Day five aboard Holland America’s Rotterdam brought us to Willemstad, Curaçao, the capital of this Caribbean island that happens to be part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. If you’ve cruised the southern Caribbean before, you’ve probably heard the term ABC islands, which refers to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Those three islands sit just off the coast of Venezuela and are famous for their colorful towns and beaches.
While the second leg of this back-to-back cruise will actually be a true ABC sailing, this Panama Canal itinerary includes Curaçao as well, and we’re getting a nice long visit today. Our all aboard isn’t until 10:30 p.m., with departure scheduled for 11:00 p.m., which gives everyone plenty of time to explore.
I’ve written quite a bit about Curaçao over the years because it’s one of my favorite ports in the Caribbean, and judging by the number of people getting off the ship this morning, I’m clearly not the only one.
Curaçao doesn’t have any form of cruise terminal that most Caribbean ports have. In fact, the pier area here can only handle two ships at a time, and today we’re sharing it with Carnival Horizon.
Once you step off the ship, you’ll immediately find yourself walking past a small lineup of open-air vendor stalls where locals sell souvenirs, handmade crafts, magnets, t-shirts, and the usual collection of cruise port trinkets that you buy, will lug home, and probably throw away at some point. There are also a couple of pop-up bars set up where you can grab a quick drink if you feel like starting your day that way.
After running that little gauntlet of shopping opportunities, you end up in the Renaissance Resort area, which includes a hotel, casino, shops, and the always appropriately named Margaritaville “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” bar.
If you feel like doing a little shopping, dropping a few dollars into a slot machine, or grabbing a cocktail, you can easily spend a bit of time here before heading further into town.
And for those wondering… no, there’s no Señor Frog’s here.
Just beyond the resort area sits Rif Fort, one of Curaçao’s historic landmarks.
The fort was originally built in 1828 to help defend the harbor entrance, back when protecting the island from naval threats was a bit more of a priority than selling frozen margaritas.
Today the fort has been converted into a shopping and dining area, with a handful of restaurants, bars, and boutique shops tucked into the old stone structure. In the center courtyard you’ll often find live music or entertainment later in the afternoon, especially on cruise days.
It’s a great spot to stop for a drink and cool off for a bit.
Once you leave the fort area and keep walking, you’ll come across one of the most recognizable landmarks in Curaçao: the Queen Emma Bridge.
This floating pedestrian bridge was built in 1888 and connects the two main sections of Willemstad: Punda and Otrobanda. Locals affectionately call it the “Swinging Old Lady,” and once you walk across it, you’ll understand why.
The bridge sits on pontoons and can swing open to allow ships to pass through the harbor. When that happens, a free ferry shuttles pedestrians across until the bridge swings back into place.
Crossing the bridge also gives you one of the best views of the famous colorful waterfront buildings along Handelskade, which is the image you see on just about every postcard or travel brochure for Curaçao.
Exploring Willemstad
Once you cross into the Punda side of town, take your time exploring as there’s a lot to take in.
Willemstad is one of those ports where you really don’t need to book an excursion. The city is extremely walkable, and there’s plenty to see just by roaming around.
Colorful buildings line the streets, narrow alleyways are filled with little shops, and you’ll find plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars scattered throughout the area. You can shop for everything from local artwork and handmade jewelry to bottles of the island’s famous Blue Curaçao liqueur.
Personally, Curaçao is one of my favorite ports to just wander without a plan.
That’s exactly what I did today, putting in about seven miles on the pedometer while walking around town, checking out shops, admiring the architecture, and doing a LOT of people watching along the way.
Is It Safe to Walk Around?
One of the questions that always comes up when people talk about Curaçao is whether it’s safe to explore on your own.
In the areas closest to the cruise port – including Rif Fort, Otrobanda, and Punda – the answer is generally yes. These are the tourist areas and always throngs of people around the waterfront and downtown streets.
Like any destination, common sense goes a long way. Stick to the main areas, keep an eye on your belongings, and avoid wandering into unfamiliar neighborhoods late at night.
