Willemstad, Curacao - Caribbean Cruises

A taxi will transfer you the short distance across the Queen Juliana Bridge to your waiting Trolley Train.

Sit back and relax as you pass through the bustling streets of Willemstad, taking in the surrounding sights. During your tour, you will also enjoy a brief stop by the Pietermaai Cathedral.

Afterwards, you will disembark the Trolley Train at Fort Amsterdam. You may choose to remain in Willemstad at the end of the tour. If so, you will be responsible for your own return to the quayside.


This excursion will operate by taxi and trolley train. It is important to note that the duration of the trolley train ride is approximately one hour 15 minutes, subject to local traffic conditions. The remainder of the tour duration allows for the transfer time between the ship and town and vice versa, and the possibility of heavy traffic. In the event of less traffic or the ship berthing nearer to Willemstad, less transfer time may be required. All timings are approximate. Guests must negotiate the step onto and off the Trolley Train. Please note that the Cathedral may not be accessible during services. Modest dress is recommended to enter the Cathedral.

Setting off from the port, take a short ride to the kayaking point, where you will be met by your guides. After a full safety briefing and instruction, you will be shown to your kayak.

As you follow your guides, you will paddle under the old pier gliding past Fort Beekenburg and a typical old manor estate, known as Quarantine House.

Kayak your way to Doctor's Bay, where you can enjoy some time snorkelling and discovering the underwater world of Curaçao. Afterwards, it is time to kayak back to the starting point, where you will enjoy a soft drink refreshment before the return drive to the port.


ACTIVITY EXCURSIONS
You and all those in your party should be aware that, in undertaking activity excursions, you will be involved in a degree of physical exertion and/or activity such as hiking, biking, snorkelling, kayaking, diving etc. By booking the excursion you confirm that you and all those in your party are in good physical and mental condition, with no history of conditions such as seizures, dizziness, fainting, heart condition, respiratory problems or back/neck problems (by way of example only). You should also ensure that no one in your party is taking medicine that carries a warning about impairment of physical or mental abilities. If you are pregnant this type of excursion may not be appropriate for you. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in the activities booked and you are reminded to take care for your own safety. Because of the risks associated with activity excursions, you may be asked by the excursion provider to sign a document which may affect or limit the excursion provider’s liability. Comfortable flat walking shoes are recommended.

BEACH/WATER RELATED EXCURSIONS
For any excursion involving water, guests are reminded to exercise particular care. Alcohol and eating a full meal should be avoided before swimming. If buoyancy aids are provided for an activity they must be worn at all times. You should bear in mind that the sea is unpredictable. Lifeguards are unlikely to be present and there may not be a flag system to indicate whether or not it is safe to go in the water. In addition, beach activities may not be supervised or accompanied and so you should take care to satisfy yourself as to the safety of the beach and/or the sea at the time of your excursion. Please exercise caution when entering the sea as the seabed and aquatic environment is capable of springing surprises and we have not inspected the beach or seabed for its safety. Children must be supervised by you at all times near water. All activities on the beach, water and in the sea are undertaken at your own risk. You’ll need to take swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and flat shoes that can be worn in the water.

LIABILITY
Cunard will arrange for the excursions to be performed by the relevant excursion provider. Cunard does not provide or supply the excursion services. Cunard will exercise reasonable care and skill in the selection of the excursion provider, but will not in any circumstances have a greater liability than the excursion supplier and Cunard shall not be responsible for the negligent acts/omissions of the excursion supplier. Please note that in relation to all excursions Cunard is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or injury sustained by you unless such loss, damage or injury arises out of a breach of legal duty of Cunard.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
Before booking any activity excursions it is essential that you ensure your travel insurance extends to cover the specified activity. It is your responsibility to obtain adequate insurance.

This excursion will operate by bus, minibus or taxi. Pregnant women and children under the age of 12 are not permitted to participate. Participants should be competent swimmers and physically fit. Those with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, high blood pressure or other medical conditions may not be able to participate. Please take a hat, sunglasses, shoes that can get wet, a towel and non-oil sunscreen. You will be required to wear a life jacket. Snorkel masks are included. Fins are not included. Marine life sightings cannot be guaranteed and visibility is dependent on sea conditions.

Descend into the hull of the Seaworld Explorer underwater observatory. Sitting in air-conditioned comfort five feet below the surface, you can watch the watery world and its inhabitants pass you by through the large windows. You will see coral reefs along the south side of the island and notice the ocean wall dropping sharply to depths of several hundred feet, a view only normally seen by submarines and divers. Dozens of colourful tropical fish such as Yellowtail Snapper, Sergeant Majors, Parrotfish and Angelfish make these warm waters their home. look out for the diver, who will feed some of the fish alongside the seaworld explorer.

