RCCL Aruba and Curacao excursions

[LivLove2Cruise]

I am sailing with my daughter (17) in March.  I am trying to choose RCCL excursion at both ports. I don't want to go on my own when it is just she and I. Many of the excursions seem very similar so we are having a hard time choosing. For those that have experienced any of the RCCL Aruba or Curacao excursions which have been your favorite?

[Cigar King]

Suggest you ask in the roll call for your cruise AND/OR the Ports of Call board.  I also find Trip Advisor helpful.

[LeeW]

Both ports are VERY safe and most locals speak English.  City buses in Aruba are around $5 each way from terminal diagonally across the street from the port entrance and run about every 20 minutes.  And most excursions can be booked for 2/3 Royal prices via shoreexcursioneer or shoreexcursionsgroup.  Just pick something that offers port pickup.  Having been on many tours we (74/75) just take the 10 bus north to somewhere on Palm Beach, walk/swim as far as we like, visit a casino or two and catch bus back to town.

 

For a first-timer I would recommend some kind of island tour, especially the 4x4 Landrovers that take you out of the tourist areas into the desert areas of both islands.

 

In Aruba, DePalm Tours is the major tour operator and can also be booked directly.  Catamarans, DePalm Island, Landrover tour of island all good.  UTV tour is a blast, although took 3 weeks to get red dust color out of my hair.  If you like decorative glass, try Studio Murano Art.  Owner of the bar/restaurant worked for Murano and does spectacular work at great prices.  Happened to stop there on UTV tour since it is up in the hills above Orangestadt.  Haven't been to Ostrich Farm since first trip (on cruise ship tour).  Ecch.

 

Snorkeling is pretty good in Aruba, although Antilles shipwreck is in very deep water so the big fish and scuba divers are a long way down.  Current strong there, so more work than it is worth.

 

Snorkeling in Curacao at the tugboat tour is kind of mixed on Royal.  Snorkeling is good but you do jump 4' off boat and water can be choppy.  And 2/3 of tour is spent looking at fancy houses, not snorkeling.  Called Jewels/Treasures of Curacao something.

[LivLove2Cruise]

Thank you.  I am not concerned about the safety. It's the fear of something happening and missing the ship.  I definitely like the 4x4 idea.  Thank you.

[LivLove2Cruise]

LeeW,

 

What is the most convenient location to catch transportation for DePalma?

[LeeW]

DePalm Island is 3/4 of the way around the airport to the south.  They do sell walkup tickets at a stall as you walk toward the port entrance from the original dock, but not sure if they sell with transportation.  Web site would tell you. The have transportation from hotels but think they had you use a cab if you were on a cruise.  You might be able to get their bus from the Renaissance Hotel at the marina.  Depends on timing of those buses.  https://depalm.com/

 

Now that larger ships dock at the old freight port you walk south from that to the entrance.  Cabs are just before you exit the port on your left.

 

Smaller ships dock at the original dock by the harbor and you walk back north a bit to the new consolidated entrance.  Taxis for that pier are adjacent to the port shop building exit on left.

 

DePalm pier is up on Palm Beach, where the big hotels are.  City bus is the way to go for that for snorkeling and sunset dinner cruise.  Near Barcello hotel but driver will let you off at right place.

 

The UTV facility is a couple blocks north of the pier entrance pretty much opposite where larger ships dock, on the main road.  Easiest just to walk there.

[LeeW]

Unless you are a long way out of town it is trivially easy to get a bus.  Arubus along the beach routes run every 20 minutes and costs around $5.50 even if you buy on the bus.  There are also a bunch of vans running the same route with red license tags that will try to pick you up at bus stops.  Same US price, but they are not allowed in the main bus terminal so drop you adjacent to it.  They pack in as many people as will fit.  Locals do this a lot.

 

Even at DePalm Island there will be cabs.  If none there, they will call one.  The only issue on getting back to the ship is traffic.  If you are coming from the south it can back up a bit, but you can easily walk the last couple of blocks back to the port entrance.  We generally assume it will take an hour to get back from the north beach area and it has never taken that long.  Assume 15 minutes to walk from port entrance to ship.  All the tour operators are very reliable and WILL get you back on time.

[LeeW]

There are a couple of flyboard operators in the Palm Beach area if you want to try that.  Granddaughter liked it although her dad did a lot of crashing.  Fun to watch, though.  Those concessions also do stuff like towed floats, parasailing and wave riders.

[Betsynh]

Just got home yesterday and went to the beach in both places. In Aruba we took a cab $15 each way to the less crowded end of Eagle Beach by Coco Loco. We rented chairs and they have umbrellas, restrooms and a small restaurant/bar. The water was gorgeous and not overly crowded. 
 

In Curaçao we did a tour to Cas Abao beach and scenic drive which was an adorable art gallery for 15 minutes and then breathtaking beach. Highly recommend. 
 

In the past I’ve read about jeeps breaking down during 4x4 tours and people missing the ship so I’ve never tried that. With the heat, I’d consider beaching it. 

