DESTINATIONS CRUISE |CARIBBEAN
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Arashi Beach; Azamara’s four-ship fleet; off-road excursion in Aruba; the Alto Vista chapel PICTURES: Aruba Tourist Board/Davide Camesasca; Azamara Cruises
Although still offering rum cocktails, swaying palms and soft sands in spades, it seems as if there’s a different side of the Caribbean to experience here. We call at each of the three islands on Azamara’s 10-night CEO Loyalty Panama Canal Voyage – a rare treat, given most lines sailing the region do not stop at all three on the same itinerary. Azamara prides itself on ‘destination immersion’, so the 690-passenger Azamara Journey stays in the ports of Oranjestad (Aruba), Kralendijk (Bonaire) and Willemstad (Curaçao) until 10pm. This offers passengers the chance to take advantage of excursions ranging from submarine trips to cultural adventures – while having ample time to explore independently.
BY THE SEASIDE From Oranjestad, a bumpy off-road adventure in a bright-yellow 4x4 offers an introduction to Aruba, from rugged coral limestone sea arches to the Alto Vista chapel – where churches have stood since 1750 – and scenic California Lighthouse lookout point. Yet the highlight comes at the end of the excursion,
when we reach Arashi Beach just as the sun begins to set, sending blazing orange and red light searing across the white sand and the reed umbrellas scattered along the shore. Its smooth slope leads into gentle
74 23 JANUARY 2025 Although
still offering rum cocktails, swaying palms and soft sand in spades, there is a different side of the Caribbean to experience here
waves that feel like dipping your toes into a warm bath, meaning that even in a region renowned for its beaches, it would be hard to find a more spectacular sight.
THE BIG BLUE
I didn’t think that experience could be topped, until I went snorkelling in Bonaire. To reach our chosen spot, we are transferred to the red-sailed Samur, a quirky vessel styled on east Asian junk boats. The captain explains that the Samur was originally commissioned by a retired CIA operative in 1968 and, after a storied career, was sold on and ended up in Bonaire. A peaceful half-hour journey takes us to the uninhabited island of Klein Bonaire, which is surrounded by the gnarly reefs of the Bonaire Marine National Park. We are given the option to drift snorkel, using the current to carry us along the reefs, or snorkel straight from the beach – and indecisive types can switch from one to the other via a small Zodiac. This key selling point means first-timers can choose a depth they feel comfortable in, while confident swimmers can see more of the underwater world as the current sweeps them along. Both methods allow me to revel in intricately shaped
corals and exotic shoals of fish, including blue tangs made famous by Dory in the Finding Nemo films. Even
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