“Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya.” You know you read that in rhythm! It’s Day 3 aboard the Disney Magic, and we’re making our first port of call of this sailing — Oranjestad, Aruba.
As I mentioned on Day 1, this is our first time visiting the island chain known as the ABC Islands — Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. While we’ve explored many Caribbean islands over the years, this particular itinerary has always been one of the more elusive ones to snag. Located just fifteen miles north of Venezuela, the ABCs require longer voyages and a few extra sea days to reach from Florida ports. Since most cruise lines tend to stick to seven-night itineraries or less, getting to the ABCs usually means committing to a ten-day sailing — and this time, we finally made it happen.
We pulled in under absolutely perfect weather, with a low of 72° and a high of 84°. The only drawback? The trade winds — steady at 25 to 30 mph all day — which added a bit of a breeze (and some interesting hair moments). Because we only have a short distance to travel overnight to reach Curaçao tomorrow, we’re blessed with an extended day in port. We received our all ashore clearance just after 8:00 a.m., and all aboard isn’t until 9:45 p.m., leaving plenty of time for a morning excursion followed by some leisurely shopping in the port district.
As we made our way off the ship and toward our tour bus, we spotted the Oceania Insignia joining us in port — a fellow visitor to this sunny slice of paradise.
Here’s what Disney Cruise Line has to say about this destination:
Aruba is an independent country in the southern Caribbean. This stunning port of call is approximately 18 miles north of the Venezuelan coast.
Local Culture and Flavor
Unlike much of the Caribbean, Aruba has a dry climate and an arid, cactus-dotted landscape. Island visitors can expect warm, sunny weather and sandy beaches on the western and southern coasts. Most residents reside in or around the 2 major city-like districts of Oranjestad (the capital) and San Nicolaas. Aruba features an array of duty-free shops and casinos, along with upscale restaurants, nightclubs and some of the best windsurfing in the world!Past and Present
Aruba’s original inhabitants were the Arawak Indians. Since then, centuries of wars and revolutions oscillated control of Aruba between the Spanish and the Dutch. Today, it is a cultural melting pot and a constituent country of the Netherlands. Gold, black gold and aloe are among the island’s chief exports and crops, but oil and tourism remain its biggest industries.
Natural Wonders of Aruba
Anytime we visit a new destination, we like to choose excursions that offer a guided tour highlighting the key sights while giving us a sense of the island’s history and culture. And by “we,” I really mean me — Angie generally enjoys them, but our daughter absolutely despises having to learn anything while not in school.
For this trip, we booked the Natural Wonders of Aruba bus tour, which was billed as:
Delight in the natural beauty of Aruba, including a tropical garden teeming with exotic butterflies.
On this adventure you will…
- Board a motorcoach and drive 15 minutes to The Butterfly Farm, Aruba’s most visited ecological reserve.
- Upon arrival, meet your guide and take a 45-minute tour through a tropical garden wonderland where hundreds of beautiful butterflies from around the world fly freely around you.
- Drive past a forest of divi-divi trees, a uniquely shaped cactus that favors the dry Aruban climate. Then travel west to one of Aruba’s most famous attractions, the Natural Bridge Ruins. The Natural Bridge stood 25 feet high and 100 feet long before it collapsed into the sea in 2005. Today the remnants of this coal limestone archway formed naturally over thousands of years are a reminder of the beauty that once existed. It is also the spot of another natural archway, the Baby Bridge.
- Reboard your motorcoach and drive 20 minutes to Ayo Rock Formations. These towering stone boulders and their unusual shapes combine with the tranquil desert environment to create a sense of awe.
- After your day of discovery, embark on a 35-minute scenic drive back to Oranjestad, the capital of Aruba, and remain downtown for shopping or return to the pier.
We started out with a pleasant drive along the shoreline, passing a string of beautiful beaches and resorts. As we went, our driver shared insights about the different sections of the city and its residents. The beaches were absolutely stunning — soft white sand giving way to crystal-clear turquoise waters. Lining the coast were cabanas and umbrellas, which we learned are completely free of charge and first come, first served. Even better, every beach on the island is public. Beachfront resorts only own the land their buildings sit on — their property doesn’t extend to the water. No hassling over property lines in the sand here!
Another interesting tidbit: there are currently 18 casinos on the island, with three more under construction. Considering Aruba measures only 19 miles long and about 6 miles wide (for a total of roughly 70 square miles) and has a population of around 110,000, that puts it on par with Las Vegas for casinos per capita! Granted, most of these are smaller, hotel-based gaming floors rather than full-scale casinos, but it still speaks to the island’s focus on tourism — which accounts for nearly 90% of Aruba’s revenue. It’s safe to say they know how to keep visitors entertained and spending.