During the day, though, Curaçao is one of the easier Caribbean ports to explore on your own.
While Curaçao is generally very safe and easy to explore on your own, there is one thing visitors should be aware of.
Don’t be surprised if you’re approached by someone offering to sell you marijuana or other drugs, particularly around the Queen Emma Bridge area or some of the busier shopping streets. It’s not constant and most people will take a polite “no thanks” and move along, but it does happen.
Now before anyone thinks about taking them up on the offer, there are a few important things to keep in mind.
First, while marijuana may now be legal in many U.S. states, it is still illegal under U.S. federal law. That distinction matters more than people realize, especially when you’re traveling internationally.
Second, Curaçao does not have legalized recreational marijuana. Possession of small amounts may be tolerated in some situations, but it’s still illegal under local law and penalties can include fines or worse if authorities decide to enforce it.
And finally, there’s the issue of cruise ship policies and maritime law.
Every cruise line, including Holland America, strictly prohibits drugs onboard – including marijuana. That applies whether it’s legal where you live or not. Cruise ships operate under international maritime regulations and the laws of the country where the ship is registered, not the laws of the state you sailed from.
So even if you legally purchased marijuana somewhere else before your trip, bringing it onboard the ship can get you into serious trouble. At best it may be confiscated. At worst you could be denied boarding, removed from the ship at the next port, or have to face the local authorities. And the local authorities in some countries are not ones you want to mess around with.
So, if someone offers to sell you something while you’re wandering around town, the easiest answer is simply “no thanks” and keep walking.
There are far better ways to enjoy a day in Curaçao.
Mambo Beach – The Most Popular Excursion in Curacao
For cruisers who prefer a beach day rather than wandering through town, the most popular excursion here is Mambo Beach.
Located about 15 minutes from the cruise port, Mambo Beach is taxi ride away with beach clubs, restaurants, bars, and plenty of loungers available for rent.
It’s basically the go-to beach option for cruise passengers who want to spend the day swimming, relaxing, and enjoying a few tropical drinks before heading back to the ship.
It’s also important to note, that there is no beach within walking distance of the port, so an excursion to Mambo Beach or a taxi is the only way you’re going to get there. Taxis are available just a few feet from the ship.
Dinner Ashore in Curaçao
Since we had a late departure tonight, I decided it would be a good opportunity to have dinner ashore instead of on the ship.
But before I get into that, for those dining onboard, here’s a look at what was offered at the Lido Market and in the Main Dining Room.
Holland America Lido Market Dinner Menu Night 5
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
Holland America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 5
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
Now if you’ve ever spent time in Willemstad, you know there are plenty of restaurants scattered around town, but many of the better-reviewed spots require crossing the Queen Emma Bridge and wandering a bit deeper into the city. Earlier in the day I had scoped out a few options across the water, but none of them really jumped out as must-visit places.
I also didn’t feel like getting into a situation where I was wandering too far away from the ship and suddenly stress-watching the clock as all-aboard time crept closer.
So around 7:00 p.m. I left the ship and decided to stick close to the port area, focusing on the Renaissance Resort and Rif Fort complex, which sits just steps from the pier.
Surprisingly, for a resort property, the Renaissance Curaçao doesn’t actually have much in the way of restaurant options on site. Aside from the previously mentioned “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” Margaritaville bar, which is outside and serves food, and a buffet restaurant inside the hotel, there aren’t a lot of choices.
This is actually the opposite of their sister property in Aruba, which has multiple restaurants right on the resort grounds.
Instead, the Renaissance here relies on the bars and restaurants inside the Rif Fort complex to feed both hotel guests and cruise visitors.
After looking around the courtyard for a bit, I decided to try Kaya 91 Urban Restobar, a small restaurant located right in the fort’s main courtyard.
It offers both indoor and outdoor seating, along with a small bar, and the menu describes the food as “globally inspired urban eats.”
I grabbed a seat at the bar, which is usually my preferred spot when dining solo, but things got a little unusual right from the start.
