Day 6 on Rotterdam and we’ve officially made it to the final stop in this ABC island run… Aruba. So yes, after doing Curaçao and Bonaire first, we finally get to the “A” in ABC. Makes perfect sense, right?
We pulled into Oranjestad right at 8:00 a.m. and were cleared to go ashore shortly after. Before anyone could make a run for the gangway, an announcement came over that today just happened to be Aruba’s National Flag Day, which is a full-on national holiday here. That meant parades, celebrations, and unfortunately for some passengers… canceled shore excursions. Not entirely sure how that one wasn’t flagged (pun totally intended) ahead of time, but there were definitely a few people onboard who weren’t thrilled about their plans getting scrapped.
Once ashore, you could see the impact of the holiday pretty quickly. Right along the main strip just outside the cruise port, most of the big-name shops, jewelry stores, and restaurants were open and doing business as usual. But venture just a couple streets inland where the smaller, locally owned spots are, and it was a different story. A lot of those were closed up for the day.
Part of the main road was also shut down for a parade and festivities, and by the time I got out there, crews were already in teardown mode, pulling down stages and event setups. Even the well-known “I Love Aruba” sign that normally sits right outside the cruise terminal had been moved down toward the Renaissance Resort, where more of the day’s celebrations were happening.
Despite all that, it didn’t really take away from the experience, at least from my perspective. And with two other ships in port today, Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas, there were plenty of people out and about.
Aruba is one of those ports where you don’t need much of a plan. You step off the ship and you’re immediately in the middle of it all. Shops, restaurants, bars, casinos… everything is right there within a few minutes walk. It’s clean, easy to navigate, and very safe, which makes it a great port for just wandering around if that’s your thing.
If you do want to venture out a bit, Aruba has a few go-to activities that just about everyone gravitates toward. Beach days are easily the most popular, with Eagle Beach and Palm Beach being the two main options. Both are about a 10 to 15 minute taxi ride from the port, with Eagle Beach offering a more relaxed, open feel and Palm Beach being more built up with resorts, restaurants, and water sports and can be very lively at night if you just so happen to have an overnight stop like I did a few months ago.
If you’re looking for something a little more active, the off-road UTV tours are big here. These take you out to the more rugged side of the island, including Arikok National Park and the remains of the Natural Bridge. Then you’ve got the catamaran and snorkeling excursions, which are a more laid-back way to spend a few hours out on the water.
One thing a lot of first-time cruisers ask is whether there’s a beach right near the port. The answer is… not really. There’s a small beach called Governor’s Beach about ten minutes away on foot, but if you’re looking for that postcard-perfect Aruba beach, you’re going to want to head over to Eagle or Palm, as this beach isn’t anything nice.
Compared to Bonaire yesterday, Aruba feels like a completely different world. Bonaire is quiet, laid-back, and all about what’s under the water. Aruba is bigger, busier, more developed, and built for tourism. Both are great in their own way, just very different experiences.
Even with three ships in port today, downtown Aruba wasn’t nearly as busy as it usually is, which honestly felt a little strange. That said, it wasn’t what I’d call dead either. The usual suspects like The Paddock and Lucy’s were doing solid business, but not shoulder-to-shoulder packed like you’d normally expect on a multi-ship day.
Of course, some things never change. The Starbucks over at the Renaissance Resort still had a line of people more than happy to shell out top dollar for what I can only describe as some pretty questionable coffee. Priorities, I guess.
After wandering around for a bit, I made my way over to the Renaissance Resort to grab a couple of adult beverages and a light bite while checking out the pool and beach area. The resort itself was noticeably busier than downtown, which makes sense since we’re smack in the middle of spring break season. Lots of people lounging, drinking, and soaking up the sun.
On the way back toward the ship, I spotted a small cigar shop and figured, why not? They had some locally made cigars, so I picked one up and found a nice spot along the waterfront to sit back and enjoy it.
Now… this is where things took a turn.
As I’m enjoying the cigar, I started thinking, “this is a little different.” And not in a subtle way. By the time I got about a quarter of the way through, I realized something definitely wasn’t right, and that’s when I decided it was time to put that thing out. Took me a few minutes to get my bearings after that one.
While I was sitting there trying to regroup, I looked over and saw a bright blue lizard and immediately thought, “okay… now we’ve got a real situation here.” Turns out, no… Aruba actually has blue lizards. So that one was real. Thankfully.
Moral of the story? Maybe think twice before wandering into a random cigar shop off the beaten path and asking for the “local special.” It might not be exactly what you think it is. I always thought those kinds of cigars were a Jamaica thing… apparently not.
