First time in Curacao

[CarnivalLOU]

Hello Cruise Critic members,

 

Going on a cruise to Curacao on Carnival Horizon. My first time in Curacao going with adults and kids. What would you recommend for someone to do first time going to Curacao?

[CntPAcruiser]

Curacao is not the typical port stop. It's almost like visiting a small European city with tropical color and flair. You will probably be docked just outside the city and will walk through the old fort/shopping mall on your way to town, if you want to explore the city. There is a vendors' market along the way, and eventually you get to the famous floating bridge. After crossing the bridge, you will find shopping and restaurants, as well as a number of historic buildings and the famous Curacao sign, a great photo opp. You can also find tour buses/vans waiting to take people on island tours for a reasonable price. These go through the old slave quarter of town, past the floating market, and out to the Curacao "factory" and tasting room.

 

You could also walk into town and look around a bit, then take a taxi out to Sea Aquariam and/or Mambo Beach. You should be able to find more info about these on these boards and online elsewhere.

[purplephenom]

If you have young kids, I recommend Blue Bay if you are looking for a beach. It's got calm quiet water for the kids to play in since there is a protected cove.  The snorkeling is nice on either side of the cove- we even saw a sea turtle swimming around.  

 

After that, I'd suggest you go walk around downtown.  It's all very walkable and safe from the port area, and the floating bridge is cool to see open and close.  You can get some great pictures of the colorful buildings across the water, and of the bridge in day or night.  I'd recommend finding some Dutch chocolate as you explore.  

 

 

[OCruisers]

16 hours ago, CntPAcruiser said:

Curacao is not the typical port stop. It's almost like visiting a small European city with tropical color and flair. You will probably be docked just outside the city and will walk through the old fort/shopping mall on your way to town, if you want to explore the city. There is a vendors' market along the way, and eventually you get to the famous floating bridge. After crossing the bridge, you will find shopping and restaurants, as well as a number of historic buildings and the famous Curacao sign, a great photo opp. You can also find tour buses/vans waiting to take people on island tours for a reasonable price. These go through the old slave quarter of town, past the floating market, and out to the Curacao "factory" and tasting room.

 

For your first time in Curacao the above would be an excellent way to spend the day.