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You will be able to swim alongside them, but do not touch or interfere with them. The beach is a favorite spot for local fishermen to clean their catch, often providing leftover food to the turtles. This practice makes this beach a particularly attractive location for turtles, drawing more of them compared to any other place in Curaçao. Similar to the majority of beaches in Curaçao, Cas Abao is nestled in a cove, framed by imposing rock formations that create the illusion of being marooned on a deserted island. When walking from Punda to Scharloo, you will cross the bridge Princess Amalia Bridge. It’s an old-Dutch drawbridge that connects the two neighboorhoods.
Explore on a Free Walking Tour
The fort, which is now the renaissance mall, still maintains its original fort structure but the interior has been updated with quaint outlets featuring eateries and shops. You can shop, eat, people watch, or simply relax with great views of Punda and the harbor as seen from the roof of the fort. We're Ricardo and Roxanne, Curaçao enthusiasts, educated- and working in local tourism.

Getting Around Willemstad – Curacao
Step into the vibrant and colorful capital of Curacao, Willemstad. Discover the UNESCO-listed historic city center, with its iconic pastel-colored buildings and the floating Queen Emma Bridge. Indulge in the fusion of Dutch and Caribbean cuisines, explore the stunning beaches and vibrant coral reefs, and immerse yourself in the lively culture that makes Willemstad a true gem of the Caribbean. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world.
Planning Your Visit
The beach is sandy with some rocky parts, not too long, and has both shallow and deep parts. Blue Bay Beach boasts amenities such as bars, restaurants, sunbeds, umbrella rentals, water sports activities, showers, changing rooms, massages, and a playground for kids. The beach has a long stretch of powdery sands and crystal clear turquoise water, several beach bars, restaurants, plenty of gift shops, cabanas, sunbeds and umbrella rentals, and an aqua park. Some areas of the beach are more crowded, while some are more peaceful. Once you exit the Rif Fort village, you’ll find yourself on a large square filled with several shops and cafes, as well as a few local vendors selling tours.
Willemstad Curacao cruise terminal
Taking a look at the Curaçao Cruise Port Schedule is a smart step in preparing your visit to Curaçao, serving as your guide throughout your exploration of our dushi island. Avilla Beach is a private beach run by the Avilla Beach Hotel, but if you have a little extra cash this is the place to be. The resort has plenty of places to shade yourself from the sun while still enjoying the surrounding beauty. You’ll also have the luxury of Schooner’s Beach Bar offering drinks and food. Cuisine on the island ranges from common fare such as burgers and chicken to local seafood, Caribbean, Hispanic, and of course Dutch cuisine.
Carnival Venezia Makes Maiden Call to Curacao - Cruise Industry News
Carnival Venezia Makes Maiden Call to Curacao.
Posted: Sat, 07 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Curaçao Beaches Near The Cruise Port
Step 1,500 years back in time as you explore petroglyph-filled walls that detail the life of the original inhabitants of Curacao, the Arawak. Get your heart pumping in an adrenaline-filled, adventurous day at this park. You can go on a hike, take a dirt road ATV adventure, or take a nature safari. Christoffel Park, found at the base of Mt. Christoffel on the northwestern end of the island, is the sight of exotic flora, fauna, history, mysteries, and beauty. The park is covered by a dense scrubland with exotic plants such as divi-divi trees, cacti rising over 10 feet tall, and fragrant wild orchids. One of the largest and oldest art galleries is Alma Blou open Tuesday to Saturday in a former plantation house at Habaai in Willemstad.
More than 10000 cruise tourists in the city center - Curacao Chronicle
More than 10000 cruise tourists in the city center.
Posted: Thu, 15 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Beach Hopping Tours
Its namesake is the Rhine riverport in North Brabant (Holland) Willemstad. Port Willemstad Curacao cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Willemstad Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. As soon as you exit the Rif Fort village, you’ll see the Queen Emma Bridge and the line of colorful Dutch buildings.
