Sunday, March 31, 2024

Cruising the ABC Islands: Curacao NCL Travel Blog

abc islands cruise

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.

Celebrity Cruises: new places and spaces for 2025-26 - PAX NEWS

Celebrity Cruises: new places and spaces for 2025-26.

Posted: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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.

abc islands cruise

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.

Passengers in an 'uproar' after P&O cruise ship turned away from New Zealand, ruining couple's wedding - ABC News

Passengers in an 'uproar' after P&O cruise ship turned away from New Zealand, ruining couple's wedding.

Posted: Sat, 25 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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.

Royal Caribbean releases new 2024 Alaska cruises to book

alaska cruise 2024 from seattle

Originally published in 2019; updated in 2024​So much can happen in 25 years. The top decks of Holland America vessels, notably, lack many of the kid-focused attractions found on the top decks of more family-focused ships operated by the likes of Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. While Holland America draws some families with younger children, the passengers on its ships skew heavily toward middle-aged and older travelers, including many retirees. If you're nearing or already have hit retirement age and prefer to travel mostly with people who are at a similar stage in life as you, you'll feel right at home on a Holland America ship. Looking for the best Alaska cruise from Seattle if you're bringing three generations of your family along for the ride? We can think of nothing better than a voyage on one of the two Princess Cruises ships that sail out of the city, the 3,660-passenger Discovery Princess and 3,560-passenger Royal Princess.

Experience the Great Land on a 7-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise from Seattle

At Holland America we offer cruise travelers low prices on their flights. Plan your romantic Alaskan cruise with our adventurer’s guide to discovering the coziest vacation spots and most scenic restaurants for couples traveling in Alaska. Ever wanted to go on an Alaska glacier tour to experience hiking in its open nature? As you plan your Alaska vacation, you might be torn between traveling by cruise ship, plane or even car. On our family Alaska cruise, we created lifetime memories by sharing glacier spotting, dog sledding, flightseeing and other adventures with our teens.

Best Vacation Spots in Alaska in the Summer

Climb the Space Needle and enjoy the Seattle skyline, or explore the history of Pioneer Square, the city's oldest neighborhood — only when you cruise to Alaska from Seattle. Known for its timber, Ketchikan hosts the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where athletes throw, race and chop their way to victory. Explore one of the world’s oldest collection of totem poles at the Totem Pole Heritage Center, or stroll along Creek Street. As the salmon capital of the world, Ketchikan’s waters make for incredible fishing.

What to Know About Cruises from Seattle

It's yet one more stylish and upscale area for cruisers looking for an upgraded experience to retreat. At the top front of the vessel, this private enclave, called The Haven, is home to dozens of upscale suites; a sprawling, two-deck-high pool area; a private lounge and bar; and a private restaurant. Only the deep-pocketed swells who can afford one of the suites get exclusive access to these areas. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. At the time of this article's posting, Radiance of the Seas Hawaii itineraries are not listed yet. In addition to the Alaska cruises, Royal Caribbean also included Hawaii cruises in this new deployment.

The Complete Guide to Alaska Glacier Viewing

As you voyage into the Inside Passage, enjoy one of the best ways to explore the fjords, small towns and natural landmarks with your favorite people. Sail the Inside Passage, a series of channels and waterways formed by the march of glaciers, on your 7-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle. With an abundance of landmarks and wildlife, take in the sights and sounds of the Inside Passage from the comfort of your ship or on a thrilling excursion ashore.

In 2024, you can explore Alaska your way with the most revolutionary vacation in Alaska ever, because for the first time Celebrity Edge® will be sailing the rugged coast of Alaska. This ship’s outward-facing design takes experiencing the great outdoors to exciting new levels. Marvel at majestic glaciers from the Magic Carpet 12 decks above sea-level.

Travel Tips for Seattle

alaska cruise 2024 from seattle

Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. From exploring historic gold mines to venturing in the footsteps of early explorers, learn about Alaska’s Inside Passage and discover the wonders awaiting you. From exploring Denali National Park to fishing for salmon in Anchorage, discover the top Alaska destinations on a Princess cruise. This 30-mile waterway is surrounded by cliffs, valleys and dozens of waterfalls.

Ships that Cruise from Seattle

alaska cruise 2024 from seattle

With Cook My Catch excursions, catch your own salmon or halibut with the help of a local expert, and in the evening our talented chefs will prepare your haul for your dinner — a Princess exclusive. From ship to shore, the best is at your fingertips on our Alaska cruises. Our Princess fleet includes ships that range from our smaller vessels to large ships. From a balcony stateroom, marvel at the glaciers passing by before enjoying local seafood in one of our many eateries during your seven-day Alaska cruise. Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park.

