Monday, October 28, 2024
Another long port day today: All Aboard is 10:30 p.m.
Our room service breakfast was delivered at 7:15. We were ready to meet the tour operators for our snorkeling excursion at 9:00.
The HAL excursion description: Catamaran, Snorkel and Beach Getaway – 3.5 hours
ABOUT THE EXCURSION: View Aruba’s beautiful beaches and resort hotels while relaxing on the open decks of a sailing catamaran specially designed and built for day cruises.
The catamaran moors at the west point of the island, and ladders provide easy access to the water for 50 minutes of swimming and snorkeling in the crystal-clear water teeming with tropical fish.
Continue to Pelican Marina and experience Aruba’s famous Palm Beach. Here on the white-sand beach, the crew serves unlimited drinks. Relax on a lounge chair or take a walk along the beach.
More adventurous guests may want to try one of the many watersport activities (at your own expense) or try your luck in one of the casinos within walking distance.
Sail back to the cruise terminal, enjoying tropical cocktails and entertaining Caribbean music.
Guests wishing to stay at the beach independently are welcome to do so but must make their own way back to the ship.
Notes: Snorkel equipment and instruction are provided. Wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a towel, reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen, light clothing to act as a full cover-up for further protection from the sun, and a hat. Swim at your own risk. Guests who are pregnant or have a respiratory, heart, back or neck condition or epilepsy are not allowed to participate. Waiver must be signed and medical conditions disclosed. Participants must be able to enter and exit the vessel on their own and must be able to swim to snorkel.
The day was sunny and not very windy, so I had high hopes for a good experience today. There were several people on this snorkel and seating was tight on the catamaran until they got underway, unfurled the sails, and opened up the bow for people.
We sailed to almost the lighthouse where there was a calm bay. The water was much warmer than Bermuda, so I was fine in my neoprene shirt. We swam toward the rocky shore as the fish were more plentiful there. We were having so much fun that the 50 minutes passed quickly, and we were surprised when we heard the boat horn blow. It was a long swim back to the boat.
Everyone was back on board except one man’s wife. They kept scanning the water and then realized she was swimming away from another boat toward our boat. She wasn’t making much progress and had to signal for help.
A crew member jumped in with a life ring and swam toward her. With her life jacket and the ring, she was able to just float and kick while the crew member pulled her to our boat. She was embarrassed to say that when she heard the horn she swam to the wrong boat and didn’t realize it until she got on it. She just tired out trying to get to the right boat. I’m just glad she had on a life vest.
Our next destination was a beach area. The crew ramped up the music and started serving Aruba Aribas. They were very potent and tasted great.
The catamaran was able to get close to the beach, so we were able to climb down easily. They advised that we could go shopping in the surrounding stores but, unlike the tour description, told us we should not sign up for any of the other activities: jet skiing, parasailing, etc. as we would not have enough time (unless we intended to stay at the beach and take a taxi back to the ship).
We spent the time bobbing in the water and talking with others on the excursion as the crew kept bringing the drinks from the boat.
Sadly, it was soon time to head back to the ship. As we were sailing back, the Aruba Coast Guard pulled up alongside of us and boarded. That shut down the music and the good times. It appeared all they did was check the Captain’s paperwork. I guess everything was in order as they disembarked and pulled away. Music and good times started up again.
If you are in Aruba and interested in snorkeling or a catamaran sail, I would highly recommend Pelican Adventures. I hope HAL continues to contract with them.
We got back at 1:00 in time for a Lido lunch and a long nap.
Refreshed after the nap, we looked at the menu for the main dining room and decided we would rather have dinner in the Lido. They have many of the same menu items and you can wear shorts. Shorts are not allowed in the main dining room or the specialty restaurants at dinner time.
We stopped again at the Billboard on Board bar to chat with the couple from Las Vegas about their day. We were surprised when the Casino opened around 5:30. Typically, the ship casino can’t open when in port, especially if the port offers gambling too. We didn’t ask questions. We just enjoyed an almost empty casino with our choice of machines.
We finally wandered up to the Lido. I went to the salad bar and Chuck got some jerk chicken and vegetables. I failed to get any photos.
We then headed to the World Stage for the show. The performer was Jeff Taveggia and his show was called “Juggling and Other Bad Habits.” We both thought he was very good.
By the time the show was over, the Casino had opened their table games, so Chuck headed that way. The Rolling Stone Band had the night off. I headed to the room and sat on the balcony watching the lights of Aruba until I got sleepy.
Snorkeling luck update: 1 – 2
Tomorrow: Sea Day
