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first trip to curacao/ideas

origionaljerseygirl

By origionaljerseygirl,
in Curacao

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tha sista

tha sista

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Posted

Welcome to Cruise Critic! You will find all kinds of great information here! There is also a ports of call section that has a whole section dedicated to Curacao that you should check out. I am also going on an 8 day that will stop here as well as Aruba and have been reading there. There are alot of good ideas there. Good luck and have a great cruise!:D

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Essiesmom "Live from...." Rare

Essiesmom

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What ship are you on? When? Where you dock will depend on the size of the ship, and if there are others in port the same day. If you are on Miracle, you will probably dock downtown. This is Westerdam docked downtown:

BG-127.jpg

From downtown dock you can walk to the Queen Emma swinging bridge and across to the main part of town. This is the Queen Emma bridge when closed, and you can just see Ventura in the upper right:

BG-123.jpg

Go to the ports of call board to research Curacao, and check to see if there is a roll call for your sailing. Folks on a roll call will be having animated discussions about excursions. EM

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workn2cruise

workn2cruise

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We're on the Miracle on 10/18/10, this is what we're doing:

Curacao - Holiday Beach w/in walking distance of port, nice beach, dive shop, restaurant, pool and bar Holiday Beach is just east of the MegaPier@ the Renaissance Marriott hotel. Off the ship ... go left about 3 blocks

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RWolver672

RWolver672

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A must see is the floating pontoon bridge. It's strictly a foot bridge. It swings open when ships need to pass. While it is open and you need to cross the river, there is a free shuttle boat that will take you across. There is a bank on the other side that has a clock on the side of the building with many bells that rings on the hour. Really something to see.

There are some really different looking buildings on that island. All in bright colors.

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gargoyle999

gargoyle999

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We are going to rent a car. Since we get in there at a bad time (think it will be 2pm on land) we won't have time to scuba dive. So I do plan on snorkeling a bit and then after that I have no idea!

 

So anyway, snorkeling and car rentals are available! :)

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origionaljerseygirl

origionaljerseygirl

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i'm sooo happy i found this forum! you all have been sooo helpful!

i'm still trying to figure out all the areas of this site, alot to look at and read!

hubby enjoyed looking at all the posts, and is looking forward to our cruise, especially since it's getting cooler here (swflorida).

he's usually in the casino, and i'm usually wandering around, checking out things, and people watching!

a

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curacao

curacao

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ok, next question. what do i expect to find here?

i'm not a scuba diver, but love the beach.

i love to tour the islands, learn history and see the sights.

any suggestions?

a

 

 

If you are asking about Dominican Republic, need to go to that part of the thread and Pick out DR. under ports of call...but you and I are on same boat (shot glasses!) but I am not going on the main land, we are sticking right there on Catalina Island. I love the beach and will be in need of some down town. I am taking floats for laying out and snorkel gear and such. Hopefully there will be a few places to buy adult beverages there, but it is only foot traffic, but I will be prepared for whatever happens to be available. The boat won't be far.!!!

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curacao

curacao

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The cruise we're thinking of booking has us in Curacao from 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm. We might do a quick trip to the beach, but what about after that? Anything to do at night close to the pier area?

 

The island is pretty much party time (island time) after dark. Several great places right there at the MegaPier,, Rif-Fort area. We called it the Parrot Bar for some unknown reason (there is a parrott there sometimes!!!) but there is usually lots of activity in this area after dark. You can crawl to the ship from there ...whereever you ship ports.

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curacao

curacao

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sorry, still learning the protocol of these boards.

i guess i'll just do what i usually do, go to the beach. i am bringing my float too.

thanks for the info.

and yes, i'll see you onboard. shot glasses!:rolleyes:

 

what do you want to do in Curacao? There are lots of beaches...some are quieter than others. some are closer than others. I am borrowing a friends car and going to ALL of the beaches and making 1 dive at The Bus.! My friend, Debbie, wants to see the entire Island, but since there is not much to the East side of the Island, we will be headed west. !!! Lots to do, but we can do it in 7-8 hours...

 

We are parasailing in Aruba. Diving in Grand Turk.

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origionaljerseygirl

origionaljerseygirl

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i'd like to tour the island, see the sights, and i think there is a lighthouse i'd like to see.

mostly that, maybe the beach. very little shopping, altho i usually do some.

when we were in grande turk, we were the only ones in our group that took a taxi on the island, it was interesting. same in belize.

are taxi's readily available? even public transportation to the beaches?

you will be my hook up to the island!!!

i don't dive/snorkle. just float!!

thanks again for all the info!

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curacao

curacao

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i'd like to tour the island, see the sights, and i think there is a lighthouse i'd like to see.

mostly that, maybe the beach. very little shopping, altho i usually do some.

when we were in grande turk, we were the only ones in our group that took a taxi on the island, it was interesting. same in belize.

are taxi's readily available? even public transportation to the beaches?

you will be my hook up to the island!!!

i don't dive/snorkle. just float!!

thanks again for all the info!

 

Public transportation is not what we know it to be. I would never take the Bus (usually a Van!) Never. Taxi or rent a car.

 

I can help you out once we are on board...I have a huge map.

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Stacey779

Stacey779

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The island is pretty much party time (island time) after dark. Several great places right there at the MegaPier,, Rif-Fort area. We called it the Parrot Bar for some unknown reason (there is a parrott there sometimes!!!) but there is usually lots of activity in this area after dark. You can crawl to the ship from there ...whereever you ship ports.

 

Thanks, Curacao! What are the Mega Pier and Ri-Fort areas? (Sorry, I just started researching this port and have no idea where/what anything is). It sounds like a good place to go at night since you said it's walking distance to the ship. Is it relatively safe there as well?

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curacao

curacao

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Thanks, Curacao! What are the Mega Pier and Ri-Fort areas? (Sorry, I just started researching this port and have no idea where/what anything is). It sounds like a good place to go at night since you said it's walking distance to the ship. Is it relatively safe there as well?

 

The MegaPier is a Pier used for the larger boats, BUT if a ship is the only cruise ship in that day, they use the MegaPier. So, if there are 3 cruise ships in the largest gets the MegaPier. It is really cool and close to shore. I have attached a map just of the Downtown area. I have to admit, I did the best I could on Identifing some of the area in discussions in the amount of space I had. Any questions, please ask. The Rif-Fort area is safe, they do have security as they have a nice, new Marriott Hotel there now. they have nice restaurants and bars and such there also. some High end stores also. Enjoy

curacao map.pdf

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Stacey779

Stacey779

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The MegaPier is a Pier used for the larger boats, BUT if a ship is the only cruise ship in that day, they use the MegaPier. So, if there are 3 cruise ships in the largest gets the MegaPier. It is really cool and close to shore. I have attached a map just of the Downtown area. I have to admit, I did the best I could on Identifing some of the area in discussions in the amount of space I had. Any questions, please ask. The Rif-Fort area is safe, they do have security as they have a nice, new Marriott Hotel there now. they have nice restaurants and bars and such there also. some High end stores also. Enjoy

 

Awesome! Thank you so much! :):D:)

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