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We have been to Curacao several times via cruise ship, and usually take the local bus to The Dive Bus. We have our own gear, and snorkel from the beach which is across the street from the dive shop. We will be going for several days in early September, and will have a car and will be exploring. I'll come back and let you know which beaches we liked. Bup1224 has given great advice that I've used, can't go wrong with their suggestions.

When we went by water taxi we went with Caribe Water Sports. . I'd sugggest asking the company you booked with. We went with Caribe Water Sports. https://caribewatersportbonaire.com/water-taxi/ It's been 2 years since we took a water taxi. When we were back in May '23 for our land vacation, we booked with Woodwind they are by far the best https://www.woodwindbonaire.com/ https://caribewatersportbonaire.com/water-taxi/

Arashi beach has amenities. Snorkeling is to the left as you enter the water. Snorkeling is better at Boca Catalina (IMHO) but there are NO amenities here. This is the beach before Arashi. Take the 10A bus 2.50 per person each way. Bus station across the street from cruise port. https://arubus.com/routes-schedules-new/l10a-arashi/ This google maps link will show the beaches and bus stophttps://www.google.com/maps/@12.6102845,-70.0622849,9221m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

It was not rocky. The waves were making it difficult. I ended up crawling on my hands and knees. It was not a pretty sight, but I got myself out.

The first time we went to Arashi there no amenities there. Over the last 12 years or so they have added a beach bar, chair rentals, bathroom, dive shop. We go for the snorkeling. The last 2 times we were there we found it increasingly difficult to get out of the water, so when we went in March of 2023, we decided to rent a car. Our "new favorite beach" is Boca Catalina (which is the beach before Arashi) . There are no amenities at this beach, but the snorkeling is good and entrance and exit into water was much easier for us. We are going in November and will use the bus to Boca Catalina.

We will be going to Curacao for a land vacation in September after being there on a cruise several times. We like to snorkel, Playa Porto Marie, Cas Abo and Tug Boat beach are on our radar. There is also a beach where you can swim with turtles. I believe it is Grote Knip. The fishermen clean their fish and the turtles are attracted to the scraps. If you are driving there is also a place where you will often find flamingos, but I don't know where that is.

I believe I saw a taxi stand at Arashi the last time we were in Aruba (March 2023). I don't know the cost of a taxi, we take the bus 2.50 each way per person

This link should take you to the page on Holland America website, or just search on their page "health care workers on board credit" You have to answer a few questions to "get verified" and then you get a confirmation email https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/community-appreciation-cruise-offers.html?ICID=HECIZ0906222163

Same

We found a great use for our masks!

It has been more than 10 years since we cruised out of Galveston, but I did find info on private transfers in the "North American Home Ports" section of Cruise critic.

There is always a current in Boniare, so its a drift snorkel. The only time I felt it was wavy was one day when we snorkeled at the salt pier on our own. If you go with Woodwind or any of the others like Sea Cow, they will check the current and take you to a place where it is not too strong before they let you get off of the boat and into the water. Post #8 above has a picture with someone in dive gear near the cruise ship. This is Chachacha Beach. It is usually not wavy there, but you will drift with the current here. It is possible to snorkel here. There are fish around the rocks, but no coral, and there is also some boat traffic from divi dive which is a little further past the ship.

My favorite is Bonaire. We have since been back twice for land vacations, Bonaire excursion with Woodwind. https://www.woodwindbonaire.com/ Aruba take the local bus to Boca Catalina for DIY snorkeling. (No equipment rentals or beach chairs at this beach) /arubus.com Curacao we also DIY local bus to The Dive Bus dive shop they used to list a snorkel package on website, it is no longer on website, but if this interests you just email them. WE use their lockers and snorkel at their house reef. http://www.thedivebus.com/ There's also a sunken tugboat that you can snorkel, we've done this through a ship's excursion. This is a different location than the dive bus.

Thank You! That's the info I needed.

I have a related OBC question. How does HAL apply the OBC? example I'll have 150.00 more OBC than DH due to Shareholders. When our account is settled, if he buys say a massage, and I still had that 150.00 left, would they use that OBC before they would charge our credit card or is that 150.00 only for me to use. I understand the OBC given specifically for excursions can only be used for and excursion and only for the person it was originally given to, but I'm really only asking about the shareholders credit.

Woodwind!

Is there a form to send in to apply for shareholders OBC? The last time we cruised HAL we were not shareholders. Thank You

There are 2 threads regard golf carts on Bonaire. Here is one https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2940277-gulf-cart-rental-companies/ There is also a thread about car rentals. We rented at the airport. There are places to rent close to the port, you'll have to read the threads for info.

No we had a rental car for the days we were there

Ahh I did not get an invoice, I’ll use the chat to request one. Thanks for your quick response.

I booked a cruise under the "Early Booking, Have it All" Where would I see this on my booking. I see the dining credits, and the gratuities are paid, but where would I find confirmation of my drink package and internet package and on board credit available. I received an email with my booking number, but it doesn't give any breakdown. It has been several years since we cruised on HAL and all of these things are new. Thanks!!

Thanks for all of your help. My TA will be back this weekend. She'll send me the form I'll sign then it will be sent to HAL. I knew this was possible with Princess, but I wasn't sure about HAL and couldn't find the answer.

Thanks for the quick answer! My TA is on a cruise (the nerve), and I didn't want to loose the 25.00 deposit for the anniversary sale that the website says "ends May 6, 2023, so I booked myself.