Day 6 on Carnival Horizon brought us to our final stop on this Southern Caribbean ABC cruise, and it just so happens to be letter “C” day. C for Curaçao.
So far, we’ve checked off the A with Aruba, the B with Bonaire, and here we are today with Carnival Horizon pulling into Curaçao around 7 a.m. Guests were cleared to go ashore shortly before 8 a.m.
Now, here’s where I have a bit of a gripe with this itinerary. A few weeks ago, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Iran and right around the time fuel prices began to yo-yo, our day in Bonaire was shortened. Originally, Bonaire was supposed to be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., the same hours as our Aruba stop, but it was changed to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Curaçao was originally set to be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but that also got cut by an hour to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. And don’t forget, that end time is the ship’s departure time. All-aboard is a half hour earlier, so today in Curaçao, we had to be back on the ship by 3:30.
That is a very short time in Curaçao.
I’m assuming the shortened port times were to allow the ship to cruise slower, therefore reducing fuel consumption. Of course, that’s my assumption, but the timing, along with conversations with some of the crew, makes that seem like the likely reason.
If I were the one making the itinerary, I’d swap Bonaire and Curaçao to allow for a longer day in Curaçao. There’s simply a lot more to see and do here compared with Bonaire, especially if you’re not snorkeling, diving, or doing a water-based excursion. But here we are.
As guests began to wake up and wander around the ship, a towel animal takeover was happening at the Lido pool. This time, since this is a July4th sailing celebrating America’s 250th birthday, the crew created the Statue of Liberty, an American Eagle, Mount Rushmore, and other assorted towel animals for the display.
So Let’s Talk About Curaçao
Curaçao is one of the three ABC islands, along with Aruba and Bonaire, and it sits in the southern Caribbean just off the coast of Venezuela. It is not an independent country in the traditional sense, but rather a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Aruba, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands itself. The capital, Willemstad, is known for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, deep natural harbor, and historic districts, which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is also one of those ports that is very easy to get around on your own. You can spend a crap ton of time wandering, exploring, taking pictures, crossing the bridge, grabbing a drink, checking out shops, and just soaking in the look and feel of Willemstad without ever booking an excursion.
Cruise ships dock on the Otrobanda side of Willemstad. The main cruise area includes the Mega Pier, which handles the larger modern cruise ships, and Curaçao also has additional cruise berthing capacity for smaller vessels closer to town. Mega Pier II, also known as the Tula Pier, officially began receiving ships in November 2017, giving Curaçao more room to handle today’s larger cruise ships, however, out of all the times I’ve been here, I have never once docked here.
Once you dock at the Mega Pier, the port facilities are pretty limited. Yes, there are the usual merchant stalls selling souvenirs, along with a taxi stand and tour meeting points right at or near the pier, but this is not one of those giant purpose-built cruise villages where you’re trapped in a maze of jewelry stores before you can get anywhere. You can get off the ship and start walking pretty quickly.
A little farther along the walkway, you’ll come to the Renaissance Curaçao Resort and Carnival Casino area. Yes, same resort family as the Renaissance in Aruba. This area has shopping, dining, the casino, and a 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, which is pretty much made for cruise passengers who want to grab a drink before or after wandering into town.
Attached to that area is Rif Fort, which is one of the first major landmarks you pass through when walking from the cruise pier toward town. Rif Fort was built in the 19th century to help defend the entrance to St. Anna Bay and the harbor of Willemstad. Today, it has been transformed into a shopping and dining area, with restaurants, bars, and shops built right into and around the old fort walls. So instead of cannons and soldiers, now you get cocktails, menus, and people trying to decide where to eat lunch. Progress, I guess.
You need to pass through or around this area in order to make your way toward the main part of town. Once outside the fort, you can stay on the Otrobanda side of the water and wander around there, or you can go where most of the action is: across the Queen Emma Bridge.
The Queen Emma Bridge is one of Curaçao’s signature landmarks, and locals affectionately call it the “Swinging Old Lady.” It was built in 1888 and connects Otrobanda with Punda, the colorful historic district on the other side of St. Anna Bay. What makes the bridge fun is that it is a floating pontoon bridge, and instead of raising up like a drawbridge, it swings open to the side so boats and ships can pass through the harbor.
If you’re on the bridge when it needs to open, you either get to ride along as it swings or wait until it closes again. When the bridge is open for longer periods, free ferries shuttle pedestrians back and forth across the water, so you’re not stuck on one side forever. It’s one of those little Curaçao experiences that is both functional and touristy in the best possible way.