As for the name Aruba, there isn’t one definitive translation, but the most widely accepted meanings are “well situated” or “well placed.” Our driver suggested that this refers to the island’s enviable location below the hurricane belt. In fact, Aruba has never been hit by a hurricane, earthquake, or other major natural disaster. Compare that to much of the Caribbean, and I’m sure there’s plenty of jealousy to go around — I’m looking at you, Jamaica.
Butterfly Kisses
Our first stop was the Butterfly Farm. We spent about 45 minutes there, including a guided walk through the lush, netted garden where butterflies and moths of all kinds fluttered freely among the tropical plants. As we wandered, our guide explained the maturation process — from caterpillar to chrysalis to full-fledged flight.
One particularly interesting tidbit was that some moth species are born without mouths, which means their life spans are only about a week. After spending months in a cocoon, that’s a pretty anticlimactic ending!
The guide also demonstrated a few ways to encourage butterflies to land or climb onto you, including rubbing your fingers on an orange to act as “butterfly perfume.” His favorite technique, though, was a bit more… unconventional. He joked that after a night of indulging in adult beverages, your sweat glands naturally excrete sugars — making you extra appealing to butterflies the next morning.
As we walked, I managed to coax an Owl Butterfly onto my hand. He seemed perfectly content and stayed with me for nearly five minutes before finally fluttering off into the trees. It was a charming little stop, and of course, I couldn’t resist checking out the different varieties of ginger plants scattered throughout the sanctuary, along with the plumerias blooming beautifully around the perimeter.
Natural Rock Formations
Since the theme of this excursion was Natural Wonders, our next few stops took us into the countryside, exploring more secluded areas in the island’s interior before ultimately ending up in the northeastern corner to see the famous natural land bridges.
Now, I’m sure some people might consider choosing to look at rocks instead of lounging on a beach a questionable life choice — but I’ve always been a bit of a geology nerd, fascinated by how the power of nature shapes our world. The northern shore of Aruba is a stark contrast to the calm, resort-lined beaches of the south. The soft white sands give way to jagged rock formations and crashing surf. With strong trade winds blowing in from the open sea, this is definitely not the place to spread out a beach blanket or take a swim. But the views? Absolutely stunning. The sea spray carried by the wind created a refreshing mist that offered a brief reprieve from the tropical heat.
After leaving the land bridge, we made a quick drive-by of an abandoned gold mine, cleverly built to resemble a fort as a form of camouflage back in its day. Unfortunately, it was off-limits for safety reasons, so we didn’t get the chance to see if they left any nuggets behind.
This excursion is priced at $64 for adults (ages 10 and up), $36 for children (ages 3–9), and is complimentary for infants two and under. It’s always a good idea to bring along a bit of extra cash for tipping your guide or picking up souvenirs at the various stops along the way.
Lasting about four hours, it’s a great way to get an overview of the island and its highlights. Would I do this exact excursion again? Probably not. It was absolutely worth doing once, but on a return trip, there are plenty of other options I’d want to explore before repeating this one.
Around the Port of Oranjestad
Arriving back at the ship around 1:00 p.m., we still had plenty of time to explore around the pier. I have to say, this is a prime location with an excellent mix of shopping and dining options just steps from the ship. Everything was clean, well-kept, and — best of all — there weren’t any of those overly persistent salespeople trying to drag you into their shops with “special offers.”
A row of small trinket huts lined the waterfront, offering the usual souvenirs — T-shirts, hats, bags, shot glasses, and the like — the same staples you’ll find at every port stop. This area opens up onto Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, which runs along the coastline and connects to a main street filled with shops and eateries. You’ll also find several resorts and, of course, the aforementioned casinos scattered on either side of the street.
We were on a mission to find a Pandora charm to add to the collection, but quickly realized something that explained why the streets seemed quieter than expected — it was Sunday. The Pandora jeweler was closed for the day, as were many of the other shops. A few had handwritten signs in the windows listing limited hours, most closing around 2:00 p.m. I’d say roughly a third of the stores in the main district weren’t open at all. Don’t worry though — the casino is 24/7!
We took a brief stroll through the Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort and Casino just to check it out. As I mentioned earlier, these casinos aren’t exactly sprawling complexes of glitz and glamour. This one had two roulette wheels, about ten table games including Blackjack, Caribbean Stud, and Three Card Poker, along with around a hundred slot machines. I’d estimate the entire gaming floor was about the same size as the casino on the MSC World America.
