Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

Best cruises to Aruba

6 amazing adventures to this picture-perfect Caribbean island.

Avatar
Cristal Dyer
Updated . What changed?
Fact checked
Aruba has Instagram-worthy beaches on the north shore, a rugged wind-swept coastline on the east and dramatic vistas of the Arikok National Park that cover almost 20% of the island. You can sail there from ports in the US or start your adventure by flying into a foreign port.

You can book a budget-friendly cruise with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, MSC or Norwegian Cruise Line. If you want a luxury cruise to Aruba, go with Celebrity, Seabourn or Regent Seven Seas.

Ports with cruises to Aruba

Most US cruise ports on the East Coast and Gulf Coast offer cruises to Aruba — look for Southern Caribbean cruises and cruises to the Panama Canal, which typically include a stop in Orenjestad, the capital city. You can also book cruises to Aruba that start in the Caribbean, like in Barbados or Puerto Rico, though you’ll need to factor airfare into your budget for the trip, unless you cruise with Seabourn, which includes roundtrip airfare in the cost.

These departure ports typically have cruises to Aruba:

  • Baltimore, Maryland
  • Bridgetown, Barbados
  • Charleston, South Carolina
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Galveston, Texas
  • Miami, Florida
  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Orlando, Florida (Port Canaveral)
  • Panama City, Panama
  • Philipsburg, St. Maarten
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Tampa, Florida

Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, However, it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated domestic travelers as of April 2021. International travelers need to get tested three days prior to flying out of the US and within three days after returning, even if you are fully vaccinated. It recommends that you delay travel if you’re not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.

If you’re planning a trip outside the US, bear in mind that many countries have placed restrictions on US tourists. Check the US embassy website for updates before booking international travel.

Our favorite cruises to Aruba

Cruise lineCruiseItineraryPriceBook
Royal CaribbeanSouthern Caribbean Cruise — 8 nights
  • Miami, Florida
  • Kralendijk, Bonaire
  • Willemstad, Curacao
  • Oranjestad, Aruba
  • Miami, Florida
From $607 per personBook now
CarnivalSouthern Caribbean from Charleston — 10 days
  • Charleston, South Carolina
  • Aruba
  • Bonaire
  • Grand Turk
  • Princess Cays
  • Charleston, South Carolina
From $779 per personBook now
Norwegian Cruise LineCaribbean: Curacao & Aruba to New Orleans — 14 days
  • New York, New York
  • Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
  • Willemstad, Curacao
  • Orenjestad, Aruba
  • Colon, Panama
  • Puerto Limon, Costa Rica
  • George Town, Grand Cayman
  • Cozumel, Mexico
  • New Orleans, Louisiana
From $1,266 per personBook now
CarnivalSouthern Caribbean — 8 days
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Aruba
  • Bonaire
  • Grand Turk
  • Orlando, Florida
From $529 per personBook now
Celebrity CruisesAruba, Curacao & Barbados — 7 nights
  • Philipsburg, St. Maarten
  • Willemstad, Curacao
  • Oranjestad, Aruba
  • Bridgetown, Barbados
  • Philipsburg, St. Maarten
From $1,599 per personBook now
SeabournTreasures of the Caribbean — 12 days
  • Oranjestad, Aruba
  • Willemstad, Curacao
  • Kralendijk, Bonaire
  • Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia
  • Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe
  • St. Johns, Antigua and Barbuda
  • Carambola Beach, Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Cruz Bay, St John
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico
  • Miami, Florida
From $5,299 per personBook now

Best cruise lines sailing to Aruba

Take to the seas and head straight for Aruba with our list of the best cruise companies to choose from.

Carnival

Best for a breezy budget escape: Carnival

Grab a seven-night sail for as little as $400 per person — and sometimes less, if you score the right deal. For that price, you’ll get your accommodation, entertainment and nightly shows, a wide variety of dining options and onboard facilities including pools, hot tubs, water slides and youth programs.
  • No free room service
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • No price matching
  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Paypal, Carnival EasyPay, Gift Card, Discover Card, Debit, Western Union, Cheque
Price ($-$$$):
Book now
MSC

Best for families: MSC

If its “kids cruise free” policy doesn’t sway you, then we’re sure you’ll be a fan of the kids club program for ages three and up. Video game arcades, LEGO-designed playrooms and late-night entertainment and activities are all on offer.

Babies and toddlers won’t miss out either. Bottle warmers, strollers, bouncing chairs and high chairs are available to hire and the mini club is outfitted with fun and educational toys so you can play together.


  • Room service included
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • No price matching
  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Card
Price ($-$$$):
Book now
Celebrity

Best for an overnight in Aruba: Celebrity

Celebrity offers an overnight stay in Aruba on many of its itineraries so you can have a full day to explore plus a chance to experience the island at night. Enjoy a sunset sail, dinner on the beach or a romantic stroll by moonlight without needing to rush back to the ship.
  • Room service included
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • No price matching
  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express
Price ($-$$$):
Book now
Seabourn

Best for couples: Seabourn

With no more than 600 cruisers on board, Seabourn’s luxury all-inclusive ships create an intimate atmosphere for you both to unwind. Relax with a couples massage, savor an elegant meal and indulge in a bottle of champagne in your oceanfront suite. At night, you can dance the night away to a live band or listen to piano music in a quiet corner of one of the lounges.
  • Room service included
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • No price matching
  • Visa, American Express, Discover Card
Price ($-$$$):
Book now
Royal Caribbean

