sure if this would be worth it due to our late arrival, but it would be nice to spend a few hours at a nice beach/resort type place, then have dinner.

Our other option is a sunset sail from 5-7pm. I was thinking we could walk around town and sightsee/shop before this sail, and find somewhere to have some light food and hang out after. Any suggestions for a fun bar/restaurant near the port, preferably with a water view?

We are all in our 30's - 50's, very fun loving group.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Melanie
NY

[Isa65]

Originally Posted by beachbaby2

where is a good resturant on the beach that you can watch the sunset? and close to the port.

Unfortunately there are no beaches very close to port. But with a cab you can be at the Marriott in 7 minutes or at Pirates Bay (formerly Hooks Hut) in 8.
Other restaurants on the beach - Mambo or Hemingways (both at the Seaquarium beach).
Depending on when your ship leaves I will go to either Mambo or Hemingways and stay for Happy Hour @ Mambo.

[Isa65]

DEFINITELY option 2....

Curacao has so much to offer, that it's a pity to just visit an all-incl.
Your plan to walk around and do a sunset sail is excellent.
When you're walking around you'll find places to sit down and have a light meal (Iguana Cafe, Plein Cafe Wilhelmina, Cafe De Buuren, or cross the bridge again to De Gouverneur - situated right where the canal ferries dock and ask to sit on the Gallery).

Have a fun cruise!

Originally Posted by happytails

Hi we have a group of 15 sailing into port on Carnival Breeze May 1, 2pm - 11pm. I am interested 2 options... one, a day pass at a resort - the only one mentioned on this thread is the Marriot? Is there any all inclusive type day resorts (drinks included)? I'm not sure if this would be worth it due to our late arrival, but it would be nice to spend a few hours at a nice beach/resort type place, then have dinner.

Our other option is a sunset sail from 5-7pm. I was thinking we could walk around town and sightsee/shop before this sail, and find somewhere to have some light food and hang out after. Any suggestions for a fun bar/restaurant near the port, preferably with a water view?

We are all in our 30's - 50's, very fun loving group.
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Melanie
NY

[beachbaby2]

Originally Posted by Isa65

Unfortunately there are no beaches very close to port. But with a cab you can be at the Marriott in 7 minutes or at Pirates Bay (formerly Hooks Hut) in 8.
Other restaurants on the beach - Mambo or Hemingways (both at the Seaquarium beach).
Depending on when your ship leaves I will go to either Mambo or Hemingways and stay for Happy Hour @ Mambo.

thanks for your help. i'm torn between....azzuro, zanzibar and pirates bay. lol we're just looking for a place to have dinner on the beach and have a good view of the sunset. i've read that some resturants are on the back side of the pool and thats not what we want. we also have to consider cab fare to and from. i'm thinking that azzuro is the furthest from the port, about a 10-15 min cab ride? our ship doesnt leave until 11pm.

[beachbaby2]

ok i made reservations at zanzibar at jan thiel beach for 5:30pm, hoping to see the sunset while we are there. does anyone have any idea how much a taxi would be from the port to the resturant?

[Isa65]

You are going to LOOOOOVE the sunset at Zanzibar... Did you ask them for a table ON the beach? If not, do so.

After dinner, stroll over to the Papagayo Lounge bar and have a drink.
You will experience a different vibe than any other cruise guest.
Great choice - have a wonderful time!

[beachbaby2]

yes! i did request a table on the beach! yay!! thank you so much for all your help! i appreciate it. i just hope the cab fare is not too much money

[Donder1]

Originally Posted by Isa65

The Farewell parade is awesome! Unfortunately the parade will finish quite near the pier, but at midnight. You will not be able to see the parade where the ship docks until much later in the evening.

With a 19 pm departure it is very difficult -as the start is at 17.00 pm and many many miles away.
For guests leaving later in the evening I would advise catching a cab and see the start and get back to ship via the back roads (EEG-weg).

Eventhough you won't see the parade itself, you will catch the vibe when walking in the streets downtown.

Enjoy your cruise!

I noticed I made a typo in my original question to you. The ship departs at 10 PM the night of the parade. Does that make a difference? If we try to catch a cab to go further up the route, is that reasonable or will we be caught in traffic?

