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Norwegian Cruise Line offers several cruise itineraries featuring the ABC islands, which are comprised of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. These islands are located within close proximity to one another in the Southern Caribbean, also known as the Dutch Caribbean. In this article, we'll explore all there is to see and do on a cruise to Aruba. Whether you’re a history-lover, adventure-seeker or laid-back traveler, discover the best Caribbean cruise destinations for any guest with Princess. Active water sports rule the list of things to try while your cruise ship is docked in the port of Kralendijk.
day Southern Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral
Curaçao has a sizeable Jewish community, with the first wave of Jewish immigrants arriving in 1651. Today, it is home to the oldest continually used synagogue in the Americas. With a diverse population of roughly 160,000, Curaçao bursts at the seams with vibrance, nightlife, boutiques, museums, murals, and bustling bars dotted along its 30-plus much-touted beaches. Everything from hotels and transfers to excursions and cocktail-making experiences can be booked on-site. To plan your bucket list trip to the ABC Islands, read on for guidance on where to get a taste of the culture, unmissable activities, cultural events, and places to stay in this heart-stealing island constellation.
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Take in trendy Pietermaai and street art galore in Schaarloo, encounter caves and flamingos in Bandabou (or countryside) on the west, and meet African ostriches in Bandariba on the east. The “middle child” of the ABC Islands is geographically the largest, the most curvaceous, and a veritable cultural melting pot. Taking over from the Spanish, who had deemed the island “useless” due to a lack of precious metals, the Dutch conquered Curaçao in 1634 and used it as a trading base. The French and English had also previously taken an interest in the island.
Luxury Cruises to the ABC Islands
Religious and holiday celebrations are at the heart of Bonaire culture. Their music is a lively collection of tribal sounds, makeshift instruments and modern beats.
Or spend some time in Aruba's capital, Oranjestad, where you can learn about the island's history through its many museums and monuments, such as the National Archeological Museum and Fort Zoutman. Also stop by Cosecha, a century-old building bursting with local arts and crafts in Oranjestad, and The Creative Center, which is connected to Cosecha and has art classes. Aruba's music is also the result of diverse cultures blending beautifully, with the rhythms including calypso, Tumba, brass and the famous Roadmarch dancing. The latter is seen during carnival month but you can see street festivities, impressive costumes, local music and creative parades all year long.
Carnival Vista, ABC Islands New Year cruise from Port Canaveral, December 28, 2024
Dutch cuisine influences dishes on Curaçao the most, though Afro-Caribbean, Venezuelan and Indonesian influences have also made their way to the Curaçao tables. One of the staples is piska ku funchi, a fresh dish made with polenta, fried plantain and salad. The most popular fish on Curaçao is the red snapper and you'll find many dishes featuring it.
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Celebrity Eclipse, ABC Islands from Fort Lauderdale, January 30, 2025
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Bonaire as a cruise port of call offers a perfect blend of natural wonders, rich culture, and thrilling experiences. Whether you're exploring the picturesque beaches, partaking in exhilarating water activities, immersing yourself in the local culture, or indulging in delicious cuisine, Bonaire will leave you with cherished memories. Its warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, and vibrant atmosphere make it a truly remarkable destination. Bonaire is a nature enthusiast's paradise and conservation efforts are at the forefront of the tourism industry here. Make sure to meet the flamingos of Bonaire at Gotomeer — they're Bonaire's national bird. It can take a whole day to see it properly so make sure to stop by the visitor center and museum to plan your visit.
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Alongside the burgeoning diving industry, Bonaire has also found prosperity from salt production; the Cargill salt mounts are one of the top attractions on the island. Having oscillated between Spanish, English, and Dutch control, Bonaire has an international feel (the US dollar is the official currency) despite the heavy Dutch influence. After the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles on 10 October 2010, Bonaire became a special municipality of the Netherlands along with Saba and Sint Eustatius, and the BES Islands were formed.
This is a public beach, and as such, is relatively free of facilities, which is part of its rustic charm. You’ll find umbrellas to rent, though, and a food truck selling cold smoothies. Sail to serene Klein Bonaire, an uninhabited, 1,500-acre island surrounded by reefs, on a Samur, a traditional Siamese junk. Make a point of sampling the local cuisine, which has Dutch roots as well as African, Asian, and Portuguese. Birdwatchers will be in heaven in the ABC Islands, as there are so many colorful species. Look out for tiny, shimmering hummingbirds, the vivid, orange and black Venezuelan troupial, and yellow-headed parakeets.
If you don’t want to dive, there are glass-bottomed boat tours, glass-bottomed kayaks, and helmet diving, where you walk on the sea floor in a special helmet that doesn’t require you to wear a mask or use a regulator. Immerse yourself in the cultural fabric of the island by visiting during carnival (carnaval) in early January. You’ll hear tambú (Curaçaoan blues) and tumba, African-influenced sounds named after the Mandinka word for “drum.” Seú is another rhythmic festival that takes place on Easter Monday to celebrate the harvest. To dive further into Curaçao’s history, make a pit stop at the Kura Hulanda Museum, which displays African and Antillean art, and chronicles the slave trade and European colonization in a former merchant’s home. For a small island where cactuses outnumber people, Bonaire impresses with a plethora of varied and innovative cuisine options. Feast on flavors of the world at El Mundo (Spanish for “The World”) on Kralendijk’s main street or enjoy Spanish tapas bites at Bon Tapa.
Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea. Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines.
Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled. Curacao's cultural richness is showcased in its museums, craft markets, and local festivals. The Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in the Americas, stands as a testament to the island's religious diversity.
