jasonfromohio

I am not familiar with Palm Beach - we simply walked thru the front doors of the Marriott and right past the Pool and onto the beach. 

We sailed on the Carnival Horizon and spent the day in Aruba December 19th getting into Port at 9 AM. We originally booked a day resort for me and my wife for $169 - I placed a $15 deposit. On arrival we needed to pay a taxi ride $24 each way to the Resort. We decided to just take the Bus to a beach instead based on another cruisers advice. Let me tell you - this was great. All the beaches in Aruba are Beautiful and Free for public use. So we asked around and were told the Marriott was a great spot. 

Bus Pass - $5 per person for round trip transport. Bus Stop just across street from cruise port. Buses run every 20 minutes. 

We boarded the bus and arrived at the Marriott in 20 minutes. There were 2 stops before this and other cruisers went to Eagle Beach. 

We walked right through the lobby - onto a beautiful beach with Free Beach Chairs and Covered Umbrella type shelters all over.  We spent about 4 hours on this beautiful beach. There is a full service bar on site also with Happy Hour specials and some food items. 

Total cost was $10 for 2 of us - plus my $15 deposit I cant get back.  

I highly recommend this for anyone looking for a day at the beach in Aruba. It was inexpensive, easy transportation , and a beautiful beach. 

I wanted to buy a hat - so I set off for Belize City after our excursion returned us to the Ship. I took the Tender into the port and exited the gates into Belize City. It is basically what you would expect from a 3rd World Country - the City was not pretty - and the shops were more for the locals than tourists. I ended up being propositioned, hustled, and eventually assisted by a local who became my uninvited tour guide. I won't lie - I felt very uncomfortable and basically got hustled. I ended up with a $45 dollar hat that was possibly the cheapest hat i've ever bought. Luckily I made it back to the gates of the port and the armed guards. You may call me paranoid - but I would never take my family back to Belize City. Now the excursion and off shore activities are great - and Im sure outside of Belize City you may feel alot safer. This is my honest review ....hope it helps.