Best for onboard entertainment: Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean sure knows how to entertain a crowd and every day brings something new for you to experience. We’re talking Broadway shows, late-night comedy, nightclubs and tons of live music. Not to mention, it’s the only line out there to offer ice skating shows in an onboard rink and water-based acrobatic shows in a pool stage area.
  • Room service included
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • Price matches
  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Price ($-$$$):
Book now
Norwegian

Best for New York departures: Norwegian

Don’t let the distance dissuade you. Norwegian offers several round-trip and one-way itineraries, often with up to 12 hours in Aruba. Costs are reasonable, sales are generous and you’ll find a wide range of dining and entertainment options on board that will keep most types of cruisers satisfied on days at sea.
  • Room service included
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • No price matching
  • Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners, Discover Card
Price ($-$$$):
Book now
Regent

Best for luxury: Regent

Looking for that champagne and caviar getaway? Regent’s spacious all-suite accommodations feature marble accents and walk-in wardrobes, exquisite cuisine choices with a perfectly paired glass of wine and dynamic entertainment options that’ll have you cheering late into the night. Even better, there’s no penny-pinching here with everything including your shore excursions covered in the fare.
  • No free room service
  • No free alcohol
  • Food included
  • No price matching
  • Visa, American Express, Discover Card
Price ($-$$$):
Book now

How we picked our best cruises

When choosing cruises for this list, we look at the quality of routes available from each cruise line, prioritizing well-paced itineraries with port stops at key destinations around Aruba.

We also consider onboard dining options, weighing the number, variety and overall quality of restaurants against passenger reviews. Finally, we weigh cabin amenities against each price point, looking for cruise lines that are known to deliver the highest value.

We also seek out customer reviews on travel websites and personal travel blogs, considering first-person experiences and each company’s overall reputation.

When is the best time to cruise to Aruba?

Aruba’s peak tourist season runs from November to April, but due to the consistently warm temperatures, you aren’t limited to any particular season when planning your visit.

Narrow down your options by considering these weather, festival and budget factors:

  • Best time to visit. Late March to May is our recommendation for fewer crowds, fun festivals and overall great weather.
  • Rainy season. Aruba is located outside of the hurricane belt but it’s not unknown for tropical systems to form close by. Summer through fall is when you’ll find the worst of the storms and November is the wettest month of the year. Consider cruise travel insurance before your trip to avoid any disappointments.
  • Key festivals and events. Aruba’s Carnival period is from January to March when street parties and celebrations abound. April 27 is when the island celebrates the King of the Netherlands’ birthday on King’s Day. Wear something orange and get ready to join the locals in fun-filled activities around the island. National Flag and Anthem Day on March 18 is another big one to look forward to.
  • Looking to save some money? April through October is when you might find prices for excursions and activities considerably lower than during the peak season.

What are the must-do cruise excursions in Aruba?

Sure Aruba’s got its fair share of stunning beaches but once you’re ready to venture away from the shore, here are our top things to check out around the island.

  • Arikok National Park. Hike or opt for a horseback ride or 4WD through this rugged park featuring rock-face paintings, caves, sand dunes, unique rock formations and centuries-old cacti.
  • Aruba Aloe factory tour. A freebie but a goodie, learn anything you’ve ever wanted to about aloe plants. After the tour, you can pick up some soothing products to help with those pesky sunburns.
  • Scuba diving. Aruba is famous for its wreck diving and you can visit the Antilia, the Caribbean’s largest wreck or the 76-meter former concrete freighter, Jane Sea.
  • The Butterfly Farm. If you’ve got kids in tow or just love nature, make a beeline for these lush, tropical gardens and be surrounded by some winged beauties. Get there early enough and you might see butterflies emerging from their chrysalides.
  • De Palm Island. Whether you want to relax or try as many water activities as you can, this private all-inclusive retreat features beach cabanas, snorkel gear, water parks and even banana boat rides.
  • Sailing. Brunch cruises, party boats and sunset sails are all on offer here. You can get a full view of the island, hit some lesser-known swimming spots or snorkel among the coral reef.

What should I pack for a cruise to Aruba?

Casual summer wear will cover you for most of your trip and some light evening wear for nicer restaurants and any formal nights on board. A light sweater for cooler evenings as well as a cover-up to take you from the beach or pool to restaurants or shopping. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are all a must, as are flip-flops or sandals.

Current cruise deals

Expedia.com
Deal

Disney cruises from $705 per person to the Caribbean

T&Cs apply.
Get deal
Priceline
Deal

Disney Cruise Line deals starting from $213/night to Caribbean and other destinations

T&Cs apply.
Get deal
Expedia.com
Deal

Save up to 25% on select Bahamian, Caribbean and Baja cruises with Disney

T&Cs apply.
Get deal
CruiseDirect
Deal

Carnival cruises starting from just $55/night to the Bahamas and other destinations

T&Cs apply.
Get deal
Expedia.com
Deal

Carnival cruises to the Caribbean starting from $179 per person

T&Cs apply.
Get deal
Expedia.com
Deal

Save up to 83% off Carnival cruises to the Caribbean

Caribbean cruises from 4-7 nights from $179 per person. T&Cs apply.
Get deal

Bottom line

Make the effort and once you’re there, you’ll see why a cruise to Aruba is worth the travel — it’s at the top of everyone’s bucket list for a reason. Save on your trip with our top cruise deals to make it that much easier.

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.
Go to site