There has never been a more exciting time to take advantage of the Aruba Cruise Experience. According to the Cruise Tourism Authority, Aruba has seen a record-breaking increase of 50 percent in cruising passengers. This is a result of a lot of effort to make the "One Happy Island", Aruba's official motto, the most popular cruise destination in the Caribbean. Now you can find a cruise to Aruba at almost any time of year for any length of time. Whether you want to focus on Aruba or make it one stop on your tour of the Caribbean, you'll have plenty of options as every cruise ship from the Royal Cruise Line to the Majestic Cruise Line features Aruba on their itinerary.
Known by many as the "playground of the Caribbean", it is no surprise why. As one of the Lesser Antilles located in the southern Caribbean Sea, Aruba combines with its neighbors, Bonaire and Curacao, to form the ABC islands. You'll feel like a child when you're exploring the country's rich, layered history or enjoying a laugh with its English speaking-natives. Tourism drives this 21-mile long island's economy and as a result, they will cater to your every need. This autonomous region of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has a dry, almost desert-like climate, which all but guarantees sunny weather year-round. As a result, you'll have plenty of outdoor activity options.
Aruba Atlantis Submarine Expedition
While you'll want to spend plenty of time observing the island's natural beauty, one of the most interesting activities takes place below the surface. You'll begin your underwater odyssey in Oranjestad, the capital and largest city. You'll board the Atlantis vessel, which is the world's first and m ost advanced passenger submarine. Then you'll dive off the coast into the Barcadera Reefs where you'll witness two shipwrecks and plenty of marine life. The whole trip lasts about 2 hours but the memory will linger much longer.
Natural Pool
Sometimes it is fun to put aside the tours and go on a real adventure. Rent a jeep and take off for the Natural Pool, which can only be reached through a harrowing drive. But the calm waters and fish are quite the reward, especially if you bring your snorkeling gear. You can also arrange your route so you pass the California Lighthouse and the Natural Bridge, which are two other popular sites.
Shopping
Aruba offers a variety of shopping and most stores accept U.S. dollars and have many popular brands. One of the most popular items sold in Aruba is watches. But when buying a watch, from a Rolex to an Omega, make sure you do not let on that you're part of a cruise. Cruise passengers are captive buyers. The sellers know you need to leave at a certain time, so you lose your power of negotiation. Tell them you're staying on the island and then bargain, bargain, bargain! Most boutiques are found in Oranjestad but the hotels and resorts also have great shops. And much of the products are duty free, so you won't feel so guilty.