Instead of the bartender taking care of guests sitting at the bar, the hostess handled all of the service throughout the evening. The bartender had zero interaction with anyone sitting there, which felt a bit odd.
Another thing that stood out was the language situation. Despite being in a heavily visited tourist area filled with English-speaking visitors, English wasn’t really spoken much here. Most of the staff seemed to be communicating in Spanish – or at least something that sounded like it – which made ordering a bit of an adventure at times.
I asked the hostess for a few cocktail recommendations, and she pointed out several of her favorites on the menu.
But one drink immediately caught my eye: a smoked tequila/mezcal cocktail.
Apparently that was not one of her recommended options, because the bartender didn’t seem too thrilled about having to make it. Smoked cocktails require a bit more effort and someone has to come over to do the smoke presentation, and there was some noticeable grumbling behind the bar.
I even overheard the bartender repeat the names of the drinks the hostess originally suggested and ask something along the lines of “Why did you sell this?”
It took about ten minutes for the drink to arrive, which quickly made it clear that speedy service is not their strong point. That actually made me glad I decided to come to dinner early.
For an appetizer, I ordered the “Jack Daniel’s” wings.
When they arrived, they were coated in what I would best describe as Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce, rather than anything that hinted at the Jack Daniel’s flavor the menu suggested. They weren’t bad.
For my main course, I decided to go with one of the hostess’s recommendations: Asado Argentino.
The dish featured 250 grams of grilled skirt steak, served with chimichurri, wedge fries, and grilled corn.
The steak was cooked to the temperature I requested, which is always a good start, and overall the dish was pretty solid. The meat had a slightly unusual texture, but it was still flavorful and the portion was nice.
During the meal I ordered a gin and tonic after asking about two local beers that were displayed in bottles on the bar.
I was told: “We don’t have those.”
Which raised the obvious question… why are they sitting on the bar making it look like I can order them?
Service throughout the evening definitely operated on what I’d describe as Caribbean time.
Things moved slowly, the bartender remained mostly disengaged from guests sitting at the bar, and when it came time to pay the bill, I discovered they don’t accept American Express, and their tap-to-pay system wasn’t working either.
So it turned into a bit of a process just to settle up.
Overall the meal wasn’t bad, but the experience left me thinking that next time I’m in Curaçao late at night, I’ll probably just head over to Margaritaville and grab one of those Cheeseburgers in Paradise instead.
A Quick Stop Before Sailaway
After dinner I wandered around the port area for a bit before popping into the Renaissance Casino.
It’s nothing particularly impressive. There’s a mix of newer slot machines and some older ones, a handful of table games, and not a lot of people playing.
I dropped a few dollars into a machine, quickly lost interest, and headed back toward the ship.
Rotterdam ended up sailing away just before 11:00 p.m., and surprisingly there were no pier runners tonight.
Or in this case, perhaps more accurately…
No pier hobblers.
After all, this is Holland America.
Tomorrow we’re back to another sea day as we make our way toward our next port of call: Cartagena, Colombia.
