in port from noon to midnight. What to do?

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

We're looking at a cruise that goes to Aruba from noon to midnight.

 

We are a group of 8 with kids 11-15 in tow.

 

In the afternoon we would rent a car and go do some beaching and snorkelling.

 

What do people do in Aruba at night, if they don't go to casinos?

 

What time is it safest to be back around the port and how late are the stores open around the port?

[Jesterscourt]

If you are fortunate to be there on Tuesday they have a weekly BiniBini Festival at night about a 20 min. walk from the ship with food and festivities geared mostly for locals so the prices of food, drinks and trinkets are very good and it is a very different non-touristy thing to do. Otherwise, take a cab over to the Palm Beach area at night (10 min. ride) which has restaurants and shops, and you can walk around that area. I wouldn't recommend walking around the pier at night, as there is not much to see except for a few restaurant-bars and the local bus depot. All the stores and the major mall 2 blocks from the ship were closed when I was there at night, and the most interesting thing I did was use the internet in the Radisson Hotel! But there are also very elegant hotels to explore like the DiviDivi, Hyatt, etc. which are not far by cab especially if you have until midnight or even 11 PM and you could watch the sunset with your toes in the sand at any one of their beachside areas even without having to pay anything. AND FINALLY, you will have enough time to take an evening sunset harbor cruise with Jolly Pirates or other outfits and get back in plenty of time!

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

thanks for the info. Unfortunetly we are there on a wednesday.

 

Does anyone know if the jolly pirates / Mi dushi cruise are appropriate for kids or are they a booze cruise?

[StanandJim]

We're looking at a cruise that goes to Aruba from noon to midnight.

 

We are a group of 8 with kids 11-15 in tow.

 

In the afternoon we would rent a car and go do some beaching and snorkelling.

 

What do people do in Aruba at night, if they don't go to casinos?

 

What time is it safest to be back around the port and how late are the stores open around the port?

 

the4ofusandallourfriends,

 

Assuming that your group is reasonably healthy and mobile, we would suggest that you go to the Natural Pool.

It is simply spectacular, and by far the best thing in Aruba.

You can arrange to pick up a rental car right at the wharf:

http://www.visitaruba.com/travel/getaround/rental.html

You'll need a four wheel drive vehicle as the natural pool is surrounded by some rugged terrain.

 

The natural pool is on the "far" side of the island (don't get excited, the whole island of Aruba is less than 8 miles wide), and they have purposely left the route to the natural pool unpaved so that you'll have to go off-road, which gives the trip a sense of adventure.

As the crow flies, I would estimate that the natural pool is 12 to 15 miles from the cruise ship dock. However, given the terrain, the road signs and the fact that you'll be sightseeing while you're driving, I'd allow at least an hour to get to the pool.

Once you are there, you will never want to leave...........