It’s an especially fun place for the kids to learn and interact with marine life. If taking a tour of the wild north to Christoffel Park, then a visit to the Savonet museum is a must. It gives you a glimpse into the island’s history from 4,000 years ago with a keen interest in plantations, which were once the backbone of the island’s economy. Bon Bini or welcome to Curacao, where colorful towns, stunning beaches, dramatic coastlines, rich culture, and charming locals all come together.
Bookings open for CCL's Carnival Venezia ship cruises from Port Canaveral (Orlando Florida)
There are plenty of fish to see here, especially along the rugged cliffs. Some green sea turtles can also be spotted in the middle part of the sloping sea bed. The park starts at the beautiful inlet of Boka Tabla, which has a nice underground cavern where you can enjoy the sights of the waves rolling in. Or head to Boka Kalki where green turtles can be seen laying their eggs. You get to learn all about the birds, feed them, and pet them, or even ride one if you are daring enough.
Ride an Ostrich
In 2018, the port's passenger shipping traffic increased 16% (over 2017) following the inauguration in 2017 of the second cruise ship pier. In early-2018, to both piers were added more mooring dolphins to allow docking of world's largest passenger liners. Curacao experiences tropical weather which means it’s sunny year round. The best time to visit Curacao is from February to May when it’s neither raining nor extremely hot. The off-peak season runs from May to November and is great if you are visiting on a budget, but it’s also the hottest season with a slight very rare chance of hurricane storms.
Grote Knip
The Curaçao Cruise Port offers modern facilities and services to accommodate cruise ships of various sizes. The port area is equipped with amenities such as a shopping center, restaurants, and entertainment options to cater to the needs and preferences of cruise passengers. Curacao’s cruise port is found at the southern point of the island in Willemstad, the capital city of Curacao. Depending on the size of your cruise ship, you can either dock at the Mega Pier or the smaller cruise terminal, both of which are located on opposite sides of the Sint Anna inlet.
This is the Curacao mega pier were cruise ships can dock while in port. Read the full Curacao cruise port guide to view all the options. However, if only 1 ship is in port, you are most likely going to dock here at the Mega Cruise Terminal. Within walking distance from where cruise ships dock, the city's unique colonial architecture has a number of attractions to explore on foot and on your own.
You get to this side of Willemstad by crossing the Queen Emma Bridge. Once out of the fort, wander around the colorful streets surrounded by pastel-colored buildings featuring more shopping and eating outlets. Afterward, head over to Queen Emma’s bridge to cross over to Punda, considered the livelier side and the heart of Willemstad. On the first one, you will find high-end shops like Adolfo Dominguez, Tiffany & Co, Breitling, Paul & Shark, Hilfiger, Nautica, Mango or Guess and a Starbucks (Free Wi-Fi).
Blue Bay
There is plenty of parking and amenities for a smooth day at the beach. Enjoy the hike up to Curacao’s highest point some 372 meters (1,200 feet) above sea level and enjoy panoramic views of the island. This is best done in the morning to take advantage of cooler temperatures and to ensure plenty of time to rest and hike leisurely. The mountain hike closes at 10 AM The park charges about 25 florins per person to access the park.
Mambo Beach
With so much to explore in the capital of Curaçao, the cruise visitor who doesn't venture beyond Willemstad will be missing a lot. The most unusual site which will catch your eye as soon as you dock in Curacao is the pontoon bridge. This is a floating pedestrian bridge from 1888 connection the two parts of the city centre. The bridge blocks the entree to one of the biggest natural harbours in the world. The bridge will swing open every now and then allowing ships to sail in.
Curacao Aiming for 1 Million Cruise Guests - Cruise Industry News
Curacao Aiming for 1 Million Cruise Guests.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Explore Curacao’s Art
You’ll find information on the different vessels, from expansive cruise liners to charming boutique ships and opulent luxury vessels. The Curaçao Cruise Port, strategically located on the island, serves as the gateway to an array of adventures, from exploring historical sites to relaxing on pristine beaches. For season 2019, Curacao Ports announced nearly 800,000 cruise tourists are expected to visit the country.
Alongside different recreation options, visitors can explore the nearby Sea Aquarium and Dolphin Academy. Mambo Beach, situated on the eastern coast of Curaçao, is a lively shore destination featuring numerous beach clubs, restaurants, and a vibrant shopping boulevard. This means that you walk straight into the hustle and bustle of the capital city when embarking the ship. The districts of Punda, Otrobanda, Pietermaai en Scharloo are just 5-15 minute walk from the Mega Pier Cruise Terminal. Included in the schedule are specifics about the types of ships that embark the port of Willemstad.
If a cruise is threatened with a hurricane, however, the ships are often diverted and you may miss your chance to explore this amazing port of call. From the cruise ship pier, Willemstad is just a walking distance away. Obviously, all cruise lines offer many and diverse shore excursions in Curaçao cruise port.
This beautiful diversity ensures you are never short of things to do in Curacao. Walking inland from Koningin Wilhelminapark, along Columbusstraat (Columbus Street), will take you to the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue - a unique Jewish Cultural Historical Museum. A bit farther, by the waterfront, the Floating Market is on the northern edge of this area - around 300 meters (900 feet) from the Koningin Wilhelminapark - and a sight not to be missed.
Convenience is key, especially for those with limited time to spend on the island. We will highlight a couple of popular beaches that are conveniently located near the cruise port, allowing passengers to easily access the sun, sand, and sea without extensive travel. Learn about transportation, top shore excursions, and all you need for an unforgettable visit.
One of the most popular attractions in this part of the city is the Queen Emma bridge that connects these two famous quarters of the island together. Go eat, explore, take pictures at the DUSHI & CURACAO signage, or shop while in Willemstad. The main street next to the fort is Breedestraat with many of the duty-free shops Willemstad is known for - Penha, Diamonds International, Effy or Cariloha. But a little farther east a very nice tree lined open area - Koningin Wilhelminapark (Queen Wilhelmina Park) - is a good place to enjoy a rest on a shaded café. At the Mathey Wharf the cruise visitor will also find an Information Booth, Restrooms, a Taxi stand, a stand for independent tour operators, and souvenirs shops.
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