Once you cross the bridge, you’re in Punda, which is where a lot of visitors naturally end up. This is the side with the famous colorful waterfront buildings along Handelskade, along with plenty of streets to wander, shops to visit, places to eat, and spots to grab a drink. It’s compact enough to explore on foot, but interesting enough that you can easily spend hours there, especially if you like taking pictures of colorful buildings, narrow streets, street art, waterfront views, and random little finds along the way.
That’s what makes Curaçao such a good DIY port. You don’t have to have a plan. You can walk from the ship, pass through Rif Fort, cross the Swinging Old Lady, explore Punda, wander through side streets, stop for a drink, take photos along the waterfront, and still make your way back to the ship without needing a taxi or tour guide.
The problem, at least today, was time. Curaçao is the kind of port where a short day feels even shorter because there’s so much you can do just by walking around. A 3:30 all-aboard time comes fast when you’re in a place like this.
My Top Things to Do On-Foot in Curaçao
If you’re like me and just like to get lost wandering, Curaçao is a great port for that. You don’t need a tour, you don’t need a plan, and you really don’t need to overthink it. Just get off the ship, start walking, and let Willemstad do what it does.
Here are a few things I’d put on the must-see list if you’re exploring on foot and staying within a reasonable walking distance of the cruise ship. I mentioned several of these already, but want to put them here in a list you can reference back to:
First is Rif Fort, which you’ll hit immediately after leaving the cruise pier. It’s part historic fort, part shopping and dining area, and part “let me stop here for a drink before I go any farther” trap. The old fort walls are still there, but inside you’ll now find restaurants, bars, shops, and access to the Renaissance area. Even if you’re not planning to eat or shop, it’s worth meandering through.
Next is the Renaissance Mall and waterfront area right by the fort. This is a good first stop if you want something easy before heading deeper into town. There are shops, restaurants, the casino, and the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, which makes for a convenient place to grab a drink before or after your walk. It’s also close enough to the ship that you can use it as a quick “I don’t want to go too far” option.
Of course, you have to check out the Queen Emma Bridge. This is one of the signature Curaçao experiences. If you time it right, you may get to ride along as the bridge opens, which is one of those simple little things that makes Curaçao different from other ports.
Once you cross the bridge, you’ll be staring at Handelskade, the famous row of colorful Dutch-style buildings along the waterfront. This is probably the most recognizable view in Curaçao, and yes, it’s every bit as photogenic in person as it looks in pictures. If you’re only taking one “I was in Curaçao” photo, this is probably where you’re taking it.
From there, spend some time wandering through Punda, the historic downtown district across the bridge. This is where you’ll find colorful streets, shops, restaurants, cafes, souvenir stores, murals, and plenty of little side streets that are worth poking around in. It’s compact, easy to walk, and one of those areas where you don’t really need a destination. Just pick a street and go.
Another stop worth seeking out is the Curaçao and Dushi signs around the downtown waterfront area. Yes, they’re touristy, and yes, everyone takes the same photo, but that’s kind of the point. You’re here, you might as well get the picture.
If you want a little more local flavor, check out the Floating Market area. It’s not quite the same as it used to be years ago, when boats from Venezuela regularly came over loaded with produce, but the area still has that local-market feel and gives you a different look at Willemstad beyond the postcard buildings and cruise shops.
For something with a little more history, walk over to the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in continuous use in the Americas. Even if you’re not doing a formal visit, the area around it is part of the historic core of Punda and makes for a worthwhile detour while wandering through town.
You can also make your way toward the Pietermaai District if you have enough time and don’t mind walking a little farther. Pietermaai is known for its restored historic buildings, colorful facades, boutique hotels, bars, and restaurants. It has a little more of a stylish, artsy feel compared with the main tourist streets in Punda, and it’s a good area to explore if you want to stretch your legs beyond the immediate cruise-port loop.
And finally, don’t overlook just walking the waterfront on both sides of St. Anna Bay. Otrobanda gives you great views looking back toward Punda, while Punda gives you those classic views of the harbor, bridge, and colorful waterfront. Between the ships, the boats, the bridge opening and closing, and the colors everywhere, it’s one of those places where wandering without a plan is kind of the plan.
