Advice for my parents visiting Aruba?

[kas141]

My 68-yo parents will be visiting Aruba for the first time on the Adventure of the Seas next month and are looking for ideas for the day. They are very experienced travelers (20+ cruises), fairly active, and like to stay away from the ship sponsored excursions.

 

They would enjoy a good shopping area, some beach time (maybe an hour or so?), and possibly a small taxi-type tour. Any recommendations of particular areas of the island to visit, how to get there from the ship, or any good taxi tour guides they could set up in advance?

 

Thanks!!

[Arubalisa]

Ideally I would plan a day like this:

 

Pick up at the ship for a prearranged taxi tour tailored to their interests. Contact Bully http://boards.cruisecritic.com/tags.php?tag=bully+taxi+driver

 

Following the tour Bully could drop your parents off at Palm Beach.

Palm Beach is a fairly long stretch of resorts which are all (with the exception the Marriott resorts at the North end) connected on the beachside by an concrete walkway. They could either spend time on the beach or walk resort to resort checking out the various properties. Perhaps stop for a nice oceanfront lunch at Gilligans at the Radisson or on the pier out over the water at Bugaloe. Following lunch they could also shop streetside in front of the resort at any number of stores and two shopping malls.

 

Prearrange for Bully to pick up them up at a specified time and place to take them back to downtown Oranjestad.

 

The cruise terminal is located in downtown Oranjestad and there are tons of stores in this area. They could easily walk around until they tire or the ship departs, whichever comes first. ;) :)

[cruiseapril]

We enjoyed the Radisson and Gilligans very much and love Palm Beach.

 

Have been to Aruba several times and always enjoy sightseeing around the island. The North Coast is pretty dramatic, IMHO.

[Arubalisa]

We enjoyed the Radisson and Gilligans very much and love Palm Beach.

 

Have been to Aruba several times and always enjoy sightseeing around the island. The North Coast is pretty dramatic, IMHO.

I agree on all accounts. :)

 

http://www.gilligansaruba.com/menu-lunch.html