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This is a public beach, and as such, is relatively free of facilities, which is part of its rustic charm. You’ll find umbrellas to rent, though, and a food truck selling cold smoothies. The city center is divided by Sint Anna Bay, spanned by the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, also known as the “Swinging Old Lady”.
Eastern Caribbean Cruises
An unmissable thing to do in Curaçao is to visit the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery at Landhuis Chobolobo, home of the famous Blue Curaçao. This bright blue liqueur has been made from Curaçao’s oranges, descendants of the bitter Valencia oranges imported by the Spanish, since 1896. Pan bati is a sweet flatbread that locals eat with soups and stews, or with sugar, like a pancake. If you like Asian food, head for an Indonesian restaurant for rijsttafel, a banquet of dishes based on rice, noodles, meats, fish, spring rolls, sambal (a chili sauce), and peanuts. The food and drink in the ABC Islands has been influenced by the Netherlands, certainly, but you’ll find everything from Portuguese to Asian flavors in the local dishes you try. Punda, a district dating back to the 17th century, is a great place to head for traditional Dutch cheese and Delft figurines.
The Dining Room
Taking over from the Spanish, who had deemed the island “useless” due to a lack of precious metals, the Dutch conquered Curaçao in 1634 and used it as a trading base. The French and English had also previously taken an interest in the island. Curaçao has a sizeable Jewish community, with the first wave of Jewish immigrants arriving in 1651. Today, it is home to the oldest continually used synagogue in the Americas. With a diverse population of roughly 160,000, Curaçao bursts at the seams with vibrance, nightlife, boutiques, museums, murals, and bustling bars dotted along its 30-plus much-touted beaches.
See & Sea Island Tour
With award-winning onboard programs, regional cuisine from world-class chefs and celebrations of Caribbean life, Princess makes your ship a destination all its own. Like the other two islands, Curaçao is hot and it's important to pack accordingly. To really see the island, it's recommended that you rent a car and you'll need a credit card to do so. Curaçao is considered to be safe but you should always practice common sense and keep your belongings close.
Cycle Bonaire’s Coastline
Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views. Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night. Sing along, test your music trivia knowledge, or sit back and enjoy as chart-topping hits fill the room each night.
Cruises
Multicultural Aruba is a playground for sun-seekers, while sleepy Bonaire is more about nature, with divers flocking to explore its coral reefs. All three enjoy a high standard of living and exude a laid-back Caribbean charm. We've got you sorted with our Caribbean cruise packing guide, whether your fantasies involve snorkeling amidst vibrant marine life or savoring a delightful cocktail under an umbrella on the beach. Truly get away from it all with dreamy Southern Caribbean cruise destinations. Discover the rich history of Amber Cove, explore the dry, cactus-filled terrain on a hiking adventure in Oranjestad, or traverse the bustling waterfront of Willemstad. While sandy beaches are not abundant on Bonaire, there are stretches where sand and rock come together for easy access to the turquoise waters for those who enjoy beach sitting, but water shoes are a must.
Onboard Shopping
On a cruise to the ABC Islands, you'll be able to visit all three islands and experience everything from golden sandy beaches to pristine coral reefs. Enjoy old-world Dutch charm in each port of call, as well as excellent shopping, eclectic dining, and exciting nightlife options on overnight stays. In Bonaire, discover the laid-back vibe of the island's capital and cultural center, Kralendijk, and visit dive sites that are perfect for both beginners and experts. On Curacao, take a scenic drive along the island's north coast to see the dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and secluded beaches.
Luxury Cruises to the ABC Islands
Celebrity Cruises Unveils 2025-2026 Itineraries - Cruiseline.com
Celebrity Cruises Unveils 2025-2026 Itineraries.
Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Also stop by Cosecha, a century-old building bursting with local arts and crafts in Oranjestad, and The Creative Center, which is connected to Cosecha and has art classes. Aruba's music is also the result of diverse cultures blending beautifully, with the rhythms including calypso, Tumba, brass and the famous Roadmarch dancing. The latter is seen during carnival month but you can see street festivities, impressive costumes, local music and creative parades all year long. The Bonbini Aruba Festival takes place every Tuesday and offers folkloric music and dance while the Caribbean Festival comes to life every Thursday night with performers, food stands, and crafts. Others include the Dera Gai celebration, the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival, and the Summer Music Festival during June.
