Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

First time to the ABC's

MNBluffBuffs

By MNBluffBuffs,
in Celebrity Cruises

 Share

Recommended Posts

Cruisin KLS

Cruisin KLS

Posted
Posted

We rented a UTV in Aruba and spent the day driving around the island. It was great to be on our own schedule. Spent time at the beach and drove all over the island. Got to see places you would not get to see in a car. Definitely recommend. Pick up right at the pier. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ginnyfyr

Ginnyfyr

Posted
Posted

We had a stop in Aruba over New Year's and we went out with Trikes Aruba (trikes-aruba.com) Our tour was about 4 hours long and took us all over the island. I will suggest that this tour is best suited for confidant drivers as there are a lot of roundabouts, which can be intimidating if you're not used to them, not to mention, we were on the highway a couple of times! Would also suggest requesting an automatic bike when you book as most of their bikes are manual. My husband was the driver and he drives a manual car at home but he said he would get an automatic if we did this again (they do give you instruction on operating the trike and will take you on a little test spin before you go out if you wish). Very fun day though and a great way to see the whole island, especially if you've never been!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
NMTraveller Holiday Sharing Rare

NMTraveller

Posted
Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, mahdnc said:

Bonaire is the best for snorkeling by far.  Aruba had the best beaches. I know the Dutch crew prefer Curaçao. 

I agree.  Bonaire after you snorkel has bars that extend onto the water.  You can watch the colorful fish from the bar.

 

Curacao is the city with the Dutch influences.  We walked around the city and shopped.  We also took a nice bus tour of the island.  If you like the drink Curacao you may want to take a bottle home.  They will have tastings at various places.

 

Aruba has the nicest beaches and shopping.  We also took a bus tour here of the island and the lighthouse.

Edited by NMTraveller
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
mahdnc "Live from...." Rare

mahdnc

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Ginnyfyr said:

We had a stop in Aruba over New Year's and we went out with Trikes Aruba (trikes-aruba.com) 

 

And you saw the amazing fireworks display that evening?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mnocket

mnocket

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Ginnyfyr said:

We had a stop in Aruba over New Year's and we went out with Trikes Aruba (trikes-aruba.com) Our tour was about 4 hours long and took us all over the island. I will suggest that this tour is best suited for confidant drivers as there are a lot of roundabouts, which can be intimidating if you're not used to them, not to mention, we were on the highway a couple of times! Would also suggest requesting an automatic bike when you book as most of their bikes are manual. My husband was the driver and he drives a manual car at home but he said he would get an automatic if we did this again (they do give you instruction on operating the trike and will take you on a little test spin before you go out if you wish). Very fun day though and a great way to see the whole island, especially if you've never been!

 

I second the recommendation of Trikes Aruba.  Many of the trikes are manual transmission, but there seemed to be enough automatics to accommodate  those who needed them.  It might be a bit intimidating for someone who has never driven a motorcycle before -  even though the trikes, obviously, are three wheeled.  I hadn't driven a motorcycle in 30 years, but had no problem driving the trike.  I routinely drive a manual transmission car, so that too was no issue.

 

It's really a great way to see the island and both my wife and I really enjoyed it.  If we return to Aruba we will do it again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MR_T

MR_T

Posted
Posted

Hi, 


We have just got back onboard the Reflection in Curacao and we did a snorkel trip with scubacao, at first we were a little surprised as it wasn’t a boat trip but instead we drove to the sites but actually I think we preferred driving to the sites, we are generally half day trip people and like to get back to the ship around 1-2pm, see more info below! 

 

Aruba - always seems to envolée a trip to Eagle Beach, we just get a taxi to the Amsterdam Manor Hotel and right opposite you can rent chairs under umbrellas, 

 

Bonaire - we did woodwind snorkel last time and it was great, we are heading to Bonaire tomorrow and this time we are renting a golf cart which we’ve heard is a lot of fun and very easy to get around, 

 

Curacao - Scubacao is a combined dive & snorkel place but as non-divers we chose the snorkel trip which includes visiting 2 sites, we were actually the only 2 on the trip so very nice indeed, we actually decided to just stay at the first site as the water at the second site was quite a bit rougher but we really enjoyed the first site a lot, I must say I think it was the most amount of fish I’ve seen of all the snorkel trips we’ve done, there’s also a sunken tug boat there that was very cool to see in the middle of all the coral etc, there are also a couple of other things to see while snorkelling there also so all in a great half day  trip, 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mahdnc "Live from...." Rare

mahdnc

Posted
Posted (edited)

@MR_T,

 

Curaçao and Bonaire are primarily shore diving islands and they are famous for that. It’s not uncommon for divers staying on the island to rent a vehicle and drive from site to site. 
 

That’s not to say that you can’t use a boat

Edited by mahdnc
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Fouremco

Fouremco

Posted
Posted

Aruba - yes, the best for a beach day. Sonny Binns Tours offers a good island tour for first-time visitors.

 

Bonaire - another vote for Woodwind. If you can't book, consider a golf-cart rental and hit some of the many excellent snorkel sites. We did that on our last cruise to the ABC's. A further option is to take the water taxi out to Klein Bonaire. You can do your own drift snorkel and the water taxi will pick you up.

 

Curaçao - lots of options. We've frequently rented a car to explore the many beaches towards the north of the island, several with decent snorkeling. You can rent a car right at the cruise terminal (book in advance). But we also enjoy just walking around Willemstadt for some visits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cruiser61262

cruiser61262

Posted
Posted (edited)

I can also recommend the Trikes Aruba,  we had a great day.  In Bonaire we rented a golf cart.  Was one of the best things we have ever done on an island.  We toured the whole island from the flamingo reserve to the salt flats.  Going through the donkey sanctuary in a golf cart was a riot, if not a tad smelly.  Highly recommend!! One word of advice, whatever you do book early.   In Curacao we just did our own walking tour and ended up at a maritime museum which was interesting.... then we went on a hunt for the local beer which was horrible.

Edited by cruiser61262
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ginnyfyr

Ginnyfyr

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, cruiser61262 said:

I can also recommend the Trikes Aruba,  we had a great day.  In Bonaire we rented a golf cart.  Was one of the best things we have ever done on an island.  We toured the whole island from the flamingo reserve to the salt flats.  Going through the donkey sanctuary in a golf cart was a riot, if not a tad smelly.  Highly recommend!! One word of advice, whatever you do book early.   In Curacao we just did our own walking tour and ended up at a maritime museum which was interesting.... then we went on a hunt for the local beer which was horrible.

We rented a golf cart on our last visit to Bonaire and have one on reserve for our next visit in May! Best way to see the island!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Ozzmund

Ozzmund

Posted
Posted

Have done both Woodwind and Bonaire Cruisers (golf carts) while in Bonaire both were great choices.

Aruba is always Eagle Beach.

Curacao is a walk into town, cross the bridge, and shop, have lunch and a drink.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...