OVERVIEW

Enjoy a panoramic drive around Willemstad with stops to see how Blue Curaçao liquor is produced and to spend hours relaxing at the beach. Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site acclaimed for its colonial architecture and European-style layout, and you will see many of its attractions. Among them are the Queen Emma pontoon bridge and High Street Otrabanda, a former neighborhood of stately homes that wealthy Jewish merchants built in the 1800s. After Crossing the Juliana bridge you will Passing through ‘’ The Old Jewish Neighborhood’’ befor heading to,the island’s namesake liqueur is made from a variety of orange only found on Curaçao, and you will see how it’s made at Landhuis Chobolobo. You will be spending a few hours of free time at Mambo Beach. Besides being one of the most spectacular stretches of sand on the island, the beach is lined with an array of restaurants and shops, so there is truly something for everything.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Explore a cave with terraces that indicate eons of different sea levels and relax on a beach that rims a beautiful stretch of sea on the other side of the island. Hato is Curaçao’s largest cave and features several tiers, the highest of which you will reach by climbing 49 steps. Once inside this elevated marine limestone cave, you will see seemingly endless stalactites and stalagmites that are illuminated for dramatic effect. Many of them are named for their shapes, including the Sea Tortoise and the Sleeping Giant. You may also spot petroglyphs that the indigenous Arawaks carved in the rocks about 1,500 years ago. Upon emerging, you will head for the south side of Curaçao to enjoy free time on Mambo Beach. One look and you will instantly know why this stretch of sand is so popular. It is an idyllic seaside setting with a collection of shops and restaurants as a backdrop.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Marvel at the geological formations within the limestone Hato Caves.
• Stretch out in the sun on Mambo Beach and take a refreshing swim in the Caribbean Sea.
• Take advantage of the fine shopping and dining at Mambo Beach, if you choose.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

The Discover Island Tour combines an interesting look at the countryside of Curacao and the city of Willemstad and a visit to three of the major attractions of this Dutch island.

Drive past the salt flats and flamingoes before proceeding to the spectacular Hato Caves, a dramatic collection of grottos filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, centuries in the making.

From the Hato Caves you continue to the Curacao Museum in Otrabanda. The museum combines contemporary art with an exhibition of life in Curacao during the mid-nineteenth century. Cross the Queen Juliana Bridge and enjoy a magnificent view over Punda and Otrobanda, the 2 sides of our natural harbor, St Ana Bay.

Enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur at the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point; otherwise it is a short five-minute drive back to the ship.

Your memorable trolley takes you past the Queen Emma pontoon bridge and the former floating market, where locals now sell fish, vegetables and other local products. Next see Scharloo, a former residential neighborhood lined with picturesque colonial homes built in the 1800s. A highlight of your Scharloo overview is a stop at the recently renovated Bolo di Bruid, known as the "wedding cake house", the city's most photographed building.

Leaving Scharloo, enter Pietermaai Cathedral, the largest and most impressive on the island. You will also view Queen Wilhelmina Park, which serves as the setting for frequent cultural events and Waterfront Arches, an imposing fortress that was the site of the fort is one of many structures that lend a sense of history and atmosphere to the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Concluding your trolley experience, you may return to the pier by taxi or remain in town and enjoy the short walk back to your ship at a later time.

OVERVIEW

Create your own natural sunscreen using aloe vera leaves and try out your newly made product while relaxing on Mambo Beach. On the way out of Willemstad, you will pass some of the capital’s most iconic attractions, including the brightly painted colonial buildings in the affluent Otrabanda district and Queen Emma Bridge, which spans St. Anna Bay. Upon reaching a farm in Curaçao’s interior, you will join a workshop and learn hands-on how to make a sunscreen spray from the aloe vera leaves that you will harvest in the fields. Rich in antioxidants and anti-bacterial properties, aloe vera can naturally hydrate and revitalize your skin, especially after sun exposure. You will have the chance to test your handmade sunscreen during free time at Mambo Beach. Besides being a beautiful stretch of sand, the beach is lined with restaurants and shops, so there is more to do than bask in the sun.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Make your own sunscreen spray from aloe vera leaves that you harvest at a farm.
• Discover some of the benefits of aloe vera, including its many healing properties.
• Spray on your sunscreen and head for Mambo Beach on the outskirts of Willemstad.
• Bask in the sun, swim in the sea and take advantage of the nearby shopping and dining.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover two highlights of Curacao, the Hato Caves and the historic city center of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a short drive, you’ll arrive at the impressive Hato Caves. It is home to beautiful limestone formations, the famous Madonna statue and a colony of seldom seen long nose fruit bats. The variety of stalagmites and stalactites are impressive. It is fun to join the guide in recognizing animals or figures in the various stone formations. Relax on the drive back to the city, for your walking tour.