That’s what makes Curaçao such a good DIY port. You can get off the ship, walk through Rif Fort, cross the Queen Emma Bridge, explore Punda, take too many pictures, grab a drink, maybe wander toward Pietermaai, and still feel like you had a full day without ever stepping into a taxi.
Popular Curaçao Shore Excursions
If you require a bit more structure in your life than I do, you can definitely book shore excursions and tours around Curaçao. Even though Willemstad is a fantastic DIY port, there’s a lot more to the island than what you can see on foot from the ship.
A few of the popular excursion options include island sightseeing tours, beach breaks, snorkeling trips, cave tours, distillery visits, and a beach day. You’ll often see tours that combine stops like the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery, Hato Caves, flamingo viewing areas, scenic overlooks, and some of the island’s beaches into one half-day loop. There are also snorkel and beach tours, turtle-viewing excursions, Blue Room cave trips, and full-day Klein Curaçao boat trips, although with a shorter port day, I’d be very careful with anything that takes you too far or eats up too much time especially if you have an early all aboard time.
For this particular stop, because our all-aboard time was 3:30 p.m., I would have been very cautious about booking anything long unless it was through Carnival. Curaçao is easy to explore, but time goes fast here, and the last thing you want is to be on the wrong side of the island watching your ship sail away. Key point to remember, the ship will not wait for you if you’re late coming back from a non-cruise line purchased shore excursion. I can’t emphasize that enough. The last thing you want to do is come back to the ship, see it pulling away, and suddenly you’re reading my article about what to do if you missed the ship.
Closest Beach to the Curaçao Cruise Port
Now, when it comes to the beach, you’re not going to find a real beach within easy walking distance of the cruise port. This is not Aruba, and it’s definitely not one of those ports where you step off the ship and walk five minutes to a nice stretch of sand. Willemstad is great for walking, shopping, dining, history, architecture, and wandering, but if you want a beach day, you’re going to need a taxi or an excursion.
The main beach worth talking about for cruise passengers is Mambo Beach, also known as Mambo Beach Boulevard or Seaquarium Beach. This is one of the most popular beaches near Willemstad, with beach clubs, restaurants, bars, shops, chair rentals, and a much more built-up vibe than a quiet hidden beach. So if you’re looking for remote, untouched, and peaceful, this probably isn’t it. If you want easy, convenient, and full of services, this is the one most cruisers are going to pick.
Mambo Beach is located east of Willemstad, near the Curaçao Sea Aquarium area. From the cruise port, it’s usually about a 15-to-20-minute taxi ride, depending on traffic and exactly where you’re being picked up and dropped off. Taxi service from the Queen Emma Bridge area to Mambo Beach is going to run around $5 per person in a shared taxi van, though prices can always change, so confirm the fare before you get in.
The nice thing about Mambo Beach is that it’s easy. You can get a chair, grab something to eat or drink, swim, hang out, and not have to overthink the logistics. The downside is that easy and popular usually means busy, especially when a ship is in port. There may also be fees for beach access, chairs, umbrellas, or use of a beach club area depending on where you settle.
So if you want a structured day in Curaçao, you have plenty of options: book an island tour, visit the caves, do a distillery stop, snorkel, head out on a beach-hopping tour, or grab a taxi to Mambo Beach. But if you’re doing the beach on your own, keep an eye on the clock. With a short port day like we had, this is not the day to get too relaxed under an umbrella and forget that 3:30 p.m. all-aboard time.
So, is Curaçao safe for cruise passengers?
Overall, yes. Curaçao is generally considered a safe and easy port for cruise passengers, especially if you’re sticking to the main tourist areas around the cruise pier and the main downtown streets. The U.S. State Department currently lists Curaçao at Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions, which is the lowest advisory level.
That doesn’t mean you should throw common sense overboard. Like just about anywhere that sees a lot of tourists, petty crime can happen like pickpocketing and purse snatching. For cruise passengers, the area right around the port and downtown Willemstad feels very welcoming and safe. You’re not stepping off the ship into a chaotic, high-pressure environment. There are taxi drivers, tour operators, shops, bars, restaurants, and the usual tourist setup, but it doesn’t feel overly aggressive. However, don’t be surprised if you encounter many people trying to sell you drugs. In fact, in my walk around video, while I was recording a guy came right up to me asking if wanted to buy.
As always, keep an eye on your bag, don’t leave valuables sitting out on a beach chair or restaurant table, don’t flash cash, and be smart if you’re using taxis or heading away from the main tourist areas. If you’re going to Mambo Beach or booking an excursion, confirm your return timing and give yourself plenty of cushion to get back to the ship.
