For cruises that visit Aruba, click  .
About 15 miles north of Venezuela, this Southern Caribbean island is characterized by white-sand beaches, a cactus-studded interior and distinctive divi-divi trees bent by the constant trade winds. On cruises to Aruba, ships dock at the historic capital, Oranjestad, filled with tall, multicolored Dutch colonial homes with wooden doors. The waters around Aruba teem with marine life; there's excellent snorkeling, and scuba divers can explore the shipwrecked Antilla, a sunken German World War II freighter. Kayaking, glass-bottom boat rides, excursions in an Atlantis submarine and off-road adventures in four-wheel drive vehicles are also favorite activities here.
Aruba is featured on Southern Caribbean cruises, which take place year-round. Aruba also is included on some Panama Canal itineraries, which are offered from September through April.
Cruises to Aruba and elsewhere in the Caribbean are particularly kid-friendly, making them an ideal option for family getaways. Most ships have children's programs, youth counselors and children's activity centers.
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