Hatteras51

I've been vacationing in Aruba for years but I've never gone to any of the animal attractions. We have been to the Butterfly Farm and really enjoyed it.

I've toured with ABC and DePalm. They are both very well known, reputable companies.

In the port area, there's a Starbucks at Renaissance Marketplace, just past the waterfront.

I wouldn't leave anything of value unattended. Things do go missing from time to time. There are several different security devices available to take when you travel. I have a KYSS bag that has worked great for me. When I want to go in the water or on a walk, I secure it to my palapa. It also works well as a large purse/ carry-on that I take on the plane and put under the seat.

Resort guests usually go out before dawn and claim their spot on the beach. The rules vary by resort, as to how this is handled. At our resort in Aruba, you have to stay in your chair until 7am, when the security guard checks you in. Then, you are allowed to leave for a certain amount of time. If you are not back in the allotted time, security can remove your stuff and offer your palapa to someone else. Even though the palapas are public, the chairs are owned by the resorts. Cruisers can either rent a chair from a vendor or sit on their towels. Palapas are very hard to get because the resorts are full, especially this time of year. I usually recommend that cruisers go to one of the vendors who rent chairs and umbrellas because they usually have a lot more availability. The main thing is to get to the beach early. There are a lot of cruisers competing for those spots. A taxi will get you there a lot quicker.

Check out Aruba Outdoor Adventures, or also known as rj aruba

Aruba has excellent, very reputable jewelry stores. I've purchased several pieces, and they've all appraised for more than I've paid. I'm in Aruba now, enjoying our timeshare weeks. My favorite jewelry stores are Kay's (not affiliated with Kay Jewelers in the U.S.), and Gold Palace. They are located on the right hand side of the road, just passed the cruise terminal. Definitely check them out when you stop in Aruba.

Eagle Aruba is a resort that is about a block away from the beach. It's a nice resort with a great pool. They have some reserved beach chairs and shade (palapas) on the beach, but those are usually taken pretty early by their resort guests. There is a vendor beside them that rents chairs and umbrellas, but that can be done on your own without getting a day pass.

Most of the rental companies aren't allowed to have their vehicles dropped off at the airport anymore, but most of them have offices just down the road. Renters usually return the car to the office, and someone from the company usually drives them to the airport.

I've done 1 day rentals from Jay's, Top Drive, and Royal in the past.

I've dined numerous times at different toes in the sand restaurants in Aruba and have never had this problem.

There are 2 downtown. They are both owned by Windcreek Casinos, which owns both Renaissance properties, along with Renaissance Marketplace. When you are walking from the cruise ships, 1 will be on your left, at The Renaissance Marina Hotel, and one will be on the right, just passed the marina, in Renaissance Marketplace. That one is set back from the road just a little, along the water, but if you turn right into the market place, you can't miss it.

FYI- Taxis can only take 5 passengers, by law. Your group will need 2 taxis, unless you find some other means of transportation, like the bus or a shuttle.

Tranquilo offers drift snorkeling.

Actually, they've been known to move some of these signs around. The last time that I was there, they had moved one right in front of the cruise port.

Iguana Joe's is a fun place to hang out. They serve one of my favorite drinks, the Pink Iguana. They also own one of my favorite restaurants in Palm Beach, Smokey Joe's, which has great ribs and barbecue. Recently, they opened a second Iguana Joe's in Palm Beach. Unfortunately, they are no longer open past 6:00 at their location across from the port. I have friends who usually frequent them for dinner, who were disappointed to find that they weren't open. I heard a rumor that they might stay open sometimes when ships are in port, but I haven't heard that this is really happening. I would think that this would be difficult, considering that they need their staff to operate the new Palm Beach location. If you are interested in staying in port, Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar is a great place, right on the waterfront. I suggest taking the bus or a cab to Palm Beach. That is where all of the action is at night. There are tons of restaurants, shops, and vendors along the strip.

You mentioned Atardi in a post, which is located at The Marriott Stelaris Hotel. I'm not sure that the bus goes directly by The Marriott. It is pretty far up Palm Beach, and the bus turns and goes around a round about near that location, as it travels up to Arashi Beach. I suggest taking a taxi. You can walk back towards Palm Beach after dinner, if you choose, but I strongly suggest that you take a taxi back to the port. The busses run on a reduced schedule at night, Sundays, and holidays. Many times, we've stood at the bus stop for about 30 minutes, and have given up and taken a taxi.

There were a number of vendors who were illegally renting chairs and umbrellas along the beach. They did not have the proper permits, and quite a few heated arguments ensued between those who were there legally, and those who weren't. The authorities finally got involved and shut down the illegal vendors.

Divi Village and Golf Resort is nice, and close to the port. Terrace Del Sol is another good choice, but I'm not sure what their policy is for people who aren't staying there. It's about 30 minutes from the port.

There are several places close to the port that your family might enjoy for dinner. Aruba is a Dutch island, with lots of Dutch and local influences. You could check out Dutch Pancake House (which are more like crepes). They have dinner items, but we like to split a savory crepe, along with a sweet crepe, for dinner. Also, Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar is good, and sits right on the water. You also might consider heading to Palm Beach. That's where all of the action is. There are tons of casual restaurants along the strip, that you can just walk into. There's plenty along Palm Beach to keep your family busy.

And a half hour turns into 2 hours

Many people drive to the ferry. I believe that you can purchase tickets at the ferry. It would be very hard to get a taxi from there, back to the port because this is pretty far from town. When we went, we purchased tickets directly from DePalm, and they picked us up at our resort.

Reflexions is a beach club, not far from the ship. It is on Surfside Beach. They have a nice, calm beach, chairs and umbrellas, a very small pool, and serve food and drinks. Some areas of Surfside Beach have lots of seaweed, but this area does not. If you decide to go there, tell the taxi driver to let you off at Reflexions, not Surfside Beach, which also has a bar/restaurant, etc. They can call a taxi for you. Another good choice is Eagle Beach. There are several areas that have vendors that rent chairs and umbrellas. It might be harder to get a taxi back to the ship from there, but there are bus stops along the street, which will take you right across the street from the cruise port. You can find lots of good suggestions for Eagle Beach on these boards.

There's no place to rent chairs and shade near Manchebo. That is a small, quiet resort area, and cruisers are considered interlopers. Eagle and Arashi are both better choices. If you are interested in snorkeling, Arashi is a good place.

Casa Del Mar recently announced that they will sell a limited supply of day passes, with the intention of encouraging the pass holders to purchase one of their timeshares. The resort is extremely busy, and all chairs and shade will be taken by 6am. Their beach is very vulnerable to the tides, and recent storms have washed away a great deal of their beach, making it even harder to find shade. I stayed at a resort next to Casa Del Mar last winter, and will be staying there for several weeks in February. Personally, I would avoid Casa Del Mar as a cruiser. I think that you would have a very frustrating day. I would go to one of the public beaches where you can rent chairs and umbrellas instead.