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However, US dollars are accepted in most establishments throughout the ABC Islands. Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. At New York Pizza, choose from a variety of scrumptious, 9-inch, thin-crust pies.
Planning To Visit The ABC Islands
The Queen Emma Bridge, a floating pontoon bridge, adds to the picturesque scene and connects the two sides of the city, offering breathtaking views of the harbor. Beyond the beaches, Aruba's rugged interior unfolds with desert landscapes and unique rock formations. Arikok National Park invites explorers to see the island's diverse flora and fauna, including indigenous species like the iconic Divi Divi trees and the vibrant Aruban Burrowing Owl.
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Eagle Beach, Aruba
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. Of course, the Aruba flamingos may well be the highlight of your trip. From the Queen Emma Bridge to the historic neighborhood of Punda, Willemstad’s colorful architecture and quaint shops make for a perfect day.
Late night departures
Don’t leave without sipping the island’s signature cocktail, the Aruba Ariba, a tempting mix of white rum, Grand Marnier, fruit juices, and coecoei, an Aruban liqueur made from aloe sap. Gasparito and Aruba Ocean Villas’ Hemingway-inspired restaurant serve up particularly crowd-pleasing versions of this casserole dish. For 137 years, Aruba was controlled by the Spanish before the Dutch occupied it in 1636. During the Napoleonic wars, the British also briefly took over. Today, the 70-square-mile island is a medley of natural wonders, caves with drawings from the island’s first known Indian inhabitants, remnants from its gold mining past, staggering hotels, and late-night casinos.

Walking Through A Deserted Downtown Willemstad
Stroll through Oranjestad, the picturesque, Dutch-inspired capital while browsing for the perfect souvenir to remind you of your time here. On our cruise ship visit the ABC islands, we had very long port days. It also provided the opportunity to see the islands after dark.
day Southern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral
When it comes to hotels in Aruba, there are a TON of accommodation options. Everything from all-inclusive mega-resorts to small boutique properties. But English is also widely spoken across the islands (and might as well be the third official language!), so English-speaking visitors will have no trouble communicating with the locals in the ABC Islands. Today, the islands of Aruba and Curacao are autonomous, self-governing constituent countries. While Bonaire (including the sister islands of Sint Eustatius and Saba) is a special municipality of the Netherlands proper.
The Renaissance’s private island has two beaches, Iguana Beach for families and Flamingo Beach (which is adults only). While both are equally fabulous in sand and surf, Flamingo wins the prize for wildlife. Travel between the ABC islands is primarily via inter-island airline Divi Divi Air. Flight times are short and fares are affordable making this an easy way to experience all three islands on the same trip. Because they conveniently fall south of the Caribbean’s hurricane belt, the islands are a popular tropical destination for visitors year-round.
Get your adrenaline pumping and harness the Bonairean wind while driving blokarts with Bonaire Landsailing adventures or let Bonaire Bird Photography Tours accompany you through cacti-filled Washington Slagbaai National Park. Immerse yourself in the full tropical experience and delve into expert travel advice and suggestions on activities to enjoy in cherished Southern Caribbean locales. Less typical aquarium and more marine rehabilitation center, Curacao’s Sea Aquarium is a terrific activity for the whole family. The open-water system provides a natural habitat and all marine life originates from the seas directly around Curacao.
How to travel between the ABC Islands
Cruise lines that visit Aruba most frequently include mainstream lines like Carnival, MSC, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. You'll also find alternative cruise lines like Star Clippers, Explora Journeys and Virgin Voyages. Welcome to the enchanting world of the ABC Islands in the Caribbean, a trio of sun-kissed islands awaiting exploration. Comprising Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, these three islands collectively form the ABCs, a tropical paradise with unique charms and vibrant cultures.
We found it to be bigger and more commercial than the other islands. It took us back to our travels through the volcanic islands of the north Atlantic. Our afternoon tour of Aruba took us to several different spots around the island. The first stop gave us a view of the underwater world on a semi-submersible boat. We circled the Arashi coral reef and the Antilla shipwreck (a World War II German freighter).
From bustling beach bars to high-octane water sports, you’ll find it all along this stretch of picture-perfect Caribbean Sea. A small paradise off the coast of Venezuela, Bonaire has some of the world's most pristine diving and snorkeling locations. Preserved coral reefs wait in the warm water, easy to explore from the comfortable beach clubs ashore. The Best of Aruba tour, one of Norwegian Cruise Line’s shore excursions, hits all of the main attractions.
The ABC Islands are a treasure trove of attractions and activities for cruise passengers to enjoy. Nature enthusiasts will be captivated by Bonaire's pristine marine park, home to diverse coral reefs and abundant marine species. Curaçao offers a blend of history and natural beauty, with attractions such as the iconic Queen Emma Bridge, the Curacao Sea Aquarium, and the unique Hato Caves.
Explore the quaint Dutch-inspired capitals of the ABC islands, snorkel in a dormant volcanic crater teeming with life, or immerse yourself in ancient, rejuvenating sulfur mud baths. A lush rainforest-covered island nestled between two volcanic peaks, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Pitons, St. Lucia is the definition of a tropical paradise. Cruise to St. Lucia and visit the famous Pitons, journey to the only drive-through volcanic cavern in the world, or experience the sulfur mud baths and recharge your batteries in ancient pools.
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Prepare your own boozy elixir and learn all about the history of the island’s namesake spirit, Curaçao liqueur, at Landhuis Chobolobo. Educational guided tours are offered around this mansion, where the world-renowned Laraha orange-peel spirit is distilled. Ròm Bèrdè (green rum) also wrestles for the title of most popular alcoholic beverage in Curaçao, and it’s available at Netto Bar, the island’s oldest drinking hole. You can feast on a variety of Curaçao’s culinary treats at the open-air Marche Bieu (or Old Market) or at a truk di pan (food truck) like BBQ Express Caracasbaai or Koko Riba Bloki in Willemstad. Influences from Indonesia—another Dutch colony—are also present in Curaçao’s cuisine.
Both Aruba and Bonaire have ethical donkey sanctuaries to visit. Beaches line the shorelines of Aruba, and in many areas, large resorts line the beaches. Eagle Beach, consistently ranked among the world's best, offers a tranquil escape with its powdery sands and gentle trade winds.