[CrimsonQueen]

Originally Posted by Isa65

I would do the downtown area (Floating Market, Synagogue, Slavery Museum) on my own.
If you're nature lovers I would get a cab/driver for the day to Shete Boka National park and then a beach on the Western side of the island. Beautiful photo ops at Westpunt Bay and Knip Bay.
Afterwards, pass the Willibrordus Lagoon for a glimpse (and picture) of the flamingo's.
Great photo op at Santa Martha bay.

If you're shoppers - then the downtown area (as well as the Riffort Village, where you dock) will have all you're looking for. Perfume and cosmetics I found to be the cheapest of all Caribbean islands I've visited.

Should you wish to snorkel and swim, I would head over to Cas Abao or Porto Marie beach and spend the afternoon there.

If you're young and into hip beach lounges, I would go to Papagayo Lounge Club for the afternoon + dinner or nearer the ship - Cabana Beach.

So many things to do and see....

You are so kind to take your time and answer all these questions....

Can you please tell me what brands of cosmetics are sold on Curacao?

[dread_pirate]

Originally Posted by Isa65

My pleasure!

This is certainly a port where you can wing it.

Just leave the "after dark" hours to hang around in the port area. There is always something to do after dinner in the immediate area.
Some shops in the Riffort Village (right where the ship docks) stay open till late, sometimes there is live music, the Renaissance casino is also there and even the downtown area (around Iguana Cafe) has live entertainment on most cruise-ship nights.

My only advise - when walking around after 7 or 8pm, stay on the Punda side of Willemstad (that is the area when you cross the pontoon bridge).
The side where the ship docks is called Otrabanda and has a main street with some dark alleys where you don't want to be after dark.
So, after dark - Punda, Riffort Village or you can walk along the canal to Hotel Otrabanda, Kura Hulanda Hotel (very beautiful at night), Restaurant De Gouverneur, etc.
But walk back along the canal and avoid the Otrabanda main street (at night).

Have a fantastic cruise!

Isa (- pronounced Eeesah)

Please forgive me, but I'm confused. Are you saying that after dark, we should cross the pontoon bridge, or we should not? Or just stay around the bridge unless we're going to and from the ship? Thanks!

[Isa65]

Originally Posted by CrimsonQueen

You are so kind to take your time and answer all these questions....

Can you please tell me what brands of cosmetics are sold on Curacao?

All major brands are sold here on the island - Chanel, Clinique, Lancome, Bobbi Brown, La Prairie, etc...

[Isa65]

Originally Posted by dread_pirate

Please forgive me, but I'm confused. Are you saying that after dark, we should cross the pontoon bridge, or we should not? Or just stay around the bridge unless we're going to and from the ship? Thanks!

After dark you definitely can cross the pontoon bridge and eat/drink/people-watch at the Punda side (where the colorful buildings are).
It's also safe around the area where the ship docks. This side is called Otrobanda.
Otrobanda also has a main street with lots of dark alleys. It is easy to meander and accidently get lost around there and this is not very pleasant.

Just as in any major city when it gets dark, certain creepy figures can emerge. But if you just use common sense, stay in well-lit areas where there are activities, you will have a great, safe time.

Enjoy your cruise!

[RunnerGirl26.2]

Thank you Isa for all your posts. We just found out we will dock at 2 pm instead of 1 pm. Too short a time to explore in my opinion. I guess we will just have to come back and visit! Sailing Saturday.

[Isa65]

Originally Posted by RunnerGirl26.2

Thank you Isa for all your posts. We just found out we will dock at 2 pm instead of 1 pm. Too short a time to explore in my opinion. I guess we will just have to come back and visit! Sailing Saturday.

2 pm is still fine! What were your plans?

Since it's so hot around 2 - 3 pm, I would do a sightseeing tour (with an airconditioned van). No problem finding a cab at the port willing to drive you around.
Or visit the Kura Hulanda Museum (walking distance from the ship), since it's airconditioned and very impressive.
Leave the shops for after 4 pm if you're interested in shopping.

Coming back to visit is an even better idea - sometimes there are fantastic airfare sales out of MIA (as low as $240 roundtrip per person).

Enjoy your cruise!