Car Rental

[crusinKimmie]

We are doing the southern caribbean in March. Of all the islands, it appears Aruba might be the easiest to do on our own by renting a car, which I thought might be fun for a change. Has anyone ever done that? Any suggestions on rental companies? Obviously, being able to get it at the cruise port would be great. We would like to have a jeep or equivalent and have read that we should make arrangements ahead of time because they go fast. Any suggestions, comments, experiences would be welcomed.

[lauren0309]

I had asked this same question last week but got no reply. I was looking at either American or Royal? I wanted to know if anyone has had any good or bad experiences with either company. I also e-mailed both companies asking them how to make a request for a/c and automatic on their reservation form because there is no space to put in a request, but got no response from either rental company.

[crusinKimmie]

Well Lauren, we'll just keep posting and posting and asking in all of the different topics until someone responds. :D

[gizmo]

I believe Avis rents cars in Aruba. Try them. :)

[Arubalisa]

For weekly rentals we use Royal and for daily rentals we use Avis. Have never had a problem from either company.

 

http://www.avis.com/

Cruise Ship Dock

Oranjestad Pier, Oranjestad, Aruba

From the US (001) 297 582 8617

 

Hertz (not sure if they deliver to the ships, might have to pickup at the airport- 10-15 minute taxi ride from the pier)

From the US (001) 297 582 1845

Fax From the US (001) 297 583 7479

E-Mail hertz-aruba@setarnet.aw

http://www.hertzcaribbean.com

[crusinKimmie]

Thanks for the info. I went into Avis, but it doesn't look like they have jeeps, which is what we were looking for. There are tons of rental agencies at the airport. We were hoping to avoid going there and getting a car at the cruise port.

 

So, after doing more research, it appears getting a car isn't going to be an issue - now - who has some wonderful experiences with doing it on their own in Aruba? Where did you go, what did you see - want non-touristy place for lunch, etc. Thanks.

[lauren0309]

I checked Avis and the return time didnt work out either. I guess I will go with either Super, American or Royal. We want to rent a jeep also. Since some of the companies never answered my e-mail, I guess I will just reserve a jeep and then when we get there request one with Automatic and A/C. We are planning on doing a tour on our own with a stop at Palm Beach.

[Micki Dee]

I just reserved a jeep with American. At first I thought they didn't answer my request because I did not receive an e-mail from them. However, I just happened to check my bulk mail before I deleted it, and lo and behold there was the confirmation from them. If you have an email account that separates your mail, you might want to check your spam or bulk folder.

 

I have read that it is recommended to reserve a jeep in advance as they are extremely popular and might not be available the day you arrive.

 

Good luck and smooth sailing.

[gambler]

We used Avis for a jeep pick up right at the pier about 4 years ago, think we just parked and dropped off keys when we got back. It looks like no jeeps available for 11/24 with them, so what is the American website??? I will try that, thanks.

[amamba]

you can also try more for less - http://www.more4less-aruba.com/

They have jeeps.

[CFULTON99]

I received the information below, from the Aruba port.

These companies are either in the Port for pickup & return, or walking

distance from the Port.

Please note: online it states the offices close at 1:00 at the port

location. I called to confirm, they are there for returns at 6- 6:30 pm.

For a later return you have to go to the airport.

 

 

THRIFTY CAR RENTAL 297- 585-0012

AVIS RENTAL CAR 297- 582-7202

DONATA RENTAL CAR 297- 587-8300

SUPER CAR RENTAL 29- 586-8854

TOP DRIVE RENTAL CAR 297- 587-2152

HERTZ CAR RENTAL 297- 585-2640

AMERICAN CAR RENTAL 297- 588-0299

 

I booked with Avis for 9/29/06. $ 32.00 USD

 

Enjoy your cruise

[MIcruiser99]

I found Hertz at the cruise terminal and booked a jeep for January.

[Arubalisa]

I found Hertz at the cruise terminal and booked a jeep for January.

Oh MIcruiser99, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we used Hertz last week and in 13 trips to the island it was the second worst rental vehicle we have ever had. The company who held the record for worst rental is no longer in business :rolleyes: I hope you have a better experience than we did. When my husband saw the license plate being held onto the vehicle by plastic ties, he figured it was not going to be an easy ride. When we turned the vehicle in and made a comment about the overall condition of the vehicle the rep did not even reply. Oh course she took our money :mad: JMHO

[MIcruiser99]

Oh MIcruiser99, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we used Hertz last week and in 13 trips to the island it was the second worst rental vehicle we have ever had. The company who held the record for worst rental is no longer in business :rolleyes: I hope you have a better experience than we did. When my husband saw the license plate being held onto the vehicle by plastic ties, he figured it was not going to be an easy ride. When we turned the vehicle in and made a comment about the overall condition of the vehicle the rep did not even reply. Oh course she took our money :mad: JMHO

 

Thanks for the warning! I will check into other car rentals.

