APDMOM

Views from the Ship:

I got way ahead of myself… A few morning arrival views: Celebrity Equinox: (Loved our cruise on that ship): Willemstad Pilot: Oceania Sirena (probably not on our horizon): Rhapsody of the Seas (May be on our horizon some day, if there are calm seas):

Two Ships on the Rocks:

We stayed on the side of the fort (Otrabanda) this time. Here are a few more views from this side/ship side (even though “Otrabanda” means the other side/shore 😄). It’s not Dutch/Nederlands if there is no Delft: DH and I got into a little skirmish 😄 (I am just kidding! Please don’t call the Carnival Security on us) 24 years of “happily ever after”:

TIP: After exiting Rif Fort, follow the sidewalk along the water to the Queen Emma Bridge. It is a pontoon bridge. If it is closed to pedestrians, just walk past to the free ferry that will take you to Punda (the main shopping side where the picturesque buildings are). On the right side of the picture, behind DS and DH is the pedestrian bridge (Queen Emma)

TIP: When you exit the port gates, keep going straight and follow the path to Rif Fort. There are two ways to get to the upper level at Rif Fort - one does not have hand railings and the steps are uneven to preserve the original structure. To the left of those steps, there are more even stairs with hand railings to safely climb. Views from the wall in Rif Fort: The Old and the New:

We love Willemstad! I enjoy listening to and reading Dutch on all the signs, and the city carries my late dad’s name, so it has a special place in my heart. TIP: Curaçao is a great port to get a picture with the ship in the background. There are two docks and we were at the farthest one. However, it is an easy walk.

My View: Day 5 - Willemstad, Curaçao

Day 4: FUN TIMES Aruba (Corrected!!) Download PDF here: Day 4.pdf

Day 4: FUN TIMES Aruba Download PDF here: Day 4.pdf

My View: End of Day 4 - Aruba

Evening Views: I love staying in port past sunset

Best show so far: This was an absolutely unforgettable experience. I don’t remember DH laughing so much in a long time 😄 Jonathon has an incredible voice - and flawless pitch too (as you may have noticed, that is important to me). Cruise director, Georgia, introducing Jonathon Timpanelli: Excellent impressionism with “It’s a Wonderful World”: Don’t miss this!

Sunset Views: I see another ship on the horizon, but it is probably not in my future… Unless I can go on a 43-day cruise like those on Aida Mar

Dinner Menu (We skipped and enjoyed deli sandwiches instead):

Afternoon Views: My first ‘affordable’ drink - Amaretto sour at $9.44 with gratuity: Aida Mar: Auf Wiedersehen:

Cruise number 44 - and for the FIRST time ever, I found the ship coin. 😂 TIP: Spoiler alert… don’t read this if you don’t want to know where it is… it is on deck 14 behind the slides.

@Getting out there Here are some pictures and the height requirements for the slides… One of the slides uses a tube, the other one does not. I did the red and white one with the tube. It was very easygoing and fun:

Lunch: What we used to know as Cucina del Capitano - Lunch at Pasta Bella… Open every day - not just sea days: TIP: If you love pasta, this is a great free option - every day for lunch. You fill out the order card with your options. It is a sit-down experience on deck 11 - you can access from the very back of the buffet, or up the regular aft stairs. Linguini with pomodoro and shrimp (Excellent) Farfelle with shrimp and alfredo (Very Good): Meat Lasagne with a side of spinach (Excellent):

Morning Views: Ruby Princess: Have I told you lately I love the COVE balcony? 🙂 View Forward: Views Aft: How about a buffet with a view?

TIP: Forgot to mention this… if you are looking for the I ❤️ Aruba sign, turn left when you exit the port gates toward the Citgo… TIP: The tram is free to ride and will take you to more shops. It is not far for a walk, but it is a fund ride if you are interested. The tram can be found right outside the port gates.

Quiet Ship Adventures: Since the ship was basically deserted, we enjoyed mini-golf, the sports court activities, and the empty pool:

Heuvos Rancheros - this time with eggs over easy at Blue Iguana

…back to events on this cruise on the ship. MDR Breakfast Menu (we did not go to MDR today):

TIP: If you are the adventurous type, our ALL TIME FAVORITE excursion was taking a Trikes Aruba tour. Highly recommended. If you want a detailed review, click on my reviews in signature, and choose the 2017 Navigator of the Seas review. Flashback to 2017: