Cruise to Aruba Guide: Find the perfect one for you!

So, you're planning your next cruise with Aruba on the itinerary? Good idea! When it comes to vacations, there’s nothing like going on an Aruba cruise: from stunning ocean views to fun-filled excursions at various ports along the way—cruises are truly one of the best ways to see the world while enjoying luxurious, all-inclusive amenities. With a cruise docking in Aruba, it’s possible to see the very best of the Caribbean in a single, unforgettable trip. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best cruises to and around Aruba. There’s a lot to discover, so let’s get into it!

Why take a cruise to Aruba?

In Aruba, guests are treated to sunshine that just won’t quit, and the island consistently ranks as having the fewest number of rainy days in the Southern Caribbean. Besides the persistent, 82-degree weather, Aruba is also one of the safest places to visit in the Caribbean and there’s a lot to explore – whether you like an active trip or you’re looking for a more laidback experience. Indeed, Aruba has earned its nickname of the “One happy island”. With this knowledge, it is obvious that Aruba is a great destination during your cruise.

When taking a cruise to Aruba, the cruise ship will arrive at Oranjestad Aruba Cruise Port, which is conveniently located within walking distance of various restaurants, bars, shops, and fun activities like Jeep Safari Tours. However, it’s best to plan your Aruba adventure so you can make the most of your time on the island. There are plenty of things to do in Aruba, so it’s best to start planning as soon as you can! Do you want to spend some money in the Aruban stores, bars or restaurants? There’s no need to worry about currency exchanges, as the U.S. Dollar is accepted everywhere.

There are a number of cruise lines that regularly go to Aruba with their beautiful cruise ships, for example Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and many more. We have listed all the interesting cruise lines for you so you can find out which one can offer the perfect cruise through the lovely Caribbean for you!

Best cruises to Aruba 

Choosing the right cruise to Aruba can be tricky, especially since there are so many options of cruise ships which are heading to the beautiful Aruba – but don’t worry, we’ve done most of the research for you! So, without further ado, we present to you our top picks for cruises to Aruba:

Carnival Cruises

Carnival stands apart from other companies on this list, as they’re by far the largest and most diverse cruise line on the planet. Explore the Breeze cruise ship: this cruise liner offers 8-day cruises spanning Fort Lauderdale, Grand Turk, La Romana, Aruba, and Curacao, making it an ideal choice for travelers who want to experience everything the Caribbean has to offer.

The Breeze cruise ship also features premium amenities, such as an onboard waterpark known as WaterWorks – that’s right, this cruise ship has a massive waterpark located right on the ship! Other amenities include an onboard theater featuring full-blown musical productions, a daycare for kids, and a luxurious spa. For food, Breeze offers a whole host of dining options, ranging from gourmet burgers to pizza and Mexican favorites. 

Accommodations on this ship include 4 room types, ranging from Interior Cabins perfect for couples to Ocean Suites featuring balconies and spacious interiors capable of sleeping 4 guests. Needless to say, no matter what you’re looking for in cruise to Aruba, Carnival Cruises has something for everyone!

Royal Caribbean Cruise Aruba

Besides Carnival, no other cruise line has the brand recognition of Royal Caribbean. The company operates 4 of the largest cruise ships in the entire world! If you’re looking for the best cruises to Aruba, Royal Caribbean has some of the best offerings in the industry. For example, an 11-night cruise spanning, Boston, San Juan, Willemstad, Oranjestad, George Town, and Tampa aboard the Brilliance of the Sea cruise liner.

Aboard the Brilliance of the Sea, travelers will find top-notch amenities, like a 40 ft. rock climbing wall, mini-golf, an arcade, shopping, live music, a spa and fitness center, and so much more!

Brilliance of the Sea also offers several premium bars and lounges. If you’d prefer to stay near the pool, Brilliance of the Sea also offers a Pool Bar serving up delicious frozen drinks. Got a little hungry? There are a lot of tasty options to try out!

Accommodations aboard the Brilliance of the Sea include rooms perfect for babies, couples, and large families. No matter what you’re looking for, Royal Caribbean has you covered: want a spacious interior room that’s elegantly decorated? Check! A suite with its own private balcony and lounge chairs? No problem!

Norwegian Cruise Line

Even though it may not be as big as the previous entries on this list, Norwegian Cruise Line is still a top pick for cruises to Aruba. Norwegian Cruise Line was recently named the “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” for the 7th consecutive year at the World Travel Awards, making it one of the best cruise lines for the southern Caribbean. 

Norwegian Cruise Line offers unique amenities that can’t be found on any other cruise liner. On vessels such as the Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Bliss, and Norwegian Encore, guests can enjoy race tracks and open-air laser tag courses. In addition, some ships even come with a quarter-mile-long oceanfront promenade where guests can indulge in interesting conversation and breathtaking views. 

If you want to experience some of these modern amenities and accommodations, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a 21-day trip that spans California, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Santa Maria, Oranjestad, Willemstad, and New York. If 21-days at sea are too much, Norwegian Cruise Line also offers shorter, 7-day trips that span Puerto Rico, Oranjestad, Kralendijk, Castries, and Basseterre aboard the Norwegian Epic.

