The Ritz-Carlton, ArubaOur last cruise was on the gorgeous Celebrity Beyond, one of the newest of the Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ships. We cruised for 7 nights from Fort Lauderdale to what is affectionately known as the ABC islands. The ABC islands make up the Netherland Antilles islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. If you have never been there, get ready for some of the most beautiful blue water you've ever seen! I truly love the ABC's...very clean, the people are friendly and welcoming, there is amazing shopping (think Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Breitling, and more), and you'll find luxury accommodations. We had the opportunity to visit The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba for the day and have some fun in the sun! The resort is an easy 20 minutes from the Aruba Cruise Terminal in Oranjestad, Aruba.
It's a beautiful drive, albeit passing through touristy areas that are getting built up more and more. However, once you get further out of town, the palm trees appear a bit more and the gorgeous coastline is a stones throw away. You'll pass by Eagle Beach, consistently rated one of the top beaches of the world. Once we arrived at the resort, we drove in to a serene, beautifully marbled entranceway. One day I'd love to enjoy a longer stay here. Walking through the lobby admiring the beautiful shops, brightly decorated casino, and gorgeous lobby furnishings definitely wet my appetite for a luxury land holiday. Once we checked in and made our way down to the amazing white sanded beach, we found our cabanas...our home away from home for the day. They were amazing! Small rooms located directly on the beach, with a day bed and plenty of seating, including 2 lounge chairs and a large umbrella. There is a deck between the cabana and the chairs that houses a foot bath to wash off the sand when you come back from the beach. You'll also enjoy a refrigerator filled with cold drinks (water and sodas) along with a box with plentiful yummy, crunchy snacks. The cabanas are even beautifully landscaped! On the resort side behind the cabanas, refreshing and huge pools are waiting for you. On the pool deck, you'll also find the traditional Ritz-Carlton amenities that I've grown to depend on, various strengths of sunscreen and their lovely aloe vera gel. You can't ask for more for a luxury day at the beach and pool.
One thing about the sand in Aruba is that it never gets too hot for your feet. It has a minerals in it from crushed shells and it doesn't heat up like most beaches. We actually learned that fun fact from Captain Kate the morning we docked in Aruba. She was right! You can see by the photo above on the right how far our cabana was away from the water - no shoes needed!
The food is always impressive when I've stayed at a Ritz-Carlton and The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba's dining was right on point. The cabanas came with a lovely and plentiful fruit platter. Every piece of fruit was perfectly ripe and sweet. Just keep it away from the lizards! I learned these lively colored lizards are native to the island but don't worry, they won't hurt you.
Of course, you can't vacation at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba without enjoying a cocktail! We had a variety.
You can order lunch at their convenient restaurant located in between the beach and the pool - or dine in the sand in your personal cabana. This is what we did and it was definitely the way to relax and enjoy vacation.
When you reserve a cabana at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba, you can enjoy it from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. See your options of cabana types to reserve here at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba.
All good days must come to an end and the sunsets in Aruba make it all worth it! The night view was taken from Celebrity Beyond at sail away at 11:00 pm and it was sad to leave. But I hope to be back one day, whether by sea or by air, and have a longer stay at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba.
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My Virtual Vacations Blog
About the AuthorThanks for cruising by!
I'm the creator behind this blog, where I share our family’s love for travel, especially cruising. By day, I work full-time in an office—and all the time, I'm a proud mom to two amazing young men. We took our first cruise when they were energetic little boys, and I’ve included plenty of tips for traveling with kids in tow. With our packed work and school schedules, we cherish every holiday break and make the most of our time off. We gravitate toward cruises and luxury hotel stays, always on the lookout for family-friendly experiences that offer comfort, elegance, and a touch of indulgence—think spacious suites, gorgeous décor, excellent service, and memorable dining. When we're not traveling, you’ll find me enjoying local restaurants or getting creative in my own kitchen with cooking and baking. Start dreaming—and planning—your next luxurious getaway, whether by sea or on land, with My Virtual Vacations. I'm always happy to answer questions or offer personalized recommendations to help you make the most of your travels. Be sure to check back often for new blog posts, travel tips, and inspiration—there are always more family adventures on the horizon!
About the PhotosOur beautiful photographs are creatively captured by my talented freelance husband/photographer located in Baltimore, MD. Click here to explore more of his work.
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Upcoming Adventures...I’m beyond excited to share that we’ll be sailing on the Celebrity Beyond again this summer! We'll be staying in The Retreat, enjoying a stunning suite and all the elevated perks that come with it. I can't wait to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the experience—so if you’ve ever considered booking a suite, stay tuned for plenty of insights and tips!
We’re also heading to one of our favorite places--Boca Raton, Florida—for a relaxing land vacation. It’s truly our happy place, and I’ll be sharing highlights from our stay there as well. If you have any questions about our upcoming or past travels, don’t hesitate to reach out. I love helping others plan their dream getaways! If you have suggestions of places My Virtual Vacations would love, reach out to us on our Submission Form. We are always looking for new spots to showcase!
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