[lauren0309]

I just reserved received a jeep at Royal for $75.00.

[Mommy oooo]

I have a jeep rented for 11/9 and paid $60 through Super, plus we have a car seat at no extra cost.

[bacchusman]

Do not rent from American! I saw positive comments about American on this site and so rented from them. In our case it did not work out well. You have lots of choices so go with one that has only positive comments is my recommendation. We were in Aruba on October 4th and rented a jeep from American on the spot. We were the only ship in port and American had lots of jeeps to rent. Cost was $60 which was very fair, but they tried to give us one that had a broken support for the top (wouldn't be able to put up the top). All of the jeeps we looked at were dirty inside (Aruba is a windy, dusty place, and it is a jeep, but...)--they could at least vacuum the floors when the vehicles are returned. The worst, however, is that when we brought the jeep in to return it no one was there!!! I looked around for 20 minutes and asked everyone in the area where American's rep might be but no luck. There were also no parking spaces. So, I left it near a gate which turned out to be the port authority. Back at the ship I received a call in an hour or so that the jeep had been towed. I had to hustle back to the rental place and the guy was now there and said he was away at lunch when we tried to return the jeep earlier. Don't you need to tell your customers there are times when they can't bring the cars back? Additionally, upon renting they said I would use $10-12 worth of fuel (3 or 4 gallons) which would have been plenty given the amount of driving we did. However, it took $25 and obviously wasn't full when we took it out. So, avoid American--you can do better.

[crusinKimmie]

Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know about your problem. We have decided to go with Royal Car Rental. Their price seems a little higher, but reviews are good.

[Arubalisa]

Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know about your problem. We have decided to go with Royal Car Rental. Their price seems a little higher, but reviews are good.

Our family has used Royal twice for weekly rentals and have always had good quality vehicles with no problems whatsoever.

[Ronny & Peggy in Maryland]

We will be in Aruba from 7:00 am till 6:00 pm on a Friday. If we rent a car, it sounds as though there may be some issues in terms of returning it at the Port before 6:00 pm as the rental car companies are not open then? Is that true? We found a reasonably priced Avis rental but we want to be sure we can return it between 4:00 and 5:00 if that is when we return to our ship.

 

Anyone have information on this?

 

Ronny & Peggy in Maryland

 

[mcskids]

thanks for the info lisa we just rented from royal 85.oo for 1 day jeep, . your alway filled with good info thanks for your help, we will be cruising nov 5 aos thanks Frank

[Ronny & Peggy in Maryland]

See post below...

 

Also... do you need to purchase the extra (expensive!) insurance when you rent a car in Aruba like you would in Mexico or is that not a real big issue?

 

Thanks,

 

Ronny & Peggy in Maryland

[crusinKimmie]

I checked with my insurance company and we do not have coverage when "out of the country", which Aruba is. I also checked with charge card companies to see if we'd be covered if we used their card - answer no. So, it looks like we're going to have to get coverage from the rental company.

[momofslg]

We were in Aruba on October 10th and rented a car form American right at the dock. I debated reserving a car beforehand, but decided to chance it. There were 2 ships in port and there were plenty of cars and jeeps available from all car companies at the port. We paid 40 plus an extra 10 for the insurance. We gave our credit card and they made an imprint, we asked if we could pay cash, he said yes, just pay when you return and we will give you all credit card papers.

Had a nice car (small but that was ok since it was just 2 of us) we drove all over the island but didn't go to the natural pool since you MUST have a 4x4. Make sure you get a map!!! We didn't have one but we did have the cruise paper with a "MAP" on it. Thank goodness I'm a great navigator or we would have beel lost. Hubby was impressed.

We returned the car after putting about 15.00 in gas in it. When we returned to the parking area the man from American inspected the car and just asked for 40.00 (we wanted to pay cash instead of credit card.) We handed the money over and received our credit card papers and carbons. I've been watching the credit card online and haven't seen anything mysterious.

If you have anymore questions just ask.

 

 

~Lisa

[MIcruiser99]

(we wanted to pay cash instead of credit card.) If you have anymore questions just ask.~Lisa

 

Did you choose to pay cash to avoid currency exchange fees on your credit card or for another reason?