Britannia - Caribbean in November

HI,

We are off on Britannia in November to the Caribbean, we have been to the Caribbean on numerous occasions but the following islands are new to us,

Aruba, Curacao & Isla Margarita, having looked at the P&O excursions nothing is really pulling us if Im honest and I'm sure if we just wanted to hit a nice beach we could do this for a lot less of the price!

We would welcome any suggestions of excursions/or a trusted recommended excursion company that we can look at independently? Or even just a recommendation of a nice beach that we could get a taxi too?

Many thanks

K

In Aruba we just got one of the mini buses doing excursions at the cruise terminal. We did an island tour and the very good guide had been a midwife in Rotterdam. It has stunning beaches, but is one of our least favourite Caribbean island. It is dominated by North Americans going there to gamble in the many casinos. There are quite a lot of shops selling diamonds etc.

In Curaçao on our first visit we just picked up an island tour at the terminal. The second time in we just wandered around the town, which is quite pleasant.

Haven't been to La Margarita.

We docked in Isla Margarita I'm 2009 there was a nice beach right near the port with cafe/bars and local craft stalls very close.

We went to Margarita Island with Thomsons a few years ago. Although we very seldom do tours, we on this occasion booked a beach trip. It was fascinating on the journey listening to the tour guide and seeing the scruffy infastructure. It is such a poor economy - petrol is 50 cents a gallon but there's no state education. The exchange rate to the US dollar is enormous so food and drink is mega cheap - we had the most enormous fish platter on the beach, hubby bought a panama hat for €10 and I bought 4 pairs of pearl earrings for €10. It was very different from the other tourist ready resorts. The beach near the berth is not that big and was packed when we were there but it was Easter.

ARUBA

Opposite, as you leave the cruise terminal is the bus station. For a few dollars return take a bus to Palm beach. Backed by large American group hotels, but a lovely spot with good swimming. If you like things a little quieter get off the stop before, Eagle beach, it is not so developed.

Cb

Curacao town is a nice place to have a walk round. There are nice bars overlooking the river at the other side of the bridge. You pick up WiFi all over the town, not just in McDonalds or bars.