Celebrity Cruises

For the 2nd year in a row, Celebrity Cruises (a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean) has won the annual award for Best Southern Caribbean Cruise Line from Cruise Critic. The company takes great pride in differentiating itself from the rest of the pack by bringing together world-class architects, interior designers, and landscape artists for the perfect experience.  

Celebrity Summit offers a wide range of dining options, including the Tuscan Grill – an Italian ristorante serving handmade pasta, artisanal salumi, and butcher-cut meats – and Sushi on Five, a Japanese restaurant serving authentically prepared sushi and other Japanese specialties. For lounges and bars, Celebrity Summit includes 5 unique places to get your drink on, including Cellar Masters – an elegant lounge featuring 400 wines from all over the world – and the Sunset Bar offering spectacular views and a country club-esque atmosphere.

Accommodations aboard the Celebrity Summit include 5 room types, including Inside, Ocean View, Veranda, Concierge Class, AquaClass, and Suites. When choosing between the best cruises to Aruba, we recommend this 7-day trip spanning San Juan, Basseterre, Oranjestad, Willemstad, and Kralendijk aboard the Celebrity Summit.

Regent Cruise Line

If it’s luxury that you’re after, then it doesn’t get any better than Regent Cruise Line (a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line). The company has been chosen as the world’s top-rated cruise line six times by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and other travel magazines—helping establish it as a leader in the 6-star cruise line industry.

Amenities aboard the Seven Seas Explorer include 7 world-class restaurants, like Prime 7 – a handsomely decorated restaurant serving up the very best filet mignons and côte de boeuf – and a pool grill for casual dining. For entertainment, Seven Seas Explorer has a full-fledged casino where you can try your luck at Blackjack, roulette, poker, slot machines, and full-sized craps tables. If gambling isn’t your thing, there’s also the Constellation Theater where guests can enjoy full-scale musical revues and cabaret shows.

When going on a southern Caribbean cruise, Regent Cruises offers a 12-night cruise aboard the Seven Seas Explorer spanning Miami, Oranjestad, Willemstad, Kralendijk, St. George’s, Castries, and many more must-see Caribbean locations!

Princess Cruises

Like Regent Cruises, Princess Cruises is a luxury-focused cruise line offering high-class amenities, captivating live shows, and technology packages like keyless entry to make your embarkment smooth and enjoyable. The Regal Princess also is equipped with Princess Medallion Class amenities which includes a “wearable” device called the OceanMedallion™, which enables an entirely new level of service and personalized attention.

If you’re looking for something to do aboard the Regal Princess, you can expect a wide variety of entertainment options including shows, musicals, standup comedy, and even an exclusive open-air poolside amphitheater to watch feature films while cozying up under the stars.

Princess Cruises offers a 10-day cruise spanning across New York City, St. Maarten, Antigua, Aruba, Ft. Lauderdale aboard the Regal Princess. Not a fan of long trips? Princess Cruises also offers shorter, 8-day trips that span Ft. Lauderdale, Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire in the Caribbean Netherlands, and a return trip to the original port aboard the Sky Princess.

Holland America Line

The Holland America Line, subsidiary of Carnival Cruises, is a winner of several prestigious awards. To get to Aruba, we recommend this 10-day cruise spanning Fort Lauderdale, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Kralendijk, Willemstad, and of course, Oranjestad. This cruise takes you aboard the Volendam, a mid-sized vessel featuring great amenities and activities. 

The Volendam features Club HAL, where kids aged 3-17 can engage in arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games, and themed parties – all under the supervision of a professionally trained staff! This vessel also houses a variety of exciting places to eat, like the Lido Market which features freshly baked bread and pastries, hearty salads, hand-carved meats, fish, and much more. For a little more sophistication, there’s also The Dining Room which offers elegant breakfasts and multi-course dinners. 

Accommodations on this vessel include 5 room types: Inside, Ocean View, Lanai, Vista Suite, and the Neptune & Pinnacle Suite.

Disney Cruise Line

The magic of Aruba meets the wonder of Disney when Disney Cruise Line sails to Oranjestad. Aboard the ship, first-run movies from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and 20th Century Fox could be playing – Avengers: Endgame at sea, anyone? On the upper decks, guests can find a variety of pools – from interactive splash zones to serene adult retreats that make it easy to get the tan you’ve always wanted. 

For those who are hungry from all the excitement, the Disney Wonder offers an endless array of options. With Rotational Dining, guests can experience a different restaurant and a different menu every night of the voyage. Snack options are conveniently located around the ship, and soda, water, coffee, and hot chocolate is included in the cruise fare.

Accommodations come in four main categories, ranging from Inside cabins with porthole-shaped mirrors to the limited-availability Concierge Royal Suite—a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom retreat with Concierge services. No matter what you could be looking for in a cruise to Aruba and beyond, Disney Cruise Line offers options for the entire family.

Book your cruise today! 

Now that you know exactly what Aruban cruises are all about, you should be ready to book your trip! For additional offers, don’t forget to check out our Deals & Offers page to get the best price on a hotel or resort, because you never know what kind of deals could be waiting for you!