Anybody done a cruise to Aruba/Grand Turks/Curacao?

[notsopicky]

We're taking a cruise soon, and I'm having trouble choosing our excursions. We like boat rides, snorkeling, beach, tours...there's just so many to choose from and some of them are very similar. 4 ports on an 8 night sail, Carnival Conquest. 

We just did the Southern Caribbean this summer--6 ports on a 7 night sail. We chose a sub ride, swimming with stingrays, a catamaran ride, a snorkel day, a train ride tour through St. Kitts, and one day in St Maarten, we explored on our own, saw the Star Wars museum, went over to the French side, had lunch, got a great history of the island from our taxi driver. 

If you're bored, help me research!

[texasharleygirl]

When we were in Aruba, we did a snorkeling / lunch cruise and it was fun.

For Curacao, I HIGHLY recommend this ATV tour.

ATV Tours

I booked this strictly outside the cruise line and it was the best money we spent.   They picked us up outside the cruise terminal and took to there location to get the buggys.   This is operated out of their home, but they are the NUMBER 1 recommended company on Trip advisor.

It's a family owned business and we ended up on a private tour with the owner's son.  We had a BLAST.    And when my ATV decided it wanted to die on me, the owner ran the route backwards to get me a new ATV as soon as possible.  

if we go back to Curacao, we would do this tour again and again.

[Tacocat]

I haven't gone to Aruba on a cruise, but I have stayed there 2 separate times. There's lots to do, depending on what you like. Jolly Rogers does a good snorkel/boat cruise with drinks and snacks. We stayed on Eagle Beach (low-rise hotel area) both times and preferred it to the more crowded high-rise hotel area. All beaches in Aruba are public, but most hotels will have their chairs locked up for hotel guests only. There's tons of good restaurants in the hotel areas.

We did this tour back in 2012 and loved it. I remember there being cruise ship passengers with us. It's been ranked #1 on TripAdvisor for years. abc-aruba.com/

[notsopicky]

Thanks, guys! We leave tomorrow! Great suggestions--we haven't booked the excursions yet.

[circa1978]

We did a Panama cruise this time of year that went to Aruba and Curaçao. I LOVED Curacao- it was my favorite stop after Grand Cayman. There is an awesome restaurant - Governor or something -and I had the most amazing baked cheese dish. We also toured an aloe farm and I have been ordering their face and body products since, Curaloe- it’s everywhere on the island. In Aruba we explored the island on our own and had a dinner at a hot stone restaurant. Have fun!

[texasharleygirl]

Dec 22, 2018 3:21:39 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

We did a Panama cruise this time of year that went to Aruba and Curaçao. I LOVED Curacao- it was my favorite stop after Grand Cayman. There is an awesome restaurant - Governor or something -and I had the most amazing baked cheese dish. We also toured an aloe farm and I have been ordering their face and body products since, Curaloe- it’s everywhere on the island. In Aruba we explored the island on our own and had a dinner at a hot stone restaurant. Have fun!

We went to Curaloe as well!  That was pretty neat.  I got some of the products, but I am horrible at keeping  up with it.