If you’re looking for cruises to Aruba, then look no further. We’ve compiled a list of expeditions that will take you to this Southern Caribbean island country, among other stops along the way. From one of the best Royal Caribbean Cruises to Aruba to Norwegian cruises to this island, there isn’t a shortage of options for you and your group.
Try one of Windstar Cruises’ relatively small vessels, accommodating around only 300 passengers; other cruises will have you packed tightly with upward of 2,000 or more. Looking to never run out of food options while at sea? Venture out with Norwegian Cruise Line and its 15 eat-and-drink options on Norwegian Dawn. Each of these Aruba cruises also has more than enough shore excursions suitable for almost any age group, accommodating most budgets.
Here are five of our favorite cruises that visit Aruba.
Windward Ways & Tobago Cays – Windstar Cruises
Traverse the Windward and ABC islands on this seven-day adventure aboard Wind Surf, Windward Cruises‘ flagship sailing ship. Along with 300 other passengers, you’ll depart from Barbados, stop by Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Bonaire and Curaçao before arriving in Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba.
Along the way, you’ll stop by four colonial towns, two of which are UNESCO-listed, have an opportunity to snorkel the coral reefs of Tobago Cay, see exotic birds and attend an exclusive beach party on Mayreau. Additionally, you’ll have 22 shore excursions available along the six stops. Activities range from boating, watersports, sightseeing and exploring wildlife, costing anywhere from $35 to $500 and lasting between one and five hours.
Southern Caribbean Cruise – Celebrity Cruises
Join 2,200 other passengers on Celebrity Summit for a seven-night cruise that will take you from Puerto Rico to St. Kitts and Nevis, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire and back. Onboard, dine in one of three elegant restaurants, including one exclusive for the suite class. Shop for fine jewelry and the most fashionable clothes on the European-inspired piazza. There is also an alfresco movie theater, bars, lounges and an adults-only solarium.
Boredom won’t be a part of your vocabulary on this cruise: Each port this Celebrity Cruises vessel stop at, including Puerto Rico, has 20 excursions available each. These opportunities include horseback riding, glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling, beach tours, a sunset cocktail cruise, hiking and more.
If you want to burn off the calories gained from either at sea or from an island, don’t worry: There’s also a jogging track that’s built around Celebrity Summit‘s top deck.
Southern Caribbean Cruise – Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas will take you on a nine-night expedition in the Southern Caribbean. Departing from Miami, Florida, this ship will stop at four ports before returning to South Florida: Labadee, Haiti; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curaçao; Kralendijk, Bonaire.
Passengers onboard won’t have to worry about getting bored during their four days at sea. In addition to four restaurants — a 10-plus-year-old steakhouse, a casual Italian trattoria, a made-to-order sushi restaurant and a nostalgic American eatery — Explorer of the Seas also has four primary attractions: a 40-foot rock-climbing wall, the 40-foot-long FlowRider surf simulator, a mini-golf course and an ice-skating rink.
Not enough for you? Join fellow passengers at the varied live-entertainment opportunities. “Invitation to Dance” is the cruise line’s take on “Dancing with the Stars,” wherein a select few guests are taught ballroom and Latin dance. “Fast Forward” is a trip down memory lane, showcasing the best movies and musicals from the ‘80s. Lastly, “Spirits of the Season” is an ice show inspired by each of the four seasons.
Southern Caribbean Medley – Princess Cruises
Aboard Crown Princess, you’ll embark on a 10-day exploration of six Southern Caribbean islands in a round trip beginning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The first destination is Aruba; afterward, you’ll hit Curaçao, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grand Turk of Turks and Caicos.
Never go hungry on this Princess Cruises voyage with 10 eat-and-drink options on this 3,080-passenger ship, including a steakhouse, a wine bar, a buffet and an Italian eatery. Stay active with one of your favorite sports, as Crown Princess has basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, too. Avoiding physical activity? Visit the photography studio, go shopping, admire an art gallery, win a prize at an auction, try your luck at the casino, or dance away at the nightclub.
At each of your six stops, there are also plenty of excursion options, ranging from snorkeling in Aruba, an off-road adventure exploring caves and ostrich farms in Curaçao and an eco-hike on St. Thomas.
Southern Caribbean from Tampa – Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line will take you aboard its Norwegian Dawn for a 14-day expedition across a variety of Southern Caribbean islands. You’ll begin your roundtrip journey by departing from Tampa, Florida, before hitting eight different ports: George Town on Grand Cayman; Aruba’s capital of Oranjestad; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John’s, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Enjoy an attentive staff aboard this 2,340-passenger cruise ship, as the passenger-to-crew ratio is almost 2:1. Enjoy 15 eat-and-drink options, revel in the ship’s three shows focusing on song and dance, or find ultimate relaxation with one of 36 spa-treatment options.
When you’re not enjoying yourself aboard on one of your five days at sea, there are a plethora of shore excursions at each port — 116 total, to be exact. Go scuba diving off the shores of George Town, exploring a nearby coral reef; venture into Harrison’s Cave, considered one of the world’s best caves, in Bridgetown; or step onto a submarine to get a dry-but-personal close-up of local marine life.
