beccaseraph7 Posted April 12, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Ok, so not trying to get flamed here... I am honestly dumb on this this. I was looking at a cruise that went to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao because those are places I have never been. After mapping them and seeing their location and talking to my husband we started to hesitate because of how close it is to Columbia (Now there may be nothing wrong with Columbia and we may completely ignore, but we have heard bad things about lots of drug activities. I apologize if this information is inaccurate, but that is why I am here asking to get more information.) So, anyways... are these islands safe? Or am I being paranoid? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedprincess Posted April 12, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Yes, you are being paranoid. The ABC Islands are Dutch relatives and quite safe as far as Caribbean Islands go....you can read the State Department info for each island, check their tourism websites, look at the ports of call forums here, check out their TripAdvisor forums, etc....lots and lots of info available about safety, things to do, etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea shepherd Posted April 12, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 12, 2015 You will be fine. Been down there a few times and also Columbia. In Columbia stay with ship tours only. The ABC islands you will be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebelt Posted April 12, 2015 #4 Share Posted April 12, 2015 From everything I have heard Aruba is one of the safest islands you can travel to. It is on my bucket list of islands to visit. I have heard great things about the island. I was in Curacao a few years back and it was beautiful. We took a ship excursion and never felt unsafe. I have never been to Bonaire, so I cannot comment. I would not hesitate to take a cruise to any of those islands. Have a great cruise!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BND Posted April 12, 2015 #5 Share Posted April 12, 2015 (edited) Not sure why you would think that. We were just in Aruba and Curacao in Feb. Honestly, the ABC islands are safer than a lot of the locations that cruise ships usually visit on eastern or western itineraries. We took island tours and had a great time. Aruba and Curacao are huge vacation spots for Americans and Europeans. And, from what I understand Bonaire is also. We're going to all three on our Nov 30 cruise and can't wait. Edited April 12, 2015 by BND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanAllyn Posted April 12, 2015 #6 Share Posted April 12, 2015 We were on all three islands in January and have plans to return to two of them in November. IMHO, they are as safe as any of the Caribbean islands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jm485 Posted April 12, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I wouldn't say you're being paranoid, but I would say your concern is probably excessive :) Here's a link to the State Dept travel info: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sn2792 Posted April 12, 2015 #8 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Those are three of my favorite islands to visit. I felt safe there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beccaseraph7 Posted April 12, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Thank you for your responses guys and for the link, I will certainly do more research.. I just wanted to get opinions before starting to look things up. We had to change our Navigator date that we originally had planned and the only other date with the room we wanted had these ports.... so I was trying to get some more information to make sure I still wanted to, but you guys are awesome... I appreciate the responses and will look more into it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langley Cruisers Posted April 12, 2015 #10 Share Posted April 12, 2015 We love the Southern itinerary. We took a cab and walked around town in all of the ports (ABC included, the ones you mentioned). I had one of the best beach days of my life in Aruba. :) Absolutely stunning... you should not miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodtime Cruizin Posted April 12, 2015 #11 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Ok, so not trying to get flamed here... I am honestly dumb on this this. I was looking at a cruise that went to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao because those are places I have never been. After mapping them and seeing their location and talking to my husband we started to hesitate because of how close it is to Columbia (Now there may be nothing wrong with Columbia and we may completely ignore, but we have heard bad things about lots of drug activities. I apologize if this information is inaccurate, but that is why I am here asking to get more information.) So, anyways... are these islands safe? Or am I being paranoid? I live in Houston. Traveling to these places might actualy improve my safety. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffy116 Posted April 12, 2015 #12 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Just the women in our group (5 of us) decided to see Aruba and Curacao on our own. We had a great time walking around, shopping having snacks and enjoying the sites. We never, at any time, felt unsafe. We stick to tourist areas when we venture out without a ship's excursion and we stick together and stay aware of our surroundings....just as we would do in a large American city we were unfamiliar with. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Curacao is one of our FAVORITES! You'll love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted April 12, 2015 #13 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Lol! The Caribbean is probably one of the safest places to cruise nowadays....you are being to paranoid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikew0805 Posted April 12, 2015 #14 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I have felt completely safe in Aruba & Curacao. I also felt very safe in Columbia. Columbia is not the same country it was in the 80's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coralc Posted April 12, 2015 #15 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Columbia is not the same country it was in the 80's. Perhaps, because the country in South America is actually Colombia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitkat343 Posted April 12, 2015 #16 Share Posted April 12, 2015 (edited) Aruba is extremely safe - we traveled there with our 2 year old son and took a cab around the island. The tourist parts of Cartagena are extremely safe, and quite beautiful. We booked a private tour there and were very happy. Edited April 12, 2015 by kitkat343 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
depplep Posted April 12, 2015 #17 Share Posted April 12, 2015 We've been to Aruba and Curacao on a cruise and have stayed a week on Aruba as well. Beautiful islands, never felt unsafe. Ships stop there weekly without incident. We're considering flying to Aruba next year for our 30th anniversary because the island was so beautiful, and the people so friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxs mom Posted April 12, 2015 #18 Share Posted April 12, 2015 These islands are the best of the best!! We've been cruising in this area for 30 years.....always go off on our own. You should have no problems. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hancogran Posted April 12, 2015 #19 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Those three islands are my favorite Caribbean ports to visit. We've done the Southern itinerary four times and also spent a week at a resort in Aruba. I don't think you'll have any regrets if you decide to book this cruise. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susancruzs Posted April 12, 2015 #20 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I love those islands, too! :) I travel alone and ABCs are awesome. I would feel perfectly fine walking around on my own. I don't go to the Caribbean, but if I did Southern route is where I would be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaritimeR&R Posted April 12, 2015 #21 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I heartily agree with all those who said they loved the ABC islands. I am a woman who travels solo 95% of the time. I frequently do southern Caribbean sailings and have taken many land-based vacations to those islands as well. I have yet to encounter any problems. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikew0805 Posted April 12, 2015 #22 Share Posted April 12, 2015 Perhaps, because the country in South America is actually Colombia? Oooh. Made a spelling error while at work, thanks for pointing it out! Feel better about yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rala Posted April 13, 2015 #23 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Aruba is extremely safe - we traveled there with our 2 year old son and took a cab around the island. The tourist parts of Cartagena are extremely safe, and quite beautiful. We booked a private tour there and were very happy. DITTO to the above post minus the two-yr-old :D. Bonaire and Curacao are also fine. Enjoy!!!:) FYI...Cartagena is in Colombia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trev71 Posted April 13, 2015 #24 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Yes, you are being paranoid you will be fine. Even though bad stuff can even happen in the safest places in the world too. Don't let that keep you from going to see some new ports of call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyHull Posted April 13, 2015 #25 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Ok, so not trying to get flamed here... I am honestly dumb on this this. I was looking at a cruise that went to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao because those are places I have never been. After mapping them and seeing their location and talking to my husband we started to hesitate because of how close it is to Columbia (Now there may be nothing wrong with Columbia and we may completely ignore, but we have heard bad things about lots of drug activities. I apologize if this information is inaccurate, but that is why I am here asking to get more information.) So, anyways... are these islands safe? Or am I being paranoid? Aruba and Curacao, on our visit, seemed very safe. Two islands where there can be problems, I would say are St Lucia, where a ships tour was held up at gunpoint, and Jamaica where I felt a bit intimidated if off the tourist areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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