Follow-up questions for cruise day

[RedRox]

Hi All,

Never been to Aruba... Wife likes a quiet beach, calm pool-like water, I like to snorkel.  We are considering a day at either Eagle Beach or Palm Beach.  I understand snorkeling isn't too great at either, but we will have plenty on other islands.  So my questions:
1) Is it realistic to see both beaches in 1 day?  
2) How much should we expect to pay by taxi, and by bus from port to eagle, or from port to palm?
3) How much should we expect to pay for 2 chairs and a palapa/umbrella on each? (I've seen anything from $40 to no cost if we eat/drink at a spot)
4) Where might there be some good souvenir shopping?  Is the cruise port best?
5) Lastly, our ship doesn't leave until 11pm. Any suggestions for evening? Maybe sunset sail, or otherwise?

Thanks in advance!

[Hatteras51]

On 1/19/2019 at 3:28 PM, RedRox said:

Hi All,

Never been to Aruba... Wife likes a quiet beach, calm pool-like water, I like to snorkel.  We are considering a day at either Eagle Beach or Palm Beach.  I understand snorkeling isn't too great at either, but we will have plenty on other islands.  So my questions:
1) Is it realistic to see both beaches in 1 day?  
2) How much should we expect to pay by taxi, and by bus from port to eagle, or from port to palm?
3) How much should we expect to pay for 2 chairs and a palapa/umbrella on each? (I've seen anything from $40 to no cost if we eat/drink at a spot)
4) Where might there be some good souvenir shopping?  Is the cruise port best?
5) Lastly, our ship doesn't leave until 11pm. Any suggestions for evening? Maybe sunset sail, or otherwise?

Thanks in advance!

Palm and Eagle are just a few minutes apart, so easy to go to one and then catch a taxi or bus to the other.

 

I'm not sure of the taxi rate,  but it isn't much, probably $10 or so to Eagle, and a few dollars more to Palm.

 

The going rate seems to be $45.00 for 2 chairs and an umbrella. I've never seen anyone post that it was free. Someone mentioned that the bathroom was free when they bought food.

 

The best souvenir shopping during the day is downtown.  At night it is at Palm Beach. 

 

At night there are several sunset cruises, lots of casinos and many restaurants. 

[cb at sea]

It's really all the same beach...same stretch of sand, same water!  Just different names for different spots!