[khm1]

9 hours ago, Betsynh said:

In Curaçao we did a tour to Cas Abao beach and scenic drive which was an adorable art gallery for 15 minutes and then breathtaking beach. Highly recommend. 
 
Thanks for this! We have a cruise coming up in March. I booked the same tour in Curaçao. I was worried that we would spend a lot of time at the art gallery. How much time did you have at the beach? Were there decent chairs with shade to use? Was there a place to get food? What time did you get back to the ship? Thanks in advance!

[Betsynh]

If you’re on the Odyssey I did a LIVE review of our trip with lots of detail. 
 

I believe we checked in at 8:00am for an 8:30 departure time. Between the drive to that part of the island and a 15-minute stop at the gallery, we arrived at the beach just before 10am and had 3 hours to enjoy. There was an area roped off for us to use and several chairs under palm trees—many of us had shade. If you sit near the front of the bus you might get first dibs. 
 

The excursion offered a free soda and shower token for 30-second shower. The line was long so didn’t use that. Food options were simple but okay. Cheeseburger & fries were listed as $19 but that’s in Antillean currency so they were $11 US. 
 

if you Google Cas Abao Beach you’ll see there’s a waterfront spa to book massages. Their early bird special starts at 10am. I didn’t book ahead since I didn’t know when we’d arrive. The people that did book 10am were 25 mins late so we got 20 minute back/neck massages in the little hut. A slice of heaven if you like that stuff. 
 

Bring water shoes! There are a bit of shells and/or coral getting into the water. Wish I’d thought to bring mine. Enjoy! We would definitely go back there (and we are picky beach people and prefer shade).

[Betsynh]

43 minutes ago, khm1 said:

12 hours ago, Betsynh said:

In Curaçao we did a tour to Cas Abao beach and scenic drive which was an adorable art gallery for 15 minutes and then breathtaking beach. Highly recommend. 
 
Thanks for this! We have a cruise coming up in March. I booked the same tour in Curaçao. I was worried that we would spend a lot of time at the art gallery. How much time did you have at the beach? Were there decent chairs with shade to use? Was there a place to get food? What time did you get back to the ship? Thanks in advance!

Khm, just posted my comment but forgot to quote you… see above?! Betsy 

[khm1]

3 minutes ago, Betsynh said:

If you’re on the Odyssey I did a LIVE review of our trip with lots of detail. 
 

I believe we checked in at 8:00am for an 8:30 departure time. Between the drive to that part of the island and a 15-minute stop at the gallery, we arrived at the beach just before 10am and had 3 hours to enjoy. There was an area roped off for us to use and several chairs under palm trees—many of us had shade. If you sit near the front of the bus you might get first dibs. 
 

The excursion offered a free soda and shower token for 30-second shower. The line was long so didn’t use that. Food options were simple but okay. Cheeseburger & fries were listed as $19 but that’s in Antillean currency so they were $11 US. 
 

if you Google Cas Abao Beach you’ll see there’s a waterfront spa to book massages. Their early bird special starts at 10am. I didn’t book ahead since I didn’t know when we’d arrive. The people that did book 10am were 25 mins late so we got 20 minute back/neck massages in the little hut. A slice of heaven if you like that stuff. 
 

Bring water shoes! There are a bit of shells and/or coral getting into the water. Wish I’d thought to bring mine. Enjoy! We would definitely go back there (and we are picky beach people and prefer shade).

Thanks again! Great info. I couldn’t find any information on this excursion. This helps a lot. We are goin to be on Symphony, but I will check out your review!

[Sunshine3601]

For a first timer to Aruba I recommend their excursion called aruba highlights and Eagle beach.    This will give a nice overview of the island with some nice stops at the Natural Bridge area, California lighthouse and a beach break at Eagle Beach.   

 

We did this tour years ago and gave us a good feel of the island and where we went on future visits.

[Sunshine3601]

For Curacoa, I recommend taking a walk thru the port and head to the floating pontoon bridge.   https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-boostdish-us-revc&sca_esv=598681343&sxsrf=ACQVn0_3bVk_X7Cz9GrN56GTpG6e_i7HbQ%3A1705371818088&q=Queen Emma Bridge&ludocid=3711383108024288569&ibp=gwp%3B0%2C7&lsig=AB86z5ULxW40OlC1lHGKCJNWACel&kgs=2f739aaba0bf5ece&shndl=-1&source=sh%2Fx%2Floc%2Fact%2Fm4%2F2

Nice to explore the city area after crossing the bridge.

 

Or taxi ride to Mambo Beach.  Lots of places to rent loungers, snorkel, eat & drink.   Maybe see if you can find someone on roll call wanting to share taxi to mambo beach.

[LivLove2Cruise]

Thank you much everyone for your suggestions!

[marci22]

We did Free Walking Tours Curacao. You can find it on Trip Advisor. Our guide was Rayay. It was a good tour with a lot to see and took about 2 1/2 hours. After the tour we shopped in town and walked back ourselves. The only thing is that it is very, very hot, so bring a hat and water. We did stop along the way at a couple of places where we could purchase water and cold snacks for a small charge.

 

It is a free tour but we tipped at the end. Group is limited to about 20 people.

Edited January 16 by marci22