There are few experiences in life that compare to cruising around the open ocean, and even fewer that compare to reaching a destination such as Aruba. If you’re thinking about heading to the beautiful Netherland Antilles islands, taking a cruise ship to get there is a relaxing, fun and exciting way to do it.
Cruising from New York to Aruba is a magical experience that will help you make the most out of your vacation.
What to expect from a cruise
One great thing about cruise ships is that your travel time is also your vacation time. Cruise ships offer many activities to indulge in, and even though booking a cruise seems more expensive than booking a flight at first glance, your dollar stretches further, as it covers the cost of accommodations, meals, and even some fun entertainment.
When you’re on board, you can choose the more leisurely approach- relaxing on deck, soaking up the sun and dipping in the pool while you indulge in your favorite icy beverage; or you can take advantage of the many activities, such as enjoying a live show, dancing at a club, heading to the casino or going for a workout.
Fear not, cruising from New York to Aruba gives you plenty of time to party and relax in equal measure.
The cabins onboard tend to be quite cozy, but depending on your budget and where you book, you can opt for a more luxurious room that might even include some extra amenities.
Entertainment on board of a Cruise
On my first cruise to the Caribbean when I was 12 years old, there was a frozen yogurt machine that you operated yourself! Can you imagine?! Complimentary, unlimited frozen yogurt 24-7! But that’s not everything, there are loads of entertainment options onboard.
One huge perk to going on a cruise is the amount of entertainment to indulge in. Cruise ships generally include most onboard entertainment, including dining.
Here’s an example of onboard entertainment offered by Princess Cruises:
Dining and Snacks:
- Three main dining rooms
- Chef’s Table Lumiere
- Wine Cellar dining
- Sabatini’s Italian Restaurant
- Crown Grill
- Steak and Seafood
- Gelato – gelateria serving ice cream & Italian crepes
- International Café – coffee, snacks and light meals
- Tea Tower
- Vines Wine Bar
- Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar
- Alfredo’s Pizzeria
- Horizon Court Buffet
- Pastry Shop, Prego – Poolside pizza
- Trident Grill – Hamburger and hot dog grill
- Swirls – Ice cream bar
- Ultimate Balcony Dining
- 24-hour room service
Showrooms / Lounges:
- Princess Theater
- Vista Lounge
- Princess Live! – television studio
- Wheelhouse Bar
- Club 6 Nightclub
- Bellini’s – Italian-inspired cocktails
- Crooners – martini bar
- Churchill’s Cigar Lounge
Guest Services:
- The Sanctuary
- Movies Under the Stars poolside screen
- Lotus Spa and Fitness Center
- Piazza Atrium
- Wedding Chapel
- Casino
- Sports Central
- Lawn Court – golf putting and lawn games
- Jogging/Walking track
- Kid’s and Teen’s Centers
- Internet Café
- Photo/Video Gallery
- Library Art Gallery
- The Shops of Princess
- Concierge Lounge (dedicated lounge for suite passengers)
- Guest Services Desk
- Shore Excursions Desk
- Medical Center
Cruise Logistics
Essentially, by the time you weigh how much you’ll spend on a cruise with everything you need, to how much you would be spending on resorts, meals and activities at your destination, the prices are not drastically different. There are ways to do both options in a budget friendly way, and there’s room the splurge when you can!
How much does a Cruise to Aruba cost?
Cruises from New York to Aruba will vary widely depending on a number of factors such as:
- Room accommodations
- Number of guests
- Number of nights
A 10-day cruise for two on Princess Cruises starts at $660/per person for a modest room without a balcony. For a Suite, the price escalates to $3,762/per person.
After the first two people, the price for the room increases, but at a discounted rate. For example, if you opt for the smaller room, but you would like to include an additional guest, the third guest would be an additional $249, and so on for a forth guest.
Cruises from New York to Aruba can be anywhere from 10-nights to 23-nights.
Itinerary during the cruise
Depending on how many nights your cruise is, each ship will have a different itinerary.
On a 10- to 20-night cruise, you have the luxury of stopping at many different destinations. Some cruises make it all the way up to Canada before heading down south to the Caribbean.
Here is an example of an itinerary for a 10-night cruise:
- Day 1 – New York (Manhattan)
- Day 2 – Cruising
- Day 3 – Cruising
- Day 4 – Cruising
- Day 5 – St. Maarten
- Day 6 – Antigua
- Day 7 – Cruising
- Day 8 – Aruba
- Day 9 – Cruising
- Day 10 – Cruising
- Day 11 – Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Here is an example of an itinerary for a 22-night cruise:
- Day 1 – New York (Manhattan)
- Day 2 – Cruising
- Day 3 – Bar Harbor
- Day 4 – St. John’s (Newfoundland)
- Day 5 – Halifax
- Day 6 – Sydney (Nova Scotia)
- Day 7 – Cruising
- Day 8 – Portland (Maine)
- Day 9 – Boston
- Day 10 – Cruising
- Day 11 – New York (Manhattan)
- Day 12 – Cruising
- Day 13 – Cruising
- Day 14 – Cruising
- Day 15 – St. Maarten
- Day 16 – Martinique
- Day 17 – Barbados
- Day 18 – Grenada
- Day 19 – Curacao
- Day 20 – Aruba
- Day 21 – Cruising
- Day 22 – Cruising
- Day 23 – Ocean Cay
- Day 24 – Miami
Visiting Aruba
Congrats! You booked your cruise ship and are mentally ready to arrive at your destination. But what do you do once you get there?
When you opt for a cruise, you don’t have a lot of time at your destination. That doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your time on dry land!
It’s best to know ahead of time what you’d like to do once you arrive so you don’t waste time trying to decide.
Activities in Aruba
Aruba is filled with fun activities. The cruise ships dock at the city capital Oranjestad. The area is filled with shops, restaurants and bars.
Aruba has lots of taxi’s rolling around, as well a bus, making it easy for you to explore different parts of the small island.
If you’re over just looking at the water and are finally ready to dive in, Aruba is known for its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. You can rent some snorkeling gear and become one with the wildlife!
Or, if you’re looking to stretch your legs and enjoy some landlocked activities, you can hike Arikok National Park. At its outer edge, you’ll even discover some less frequented and very stunning caves that boast ancient paintings from indigenous tribes. You might even spot a bat!
You can also wet your appetite by indulging in some authentic cuisine, which consists of a lot of seafood, and is inspired by Caribbean, Latin and Dutch cultures.
All in all, making the decision to take a cruise from New York to Aruba should be quite an easy one to make. It’s great for a memorable family vacation or a fun romantic getaway. It’s also a wonderful and safe place to meet new people!
Whether you’re excited about the never-ending entertainment, or just being at sea and underneath the stars, your cruise is bound to be an experience you will never forget.
