Caribbean Cruise (February) 2025: Aruba (Oranjestad)
On day 3 of the cruise we docked in beautiful Oranjestad, Aruba. For years, Aruba has lived in my imagination as a paradise with turquoise waters and white sands that seem to stretch forever. And this coming from one who's not a beach person. Still when we docked, it felt like I was finally walking into that dream.
This cruise terminal is cruiser-friendly with the Old Town a very walkable distance. Before the cruise, we learned that there is a free trolley ride to town, sort of a sightseeing trolley with a stop a short walk away from the port. However, there is only one trolley available so when we just missed the one that's already boarding we had to wait a while before it came back to the port.
The gang
The trolley is a double-decker bus and we made sure that we were seated at the top, despite the hot sun.
The pastel-colored buildings are simply gorgeous.
We stopped when the trolley stopped, which is at the end of the ride before it goes back to the port area. From here, we explored on foot. We ducked into air-conditioned stores, pretending to shop/browse.
We kept walking until we found a shopping mall which provided the much-needed pit stop for all of us. We didn't do any shopping because the kids were very eager for beach time so we took the taxi to Eagle Beach. Eagle Beach is what came up when we Googled best beach in Aruba.
Eagle Beach is about a 10-minute drive from the port area and upon arrival I could easily tell that this is a very popular spot for beach goers. The parking lot was full and the very wide sandy beach was covered with sun-worshippers. It was hot and so I stayed away from the sun and relaxed under the shade of the trees near the parking area, but still within sight of the water. My friend and her husband also did not go into the water. We were not beach people, but we walked the beach to take photos and then scurry back under the shade.
We stayed under these trees.
My view of the beach from under the shade.
Hotels/resorts in the distance.
When the kids finally had enough and time to nap, we went back to the port area. The kids and their parents went back up to the ship, while the four of us decided to continue surveying the area near the port.
The Royal Plaza Mall is one of the most beautiful and yummy buildings I have seen.
It was a wonderful day in Aruba.
The gang
The trolley is a double-decker bus and we made sure that we were seated at the top, despite the hot sun.
The pastel-colored buildings are simply gorgeous.
We stopped when the trolley stopped, which is at the end of the ride before it goes back to the port area. From here, we explored on foot. We ducked into air-conditioned stores, pretending to shop/browse.
We kept walking until we found a shopping mall which provided the much-needed pit stop for all of us. We didn't do any shopping because the kids were very eager for beach time so we took the taxi to Eagle Beach. Eagle Beach is what came up when we Googled best beach in Aruba.
Eagle Beach is about a 10-minute drive from the port area and upon arrival I could easily tell that this is a very popular spot for beach goers. The parking lot was full and the very wide sandy beach was covered with sun-worshippers. It was hot and so I stayed away from the sun and relaxed under the shade of the trees near the parking area, but still within sight of the water. My friend and her husband also did not go into the water. We were not beach people, but we walked the beach to take photos and then scurry back under the shade.
We stayed under these trees.
My view of the beach from under the shade.
Hotels/resorts in the distance.
When the kids finally had enough and time to nap, we went back to the port area. The kids and their parents went back up to the ship, while the four of us decided to continue surveying the area near the port.
The Royal Plaza Mall is one of the most beautiful and yummy buildings I have seen.
It was a wonderful day in Aruba.
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