Aruba Cruise Guide

Aruba is among the livelier, more developed islands in the Netherlands Antilles region, with high-rise resorts, great restaurants, glitzy casinos and great shopping, all in a setting of white-sand beaches and crystal blue water.

There’s plenty to do, too: sunbathing, world-class windsurfing and waterskiing by day, and discos, cabarets, dinner shows and high-stakes gambling at night.

Don’t look for natural attractions, though. Aruba’s sparse vegetation—cacti and aloe vera—and brawny trade winds make it seem more like desert than tropical island. It is, however, outside the hurricane belt, and its reliable weather makes it a favorite choice for honeymoons.

Aruba's port is at Oranjestad, on the southern coast of the island. Cruise ships tie up at the Aruba Port Authority cruise terminal, which is on L.G. Smith Boulevard (one of the city's main streets). Passengers are greeted with music and by welcome hosts from the Aruba Cruise Tourism Authority (http://www.arubabycruise.com), who hand out booklets called Aruba For You, specially designed for cruise passengers. Inside is complete information on tours, shops, dining, discount coupons and more. The cruise terminal has handicapped-accessible restrooms, stores to purchase stamps, mail cards and other items, and public phones.

However, all this could change if the government follows through with plans to replace the current cruise facility with a modern and luxurious cruise terminal, part of a mixed-use project that would include new residences, an artificial island and a marina in downtown Oranjestad. Two piers will allow five to six regular-size ships or four mega-ships to dock simultaneously, with no tendering. The cargo area will become the site for a private yacht marina and condos. These plans are still all on the drawing board, however.

Passengers with prearranged taxis, rental cars or tours are met inside the terminal lounge. Desks for those activities are set up outside on the dock for immediate bookings. From the terminal, it's a three-minute walk across the street to a major three-story shopping mall—and a second mall is one block down the street. Several beaches are not too far from town and can be reached by taxi or bus.

Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may not be the least-expensive way to see the island, but you won't have to waste your limited time making arrangements yourself—and you won't have to worry about missing the ship. Shore excursions—and their prices—vary from cruise line to cruise line. Typical shore excursions offered may include an island tour of Oranjestad and other sites, and you can choose how to get around—by bus or Jeep, by snorkeling, scuba or sailing tours or, for those who don't want to get wet, glass-bottomed boat or submarine.