Monday, April 1, 2024

Willemstad Curacao Cruise Port Guide

curacao cruise port

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. When the pontoon bridge opens make sure not to be on it or you’ll be stuck. If the bridge is open free ferries will go up and down to service the pedestrians. Curaçao Cruise Port is a wonderful experience for cruisers in the Caribbean. From the lively capital city of Willemstad to its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Fun Day at the Sea Aquarium

This unique market is a water-based place where sellers sell fresh fruits and fish from boats. Learn this and more interesting history about the Jews of Curacao at the Jewish Museum adjoined to the synagogue. There is a $10 entrance fee but it’s worth every penny to explore. It’s no wonder Punda is declared a UNESCO World Heritage center.

curacao cruise port

NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line restarts from PortMiami with its 9th ship Norwegian Joy

Find out which ones we recommend in the Curaçao cruise port guide. Both terminals have great transportation access, allowing guests to move around the island’s memorable landscapes and coastal scenes. Situated off the coast of Venezuela, Willemstad is the capital city and main entrance to Curaçao.

Curaçao Cruise Info

Exploring them can be done in under two hours so it’s easy to combine with another activity in the north. The sea aquarium is located on the waterfront in the west coast of Willemstad and has plenty to see, do, and learn. There are large pools with a variety of marine life found in Curacao’s water and interesting shows, such as dolphin, sea lion, and shark shows held daily. It’s an especially fun place for the kids to learn and interact with marine life. 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.

Itinerary Changed, Port Cancelled for Norwegian Cruise Ship - Cruise Hive

Itinerary Changed, Port Cancelled for Norwegian Cruise Ship.

Posted: Tue, 28 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The Caracasbaai jetties offer berths with a depth of 13.7 meters and a maximum LOA of 320, while the depth at the St. Michiel buoy is 39.6 meters and holds a maximum of 350,000 DWT. We look forward to welcome you to our facilities; for more information, contact us. The development of the St. Anna Bay will expand on the downtown experience with a mix of residential, commercial and entertainment areas along both sides of the canal.

Beach Pass Information

Whether it’s the colorful murals of Otrobanda or the charming pastel houses of Punda, each street in Willemstad unfolds as a pleasant surprise. Upon your arrival in Willemstad, the breathtaking architecture immediately captures your attention. The city boasts a variety of vividly colored buildings that are guaranteed to leave an impression. Another crucial aspect highlighted in the schedule is the frequency of arrivals and departures.

The Floating Market

One common shore excursion goes to Mambo Beach and includes some stops along the way to view highlights of the island. The cost is about $60 per person for a four-hour trip including two hours at the beach. Colorful Willemstad is the dominant attraction at Curaçao’s cruise port.

Beaches, sights, and landmarks are easily accessible from the Curaçao Cruise Port. You can book a shore excursion, get a taxi, or rent a car to get around the island. Downtown Willemstad is within walking distance from the various piers. One of the first things cruise ship passengers will learn about visiting Willemstad is how to use the pedestrian Queen Emma Bridge. This pedestrian bridge is designed so that when ships are coming through port the bridge will open.

It is simply decorated inside and also houses a Fort Church Museum where you can learn about the island’s culture and the history of the Protestant community of Curacao. Constructed across St Anna Bay, this pedestrian floating bridge constructed in 1888 and renovated multiple times connects Otrobanda and Punda districts. The bridge is also called “Swinging Old Lady” by the locals and regularly opens to enable the passage of larger vessels. Playa Lagun is the best spot for snorkeling right from the beach. There are plenty of fish to see here, especially along the rugged cliffs.

Coverting tips for the port at Willemstad along with beaches and excursions. The ships of Holland America always dock at the Mega Pier Cruise Terminal in Curaçao. Large numbers of passengers can go ashore efficiently from this pier.

This inlet divides the town into two districts, Otrabanda on the west and Punda on the East. 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. Smaller vessels dock at the older pier Curaco Cruise Ship Terminal (located inside Santa Anna Bay). Both piers are within walking distance from the city's main tourist attractions.

curacao cruise port

Or try strange meats such as iguana, lionfish, and ostrich meat, which are served in select restaurants on the island. Sample a great selection of Afro-Caribbean flavors at waterfront restaurants and authentic Curacao restaurants in the heart of Willemstad. Apart from Dutch, Caribbean, African, and Spanish flavors, Curacao has over 50 more international influences in its cuisine, guaranteeing you an unforgettable gastronomical exploration.

The famous pontoon bridge is a 5-minute walk from the Mathey Wharf. Cruise ships that stop at Curaçao dock at one of the two locations in the center of the capital Willemstad. As soon as you set foot ashore you are immediately in the bustling Otrobanda district.

The uninhabited island features an old lighthouse, a shipwreck, a beach house with thatched palapas, and miles of soft white sandy beaches. 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. The fort is now a UNESCO world heritage site and bears a lot of the island’s history and heritage.

Many cruise guests take a trip to Mambo Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and the closest one to the cruise port. Mambo Beach is located a minute drive from the port of Curacao (around 7 km/4.3 miles) and to get there you can book a shore excursion, take a taxi, or take a public bus from the Willemstad downtown. Mega piers 1 and 2 accommodate large cruise ships that can’t fit through Santa Anna Bay’s narrow opening to the dock at Handelskade in Willemstad.

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