My Day in Curaçao
My day in Curaçao was a bit abbreviated, as I didn’t get out and about until around noon. I always like to give myself a buffer to get back to the ship, especially since when I wander, I tend to wander far away and lose track of time.
I didn’t head too far away this time, but like I mentioned earlier, I did film a walkaround video, which you can watch below. If you’re reading this and it’s not there yet, the Wi-Fi on the ship takes a long time to upload, so come back and check again, or head over to my YouTube channel. It will be there once it finally uploads.
On my way back to the ship, I stopped into Habanos Specialist, a cigar store that sells Cuban cigars, hand-rolled Cubans, Dominican cigars, and Honduran cigars. They also have an upstairs cigar lounge and bar area.
I’m told the owner is the same person who owns La Casa del Habano, which is a franchise of the Cuban government and stores I visit frequently during my port stops, but those stores only sell Cuban cigars. This store sells Cubans and others.
It’s a small shop, with the bar and lounge upstairs. I picked up a bunch of hand-rolled cigars, chatted with the friendly staff, and then headed upstairs for a few beers before making my way back to the ship.
One thing you couldn’t miss while wandering around Curaçao was all the World Cup excitment around town. There were decorations, flags, signs, and displays celebrating Curaçao’s inclusion in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was a massive moment for the island.
And not just massive in the “we made the World Cup” sense. Curaçao made history by becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for a men’s FIFA World Cup.
As for how they did, Curaçao’s World Cup run ended in the group stage, but just getting there was the story. They were drawn into Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Ivory Coast with Germany beating Curaçao 7-1 in their opening match.
They closed out their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Ivory Coast, which officially ended their group-stage run. Germany, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador advanced from the group, while Curaçao headed home. Curaçao may not have gone far, but they made history, gave their fans something to celebrate, and put the island in front of the world.
Once back onboard, when the clock struck 3:29 p.m., the ship’s horn started blowing and names were being called over the public address system. We had two pier runners today, but we still managed to depart on time.
So for this trip, nobody was left behind at any of our stops, and that’s always a good thing!
Something noticeable was going on around the ship when I returned.
Crew members were out on the open decks stacking furniture and lashing everything down. In fact, by 3:30 p.m., the Serenity Deck already had all of its furniture moved and tied up.
A few crew members said the captain had advised them that after departure and into the early morning hours, we would be encountering strong winds and swells. So, for safety, they were told to secure everything early.
That’s never exactly what you want to see when you’re heading into the evening, but it also wasn’t completely surprising. We had already dealt with some windy conditions earlier in the cruise, and apparently, the ride after Curaçao was going to be another one of those “hold on to your drink” kinds of nights.
Dinner at Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse on Carnival Horizon
When it came time for dinner, I headed to the ship’s steakhouse, Fahrenheit 555, which was just a short walk from my place at the bar where I was enjoying some pre-dinner cocktails.
As a reminder, the steakhouse will set you back $52 per person, plus 20% gratuity, in addition to any upcharge items you may order.
Fahrenheit 555 Menu
Available on: All ships
The steakhouse on Carnival Horizon is located on Deck 5 and has that dark, classic steakhouse feel. If you’re dining between 5:30 and 8 p.m., there is a sliding wall that opens up to the adjoining Piano Bar 88, and the piano player provides the musical background for dinner. After about 8 p.m., the wall closes, the piano player goes on break, and the piano bar gets set to open later in the evening.
For dinner tonight, I started with the Heritage Berkshire pork belly, which wasn’t the best starter, but wasn’t the worst either. It just didn’t hit any high notes for me.
I followed that up with a simple young lettuce salad served with beefsteak tomatoes, which is something you really can’t go wrong with.
For my main course, I went with the 18-ounce spice-rubbed ribeye, which I asked to be cooked medium rare. While I know ribeyes are going to be fatty, this one was just a little too fatty for my liking. That said, the flavor was there, and it was cooked perfectly.
For dessert, I ended with a cheese plate, which was a special request, and my server also brought over a piece of cheesecake.
Service once again was on point, but the food tonight was about average. While I really tend to enjoy the steakhouse and usually eat there quite a bit during the week, my selections tonight just didn’t do it for me overall.
Fun Times for Day 6:
This is also available as a PDF by clicking here.
