visiting on cruise

[Skallywag]

We are this time unfortunately only going to be on the Island for just one day when we visit in August on the Disney Magic.

Can you give us some ideas on what we can see during that day. I understand there is a botanical garden but cannot find reference to this. We had hoped to perhaps see something of the Island and also visit the town but we do not know how feasible this will be.

Thank you

[TomFrederick]

1. All ships dock close to downtown so can walk to many shops, restaurants, casinos, ..........
2. All cruise ships have a list of many tours you could go on. Never been on yours but have been on 5 different cruise lines and most have a Web Site where you can see ahead of time what is offered at each port.

[Skallywag]

Thank you - we wondered if we should just go for a walk around the town and perhaps visit a local beach if there is a good one within walking distance to the ship dock.
Any information would be great. Thank you

[TomFrederick]

>>> "a good one within walking distance to the ship dock"
----- None within walking distance. Aruba is noted for great beaches but most are in front of resorts. The huts and chairs are reserved for guests. Beaches are public but the resorts know who is not a guest by the color of the beach towels. And in Aruba that great sun can burn you fast. There is a private island owned by DePalm Tours. No doubt your cruise ship will have a tour going there. Never been there myself.
Also in town the Ren Resort owns a private island. For a fee payable at their desk you could go to their island. Never been there either as my resort as a great beach and no need to leave my resort for swiming.
Remember to wear baseball type hats off the ship in any port for sun protection.

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I looked up your itinerary on the Disney Magic. I see that the Panama Canal cruise stops in Aruba. The itinerary says you will be in Aruba from 7:30 am-5:30 pm. As you have pretty much the whole day - if you get off the ship by 9 am and get back onboard by 4 pm - you will have 7 hours to explore Aruba.

The cruise terminal is downtown where the shopping is: Renaissance Mall, Renaissance Marketplace, Royal Plaza Mall, Main St, etc. If you into Casino's, there are 2 downtown - Seaport & Crystal Casino's.

I don't know of a Botanical Garden in Aruba. Maybe you are thinking of the Butterfly Farm. http://www.aruba.com/whattodo/butterflyfarm.phpa

If you don't want to take tour from the cruise ship and want to shop, go to the beach and maybe go to the Butterfly farm, this is what I would do:

A short walk from the cruise terminal is the bus station. Take the #10 bus (says Marriott on bus) to the high rise section. Aruba buses are clean and safe. Roundtrip fare is $2.30 US per person. If you want to go to the Butterfly Farm ask the bus driver to let you off there. It is located across from the Divi Phoenix. From there take the bus up to Moomba's (less than 5 mins from the farm). It is a bar & restaurant between the Holiday Inn and Marriott Surf Club. There you can rent beach chairs. http://moombabeach.com/component/ . There are also watersports vendors if you are so inclinded. After sunning and swimming, take the bus back downtown where you can shop before getting back on the ship.

If you want to see the island, I would take 1/2 day tour to give yourselves time for shopping downtown.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have plenty of sunblock and a small soft sided cooler for snacks and beverages.

[marc]

Right outside the cruise terminal you will see the ATOA Island Tour Booth these are the official tour operators of the Port Authority
They offer a 2-21/2 hour tour for $20.00 per person

Go direct to the Booth and the dispacher (in blue ATOA uniform) they will assign you to the island Tour

[Skallywag]

Thank you so much everyone for your help because we decided against the tours offered by Disney and wanted to see other things we have decided to hire a car for the day and hope the Hertz depot is not too far to walk it quotes as LG Smith Blvd cruise termional so just hoping.

We would like to see the donkey sanctuary and also the natural caves and thought we would just do drive. Disney now say we are in dock until 11.30 so hope to do a bit of sightseeing and then shopping later.

Anyone any ideas please if this is going to be possible and best places not to miss on our drive.
Brenda

[brandon14]

I would advise you to rent a jeep instead of a car. This would allow you to see the whole island caves and all. Be sure to allow time for shopping in town. Stop and walk Palm Beach it lovely.