More on that tomorrow, and as always, thanks for following along.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Walk a Mile | Atrium (Deck 3) |
| 8:00 AM | Rotterdam Arrives in Willemstad | Willemstad |
| 8:00 AM | Willemstad Photo Opportunity until 10:00 AM | Pier Ashore |
| 8:00 AM | Ask Your Travel Guide Holly | Pier Ashore |
| 8:00 AM | Tai Chi for Everyone | Lido Poolside (Deck 9) |
| 9:00 AM | Socket Goal Scoring Competition | Sport Court (Deck 11) |
| 9:30 AM | Board Game Meetup | Game Room (Deck 12) |
| 10:00 AM | Party Bridge Play until 4:00 PM | Hudson Room (Deck 1) |
| 10:00 AM | Meet for a Game of Mahjong until 3:00 PM | Half Moon Room (Deck 1) |
| 10:00 AM | The Art of Flower Arranging | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 10:00 AM | Secrets to a Flatter Stomach | Fitness Center (Deck 9) |
| 10:30 AM | Port Talk: Colon & Puerto Limon | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3) |
| 10:30 AM | Creating Designs from Doodles | Game Room (Deck 12) |
| 11:00 AM | Over $1200 Jackpot Bingo – Ticket Sales | Rolling Stone Lounge (Deck 2) |
| 11:00 AM | Secrets to a Flatter Stomach | Fitness Center (Deck 9) |
| 12:00 PM | Watch Seminar: Time is Now | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 12:00 PM | Pre-Owned & Pristine Rolex Watches | The Shops (Deck 2) |
| 12:30 PM | Under $500 Blowout Art Auction | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 1:00 PM | Spy Camera Bingo $25 | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 1:00 PM | Game Show: Deal or No Deal | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3) |
| 1:00 PM | Today’s Trivia: Food | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 1:30 PM | Watercoloring: Sunset | Game Room (Deck 12) |
| 1:30 PM | Ladies Pamper Party | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 2:00 PM | Where Will You Cruise Next? | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 2:00 PM | The Caribbean Up Close: Treasure Islands | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3) |
| 2:00 PM | Regional Wine Tasting $35 | Dining Room (Deck 2) |
| 2:00 PM | Lipstick Blending Experience | The Shops (Deck 2) |
| 2:30 PM | Watercoloring: Sunset | Game Room (Deck 12) |
| 3:00 PM | Let’s Play Cornhole | Sport Court (Deck 11) |
| 3:00 PM | Cupcake Tea Time | Dining Room (Deck 3) |
| 3:00 PM | Over $1300 Jackpot Bingo – Ticket Sales | Rolling Stone Lounge (Deck 2) |
| 3:00 PM | Ballroom Dance Hour | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 3:00 PM | Ask Your Travel Guide Holly until 5:00 PM | Crow’s Nest (Deck 12) |
| 3:30 PM | Free Liquor Tasting – Suncut | The Shops (Deck 3) |
| 3:30 PM | Relieving Back Pain | Fitness Center (Deck 9) |
| 3:30 PM | Friends of Bill W. Meet | Stuyvesant Room (Deck 1) |
| 3:30 PM | Coloring for Adults | Game Room (Deck 12) |
| 4:00 PM | Team Trivia Challenge | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 4:00 PM | Shuffleboard Challenge | Sport Court (Deck 11) |
| 4:00 PM | Pure Form Pilates $20 | Fitness Center (Deck 9) |
| 4:00 PM | Over $640,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino (Deck 3) |
| 4:00 PM | Guess the Carat Weight of Alexandrite | EFFY Jewelry (Deck 2) |
| 4:00 PM | Pain Relief Through Acupuncture | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 4:30 PM | Have Your Casual Portrait Taken | Atrium (Deck 2) |
| 4:30 PM | Advanced Facial Rejuvenation | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 5:00 PM | A Pickup Game of Pickleball | Sport Court (Deck 11) |
| 5:00 PM | Helly Hansen Collection | The Shops (Deck 3) |
| 5:00 PM | Cocktails with Nick Featuring Bob Duo | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 5:30 PM | Experience Curacao | Atrium (Deck 3) |
| 6:00 PM | PRIDE Meetup | Rolling Stone Lounge (Deck 2) |
| 6:30 PM | Singles & Solo Travelers Meetup | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 6:30 PM | Music Trivia: 80s | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 7:00 PM | Carioca Bambo Madness 20% Off | The Shops (Deck 2) |
| 7:30 PM | Exotic & Phenomenal Rare Gemstones Revealed | EFFY Jewelry (Deck 2) |
| 7:30 PM | Ladies Night in the Thermal Suite | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 7:30 PM | On World Stage: Vocalist Drew Pournelle | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3) |
| 7:30 PM | Game Night: Don’t Look Now | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 8:00 PM | Movies by the Pool: Rooftman | Lido Poolside (Deck 9) |
| 9:00 PM | On World Stage: Vocalist Drew Pournelle | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3) |
| 11:00 PM | $614,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino (Deck 3) |