Royal Caribbean has more ships coming into Curaçao; their ships are larger, hold more passengers, and offer shorter cruise options. Celebrity cruises are longer and offer more destinations to explore, offering more personalization. You’ll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and other facilities without having to venture far from your ship! Don’t worry about staying connected either – free Wi-Fi is available in areas near the cruise ship pier. With so much to explore in the capital of Curaçao, the cruise visitor who doesn't venture beyond Willemstad will be missing a lot. Convenience is key, especially for those with limited time to spend on the island.
Hiking at Christoffel National Park
We hope this guide has informed you well and provided you with the necessary information about the Curaçao Cruise Port. The culinary scene near the port is diverse, offering everything from authentic Krioyo dishes to international fusion with stunning views at restaurants like De Gouverneur and Fort Nassau. The water displays a vibrant turquoise blue, and the sand feels as soft as you would expect from a pristine Caribbean beach. The primary reason to explore this beach is its iconic status, but also because this beach is even more beautiful then any image could show. As you swim, you may find that the turtles come remarkably close at times.
Fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients dominate the straightforward yet rich menu options. Dining in local places provides an authentic taste of Curaçao’s culinary identity, making it a memorable experience for those looking to explore the island’s varied and delicious food scene. Yet another well known beach in the proximity of the Curaçao Cruise Port is Blue Bay Beach. Just a 15-minute drive from the pier, you will find a precious sandy beach with lots of amenities on the grounds of the gated community of the same name. Additionally, several hotels and resorts dot the sandy shoreline, enhancing the appeal of Mambo Beach as a favored spot among cruise ship passengers due to its diverse amenities.
The 10 beaches in this post are a maximum of 50 minutes’ drive from the Cruise Port. Now that we know the details of the schedule, let’s take a moment to appreciate the Curaçao cruise port itself. Nestled in the heart of Willemstad, the island’s capital, this port is a hub for cruise ships of all sizes. Smaller vessels dock at the older pier Curaco Cruise Ship Terminal (located inside Santa Anna Bay). Both piers are within walking distance from the city's main tourist attractions. At both terminals are available taxis (be sure to negotiate the rate).
The bridge blocks the entree to one of the biggest natural harbours in the world. The bridge will swing open every now and then allowing ships to sail in. When the pontoon bridge opens make sure not to be on it or you’ll be stuck. If the bridge is open free ferries will go up and down to service the pedestrians.
Curacao’s perfect diving conditions make it a world-class diving destination. The island is favored with good weather, warm waters, healthy coral reefs, and great visibility, making it a great dive destination for beginners and experienced divers alike. Klein Curacao is a flat, small, 1-square mile island southeast of Curacao. The name Klein means little, hence the island’s name ‘little Curacao’. The uninhabited island features an old lighthouse, a shipwreck, a beach house with thatched palapas, and miles of soft white sandy beaches.
Vehicle travel is on the right-hand side of the road so for most North American travelers you won’t need to get your feet wet trying to drive on the other side of the road. Regardless of where your ship docks, both are only a few minutes’ walk from downtown as well as the Queen Emma Bridge which connects the two districts. Willemstad is the capital of the Dutch Caribbean island, Curacao and the beauty of the island hits you as soon as your ship pulls into port. The island is known for its pastel-colored town square as vibrant as tropical flora.
After leaving the Rif Fort area, there are a number of local artists and vendors lined on the waterfront selling small trinkets and souvenirs. There are two piers, one called the Mega Cruise Terminal and the other another referred to as the Curaçao Cruise Ship Terminal. In late-October 2018, D-Dock (previously docked inside C Dock) was floated-out and moored quayside. With the help of local pilots and tugboats, there was docked a 63,400 DWT bulkcarrier, thus putting C-Dock into service. In 2017, Curacao's government leased the Willemstad shipyard to Damen Group (Dutch corporation) via Damen Shiprepair Curacao (DSCu).
Major cruise lines that visit Curaçao Cruise Port offer a fantastic way to explore the Caribbean. One of the top choices is Celebrity Cruises, known for its luxury and service. They provide an unforgettable experience, allowing you to discover the culture and attractions of Curaçao. If sightseeing is more your style, consider taking a guided tour to explore historical sites around Curaçao.
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