Once back on land, cross over the Queen Juliana Bridge, 200 feet above Willemstad and onto the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory, where you will have the opportunity to sample the famous Blue Curaçao Liqueur.


This excursion will operate by bus and semi-sub. The Chobolobo Factory generally closes on Sundays and bank holidays. This visit will be replaced with the Caribbean Handicraft Store, where liqueur tasting will still be offered. The seaworld explorer is not suitable for those who suffer from seasickness. You may choose to end your tour in Willemstad and make your own way back to the quayside. This tour involves limited walking, however guests must be able to negotiate two or three steep steps onto and off the Seaworld Explorer. Participants in the liqueur sampling must be 18 years of age or over.

Travel into the countryside, passing salt flats and flamingos before arriving at the Hato Caves. This dramatic collection of grottoes is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, centuries in the making.

Afterwards, you will head to the Curaçao Museum which was founded in 1946, and combines contemporary art with an exhibition of life in 19th century Curaçao. During your tour, enjoy a brief stop at the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory, giving you an ideal opportunity to taste and purchase the locally distilled Curaçao liqueur.

Cross the Queen Juliana Bridge and catch a glimpse of the wonderful view over Willemstad.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot. The Chobolobo Factory generally closes on Sundays and bank holidays. This visit will be replaced with the Caribbean Handicraft Store, where liqueur tasting will still be offered. There are approximately 50 steps to negotiate when entering the caves and some steps once inside. The terrain is uneven and gravel in parts and can become slippery. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are essential. Guests are requested not to touch the formations in Hato Caves for environmental reasons. Photography is only permitted in certain areas of the Caves. Participants in the liqueur sampling must be 18 years of age or over. If you wish to remain in Willemstad after your tour, please note that you will be responsible for your own return to the quayside.

An air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide and local driver is offered on this tour. This is a private vehicle; those accompanying you are family or friends with whom you agree to share costs. We do not match groups of guests to form a private group for the vehicle. Vehicles and guides are extremely limited and so early reservation is recommended to avoid disappointment. No deviations to duration, venues if included or departure and return times can be made.

Minivans will take up to five guests.

Travel into the countryside, passing salt flats and flamingos before arriving at the Hato Caves. This dramatic collection of grottoes is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, centuries in the making. At the foot of the Caves, is the Petroglyph Trail, where, time permitting, you may choose to take a short independent walk, passing an ancient slave shelter and exceptional 1,500-year-old religious scenes carved into the rock walls.

Afterwards, you will head to the Curaçao Museum which was founded in 1946, and combines contemporary art with an exhibition of life in 19th century Curaçao. During your tour you will also enjoy a brief stop at the Chobolobo Liqueur Factory, giving you an ideal opportunity to taste and purchase the locally distilled Curaçao liqueur.

Cross the Queen Juliana Bridge and catch a glimpse of the wonderful view over Willemstad.

Private tours are non-refundable once confirmed. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability and the number of guests in your party. Only one ticket per party should be booked and the full cost will be charged to that person’s credit card. Once on board, you’ll receive a request for the names of each individual in your party. This information is required to allow your party to disembark the ship for the tour. The Chobolobo Factory generally closes on Sundays and bank holidays. This visit will be replaced with the Caribbean Handicraft Store, where liqueur tasting will still be offered. There are approximately 50 steps to negotiate when entering the caves and some steps once inside. The terrain is uneven and gravel in parts and can become slippery. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are essential. Guests are requested not to touch the formations in Hato Caves for environmental reasons. Photography is only permitted in certain areas of the Caves. Participants in the liqueur sampling must be 18 years of age or over. If you wish to remain in Willemstad after your tour, please note that you will be responsible for your own return to the quayside.

From the dock in Willemstad, it is just a short drive to the Seaworld Explorer, a state-of-the-art semi-submarine. Developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef, this vessel does not actually submerge. You will descend into the hull of this cruising underwater observatory, and sit in air-conditioned comfort, five feet below the surface of the water.

As you explore the sea life through large glass windows, you will see dozens of colourful tropical fish such as Yellowtail Snapper, Sergeant Majors, Parrotfish and Queen Angelfish. Your underwater adventure also includes a narrated tour of the coral reefs along the south side of the island, which took thousands of years to grow. Look out for the diver, who will feed some of the fish, alongside the seaworld explorer. Just offshore you will also observe the ocean wall, which drops sharply to depths of several hundred feet.


This excursion will operate by semi-submersible. The Seaworld explorer is not suitable for those who suffer from seasickness. This tour involves limited walking, however guests must be able to negotiate 2 or 3 steep steps onto and off the Seaworld Explorer. Marine life sightings are dependent on local sea conditions.