Allure of the Seas: Aruba

Today the Allure of the Seas is in Aruba. I was up at 6 am and went and found coffee in Cafe Promenade.

Aruba Morning

Our new home construction superintendent emailed yesterday saying the home wouldn’t be at the stage they usually have it for my scheduled “how we build” meeting after the cruise. He offered me the option of rescheduling or he could show me other homes at/near that stage. Steve and I discussed and we decided to go ahead as I might not have ability to travel out when it is ready.

My sisters and I met for breakfast at Johnny Rocket’s at 7:30. Decided to eat indoors which was fortuitous as it rained while we were inside.

I ordered pancakes and bacon. I was surprised to get two little pancakes so got two more.

We did get enough bacon because we asked for extra.

After breakfast we visited a while on 15. The Carnival Horizon docked at a different pier ahead of us. This meant shuttles were available to take people directly to the port gate and taxis were right at the ship as well.

We got ready and took a taxi to Palm Beach. It was $16 plus tip. We had the driver drop us off at the Depalm pier access walkway. Once there we went to the closest beach vendor who was already sold out of lounger chairs and umbrellas. The other side of the access walkway was another vendor and we got the last three chairs and umbrella.

It was $65 for all plus $4 fee for using credit card. We were right in front of the Rui hotel and casino. Food/drinks were available for purchase at the pier shops and there was public restroom there.

The water was just cool enough to be refreshing and we spent a lot of time in there. I had brought water from ship but sisters purchased drinks.

Aruba Afternoon

After one we packed up and head back out. Despite our taxi driver’s assertion it would be easy to find a taxi, it wasn’t. We walked towards the Hilton and at the bus stop in front was a bus stop. We were going to try to hail a taxi there but before that happened a bus van stopped and it was $2.50 a person. We got onboard and rode it to the downtown bus stop.

We walked to the port gate where Royal had a shuttle bus to take us to the ship although many people walked.

Once onboard M and I went straight to Park Cafe for lunch. I had a wonderful kummelweck sandwich with sunchips topped off by carrot cake.

The cake was good but the icing was awful! Then it was to my cabin to shower and eventually take a nap after drying my hair.

Aruba Evening

We met for dinner in front of Chops.

My cocktail which I forgot to note the name of; probably one of the featured drinks.

I started with a crab cake.

My sisters had the pepper bacon to start.

Then I had lobster bisque while M had wedge salad and T had goat cheese salad.

All were good but T’s had a bit too much dressing.

For mains I had the branzino, M had NY steak and T had ribeye.

All were cooked perfectly although none of us could finish them.

The sides were well done as well: mashed potatoes, baked potato, and asparagus.

Isn’t it a little weird that they served the baked potato in a bowl?

For dessert I had warm chocolate cake.

M had apple pie and T had a sundae made topped off with the berry compote they use on the chocolate cake.

We all left happy. M and I wanted to ride the rising tide bar so met it at 8 pm down on promenade. Once there, just about everyone got off and we got on.