All aboard today was 4:30 p.m. and once again… no pier runners. We pushed off a little after 5:00 p.m., beating the two Royal Caribbean ships out of port and setting course for a pair of sea days before our final stop at Half Moon Cay.
Now… let’s talk about tonight.
Because tonight is the biggest party on a Holland America Line cruise… Orange Night.
A Guide to the Orange Party on Holland America
Every cruise line has their thing. Carnival has 80s night, Norwegian has Glow Night, Virgin has Scarlet Night… and Holland America? They go all in on orange.
Why Orange?
If you’re wondering why everyone suddenly looks traffic cones, there’s actually a reason for it.
Orange is the national color of the Netherlands and is tied to the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. Holland America leans into its Dutch heritage here, and Orange Party is their way of turning that into a full-on celebration at sea.
It’s basically King’s Day… cruise ship edition.
What to Pack (or Not Pack)
If you know about Orange Night ahead of time, it’s worth throwing something orange in your suitcase. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. A shirt, a hat, even just a pair of shorts will do.
But if you didn’t pack anything? Don’t worry, the gift shop has you covered.
You’ll find plenty of orange-themed gear for sale onboard leading up to the party… hats, boas, leis, sunglasses, shirts, you name it. So even if you show up unprepared, you can still get in on the action and not feel like the odd one out.
Cost of the Party
It’s free. No ticket, no cover charge, no “special access” nonsense. Just show up and join in.
The only thing you’ll pay for are drinks if you don’t have a beverage package.
What Actually Happens at Orange Party
This isn’t one of those “show up, stand around, and leave in 20 minutes” kind of events.
You’ve got live music, usually from the B.B. King’s Blues Club band on Pinnacle-class ships, and they always knock it out of the park. The dance floor fills up fast and stays that way.
You’ll also see ship officers out mingling with guests, which is always a nice touch. It’s one of the few times where everyone onboard kind of comes together in one place and just lets loose a bit.
They’ll have orange-themed cocktails, servers passing around light bites at the start of the party, and just an overall “let’s have a good time” vibe.
If you want to get a head start, there’s also an Orange Party Bar Hop (for a fee) that kicks off earlier in the evening. It takes you around to a few different bars with pre-batched cocktails before dropping you right into the main event.
Where It’s Held
On Rotterdam and other Pinnacle-class ships, the party is held in B.B. King’s Blues Club. On other Holland America ships, you’ll usually find it at the Lido Pool area.
Orange Party is one of those things Holland America does really well.
If you’re on the fence about going… take my advice… go!.
Worst case, you grab a drink, people watch for a bit, and call it a night.
It’s really one of those “don’t skip it” events on a Holland America cruise.
Another thing that happens on Orange Party night is a special Dutch-themed menu in both the Main Dining Room and the Lido Market, where you’ll see a few different dishes mixed in that you don’t normally find on the regular rotation. You can check those out in the menus below.
Before dinner, I found myself doing what I usually do… parked at the Half Moon Bar having a couple cocktails with the regulars. From there, I met up with a new cruise friend, Tim, and we made our way over to the Main Dining Room, orange drinks in hand, to grab a table before the party kicked off.
I started things off with the beef tartare, which is one of those items you don’t see too often in the MDR. On Rotterdam, it’s typically something you’ll only find over at Rudi’s Sel de Mer, so it was a nice to see it pop up here. If you’re into tartare, it was a solid starter. And yes, I know it’s not for everyone, but I’m a fan.
For the main course, I decided to skip the Dutch offerings this time and went with the $20 upcharge Pinnacle Grill ribeye. And just to clear up any confusion, no… this is not a steak being cooked in Pinnacle Grill. It’s coming out of the main kitchen, prepared in a completely different way. So while it carries the name, it’s not the same experience. That said, for a $20 upcharge, it’s still a decent option if you’re craving a steak without going to the specialty restaurant.
In the past on Dutch night, I’ve tried the Bami Goreng, which is an Indonesian-style noodle dish (yes, on the Dutch dinner menu) with chicken, shrimp saté, and peanut sauce, and honestly, it didn’t do much for me. That played into the decision to go a different route tonight.
With the clock creeping closer to 9:15 and the start of the Orange Party, we skipped dessert… yes, even the Dutch apple pie… and made our way over to B.B. King’s.
And wow.