Deeper experiences of the islands
Curaçao’s UNESCO-protected capital Willemstad looks and feels like a European city uprooted to the perennially sunny Caribbean. Waterfront street Handelskade assaults the senses pleasantly with rows of Dutch-inspired, red-roofed colorful buildings, many of which date back to the 18th century. Perch at The City on Handelskade to take in the sight of the Queen Emma Bridge (Curaçao’s bridges are all named after Dutch queens) floating to one side several times a day to make way for passing ships. Also known as the “Swinging Old Lady,” this pedestrian bridge connects both historic city sections, Punda and Otrobanda.
Preserved coral reefs wait in the warm water, easy to explore from the comfortable beach clubs ashore. When it comes to sunny days, the ABC islands have a higher percentage each year than most other islands in the Caribbean, making this a great destination in which to plan some beach time. Bathe in the warm water of Aruba's Baby Beach, or find a quiet spot to relax on one of Curacao's secluded coves. Explore the beautiful beach of Lac Cai in Bonaire, where you can also find excellent snorkeling and diving just offshore. Cruisers visiting Aruba will want to set out for the shoreline, visiting famous stretches of sand like Eagle Beach or Baby Beach.
Join Club Orange to experience a new level of luxury, from priority check-in and disembarkation to premium dining amenities. Club Orange benefits include a complimentary stateroom upgrade, a special event chosen by the captain and priority check-in and disembarkation. Club Orange offers an added level of luxury on Holland America with expanded dining menus, special events and priority access. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu.
Here, you can relax on the soft sand, cool off in the aquamarine shallows, or snorkel over coral reefs. Begin your adventure at Monkey Land, a lush tropical jungle where you'll interact with playful squirrel monkeys in their natural habitat. Then, visit a rustic countryside home frozen in time, offering insights into local life and the island's history and culture. A cruise port on the country’s North Coast, Amber Cove offers something for everyone. Embrace the spirit of the islands the moment you step on your ship with our Rhythm of the Caribbean program.
Luckily, US dollars are widely accepted on all three islands, and you will even find ATMs dispensing dollars. Birdwatchers will be in heaven in the ABC Islands, as there are so many colorful species. Look out for tiny, shimmering hummingbirds, the vivid, orange and black Venezuelan troupial, and yellow-headed parakeets. Each island shares historic ties with The Netherlands, so you’ll find Dutch influences in the cuisine, place names, and language. Discover the ideal time to embark on a Caribbean cruise, whether your goal is to steer clear of crowds, make budget-friendly choices, or bask in the sunniest weather. Pick the cruise of your dreams, whether it's a 9-day excursion or an extended voyage and uncover the Southern Caribbean's most exceptional offerings.
We're doing a family and friends cruise of about 40 people and plan on having a great time. Review the Top Things to Consider When Choosing Shore Excursions and our 10 Reasons to Book Your Shore Excursions with Norwegian for more information on how and why to book shore excursions directly with Norwegian. Shy pink flamingos, gentle sad-eyed donkeys and elusive sea turtles all share something quite rare in today's world. They flourish on or around Bonaire, one of the ABC isles (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) deep in the Southern Caribbean.
It’s hard to find a more beautiful vacation destination than the Southern Caribbean, and on our cruises to Aruba, you’re the star of that perfect snapshot. Splash and play your way across this sparkling corner of the Caribbean, or simply relax on a sun-baked beach on one of Carnival’s cruises to Aruba. The locals call it the “happy island,” and they prove it — Aruba cheerily welcomes visitors to picture-perfect strips of beach, swaths of exotic blooms, and some of the Caribbean’s top shopping and nightlife locales. Celebrate the year-round Caribbean spirit, or simply unwind to the island’s bewitching and relaxing tempo.
Just outside of the center, you can find taxi and tour operator stands for independent exploration. Though ecotourism is one of the latest buzzwords in the travel world, Bonaire, just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela, was a world leader in the field of ecology long before the term was even coined. After all is said and done, retreat to Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino, an all-inclusive escape on the fine sands of Piscadera Bay, or all-suite Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa a stone’s throw away. Not far from Handelskade, Renaissance Wind Creek Curaçao Resort has an achingly attractive infinity pool and enjoys proximity to the 1828-built Rif Fort, where precious views of the city and the sea are on offer.
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