Fouremco Posted October 28, 2015 #26 Share Posted October 28, 2015 On Princess and HAL we have been docked in Curacao a bit too far for us to walk so we have taken a taxi into town. Has anyone else found this a problem? Other than when we've headed out of town, we've always walked, but I'm not sure what you consider to be "into town". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted October 28, 2015 #27 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Love that bridge. ..hope it's back in a timely fashion. I agree! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Chew Posted October 28, 2015 #28 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Fortunately, it's not "gone" and not "being replaced by a new bridge" ... simply undergoing repairs & upgrades ... and thank goodness, it's one of our favorite places in our of our favorite ports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted October 28, 2015 #29 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Fortunately, it's not "gone" and not "being replaced by a new bridge" ... simply undergoing repairs & upgrades ... and thank goodness, it's one of our favorite places in our of our favorite ports! I believe that they pulled the bridge up river, out of the way of the tidal flow, so that they could repair it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarR Posted October 28, 2015 #30 Share Posted October 28, 2015 The harbor authority's COO claims they are on schedule. The bridge is part of the November 30th Marathon track, so everyone is keeping their fingers crossed they pull it of in the planned 2 months. Here's the bridge in Versali bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb Nahoumi Posted October 28, 2015 #31 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Yes. The area near the dock that goes through the Renaissance Hotel and through the fort is complete and it is really nice. On the other hand, I think the area across bridge (ferry) has gone downhill. The cultural influence seems to have changed since 2007 and alot of the shops that used to carry embroidery and artwork have been replaced with trashy t-shirts. That's sad. I bought a lovely set of table linens in one of those shops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chill6x6 Posted October 28, 2015 #32 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Thanks for sharing the pic! I was looking forward to seeing the bridge on our January cruise… Guess I'll just have to advocate for another SoCarib in a year or two. ;) You're welcome! Curacao is such a great port. So enjoyed a port where you stay in port until 11PM! I can't imagine returning(though I PLAN to!) without the bridge being there and lit up at night! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 28, 2015 #33 Share Posted October 28, 2015 The harbor authority's COO claims they are on schedule. The bridge is part of the November 30th Marathon track, so everyone is keeping their fingers crossed they pull it of in the planned 2 months. One of the ferry employees also told me they were on track to have it completed prior to November 30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themerle Posted October 28, 2015 #34 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Will we miss anything if we don't take the ferry across into town? I was looking forward to the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted October 28, 2015 #35 Share Posted October 28, 2015 (edited) Which way do ships usually face when they're docked at Curacao? I was hoping to have dinner on our balcony with a view of the bridge and the town at night. Edited October 28, 2015 by 3rdGenCunarder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 28, 2015 #36 Share Posted October 28, 2015 (edited) Which way do ships usually face when they're docked at Curacao? I was hoping to have dinner on our balcony with a view of the bridge and the town at night. Every time I've been to Curacao, including last week on Oosterdam, we were port-side-to. Will we miss anything if we don't take the ferry across into town? I was looking forward to the bridge. My opinion is no. The shopping is crap. I think the bridge is the biggest highlight to the crossing. Edited October 28, 2015 by Aquahound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted October 28, 2015 #37 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Every time I've been to Curacao, including last week on Oosterdam, we were port-side-to. Bummer. Our balcony is aft so no "city view." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeagleOne Posted October 29, 2015 #38 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Fouremco, I just love that photo you found! Thanks for posting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted October 29, 2015 #39 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Will we miss anything if we don't take the ferry across into town? I was looking forward to the bridge. While I love crossing the bridge, and will do so even more now that I've learned some of its history due to this thread - thanks OP! - I do enjoy walking around on the other side. It should be back in place by time we visit again in March, but I'd definitely take the ferry across if it wasn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted October 29, 2015 #40 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Fouremco, I just love that photo you found! Thanks for posting it. You're very welcome! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted October 29, 2015 #41 Share Posted October 29, 2015 It was there earlier this year but they were doing maintenance on it. Thanks for letting us know. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themerle Posted October 30, 2015 #42 Share Posted October 30, 2015 While I love crossing the bridge, and will do so even more now that I've learned some of its history due to this thread - thanks OP! - I do enjoy walking around on the other side. It should be back in place by time we visit again in March, but I'd definitely take the ferry across if it wasn't. My opinion is no. The shopping is crap. I think the bridge is the biggest highlight to the crossing. Thanks for the replies! I think we might take the ferry across if we get bored on the cruise port side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caribensun Posted October 30, 2015 Author #43 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Didn't mean to scare anyone. Walking across the bridge is the highlight in Curaçao for us and even more special when can do it at night and look back at the ship all lit up. It was definitely a disappointment. Just wanted to let everyone know so you would not be surprised when arriving at the bridge for your walk and it was missing. Glad to see you like the bridge too. Sandipalms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted October 30, 2015 #44 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Thanks for the heads up .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted October 30, 2015 #45 Share Posted October 30, 2015 My opinion is no. The shopping is crap. I think the bridge is the biggest highlight to the crossing. Thanks for the replies! I think we might take the ferry across if we get bored on the cruise port side. I enjoy the architecture, the history, the floating market, the canal... I travel to enjoy experiencing other countries and their people, not to shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted October 30, 2015 #46 Share Posted October 30, 2015 To me, the bridge is the attraction. The other side is just a tacky tourist area and one or two cafes crowded for free wifi and overpriced drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted October 30, 2015 #47 Share Posted October 30, 2015 To me, the bridge is the attraction. The other side is just a tacky tourist area and one or two cafes crowded for free wifi and overpriced drinks. That's exactly how I feel. If one wants to experience the country and their people, this is the last place to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fouremco Posted October 30, 2015 #48 Share Posted October 30, 2015 To me, the bridge is the attraction. The other side is just a tacky tourist area and one or two cafes crowded for free wifi and overpriced drinks. That's exactly how I feel. If one wants to experience the country and their people, this is the last place to do it. Of course it's tacky in the tourist area immediately across the bridge, but if you keep walking far enough you'll get away from that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themerle Posted October 30, 2015 #49 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Of course it's tacky in the tourist area immediately across the bridge, but if you keep walking far enough you'll get away from that. Do you feel safe going off the beaten path? What is there to see.....residential, historical, architectural, etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted October 30, 2015 #50 Share Posted October 30, 2015 Of course it's tacky in the tourist area immediately across the bridge, but if you keep walking far enough you'll get away from that. First impressions (both times I was there) were enough to deter me from going any further. Some of those little side streets in the tacky tourist area were off-putting enough. I would not have felt safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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