Welcome to the Aruba Forum

[Dennis]

Just found out a friend has been going to Aruba for the past 14 years. Two years at the Marriott and then bought a time share at the Marriott Ocean Resort. Loves Aruba a lot.

She was helpful and gave me some tips.
1. Bring American Coffee if you are fussy about brands.
2. If Snorkeling purchase an underwater camera at home, it so expensive in Aruba.
3. Get a light weight packable cooler and use it as your carry-on bag. Coolers are very expensive too.
4. For your first time, you really can't go wrong with the Marriott.
5. Reserve your beach "hut" the day before. Bring that cooler.
6. Bring lots of underwater sun screen.
7. There are plenty of restaurants down the beach. You could go to a different one every day.
8. Get a room above the 3rd floor, its very noisy below that level and the view is better the higher you go.

Many of these can be found in the reviews.
-Dennis

[Dennis]

Aruba Lisa,

I loved reading your website First Time to Aruba Got some good tips here. Enjoyable read too!

[~Amy~®]

Your friend is correct on all points.

The one thing we never forget to pack and is our "best friend" on the island is our soft sided cooler. We stop at the grocery store in Aruba and buy snacks, breakfast items, and all of our beverages there and take the cooler to the beach with us. Saves a lot of money on drinks - and then we will hit the various 2 for 1 happy hours when drink prices are more reasonable. We'd rather save some money during the day so that we can splurge on dinner/wine at night.

[jude]

absolutley listen to amy and listen to your friend i coulda also wrote both postings ,,,bring a cooler for sure !!!!!! u wont regret it

[dutchdushi]

Our first trip is always to Certified where we buy a foam (sorry, don't know the English word) trow away cooler for about 10 florin. So I don't think coolers are expensive. It is just what kind of cooler you use.

[Dennis]

Lots of choices for cooler bags on Amazon.

[carolrd]

I agree with all of the above, but Douwe Egberts coffee is wonderful!!! It's sold at Ling & Sons.


Carol

[~Amy~®]

We have one of these:

http://www.igloo-store.com/detail/IGL+TOTE+16+BLUES+DO

And a couple of these:

http://www.shop.mistercold.com/Koolit-Coolers_c3.htm

Both work well and they fold up flat - we just pack them in the outer pocket of our suitcase.

I'm always so surprised of the durability of the Koolit cooler bags since they're so light. We've had them for years now and they keep going strong.

[Corrine]

[Dennis]

Thanks a bunch, a lot of good advice here.

Since this is my first flying trip in many years, what is the best way to book it to ensure I get what I want.

It looks like I will be flying out of Philadelphia and staying at the Marriott. I am leaning towards a Premium Ocean room.
Book lower room rates, then upgrade when at the hotel?

Book flight and room separately or together?

Book through the Marriott, Travel Agency or Online?

I read the best time to book is six weeks before the trip, is this true?

-Dennis

[carolrd]

Since you are going in high season, I would start looking now. In fact, most people have had their reservations for that time of year a few months already.
You really need to look at airfares first, prices will be high, but keep at it checking a couple times a day. USAir flies out of Philly, United (Continental) out of Newark, so I would check both. These are direct flights.
You might want to check availability at the Marriott, you may not be able to upgrade once you get there. Sometimes online travel agencies offer perks, so I would check into that.

I'm sure the Marriott has some kind of reward program, check their website and join. It may help with getting a better room.

Good Luck,

Carol

[Corrine]

[Dennis]

I'll try the coffee, however, just to be safe, I'll bring a small can.

[~Amy~®]

I love Douwe Egberts coffee, too. It's sold at all of the grocery stores in Aruba. I usually buy extra and bring it home with me.

[ArubaLisa]