crazyboutdisney Posted January 10, 2015 #1 Share Posted January 10, 2015 We are cruising to Aruba in February on the Carnival Conquest. This will be our 3rd cruise and we havent really ventured off much on our own. We usually take an excursion booked thru Carnival or stay close to the cruise port. But in Aruba I think we want to venture to Palm Beach. I have read several reviews and I think it has what we are looking for.(we are not looking to snorkel, just relax on the beach...drink a few cocktails) We are considering riding the city bus rather than a taxi. So....is this pretty easy to do? Are the buses reliable and easy to catch back to the port? I hate to sound silly but I always worry about missing the boat :) Any advice you can give? We really just want to stay low key and enjoy the beauty of Aruba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted January 10, 2015 #2 Share Posted January 10, 2015 You will have no trouble taking the us to Palm Beach. More info http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1545009 As you stop along the way you will see what a bus stop looks like so that upon your return you will know where to go stand streetside at Palm Beach for the return trip to Oranjestad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted January 11, 2015 #3 Share Posted January 11, 2015 With proper research, you almost NEVER need to do a ship's excursion! a guidebook is your best friend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyboutdisney Posted January 11, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted January 11, 2015 You will have no trouble taking the us to Palm Beach. More info http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1545009 As you stop along the way you will see what a bus stop looks like so that upon your return you will know where to go stand streetside at Palm Beach for the return trip to Oranjestad. Thank you! One person in their review mentioned a day pass for the bus that they bought at a kiosk for $4. Have you heard of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted January 11, 2015 #5 Share Posted January 11, 2015 (edited) Thank you! One person in their review mentioned a day pass for the bus that they bought at a kiosk for $4. Have you heard of this? Info on available passes here: http://arubus.com A Day Pass is $10. Edited January 11, 2015 by 6rugrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyboutdisney Posted January 11, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Info on available passes here: http://arubus.com A Day Pass is $10. Ok got it! I misunderstood the persons review. They just bought pass for two trips at $4, not a full day pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyboutdisney Posted January 11, 2015 Author #7 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Another bus question :) Is it the same bus to both Eagle Beach and Palm Beach? I have looked at the schedules but it is a bit confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted January 11, 2015 #8 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Another bus question :) Is it the same bus to both Eagle Beach and Palm Beach? I have looked at the schedules but it is a bit confusing. Yes. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyboutdisney Posted January 11, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Yes. :) Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyboutdisney Posted January 17, 2015 Author #10 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Another bus question :) If we are going to Palm Beach, is there more than one stop? Do we just say Palm Beach or do we say a specific resort? Thank you so much for all your help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t1adams Posted January 23, 2015 #11 Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) What about sailboat excursions for those who don't want 100 people on board with them? Black Pearl is booked. Any other suggestion? We like catamarans mainly due to the rough seas in this area. But we are open to other boats. Good service, high quality, is what we are looking for. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited January 23, 2015 by t1adams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatteras51 Posted January 25, 2015 #12 Share Posted January 25, 2015 What about sailboat excursions for those who don't want 100 people on board with them? Black Pearl is booked. Any other suggestion? We like catamarans mainly due to the rough seas in this area. But we are open to other boats. Good service, high quality, is what we are looking for. Sent from my iPhone using Forums I don't think Arubalisa has seen this, so I'll chime in. Mi Dushi has a new catamaran, but I'm not sure how many they hold. Also, De Palm and Red Sail are catamarans, along with Octopus. You can google them and find out more info on these. Black Pearl is the only one I know of that takes a small group, and as you found out, they book up quickly. We are going out with them next week. If you decide to go on a sailboat instead, Tranquilo is great, and they take a small group. They also book up quickly and have waiting lists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted January 25, 2015 #13 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Sorry I cannot add to what Hatteras already told you. :( She covered it all. :) And I hope that Hatteras has a fantastic vacation. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatteras51 Posted January 25, 2015 #14 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Sorry I cannot add to what Hatteras already told you. :( She covered it all. :) And I hope that Hatteras has a fantastic vacation. :) Thanks, Lisa. I'll be coming your way on Friday. Hope all will be straightened out at Hartsfield by then, and that the weather is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t1adams Posted January 25, 2015 #15 Share Posted January 25, 2015 I don't think Arubalisa has seen this, so I'll chime in. Mi Dushi has a new catamaran, but I'm not sure how many they hold. Also, De Palm and Red Sail are catamarans, along with Octopus. You can google them and find out more info on these. Black Pearl is the only one I know of that takes a small group, and as you found out, they book up quickly. We are going out with them next week. If you decide to go on a sailboat instead, Tranquilo is great, and they take a small group. They also book up quickly and have waiting lists. Thank you for the suggestions. If you don't think a sailboat would be too rocky, I think I'll try the Tranquilo. I really don't know. I just know cats ride very smoothly. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted January 26, 2015 #16 Share Posted January 26, 2015 We've sailed Tranquilo twice. The last time we sailed on Tranquilo was December 2013 and we sailed to Mangel Halto and Mike's Reef via the INSIDE route parallel to the barrier islands. VERY calm. I don't recall the sail back to Oranjestad but both times that I was on the boat no one felt seas sick. My daughter suffered seas sickness for the first time this past December while diving off a boat off the coast of Aruba. She never felt any queasiness the two times she was aboard Tranquilo. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t1adams Posted January 26, 2015 #17 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) We've sailed Tranquilo twice. The last time we sailed on Tranquilo was December 2013 and we sailed to Mangel Halto and Mike's Reef via the INSIDE route parallel to the barrier islands. VERY calm. I don't recall the sail back to Oranjestad but both times that I was on the boat no one felt seas sick. My daughter suffered seas sickness for the first time this past December while diving off a boat off the coast of Aruba. She never felt any queasiness the two times she was aboard Tranquilo. ;) Thank you so very much! He quoted me $310 for two hours. Sort of expensive for five of us but that's about the same as Black Pearl. Do you think they're as good as Black Pearl? She has me on a wait list (first in line). Trying to decide should I go ahead and book Tranquilo or hold out for Pearl? (Just remembered Pearl takes you out for three hours, not two, best I remember) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited January 26, 2015 by t1adams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted January 26, 2015 #18 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Check, but if you are doing the Tranquilo's south side snorkel and lunch it is a longer excursion? Edited January 26, 2015 by Arubalisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t1adams Posted January 27, 2015 #19 Share Posted January 27, 2015 I wanted to do the sunset sail. we don't even dock until 1 o'clock. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachLoverr Posted September 7, 2015 #20 Share Posted September 7, 2015 I'm looking at booking a sunset sail with the Octopus in January. Their trip is from 4:30-6:30pm from Palm Beach. The ship leaves at 8pm - so if memory serves, we need to be back on board by 7:30pm. Do we have enough time to get back to port in time? We plan to take the bus down earlier in the day - but would we be better off taking a taxi back? Would we be able to find one easily? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted September 9, 2015 #21 Share Posted September 9, 2015 It should be easily doable. You can catch a taxi outside the lobby of any Palm Beach hotel. If there is not one there right that second, a bellman will gladly call one for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachLoverr Posted September 9, 2015 #22 Share Posted September 9, 2015 It should be easily doable. You can catch a taxi outside the lobby of any Palm Beach hotel. If there is not one there right that second, a bellman will gladly call one for you. I was asking because the tour operator told me he didn't think we would have enough time... any idea why? I've read a lot about how bad traffic can be. Do you think that might be an issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arubalisa Posted September 9, 2015 #23 Share Posted September 9, 2015 I was asking because the tour operator told me he didn't think we would have enough time... any idea why? I've read a lot about how bad traffic can be. Do you think that might be an issue? Once you get back into Oranjestad, there will most likely be a traffic backup getting back inside the cruise terminal. IF that were to happen you could always get out of the taxi and walk the rest of the way. We are talking about walking a few blocks. Is it possible the tour operator does not want your business? Do they think you will have trouble finding a taxi? What resort does Octopus leave from in front of? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeachLoverr Posted September 10, 2015 #24 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Once you get back into Oranjestad, there will most likely be a traffic backup getting back inside the cruise terminal. IF that were to happen you could always get out of the taxi and walk the rest of the way. We are talking about walking a few blocks. Is it possible the tour operator does not want your business? Do they think you will have trouble finding a taxi? What resort does Octopus leave from in front of? I can't figure why he wouldn't want the business... he said getting a taxi should be no problem. His website says that the trip departs from the pier between Holiday Inn and Playa Linda. He's definitely not wordy in his email replies. He has good reviews on Trip Advisor. I mainly chose him because the other sunset cruises I can find don't end until 7pm and I feel like that is really cutting it close! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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