And remember when I said Aruba wants to make sure you don’t leave the island with any money left? Well, if you happen to walk out of the casino a winner, you’ll immediately find yourself surrounded by Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, and — of course — Rolex and all manner of sparkling jewelry stores waiting to help lighten your wallet.
All things considered, this was a great port day. I could easily see coming back here, whether on another cruise or even for a long weekend getaway. A quick search showed that Southwest Airlines offers daily flights from Orlando to Aruba, and at around $300 for a three-hour flight, it just might be worth considering for the future.
Here are some sights from around the island and port area:
Dinner at Lumiere’s on Disney Magic
Dining rotation night three brought us to Lumiere’s. This restaurant takes the place of Royal Court and Royal Palace, which you’ll find on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. The motif here is French classic, with elegant murals of Beauty and the Beast in full gala attire. Gold-leaf accents highlight the crown molding and fixtures, giving the room an extra touch of sophistication.
The menu is identical to that on the Dream and Fantasy — one we barely need to glance at anymore — and it features some of my all-time favorites. I kicked things off with a double-down appetizer combo: Iced Lobster and Shrimp paired with Fried Brie served with cranberry chutney. I’m salivating even typing this a day later!
The only real decision I wrestled with was the soup. Torn between French Onion and Potato Leek, I asked Christiano to surprise me. Without hesitation, he smiled and said, “Congratulations — you’ll be having the French Onion!”
For the entrée, the choice was much easier. The Chateaubriand Filet Steak is simply impossible to pass up. Still, feeling like I should branch out a bit, I asked for a small portion of the Rack of Lamb as well. I’ve never been a huge fan of lamb, but since it had been years, I figured — why not give it another shot? Yeah… it’s still a no. One bite was all it took to remind me why I don’t order it. The potatoes that came with it, however, were excellent — so at least something on that plate didn’t go to waste.
Dessert was another no brainer as I selected the Creme Brulee while Angie had the Apple Tart.
On with the show!
Tonight flipped the order of our variety acts, with Jonathan Burns taking the stage in the Walt Disney Theater for his family-friendly performance, while Matt Baker brought his mix of comedy and object-flinging back to Fathoms later in the evening. I opted to skip Jonathan’s show this time and instead caught some football in O’Gills Pub before heading in for Matt’s act.
Before Matt took the stage, Fathoms hosted one of Disney’s adult game-style shows — Magic Quest. A hilarious twist on a scavenger hunt, families split into teams while the host called out random items for them to produce and rush to the stage. Points were awarded in the order items appeared, leading to a lot of scrambling, shouting, and good-natured chaos. The objects were usually things guests had on them — room keys, Mickey ears, and the like — but two challenges stole the show: an Alaskan dollar bill (don’t worry if you’re scratching your head — so did half the contestants), and a selfie with the assistant host, who promptly bolted from the room with contestants chasing her through the lobby before returning. It was pure Disney silliness and great fun to watch without actually having to participate.
Matt’s show that followed was similar to his earlier performance, though this time he used the opportunity to test out some new material and tricks he’s preparing for future shows. While it didn’t have the rhythm and flow of a polished set, he was still incredibly entertaining — proof that real talent doesn’t need a perfect script. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for him on future sailings or TV appearances.
We’re now sailing the short distance to Curaçao for another day ashore tomorrow. I hope you enjoyed this peek at Aruba — thanks for following along, and we’ll see you soon from a brand-new port!
