Silversea Luxury Cruises To Willemstad (Curacao)

This tour combines an interesting look at Curaçao's countryside and the town of Willemstad.

Leaving the pier, your drive takes you east into the countryside past the salt flats, a favorite habitat of flamingoes. Continue your drive to the Hato Caves located near the island's airport.

Hato Caves

Comprised of a dramatic collection of grottos filled with stalactites, stalagmites and crystal-clear pools, these mystical caves offer a look at Curaçao from a different perspective. At the foot of the caves is the Petroglyph Trail. A short stroll will take you past an ancient shelter used by slave shepherds with exceptional 1,500-year-old religious scenes carved into the rock walls. Leaving the caves, continue to the Curaçao Museum in Otrobanda.

Curaçao Museum

Founded in 1946, the museum is housed in a former military quarantine hospital. The exhibits include contemporary art and a display offering some insight into life on the island during the mid-19th century.

Queen Juliana Bridge

Following your visit, continue with your drive across the Queen Juliana Bridge. From its height of 200 feet (60 metres) above Willemstad, you are afforded magnificent views of the capital and the Queen Emma Pontoon bridge, which provides a pedestrian link between Otrobanda and Punda.

The Chobolobo Liqueur Factory and Punda

Continue to Chobolobo to enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur and see how it is made. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point and return to the pier on your own, or stay with the coach for the short drive back to the ship.

Please note: This tour involves moderate walking and is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or for those who utilise a wheelchair. There are approximately 50 steps to negotiate when entering the Caves and some steps once inside. The terrain is uneven and gravel in parts and can become slippery. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are essential. Guests are requested not to touch the formations in Hato Caves for environmental reasons. Photography is only permitted in certain areas of the Caves. Participants in the liqueur sampling must be 21 years of age or over. If you wish to remain in Willemstad after your tour, please note that you will be responsible for your own return to the quayside.

Discover the fascinating underwater world of Curaçao as you glide along in the comfort of your air-conditioned semi-sub.

From the dock in Willemstad, it's only a short drive to the Seaworld Explorer, a state-of-the-art semi-submarine. Developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef, this vessel does not actually submerge. You'll descend into the hull of this cruising underwater observatory, and sit in air-conditioned comfort, 5 feet below the surface of the water.

As you explore the sea life through large glass windows, see dozens of colorful tropical fish such as Yellowtail Snapper, Sergeant Majors, Parrotfish and Queen Angelfish. Your underwater adventure also includes a narrated tour of the coral reefs along the south side of the island, which took thousands of years to grow. Look out for the diver, who will feed some of the fish, alongside the Seaworld Explorer. Just offshore you'll also observe the ocean wall, which drops sharply to depths of several hundred feet.

Please note: The Seaworld Explorer is not suitable for those who suffer from seasickness. This tour involves limited walking, however passengers must be able to negotiate 2 or 3 steep steps onto and off the Seaworld Explorer. Marine life sightings are dependent on local sea conditions.

This tour will give you the opportunity to see Curaçao from the sea and as well as the land.

Seaworld Explorer

The Seaworld Explorer is a state-of-the-art semi-submersible developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel does not submerge; you descend into the hull of the boat and sit in air-conditioned comfort five feet below the surface of the water, observing sea life through clear glass windows.

Depart the pier for the three-mile drive to the Curaçao Hilton Hotel & Casino Resort and board the Seaworld Explorer. Your narrated tour takes you along the coral reefs on the south side of the island. Just offshore is a wall that drops sharply to depths of several hundred feet. From your underwater viewpoint you have a perfect view of the tropical marine life including colorful parrot fish and queen angelfish, as well as colonies of delicate coral that were thousands of years in the making. Watch in awe as a diver is surrounded by hungry fish as he hand-feeds them right in front of your window. A marine expert is available to provide information on the amazing underwater world surrounding your vessel.

Queen Juliana Bridge

Once back on land, head over the Queen Juliana Bridge, which rises 200 feet above Willemstad and affords a magnificent view of the capital and the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge, a pedestrian link between Otrobanda and Punda.

The Chobolobo Liqueur Factory and Punda

Continue to Chobolobo to enjoy a taste of the world famous Blue Curacao Liqueur and see how it is made. Next, your guide will point out major points of interest as you drive through Punda in the heart of Willemstad. If you wish to stay in town, you may leave the tour at this point and return to the pier on your own, or stay with the coach for the short drive back to the ship.

Please note: Tour involves moderate walking and is suitable for guests with limited mobility Guests must be able to safely manage steps on the semi-submersible boat. We recommend wearing lightweight clothing, flat, rubber-soled shoes and sun protection.

Enjoy the sun setting over the crystal waters of the Willemstad during this evening catamaran cruise around the harbour.

Depart the pier aboard the Pelican catamaran, our double-decker watercraft featuring both open-air and covered decks. Once onboard, guests will enjoy their time passing through the harbour entrance providing you with a wonderful view of the old buildings built in the Dutch architectural style. See the three bridges that were built connecting the different parts of the town with each other, named after the queens of Holland.

The old forts that were built to protect the entrance of the harbour have been restored and converted in restaurants and shopping malls. Also a view of the refinery and the commercial container harbour will be a part of the scenery.

Following the tour through the harbour, sail out into open water and make a short spin around the entrance of the harbour so you may capture a view of the beautiful Caribbean sunset.

After the sun has set, sail back into the harbour and rejoin your awaiting ship.

Please note: This tour involves minimal walking and is suitable for guests with limited mobility and for those who utilise a wheelchair; however guests must be able to negotiate the steps to embark and disembark the vessel with minimal assistance. We recommend guests dress in seasonal clothing and wear flat, rubber-soled shoes and bring a light jacket in the event the air is cool on the water.

Experience the beauty of Curaçao's capital on a tour that takes you through historic Willemstad.

From the pier, you are transferred by taxi across the Queen Juliana Bridge to the waiting trolley train.

Scharloo

Your tour begins at Fort Amsterdam then it is off to Scharloo, a residential neighborhood with picturesque homes built by Curaçao's wealthy merchants during the 1880s. Stop at Bolo di Bruit, known as the Wedding Cake House and the city's most photographed building. It is now the site of the Central Historical Archives.

Pietermaai Cathedral

Leaving Scharloo, enter Pietermaii Cathedral, the largest and most impressive church on the island. In addition, view Queen Wilhelmina Park, the scene of frequent cultural events, and Water Fort Arches, an imposing fortress that was the site of the Willhem III Barracks.

Fort Amsterdam

Finally, visit Fort Amsterdam built in 1635 to guard the vital entrance of the harbor from enemy ships. The citadel was later converted into the Governor's Palace and the office of the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles. The fort is one of many structures that lend a sense of history and atmosphere to the city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At the end of the tour a taxi awaits to take you back to the ship or you may wish to stay in town and walk the short distance back to the ship.

Please note: Tour provides easy sightseeing with little walking. Guests must be able to maneuver the steps on and off the trolley.