Day and a half in Aruba--help for first time cruiser!

[rookiecruiser717]

Hi everyone! On May 7th, I will be on RCCL Adventure of the Seas for my first cruise and first time to the caribbean. Our first stop is Aruba for one day and a half. I'm curious to know how you all would try to use this time to see the best the island has to offer. From reading the posts, it seems that the Jolly Pirate excursion is a MUST, especially in the morning to avoid a crowded ship. I was thinking of also doing a jeep tour and spending time at Palm and/or Eagle beach, but because the Jolly Pirate sail is from 9:30-2:00, I don't know how much time that leaves for anything else substantial that day. The cruise ship departs the second day at 1:00 in the afternoon, so I am trying to plan the best way to utilize this day and half and work in as much as possible. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Arubalisa]

The cruise ship departs the second day at 1:00 in the afternoon, so I am trying to plan the best way to utilize this day and half and work in as much as possible.

Might want to re-check that 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I hate see anyone disappointed, but am 99.9% sure it is 1 a.m. Just after midnight on the same day you arrive.

[rookiecruiser717]

You are so right--I made a mistake. Thank you SO much for pointing that out! I would have booked something for the next morning and probably lost some money! Any ideas on how to spend the best day in Aruba?

[angie2003]

Aruba is wonderful and the people are very friendly - you will love it! There are endless options for during the day. The beaches are open to the public, but the beach chairs are property of the hotels. I have been to Aruba for week long trips and as a port of call. One of our port of call stops, we took the bus to the Allegro hotel and paid $40 per person for their day pass (all inclusive). We laid by the pool and had unlimited drinks and an awsome lunch buffet. I have read about posters doing a sunset cruise which departs by the holiday inn. But if you enjoy lively crowd - Carlos and Charlies is right by the pier and is tons of fun if you are into that scene. There is awsome shopping all over the place and some cool excursions like 4x4 jeep safaris which will take you all over the island. Hope you have a blast! If you have any other questions - let me know and I will try my best to help.

 

Angela

[rookiecruiser717]

Hi Angela,

 

Thank you so much for your response. I am very excited for my Aruba stop. I was wondering if you recommend taking an excurision during the day or just spending the day exploring the beaches and shopping. I have read so much on these threads about the Jolly Pirate snorkeling trip that goes from 9-2:30. I'd love to do it, but do you think that this will take up too much time and I'll lose out on exploring town or the beach? Let me know what you think.

 

Thanks again!

[angie2003]

My personal opinion is no. some might disagree, but if your excursion is done by 2:30, you still have all afternoon to shop around. I forget where the jolly pirate excursion is docked, but once you make your way into downtown, you are in walking distance to all the mall areas and shops. I am so jealous - I wish I was going in May too :) An excursion like one of those boat rides is a great way to experience aruba - although I have never been on that particular boat, I have been on a couple of others and typically they will drive all along the coast and show you around and give you some history.

 

Have a blast!!

[wrp96]

Unless you happen to go on a National Holiday like I did, you should have plenty of time to explore the town and shop if you are getting back at 2:30. The day I went the shops all closed at 2pm but it was Carnaval and a national holiday - not something normal. The chief engineer (or whomever was in charge of maintenance) didn't get the notice about the shops closing and so scheduled major maintenance to the ships elevators that day. When the shops closed most people came back to the ship and none of the elevators worked. The Captain got mad at the Chief Engineer but it wasn't a normal day in Aruba.

[TamaLee]

You can rent a car and drive around the island. There is lots to see and do. We have done this on both of our trips to Aruba. Then we go back to the ship to change and freshen up and then head out to Carlos and Charlies to finish off the day. The best part of Aruba is heading back to the ship about an hour before she sails and watching all the partiers come back from the bars! Especially those that have to try and run to catch the ship:D

[rookiecruiser717]

Haaaa...that's great about watching people come back from the bars when the ship leaves Aruba at 1:00 in the morning! I will definitely remember to do that--it will be worth a few chuckles. Hopefully, roles are not reversed and people are not watching me stumble back to the ship!

 

I think I am going to go ahead and book the Jolly Pirate excursion. It departs from Moomba (sp?) Beach, which is apparently in a good area of Palm Beach (around Holiday Inn and Wyndam). I figured that after the sail, we could hang on the beach for a few hours and then hit the town. How far is the shopping/downtown area from Palm Beach? Is it walking distance? If so, that would be great. I also plan on doing a night cap at Carlos & Charlie's (and surrounding area) and possibly a casino or two. Should be fun--I am so excited!

 

Thanks for all of your responses! It is my first cruise and trip to Aruba, so all of this discussion has been invaluable! :)

[Nevertoolate]

We just got back from the Adventure. Great time. For something different, a Master Blaster trip is great thrill ride. 90 minutes total.

That was in the morning, then we went to a Latin show in the evening, spent time in the casino afterwards - with shopping inbetween with plenty of time to spare. Could have squeezed in a beach time as well.

In any case, Aruba is a great island to visit.

[mumsiesof2]

We just got back from the Adventure. Great time. For something different, a Master Blaster trip is great thrill ride. 90 minutes total.

That was in the morning, then we went to a Latin show in the evening, spent time in the casino afterwards - with shopping inbetween with plenty of time to spare. Could have squeezed in a beach time as well.

In any case, Aruba is a great island to visit.

 

 

What is a Master Blaster trip ?

[shellden]

I think your plan sounds fine. The most important thing to remember when you cruise is to make the best of your excursion choices. YOu can't do it all so with your choice you get a snorkle cruise, lunch, beach ,shopping and a little nigthlife. What a day!! Cruising is like a buffet you get a little sampling at each island so go and enjoy.

[Janutz]

Oh, I am sooo jealous. My Aruba stop leaves at 5pm and so I can't do the Kukoo Kununku Dinner and Barhopping Bus Tour (google that one). It involves singing on the bus, champaign at the lighthouse for sunset, dinner, 3 different bars with drink vouchers, more singing, dancing on the bars...ending at Carlos & Charlie's. You are REQUIRED to carry your hotel/ship room# in your pocket in case you can't remember by the end of the night.

[croozegal2]

We did Aruba in February/06 and loved it. We shopped all morning - great buys everywhere! Later, while the guys went to the casino, we girls did the Quad Tour - Best experience of the trip.

 

The tour guy is right at the entrance to the pier as you get into town. We took the 3:00 pm tour and there were only 7 quads in the group. Took us up into the hills, along with beach, through the streets - it was a blast. I had never driven a quad before but it never took long at all to figure it out! The neatest part was coming back from the tour around 6:30 when the sun was setting.

 

After we got back, we had plenty of time to enjoy Carlo's and Charlie's. Except everyone was looking at us very strangely. I guess we were absolutely black with dust and grime from the tour!

 

I've cruised four times and this was the most fun of all the excursions!