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM | Fab Abs | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM | Body Sculpt Boot Camp (Fee) | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 7:00 AM - 7:30 AM | Good Morning Disney Magic | Disney Magic |
| 7:30 AM - 7:45 AM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 8:00 AM - 9:55 AM | Beauty and the Beast (Classic) (G) | Funnel Vision |
| 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | Coloring | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM | How to Increase Your Metabolism | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Good Morning Disney Magic | Disney Magic |
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Friends of Bill W. | Pub |
| 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM | General Disney Trivia | D Lounge |
| 8:30 AM - 9:51 AM | Pixar Movie: Toy Story 10th Anniversary | Buena Vista Theatre |
| 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM | How to Increase Your Metabolism | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Name That Tune: Best of Both | O’Gills Pub |
| 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM | General Disney Trivia | D Lounge |
| 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | 1200 Society Trivia | O’Gills Pub |
| 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Massage Sampler | Senses Spa & Salon |
| 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM | The Incredibles (PG) | Funnel Vision |
| 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (PG) | Buena Vista Theatre |
| 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM | Flash Mob Rehearsal | Vibe |
| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Seminar: Shave of All Shaves | Senses Spa & Salon |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM | Seminar: Shave of All Shaves | Senses Spa & Salon |
| 11:00 AM - 12:40 PM | Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (PG) | Buena Vista Theatre |
| 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Flash Mob Rehearsal | Edge |
| 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 12:00 PM - 1:45 PM | Frozen II (PG) | Funnel Vision |
| 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 1:30 PM - 3:10 PM | Frozen II (PG) | Buena Vista Theatre |
| 1:45 PM - 2:00 PM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 2:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Moana (PG) | Funnel Vision |
| 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Ionithermie: The Firming Power of Seaweed | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Game Time for Families | Oceaneer Club |
| 3:15 PM - 3:45 PM | Silent Disney Picture Facts | D Lounge |
| 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM | Acupuncture: Discover Alignment Seminar | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 3:45 PM - 4:55 PM | Lilo & Stitch (PG) | Buena Vista Theatre |
| 4:00 PM - 5:35 PM | Tangled (PG) | Funnel Vision |
| 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Daisy Duck | Deck 4 Midship |
| 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM | Disney Parks Trivia | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM | Pamper Party | Senses Spa & Salon |
| 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM | Learn the Art of Teeth Whitening | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM | Minnie Mouse | Deck 4 Midship |
| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Seminar: Aging Well with CoolSculpting | Senses Spa Fitness Center |
| 5:15 PM - 5:30 PM | Mickey Mouse | Deck 4 Midship |
| 5:15 PM - 5:45 PM | The Chewbacca Countdown | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 5:45 PM - 6:00 PM | Goofy | Deck 4 Midship |
| 5:45 PM - 6:15 PM | Magical Melodies: Best of Both | Cove Café |
| 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM | Tangled: The Musical | Walt Disney Theatre |
| 6:15 PM - 6:30 PM | Pluto | Deck 4 Midship |
| 6:15 PM - 6:45 PM | Disney Songbook with Lucero | Lobby Atrium |
| 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM | Best of Broadway with Ben Lurye | Lobby Atrium |
| 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM | Questions | Edge |
| 7:15 PM - 7:30 PM | Minnie Mouse | Deck 4 Midship |
| 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Frozen Fever Game Show | D Lounge |
| 7:30 PM - 8:00 PM | NFL Football | O’Gills Pub |
| 7:45 PM - 8:00 PM | Mickey Mouse | Deck 4 Midship |
| 7:45 PM - 8:15 PM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 8:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Pluto | Deck 4 Midship |
| 8:00 PM - 8:45 PM | Sports Trivia | O’Gills Pub |
| 8:00 PM - 9:35 PM | The Little Mermaid (PG-13) | Funnel Vision |
| 8:15 PM - 8:45 PM | Learn to Draw: Donald | D Lounge |
| 8:30 PM - 9:45 PM | Tangled: The Musical | Walt Disney Theatre |
| 8:45 PM - 9:15 PM | Disney Songbook with Lucero | Lobby Atrium |
| 9:00 PM - 9:15 PM | Donald Duck | Deck 4 Midship |
| 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Piston Cup Challenge | Oceaneer Club |
| 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Is This Love with Justine | Keys |
| 9:15 PM - 9:30 PM | Goofy | Deck 4 Midship |
| 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM | Top 40 at Sea with Rebellion | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 9:30 PM - 10:00 PM | Youth Activities Open House | Oceaneer Club |
| 9:45 PM - 10:15 PM | A Smooth Jazz Evening with Justine | Keys |
| 10:00 PM - 10:15 PM | Daisy Duck | Deck 4 Midship |
| 10:00 PM - 10:45 PM | Disney Movies Trivia | D Lounge |
| 10:00 PM - 10:30 PM | Seriously?! | Fathoms |
| 10:15 PM - 10:45 PM | Flash Mob Rehearsal | Vibe |
| 10:15 PM - 10:45 PM | The Emperor’s New Groove Show | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 10:30 PM - 11:00 PM | Cocktails and Classics with Justine | Keys |
| 10:30 PM | Lyn Trefzger: Ventriloquist | Fathoms |
| 10:45 PM - 11:15 PM | Classic Snacks with Kristie | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 11:00 PM - 11:45 PM | Silent Disco | Soul Cat Lounge |
| 11:15 PM - 11:45 PM | Silent Dance Party (18+) | Fathoms |
| 11:30 PM - 12:00 AM | Night Caps Piano Taps with Justine | Keys |