Will Curacao let you off the ship if not booked with a cruise line excursion???

[NWHairGal]

Heard from a cruise line agent that some islands are not allowing passengers off the ship, regardless of vaccination status, unless you are on a cruise line excursion.  He said that status can change.  Of course I'm thinking that's a great ploy to get someone to book via the cruise line, but am wondering if anyone knows if Curacao is such an island that has done this since Covid has been an issue?   I love to do my own thing on a cruise, but also don't want to be stuck on the ship either.  Any insight on this?

[bup1224]

I live in Curaçao.  As of today, Curaçao is absolutely allowing cruise ship passengers off the ship on their own (following any restrictions from the cruise line of course).

[Russ Lomas]

We recently cruised to Curacao on the Odyssey.  No issues at all getting off the ship on our own.  We had a fantastic day on the island.  Rented a vehicle from Advance Car Rental (best rental dealership we have EVER dealt with).  Planning on doing the same when we go back there in March to see the west end of the island since we explored the east end this time.

[daydreamer16]

Has anyone had any recent experience of booking a day pass at any of the hotels that usually offer them?

Thanks 

[arubanut]

We are sailing to the Island (Curaçao) in December on Holland America. Just wondering is it easy to find transportation to the caves and maybe just a Rum tour. Not looking for an all day excursion 6+ hours. Is there reputable people at port… think I seen plenty of taxi/tour people waiting? (This is for Curaçao)

Edited October 4, 2021 by arubanut

[msbmommy99]

@bup1224 What is the situation now with the port?  We are on the Celebrity Equinox sailing January 21 and have been advised we had to book excursions through the ship because of government regulations.  Here is what they have on the Celebrity website.  We have a private excursion booked with only our 8 passengers and a guide.  Will we be allowed to go thru the port and meet our guide at the Starbucks?

Excursions provided by Celebrity Cruises are required in: 

• Belize City, Belize
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Colon, Panama
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Kingstown, St. Vincent
• Kralendijk, Bonaire
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Roatan, Honduras
• Roseau, Dominica
• St. George's, Grenada
• St. John’s, Antigua
• St. Thomas, USVI       
• Tortola, BVI
• Willemstad, Curacao

[msbmommy99]

On 9/12/2021 at 9:58 AM, bup1224 said:

I live in Curaçao.  As of today, Curaçao is absolutely allowing cruise ship passengers off the ship on their own (following any restrictions from the cruise line of course).

What is the situation now with the port?  We are on the Celebrity Equinox sailing January 21 and have been advised we had to book excursions through the ship because of government regulations.  Here is what they have on the Celebrity website.  We have a private excursion booked with only our 8 passengers and a guide.  Will we be allowed to go thru the port and meet our guide at the Starbucks?

Excursions provided by Celebrity Cruises are required in: 

• Belize City, Belize
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Colon, Panama
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Kingstown, St. Vincent
• Kralendijk, Bonaire
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Roatan, Honduras
• Roseau, Dominica
• St. George's, Grenada
• St. John’s, Antigua
• St. Thomas, USVI       
• Tortola, BVI
• Willemstad, Curacao

[davela2]

15 hours ago, msbmommy99 said:

What is the situation now with the port?  We are on the Celebrity Equinox sailing January 21 and have been advised we had to book excursions through the ship because of government regulations.  Here is what they have on the Celebrity website.  We have a private excursion booked with only our 8 passengers and a guide.  Will we be allowed to go thru the port and meet our guide at the Starbucks?

Excursions provided by Celebrity Cruises are required in: 

• Belize City, Belize
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Colon, Panama
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Kingstown, St. Vincent
• Kralendijk, Bonaire
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Roatan, Honduras
• Roseau, Dominica
• St. George's, Grenada
• St. John’s, Antigua
• St. Thomas, USVI       
• Tortola, BVI
• Willemstad, Curacao

That's weird that it's a government regulation, yet nothing on the government's website says that, and Royal Caribbean does not have the same requirement

[bup1224]

On 1/16/2022 at 11:49 PM, msbmommy99 said:

What is the situation now with the port?  We are on the Celebrity Equinox sailing January 21 and have been advised we had to book excursions through the ship because of government regulations.  Here is what they have on the Celebrity website.  We have a private excursion booked with only our 8 passengers and a guide.  Will we be allowed to go thru the port and meet our guide at the Starbucks?

Excursions provided by Celebrity Cruises are required in: 

• Belize City, Belize
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Colon, Panama
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Kingstown, St. Vincent
• Kralendijk, Bonaire
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Roatan, Honduras
• Roseau, Dominica
• St. George's, Grenada
• St. John’s, Antigua
• St. Thomas, USVI       
• Tortola, BVI
• Willemstad, Curacao

This isn't a Curaçao government requirement,  it's a requirement from Celebrity Cruise Line.

[crewsweeper]

On 1/18/2022 at 9:23 AM, bup1224 said:

This isn't a Curaçao government requirement,  it's a requirement from Celebrity Cruise Line.

Yes, I believe  Celebrity requires 100% vaccinated.  Noticed everyone getting off the Constellation in St Thomas today were heading to excursion meet up. Only people wandering around Crown Bay port were Royal HOTS passengers. 

[tkettel]

On 9/25/2021 at 7:47 PM, Russ Lomas said:

We recently cruised to Curacao on the Odyssey.  No issues at all getting off the ship on our own.  We had a fantastic day on the island.  Rented a vehicle from Advance Car Rental (best rental dealership we have EVER dealt with).  Planning on doing the same when we go back there in March to see the west end of the island since we explored the east end this time.

 

On 9/12/2021 at 7:58 AM, bup1224 said:

I live in Curaçao.  As of today, Curaçao is absolutely allowing cruise ship passengers off the ship on their own (following any restrictions from the cruise line of course).

Can you update me on the current rules as we port there on Feb 23. Thanks!

[bup1224]

On 1/22/2022 at 3:23 PM, tkettel said:

 

Can you update me on the current rules as we port there on Feb 23. Thanks!

Celebrity just changed and is allowing passengers to get off on their own again.