So as your time is dwindling down as we leave on Saturday, our plans are starting to fall into place. This is a list of some of the things we thought about doing along with places to eat. If anyone has any other suggestions please let us know. This is just somewhat of a plan.

Things to do:
Tatto Party Cruise
http://www.arubaadventures.com/tattoo/

Kukoo Kunuku Bus party
http://www.kukookunuku.com/?id=42

Places to eat:

The Promenade Restaurant
http://www.promenadearuba.com/

Matthew's Beachside Restaurant (next to where were staying)
http://www.matthews-aruba.com/home/index.html

El Gaucho
http://www.elgaucho-aruba.com/

Smokey Joe's
http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

We are planning to eat-in a couple nights to try to save money.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for restaurants. We don't have the money to go all out every night, but we do want to eat well. We really love a good steak, does anyone else know where a good place to eat a steak is, without it being really expensive?

I plan on doing a 3-day rental from American Car Rental. They have a 3 day rental $75.00.
http://www.american-car-rental.com/a...n/do/home.html

Does anyone else have a suggestion for a car rental place. I am 23 years old, so I can rent from most, but not all places.

Well, those are the plans so far. What do you all think? I really don't want to have everything planned out since it is our vacation, but at the same time neither of us has every been to Aruba, or out of the US for that matter.

Thanks again for everyones help while planning our first trip to Aruba.

Trip to Nashville to see Kenny Chesney

Steven and Danielle

Also if you were going to pick between the Party Cruise or Party Bus which one would you pick?

Trip to Nashville to see Kenny Chesney

Steven and Danielle

hey!
Now comes the hard part, the last, slow, never ending week of work before your vacation.

I would opt for the party bus over tattoo, Beth and my nieces have done both and they all say kukuu kanukoo by far. The only thing I would add is do not do either on your last night, will make plane ride home really miserable.

I am certain that I have never eaten a steak in Aruba but the prices at Promenade do not look all that unreasonable; I'm sure others on forum can give you some insight, Cindyo & Robo maybe since they stay at the Ren. Our favorite casual place is Iguana Joe's

I understand that you are trying to be economical but i think that on one of the nights that you have a car that you should check out Flying Fishbone. Just do what we do, nice breakfast (cheap everywhere), very light lunch, and splurg on dinner. As you said, eat in a couple of nights, stock up at the Charlotte duty free shop, and you will be set.

I don't want to sound patronizing, but keep a close eye on the charges that you put on your room, not that they will cheat you, but it can be real easy to run up a huge tab. A couple of years ago, Beth and the nieces ran up a $300 bar tab the first day at the Ren.

Have fun, relax, and enjoy

Back to Vegas

Are you staying at the Renaissance???
If so, let me know and I will let you know the ins and outs of the place...its our fav place in the whole world...cindy
Oh ya, my vote, the boat...you get to see alot more of the island than sitting on a bus and getting hammered. I would even recommned the Palm Pleasure for the sunset or snorkel cruise...Our fave ..

Cindyo
Daughters on Rennaissance Island
"LETS GO RED SOX "

Boat ride to Rennaissance Island

Next Aruba trip in

Oh ya, places to eat on the "cheap"....Casa Tua( downtown) for great pizza. Really good. Rob and I share a pizza and fet alfredo...good and cheap. Rumba, great breakfast, underneath Case Tua downtown. The Paddock, great ribs, all you can eat 13.00..fun, local kind of place down town on the water. Again, you staying at the Ren?
Also, downtown is Bruger King, Iguana Joes, Taco Bell, Subway....all close buy to the Ren.

Cindyo
Daughters on Rennaissance Island
"LETS GO RED SOX "

Boat ride to Rennaissance Island

Next Aruba trip in

May not have budget prices but there not bad either. A must is Madame Jennets. You can make reservations online or make them when you get there but do it quick. it always books quickly. http://www.madamejanette.info/
Have e a great time.

BW

You are the man with the plan. Sounds good. Tough call on the boat or the bus. You might enjoy being on the Caribbean more because you can't do that back home. Then again, a party bus with no driving responsibilities should not be underestimated.

Hmmmm.... have to meditate on this.

Either way, you can't go wrong. Be sure to post a report and PHOTOS!

And don't forget Charlie's Bar. I just put some photos on my blog.

Aruba's Novelist in Residence (sometimes)
http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

The French Steakhouse is right next to where you are staying (ABC if I remember). It is located in the Manchebo Resort. THey have a 3 course and 5 course specials. I think the 5 course is $29.95, the 3 course is @ 22.95. The ambiance is ok, a little old fashioned, but the wait staff was very attentive and the food great.

Sounds like you have just the right amount of hustle and bustle, but have also planned for some relaxation. That's perfect. You don't want to be too planned out and scheduled all the time.

Enjoy! Can't wait to hear of your adventures.

Red Sox Girl is right, I am staying at the ABC. I think we have a pretty good plan. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and opinions. I have no clue how I could have planned this trip without the people on this board.

Trip to Nashville to see Kenny Chesney

Steven and Danielle

If you are staying at the ABC, an inexpensive lunch or dinner can be had at Pizza Bob's, a short walk across the parking lot. Pizza and chicken wings are very good.
Another nice place to eat that is reasonable is Bingo's - good food, good service, reasonable prices. If you like steak, the Bingo Brochette can be ordered in beef or chicken - the beef is chunks of meat on a skewer with fries and small salad for about $10. It is a short taxi ride away or go there on one of the days you have the rental car. Tulips is also within walking distance of your hotel and also has good value and good food - the service is on the slow side but lots of places are slow in Aruba.
In regard to the Tattoo, not the greatest - I'd suggest a sunset sail or daytime snorkeling trip on the Jolly Pirates instead.
Have fun...Cheryl