Seattle Begins Milestone Alaska Season With Norwegian Cruise Line Ship - Cruise Hive

Seattle Begins Milestone Alaska Season With Norwegian Cruise Line Ship.

Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

On a cruise to Alaska, explore the Butchart Gardens, tour the pub scene and taste some of the local brews or sail the bay for a whale-watching adventure. With its roaring glaciers, rugged mountains and deep fjords, Glacier Bay National Park feels like a dream. With 3.3 million acres to explore, cruise to this world-renowned landmark — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and let the landscapes inspire your next adventure. Princess Cruises is an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park.

July is also an excellent time to try out outdoor activities, such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking, as the warmer weather provides the perfect conditions for these activities. Visitors can explore the scenic coastal rainforests and take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. In addition to outdoor activities, visitors can also learn about the local culture and heritage of Alaska. July hosts various events and festivals, including the Sitka Summer Music Festival and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, where visitors can learn about the traditions and culture of the indigenous people of Alaska. Both Eurodam and Westerdam mostly sail seven-night trips to Alaska out of Seattle. However, for 2024, Westerdam has added an epic new 28-night Alaska itinerary out of Seattle that will include calls in remote areas that most cruise ships never visit.

Seattle Launches Milestone Alaska Cruise Season with Norwegian Bliss - Travel Wires

Seattle Launches Milestone Alaska Cruise Season with Norwegian Bliss.

Posted: Tue, 09 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

With convenient weekend departures and proximity to the Great Land, a cruise to Alaska from Seattle allows you to leave when you want, and spend less time getting there. The largest tidewater glacier in North America, Hubbard Glacier has been moving its mass towards the ocean at a rate faster than most of its kind. Towering above the water over 30 stories, the glacier often calves 100-foot chunks of ice into the ocean. What lies beneath the waves is almost as impressive, where ice plunges 1,200 feet beneath the surface. It's the sort of itinerary that specifically appeals to retirees with the time (and money) to book such a long trip. Passengers staying in solo cabins get exclusive access to the Studio Lounge (using their keycards), meaning a maximum of 82 people will share the space.

Watch northern wilderness views unfold from aboard our glass-domed train, the McKinley Explorer®. Stay up to 3 nights at the McKinley Chalet Resort near Denali National Park. On a cruise to Alaska, live a nature lover's dream in the land where guests can catch postcard-worthy sights. Seattle is known as "The Emerald City" thanks to its green forests and lush surroundings. Pike Place Market buzzes with merchants while coffee shops house locals drinking espresso in America's coffee capital.

The ship schedule for the year 2024 includes numerous exciting voyages from Seattle, the picturesque capital city of Alaska, to various enchanting destinations across the beautiful state. Embark on an unforgettable journey aboard luxurious cruise ships, and experience the breathtaking natural wonders, rich wildlife, and charming coastal towns that Alaska has to offer. Explore magnificent glaciers, witness majestic humpback whales, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and history of this remarkable region.

Every year Princess introduces more people to Denali National Park than any other cruise line. In addition, an onboard Klondike Festival brings added family entertainment, including gold nugget arts and crafts projects, a naturalist exhibition, harmonica music classes and North to Alaska dance performances. That makes these ships more appealing to an older demographic that doesn't necessarily want to be on a vessel that's loaded to the gills with children's fun zones and the younger family travelers drawn to that. Notably, the average age of Princess passengers is around 57, and you'll usually see many couples on board in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Solo passengers on Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Bliss will also find a sometimes rollicking bar scene, with plenty of counter-style seating in bars that are a great place to meet other solo travelers and friendly guests.

When you cruise to Alaska with Princess, sail through one of the most iconic locations in the Great Land — Glacier Bay National Park. Listen to Margerie Glacier’s signature crack and boom rumble across the waves. Bring binoculars and scan both the shore and the waves for wildlife like brown bears and migrating whales while Park Rangers teach you the history and geology of the park. When you cruise to Alaska from Seattle, encounter unique ports of call that are rich in history, culture and natural beauty. Alaska cruisetours combine our top-rated Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with three to ten nights on land exploring Denali National Park. Travel aboard our exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness® train and unwind at Princess Wilderness Lodges®.

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