I’m used to Orange Party crowds, but this one was on another level. With a full sailing the venue was packed, shoulder-to-shoulder. The band was going, people were dancing, and the energy was definitely there… but it was tight. Really tight.
After a bit of getting bumped into from every direction, I decided to call it an early night. Still a fun atmosphere, just a little more crowded than I prefer.
Tomorrow, we settle into the first of two back-to-back sea days as we start making our way toward Half Moon Cay. More tomorrow, and as always, thanks for following along.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Stretch & Release | Fitness Center 9 |
| 7:30 AM | Walk a Mile | Atrium 3 |
| 8:00 AM | Rotterdam Arrives in Oranjestad | Pier Ashore |
| 8:00 AM | Oranjestad 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 9 |
| 9:00 AM | Pickleball Instruction: Lob & Backhand | Sport Court 11 |
| 9:30 AM | Origami Folding: Tulip | Game Room 12 |
| 9:30 AM | Complimentary Footprint Analysis | Fitness Center 9 |
| 10:00 AM | Let’s Play Cornhole | Sport Court 11 |
| 10:00 AM | Party Bridge Play until 12:00 PM | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 10:00 AM | Meet for a Game of Mahjong until 3:00 PM | Dining Room 3 |
| 10:00 AM | Pickleball Open Play until 4:00 PM | Sport Court 11 |
| 10:30 AM | Dam Dot Challenge | Game Room 12 |
| 11:00 AM | Lighting Trivia | Billboard Onboard 2 |
| 11:00 AM | Party Bridge Play until 3:00 PM | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 12:00 PM | Complimentary Massage Sampler | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 12:30 PM | Complimentary Skin Care Workshop | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 1:00 PM | Ping Pong Tournament | Lido Balcony 10 |
| 1:00 PM | Coloring for Adults | Game Room 12 |
| 1:30 PM | Friends of Bill W. Meet | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 3:30 PM | The Greenhouse Spa Wellness Extravaganza | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 3:30 PM | Pure Form Pilates $20 | Fitness Center 9 |
| 4:00 PM | Today’s Trivia: Orange | Billboard Onboard 2 |
| 4:00 PM | Sjoelen Tournament | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 4:30 PM | All Aboard as Rotterdam Departs Oranjestad | Shipwide |
| 4:30 PM | Origami Folding: Tulip | Game Room 12 |
| 4:30 PM | Have Your Casual Orange Party Portrait Taken | Atrium 2 |
| 5:00 PM | Evening Stretch | Fitness Center 9 |
| 5:00 PM | Evening Catholic Prayer | Hudson & Half Moon Room 1 |
| 5:00 PM | A Pickup Game of Pickleball | Sport Court 11 |
| 5:00 PM | Ballroom Dance Hour | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 5:30 PM | Old And Modern Masters Exhibition | Art Gallery 1 |
| 5:30 PM | Guess the Weight of the Sculpture | Atrium 2 |
| 5:30 PM | Designer Watch Sale: Up to 30% Off | The Shops 2 |
| 5:30 PM | Orange You Ready to Party? | The Shops 3 |
| 6:00 PM | Cariloha Sleep Seminar | The Shops 3 |
| 6:00 PM | PRIDE Meetup | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 6:00 PM | Ask Your Travel Guide Holly | Crow’s Nest 12 |
| 6:30 PM | Singles & Solo Travelers Meetup | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 6:30 PM | Personalized Lipstick Blending | The Shops 2 |
| 6:30 PM | Cariloha Last Chance Bed & Bath Sale | The Shops 3 |
| 7:00 PM | Alexandrite & Paraiba Tourmaline Showcase | EFFY Jewelry 2 |
| 7:00 PM | Music Trivia: Guests vs Officers | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 7:00 PM | On World Stage: MOVIE | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 7:30 PM | Ladies Night in the Thermal Suite $49 | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 8:00 PM | Ship’s Trivia For Teens | Kids Club 10 |
| 8:00 PM | Movies by the Pool: Now You See Me, Now You Don’t | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 8:00 PM | Music Trivia: Guests vs Officers (continued) | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 8:00 PM | Rock Legends | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 8:30 PM | The Orange Party | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 9:00 PM | On World Stage: MOVIE | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 9:15 PM | The 1950s | Billboard Onboard |
| 9:30 PM | Rock The 80s | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 9:30 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 10:15 PM | All Requests | Billboard Onboard |
| 10:45 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 11:00 PM | New Wave | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 11:30 PM | Dance to the Hits: After Party Hits | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 12:00 AM | All Night Slot Machines | Casino 3 |