First you’ll visit the Curacao marketplace where the locals shop for food and ingredients for their home cooked meals. On the way to Fort Amsterdam, home to the Governor of Netherland Antilles, you’ll pass the beautifully colored, picture perfect merchant houses on the quay of the harbor entrance. The last part of you walk will be to cross the floating bridge that connects both sides of the city. If the bridge is open, due to ship traffic, ferries will be used instead. Your guide will escort you back to the ship, right through historic Rif Fort. This area offers upscale shopping, dining and entertainment centers and you’re able to spend time here at your leisure.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a scenic drive through Dutch-influenced Willemstad before heading up to the northern tip of Curaçao to enjoy its natural wonders. Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site acclaimed for its colonial architecture, so there will be plenty to see. The focus will shift to natural beauty on the way to Shete Boka National Park, where you will follow an easy hiking trail to the coast. The thundering surf has created blowholes in the craggy rocks that spew water high into the air. The waves have also carved out a cave in the limestone that is well worth a look. The water is calmer in Knip Lagoon, an idyllic setting for you to enjoy at your leisure. Feel free to take a refreshing swim or simply relax on the beach. Wild flamingoes are the attraction in Curaçao’s salt ponds, where you will likely see them feeding on small crustaceans in the shallows. Knip Beach (also known as Grote Knip) has been recognized as one of the world's best beaches.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through downtown Willemstad and admire its colonial architecture.
• View landmarks such as the Scharloo street, wedding cake building and the oldest synagogue in the Americas.
• Spend free time enjoying the beach at Knip Lagoon as you please.
• Watch for flocks of flamingos feeding in the salt ponds along the western shore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Take a ride to one of the local beaches of Curaçao to cruise to Turtle Bay and snorkel its crystalline waters where sea turtles are frequently spotted. On the way there, the crew will describe the characteristics of Curaçao’s most commonly seen marine biodiversity including turtles. Although these species are endangered due to factors such as loss of nesting habitat, pollution and poaching, sea turtles can still be spotted off some of Curaçao’s beaches. Snorkeling near one of these magnificent creatures as it gracefully swims by is an experience that you will not soon forget. The crew will offer instruction on how best to behave in the water when close to a sea turtle. The waters are also teeming with tropical fish, many of them incredibly colorful.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Snorkel the waters off Curaçao and discover the diverse marine life.
• Listen to commentary from the crew explaining the threats to these endangered species.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Meander through one of Willemstad’s finest open-air markets as a prelude to a liqueur sampling and a tropical lunch made with local ingredients. Along the way, you will pass the Queen Emma pontoon bridge and the Governor’s Palace, two attractions that reflect the prominent Dutch-influence on the island. While walking through the market and the adjacent Marshe Bieuw food court, you will see locals’ food shopping and dining on signature dishes. Curaçao is also known for its namesake liqueur, which is made from an orange only found on the island. You can sample it at Landhuis Chobolobo, a 19th-century estate and distillery. You will delve even deeper into Curaçao’s cuisine during lunch at the Greenhouse, a local favorite restaurant that overlooks Mambo Beach. Chances are, you will have seen many of the ingredients in your meal at the market and food court. You will also make a stop at a local souvenir store.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Browse an open-air market and food court full of signature Curaçao foods and dishes.
• Pause at Landhuis Cholbolobo distillery for a taste of orange-flavored Curaçao liqueur.
• Dine on tropical cuisine at the Greenhouse restaurant overlooking Mambo Beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

After a short drive, you’ll arrive at the impressive Hato Caves. The underground system of passages goes from Curacao all the way to the continent of Latin America. It is home to beautiful limestone formations, romantic pools, the famous Madonna statue and a colony of seldom-seen long nose fruit bats. After your tour through the caves, you’re off to an Ostrich farm where you’ll board a Safari truck and your local guide will give you detailed information about this spectacular farm.

The birds are impressive and it’s really interesting to interact with them. You don’t have to be a hero and hand feed them, but it’s a great experience! You’ll also see the different phases and development of an egg to one of the biggest birds on earth. If you’re really lucky one of the birds may be born during your visit. In the souvenir shop you can buy some authentic African art and souvenirs.

Travel to the west side of Curacao on a one-of-a -kind, hand painted tropical bus. The Beach Express takes you to the other side of the island where nature reigns and the beaches are unspoiled. Enjoy the scenery as your host provides you with interesting information about Curacao. You'll pass by historic plantation houses, panoramic mountain views, salt flats and possibly wildlife and flamingos. After a fun and relaxing ride you’ll have a photo stop before arriving at local beach where you can enjoy swimming in the beautiful Caribbean waters, snorkeling or just relaxing.

Board the Seaworld Explorer semi-submarine and sit in air-conditioned comfort five feet below the surface of the water. View sea life through large windows and see tropical fish such as Yellowtail Snapper, Sergeant Majors, Parrotfish and Queen Angelfish, as well as delicate colonies of coral. Watch through your private window as a diver is surrounded by hungry fish that he feeds by hand.

Once back on land, you'll cross the Queen Juliana Bridge for a view of Willemstad from 200 feet above the town- a magnificent vista of the capital and the famous Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, which provides a pedestrian link between the Otrobanda and Punda districts. From there, continue to the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory for a taste of the world famous Curacao Liqueur. Next enjoy a drive to the Punda district in Willemstad where your guide will point out the major landmarks - you've seen them on postcards and now they're right in front of you. You may choose to stay in town and return to the ship on your own.