We are traveling to Aruba for 1st trip in July for our 10th anniversary. We are staying at the Marriot Ocean Club. Any suggestions are welcome. Have done lots of research and have a few questions:
1. Which is best - Mi Dushi, Octopus, or Jolly Pirates
2. Good anniversary restaurant?? Madame J's or another one?
3. Best cell phone rental agency?
4. Rent a car or take bus and taxis??
5. Is ABC Jeep tour worth the day?
6. Best place to buy a few groceries?

I will welcome any advice! I am a teacher and like to have some ideas when I go on big trips. Thanks in advance!!

Good questions. My wife and I are also going to be there in July for our 10th anniversary!! This will be our first time to Aruba, but my in-laws go every year and love it!!

I have spent the last month reading this forum and there has been some great advice. I think I have heard unanimously that one of the best places to eat for the food and atmosphere is at the Flying Fishbone. And I think they for groceries I have heard that Ling and Sons is the best bet. But I can't wait to hear what others say.

1- I'm not sure, sorry.
2-Madame J's all the way. Make your reservations online or first thing when you get there, they book quickly.
3-My verizon works fine there.
4-We take the bus.
5-We never took the jeep tour but heard good things. Bring a rag to breath through it is said its dusty.
6-Ling and sons. On the bus line.
Have a great time.

BW

You are asking the right stuff make sure to relax and enjoy yhte suna dnwater while you are there.

1. Which is best - Mi Dushi, Octopus, or Jolly Pirates
I would say Mi Dushi or Octopus dependent on your preference. Jolly Pirate is a blast, more of a party, with a bigger crowd. Octopus is more of a sleepy sail only ride, only a dozen or so people, and more intimate. I like both.
2. Good anniversary restaurant?? Madame J's or another one? We had an excellnt meal at MJ's last month.
3. Best cell phone rental agency? Don't know used our verizon world phone.
4. Rent a car or take bus and taxis?? Buses are excellent and regular for trips, I would use a taxi to dinner or if in a hurry.
5. Is ABC Jeep tour worth the day? Absolutely! We did this trip on our first visit to the island and it was the best way to see the complete island in a day. It is tiring out in the hot sun all day so bring a hat, sunscreen, your bathing suit!
6. Best place to buy a few groceries? Ling and Sons There are four grocery store in a two block area all are a bit different, we usually shop at Lings. http://www.lingandsons.com/ling/home.do
There is an unlabeled store, Super Foods to the left of Hong Kings
http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.530...18&l=0&m=a&v=2

Where are you staying?

Have Fun, Pete

1. Which is best - We went on Octopus and it was great. There were only about 7 couples. Make sure you get there early though b/c we were there last and stuck in the middle of the catamaran. When we were out we saw a Jolly Pirates boat capsized from the wind. No one was hurt but alot of people lost personal stuff.
2. Good anniversary restaurant?? We liked Flying Fishbone on our Honeymoon, it was romantic! Also Madame Janette's is really good too!
3. Best cell phone rental agency? Never rented one, we use our ATT phone there.
4. Rent a car or take bus and taxis?? Definately rent a car. we didnt for the 1st few days of our honeymoon and then we ended up renting. We got so tired of waiting for buses and taxis are expensive. This July will be our 3rd time and third time renting a car. Its nice to have the freedom to come and go! You can get a really cheap Yaris that would be cheaper then Taxis/buses. So if you are not scared to drive then get a car!
5. Is ABC Jeep tour worth the day? We did a half day tour and it was fun. Reallllly dusty though. We were exhausted after the half day tour. Also we now rent a jeep when we go and go touring on our own.
6. Best place to buy a few groceries? Ling and sons or the other one I think called Kong Hing or something like that.

Aruba is awesome!!!!

1. Which is best - Mi Dushi, Octopus, or Jolly Pirates
Jolly Pirates
2. Good anniversary restaurant?? Madame J's or another one?
Aruba has a plethora of great restaurants, MJ is included in one of those so have fun.
3. Best cell phone rental agency?
Don't have a clue
4. Rent a car or take bus and taxis??
Taxi or Car
5. Is ABC Jeep tour worth the day?
Yep, what an adventure.....
6. Best place to buy a few groceries?
Supermarket City, there all in the same area. Ling & Sons is not the cheapest but it's closest to what you'll get at home, talking about variety and freshness.

Bryan Morris

Aruba's Premier Wedding Photographer

I suggest a 1/2 day tour over a full day. gets hot and tiring for the full day.

#2-Flying Fishbones
#3-ArubaFastPhones-25-35 cents per minute + no charge for incoming calls vs $1.49-$1.99 per minute on AT&T & Verizon plus you pay on both incoming & outgoing calls.
#6- Ling's-- cleanest + best stocked.

1. Which is best - Mi Dushi, Octopus, or Jolly Pirates
For fun with kids, we just sailed the Jolly Pirate and everyone had a blast. For a longer more intimate experience, espcially if you are "serious snorkelers", I recommend Tranquilo http://www.tranquiloaruba.com/. I wrote about our experience here.

2. Good anniversary restaurant?? Madame J's or another one?
Flying Fishbone or if you do not have a rental car and less expensive, we just celebrated our 11th anniversary at Passions at the Amsterdam Manor http://www.passions-restaurant-aruba.com/. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IFLkCXpWb0

3. Best cell phone rental agency? Pick up upon arrival at the airport- Aruba Fast Phones http://www.arubafastphones.com/

4. Rent a car or take bus and taxis?? First time visitor rent a car http://www.amigocar.com/ or http://www.arubaroyal.com/ for at least 3 days of your visit to explore the island a bit at your own pace, shopping in downtown Oranjestad and your trip to the grocery store.

5. Is ABC Jeep tour worth the day? By far probably the most popular jeep tour on the island. We also just had an excellent experience (and fun ) with Kini Kini Tours http://www.kinikini.com/ I am sure their jeep tour would be smaller and more intimate.

6. Best place to buy a few groceries? There are a couple of stores lumped together just outside of Oranjestad http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=12.531...18&l=0&m=a&v=2. Ling and Sons http://www.lingandsons.com/ has the best selection, but is probably the most expensive.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18

Pretty much agree with the others but I would do Chef's Table or Marandis for your special dinner. Both are not over crowed and over rated like the other Tourist Resturants. 1/2 day on ABC was perfect, the swim in the ocean pool was wonderful! Take a Taxi to the far places, the bus is easy for everything else. Be prepared to fall in love with the Island!

Eileen