Considering a Curacao Honeymoon Cruise

by Shannon Kietzman, writer for Your Wedding Place.com

Curacao is one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean. Located forty miles east of Aruba and thirty-five miles north of Venezuela, it is just below the hurricane belt. Yet, it enjoys temperate year-round weather and is sometimes made part of Panama Canal cruise itineraries.

Getting to Curacao

A number of mainstream cruise lines visit Curacao, including Princess Cruises, Holland American Cruise line, Royal Caribbean Cruise line, and Norwegian Cruise line. Curacao is the largest and most populated islands in the Netherlands Antilles. Therefore, it can accommodate large cruise ships. Upon arriving in the harbor, you will notice the Dutch-colonial homes and the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge. When visiting Curacao on your honeymoon cruise, there are a few things you need to know, such as:

• The Netherlands Antillean Florin is the official currency and it is equal to $0.55 in United States currency. Nonetheless, United States dollars are widely accepted.
• The official language of Curacao is Dutch, but Spanish and English are both widely spoken.

What to See and Do While on a Curacao Cruise

Curacao is filled with history and culture. Therefore, most cruise lines offer a number of cultural and historical tours, including folklore tour. You can also enjoy canoeing, snorkeling, and scuba diving while on a Curacao honeymoon cruise. Some of the more popular sites to visit include:

• Floating Market – The floating market consists of dozens of ships from Colombia, Venezuela, and West Indian islands and offers vegetables, fruits, and handicrafts for sale.
• Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge – This bridge stands guard to the harbor of Curacao. This motorized guard opens a minimum of thirty times per day in order to allow ships to enter and to leave the harbor. Foot traffic is also allowed to cross the bridge, which connects both sides of Willemstand, without paying a toll.
• Curacao Sea Aquarium – The Aquarium is located east of Willemstad and is home to over 400 species of fish, coral, crabs, sea anemones, and other sea creatures. You can even hand feed sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles or swim with the dolphins while visiting the Aquarium.
• Den Paradera – This organic herb garden provides educational tours about herbal remedies used both locally and in folklore. At the gift shop, you can purchase oils, shampoos, and potpourris.
• Punda – For the shopper, Punda offers five blocks of shopping paradise with over 200 shops offering items such as silks, perfumes, linens, leather goods, watches, liquor, and cheese.
• Curacao Underwater Marine Park – The Marine Park provides visitors with 12.5 miles of protected reefs with numerous opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Here, you can explore sunken wrecks and view more than 30 different species of coral.
• Hato Caves – These caves feature limestone stalagmites and stalactites, as well as underground lakes. In addition, you can observe numerous prehistoric Indian petroglyphs while visiting the park.
• Ostrich Farm – Outside of Africa, Curacao is home to the largest ostrich breeding farm in the world. Here, you can hold an ostrich egg or even ride on an adult ostrich. If you are so inclined, you can also dine on ostrich delicacies at the restaurant located on the farm.
• Beaches – Most couples want to explore beaches and sunshine while on a honeymoon cruise. If this is the case for you and your sweetheart, Curacao will not let you down. Curacao is home to over three dozen beaches, with one of the most well-equipped being Santa Barbara Beach. Here, you can enjoy recreational opportunities and water sports amid the pure white sand.

A Curacao honeymoon cruise is filled with history, beautiful beaches, and fascinating attractions. Whether you soak in some rays on the beach or indulge your adventurous side snorkeling and exploring ancient civilizations, a Curacao cruise is one you will not soon forget.

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