Restaurants: Curacao's rich cultural diversity is evidenced by its wide selection of restaurants. Among them, Fort Nassau Restaurant features international dishes with a continental touch. French cuisine served in a historic courtyard is the specialty at the Kura Hilanda Hotel. And outdoor dining is available at the Belle Terrace in the Avila Beach Hotel, where international, Danish and local specialties are on the menu.
Shopping: Souvenir shops feature the ubiquitous key chains, T-shirts and bongo drums. In addition, a mix of duty-free goods such as Italian designer fashions, English china and Swiss watches is available in shops and boutiques along the city's narrow streets.
Island Tip: Queen Emma, the pontoon bridge, is back in operation after being closed for renovations. The "swinging old lady" is a quick way to cross between Punda, the oldest section of Willemstad, and Otrobanda on the other side of St. Anna Bay, and is the island's most popular photo op.
Who Goes There: Among the major cruise lines calling on Curacao are Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
Curacao...A Dutch Masterpiece
Curacao shines in the warmth of its multi-ethnic cultural heritage.
Drop anchor in Curacao and you'll find a distinctive Caribbean island. Thirty-five miles north of the Venezuelan coast, the largest of the islands in the Netherlands Antilles exudes Old World charm in a bewitching blend of languages and cultures. Curacao is the "C" of the "ABC" islands ( Aruba & Bonaire comprising the A & B).
Arrival: Except for the giveaway palm trees, Willemstad, Curacao's capital, could be mistaken for old Amsterdam. Cruise passengers catching sight of the city from an upper deck discover a vivid row of ancient waterfront buildings, their facades bathed in pastel shades of orange, lime, strawberry red, canary yellow and flamingo pink. Willemstad has two docking piers: Large ships tie up at Mega Pier and smaller vessels at Mathey Wharf. Both are within walking distance of the main shopping areas and many of the island's attractions.
Independent Sightseeing: Passengers can head to one of the island's 38 beaches, but will need sturdy vehicles to navigate the bumpy roads to some of them. Visitors can also view active stalactites, stalagmites and other geological formations at Hato Caves and tour the Senior Curacao Liqueur Factory.
Must-See Attractions: Boats from Venezuela and the neighboring West Indian islands, loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables and fish, dock daily at the colorful Floating Market. Passengers of all religions likely will be moved by a visit to the 200-year-old Mikve Israel-Emanuel, the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, which is still in use. The Kura Hulanda Museum commemorates the millions of Africans forced into slavery.
Off The Beaten Path: Independent types can view the countryside via four-wheel-drives; canoe safaris; horseback, hiking or mountain biking excursions; or by climbing Curacao's highest peak in Christoffel National Park. A three-hour ATV tour is another popular diversion. Water activities include windsurfing, parasailing, jet-skiing, snorkeling and diving. The Curacao Sea Aquarium offers nose-to-fin snorkeling and other sea-life encounters. And the Curacao Ostrich Farm, one of the largest outside of Africa, features 800 of the big birds.
