Calm Beach on our own (taxi) w/Princess Cruise for the day

[loisswanson]

My husband and I love calm, shallow water. Baby beach sounds wonderful, but could we easily get a taxi there and back from the Princess cruise ship? If that is not easy, which would be next best -- Eagle Beach or Palm Beach and specifically what location on each beach.

 

What might taxi fare be?

 

Any casino nearby? Is casual dress ok in the casinos? What type of money is used?

 

Thanks,

 

Lois

[golffore2001]

We were just in Aruba on the 13th. went to palm beach just in front of Westin...No waves. there is a cordoned off area for swimming with a small diving/jumping platform. Rented chairs for $4 and person very reasonable for drinks (canned/bottles). Als a place to change. There is a drop off area in just before you get to the Westin..This is only a couple of properties down from suggested places by Arubalisa. Her posts very helpful. Paid $3 for bus there and $1 for ride back:D

[Arubalisa]

My husband and I love calm, shallow water. Baby beach sounds wonderful, but could we easily get a taxi there and back from the Princess cruise ship? If that is not easy, which would be next best -- Eagle Beach or Palm Beach and specifically what location on each beach.

 

What might taxi fare be?

 

Any casino nearby? Is casual dress ok in the casinos? What type of money is used?

 

Thanks,

 

Lois

Baby beach is nice, but a $35 taxi fare each way. Arrange for the driver to pick up up for the return trip to the ship at a specified time. For $35 though, you could rent a compact car for the day.

 

Dress during the day is casual. At night think "country club casual" but no jackets required for men and depending on the exact location, nice shorts are just fine. The US dollar is accepted everywhere on the island.

golffore has the rest of the info covered. :D

[loisswanson]

Thank you both for the information.

 

Arubalisa -- the link you gave me showing the taxi rates -- is that in US Dollars? What would $10 rate to Palm Beach be in US Dollars?

 

Sounds like that is the best thing to do.

 

In the casinos are there slot machines? If so, what type of money do they take?

 

Lois

[Arubalisa]

Thank you both for the information.

 

Arubalisa -- the link you gave me showing the taxi rates -- is that in US Dollars? What would $10 rate to Palm Beach be in US Dollars?

 

Sounds like that is the best thing to do.

 

In the casinos are there slot machines? If so, what type of money do they take?

 

Lois

Yes Lois, US dollars, $10 each way.

 

All the casinos have slots and all take US $ as well.

[BopRN]

ArubaLisa...How does the Westin area compare to the Radisson area? It sounds like the chairs are MUCH cheaper!

[caribbean dreams]

Arubalisa help me out, Our last trip to Aruba, we found a great tops optional beach and i can't remember the name but i think we were very close to Palm or eagle, there was a nice outdoor bar that looked like a wrecked ship. does any of this sound right?

My DD's would like to go back and need to tell the Taxi driver where to go.

[Arubalisa]

ArubaLisa...How does the Westin area compare to the Radisson area? It sounds like the chairs are MUCH cheaper!

Much windier at that end of Palm Beach. We have actually stayed there 3 times, as well as the nearby Phoenix. If you are going to be there in the fall when it is less windy, it may not be an issue. If you are going to be there say in June, the windiest month of the year when 40 mph gusts are not uncomon, let's just say, bring the q-tips. ;)

[Arubalisa]

Arubalisa help me out, Our last trip to Aruba, we found a great tops optional beach and i can't remember the name but i think we were very close to Palm or eagle, there was a nice outdoor bar that looked like a wrecked ship. does any of this sound right?

My DD's would like to go back and need to tell the Taxi driver where to go.

The wrecked pirate ship is at the Bucuti resort. Right next door, on that side of their property is the Manchebo Resort which has a large European clientele and is probably most famous for toplessness on its beach than anywhere else.

[loisswanson]

Arubalisa,

 

We will be in Aruba the first week in May. I've always heard stories about getting sandblasted due to the strong winds. If this is typically a windy week, what beach (with calm waters) would be best to visit. I'm the one who originally started this thread. We may also want to spend a bit of time in a casino. Need your recommendations.

 

Many thanks,

 

Lois

[Arubalisa]

If you avoid the area of the Westin, I think you will be just fine in the wind department. I tried to post part of a chart, but it failed because of the formatting. To see it, go to the bottom of this page. Fall is the only time that the wind is relatively, at least for Aruba, a little bit calmer. I've been to the island over 15 times at different times of the year. 5 times in early to mid- June (3 x at the Westin's location) all the times at the Westin location we were sandblasted at the Radisson we were fine as well as the 2 times we were at the Playa Linda which is further north from the Radisson in the opposite direction from the Westin.

[swom]

Anyone out there done the "power snorkel" through Princess cruises?

Is it worth it?

I have this reserved, but not sure it is worth the money.

Can anyone help me here please?

Thanks!