Oranjestad, Aruba offers a couple great Resort for a Day pass options. Treat yourself to a VIP experience with an all inclusive stay during your day at port!
We’ve cruised to Oranjestad many times and have done the “standard” tours. They’re great. Aruba has amazing beaches, blue waters, weather, and people.
We’ve also realized that the most convenient way to take advantage of Aruba's assets is with a Resort Day Pass.
Why choose a Resort for a Day?
Top reasons for choosing an Aruba Resort Day Pass vs other Excursions
Aruba is one of the safer ports in the Caribbean. Very rarely are there safety incidents in and around Oranjestad Cruise Port. However, there's still the uncertainty of traveling abroad.
A resort is your best option if safety is a concern. You'll have no worries within the protected walls of any option below. Security and privacy are valuable amenities at these resorts. We’ve never heard of an incident within one of Oranjestad’s resorts. In the rare chance of a health or security issue, you'd want to be at any of these resorts vs an alternative excursion option!
From our map below, you can see that both resorts are near your Oranjestad Cruise Port. Each option below is accessed with a short taxi ride. You can expect to travel roughly 15 minutes from port to your destination.
You'll have every amenity at your fingertips. No need to worry about haggling over price, finding food, renting beach chairs, etc. And you won’t need to check your watch constantly to make sure your excursion provider will get you back on time. Your only inconvenience will be deciding which drink to order next. This is an easy “problem” to solve since drinks are all-inclusive with your day pass.
Most organized shore excursions are run by “mom and pop” shops. Many do a great job. But, they’re not held to the same standards as the resort properties. When you’re done with your snorkeling gear at RIU, they’ll clean and sanitize the equipment. After a tour with “ Lou’s Snorkeling Fun Time,” the gear might get a quick splash of Corona before the next cruise passenger straps it on. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but hopefully you get where we’re going. The resorts will likely have newer beach chairs, fresher towels, and cleaner restrooms.
You’ll see the cost of an all-inclusive day pass averages roughly $100 per person. This is similar to the cost of a resort for a day pass in Oranjestad. However, you’ll find much more included at one of these properties.
A beach excursion includes many "hidden costs." You might pay for beach access. Chair rentals will cost $20 per. Drink costs will likely be double that. Then you'll likely want to tack on events like kayaking or snorkeling.
You can easily spend $100 per person going "a la carte." And you'll likely leave a bit hungrier and thirstier than if the situation were all-inclusive. There's also an intangible value to the buffet style. The freedom to order whatever you want all day long is a huge bonus.
Cost Comparison All Inclusive vs Other
A resort day pass will cost roughly $100 per person. That may seem expensive. Consider all of the incidentals with a normal excursion. You'll often purchase rental chairs, food, drink, and equipment rental. These can quick add up to exceed a resort pass!
If you’ve gotten this far, we’ll assume you’re “all-in” for a resort day pass in Aruba. Good decision. You'll be happy with your decision!
Now we'll need to find the perfect day pass option. It will depend on your crew. Are you traveling with kids or are you on a romantic getaway? Are you hoping to get active or more interested in relaxing? Is price an important factor?
Below are a couple amazing all inclusive options at Aruba’s best resorts. This is an easy decision made by most. It will depend on whether you're cruising with a family or as a couple. If traveling with kids, you'll want to pay attention below. One resort is adults-only, while the other is a perfect option for families!
Oranjestad, Aruba - Cruise Day Pass
In the Aruba Map above, you’ll see all of your available Resort Options. Those are indicated by the black numbered items. These properties offer exclusive day pass tours to cruise passengers. The maroon, anchor icon shows the location of Oranjestad cruise port. You can see that all are nearby. We also note the taxi distance and any related costs for your convenience.
We've analyzed every resort day pass option in Oranjestad, Aruba. Below are the Best Options with all of the detail you'll need to make your choice.
RIU Palace Antillas Details
Options are nearly unlimited at the RIU Palace in Aruba. The property includes a fresh-water swimming pool (with swim up bar), jacuzzi, and sauna. For those looking to get active, RIU provides a number of features. Their 5-star gym offers state of the art equipment to earn that next buffet trip. We prefer to get our bodies moving outside. Snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddle boards are all provided as great options. The resort even features a casino to scratch that gambling itch once the bottomless drinks start hitting!
The RIU Palace Antillas sits on an impressive stretch of Palm Beach providing access to Aruba's gorgeous waters. This is a great all inclusive option while in the port of Oranjestad. You'll have full access to food and drinks (alcohol and non) and a beautiful dining room setting overlooking the coast to enjoy these indulgences. The resort is limited to guests 18 years of age and older. This cruise excursion is a favorite for those looking for some peace and quiet away from the younger crowds.
- Unlimited Food & Drink
- Unlimited Booze
- Beach
- Pool
- Whirlpool
- Fitness Center
- Sauna
- Lounge Chairs
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Swim-up Bar
- Casino
- Palapas
NOTE: The RIU Palace Antillas has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
RIU Palace Aruba Details
Hotel Riu Palace is located on famed Palm Beach in Aruba. It is a popular family resort with many day time activities to keep you entertained. Featuring 5 restaurants, a beautiful white sand beach, 2 fresh water swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, sauna and a casino.
Hotel Riu Palace Aruba is a family friendly all-inclusive! You'll never get bored with your choice of 3 pools, including a pool exclusively for children & a separate swim-up bar for adults, beach access, & non-motorized water sports. Also take advantage of the unlimited food & beverage options at the resort while in port.
- Unlimited Food & Drink
- Unlimited Booze
- Beach
- Pool
- Whirlpool
- Fitness Center
- Lounge Chairs
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Swim-up Bar
- Casino
- Palapas
NOTE: The RIU Palace Aruba has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
We hope this post helps you to make the most of your time in Aruba.
It's tough to choose a cruise excursion. You can't go wrong with a resort for a day pass. These properties are optimized for your relaxation and enjoyment. Standard tours are great too. They're just "hit or miss." Remove all risk with one of the options above.
Check out additional options for the other ports on your cruise itinerary. The post below lists every day pass option for ports in the Caribbean!
