Looking for more adventurous Spring break ideas? Cruise to the Southern Caribbean and visit the exotic islands of Aruba and Curacao off the coast of South America! Only have one day to visit Curacao island? No problem! Here’s where to start.
First, no visit would be complete without an experiencing the Curacao Liqueur Distillery and sampling a blue curaçao cocktail.
Known mainly for their blue Curacao, it actually comes in a variety of flavors like chocolate, coffee, rum raisin and tamarind. Who knew?!
Curacao Island Stop #1 – Curacao Liqueur Distillery
Bon Bini! That means “Welcome” in Curacao’s language, Papiamento.
When I entered the distillery in the historic mansion there was a large room with information about the history of the distillery and how curaçao is made.
Curacao is made from the dried peel of the bitter laraha orange. This distillery was actually started and owned by a woman. Go female entrepreneurs!!
Then I moved through to see the window of the factory workers filling the distinctive curaçao bottles. They look about as excited as I am when I’m at work! I guess they don’t get the free samples.
After that I got to taste the different flavors of Curacao. My favorite was of course the chocolate!
Once I got my free samples I ended up in a large bar area where you can order your favorite curaçao cocktails.
The bar area was of course busy. I was here for a brief visit, so I didn’t have time to stop and order a curaçao cocktail.
Last stop was the gift shop. As with all tourist destinations all roads lead to the gift shop!
The gift shop was absolutely insane with people. If you don’t want to or have enough time to wait in line don’t worry. You can purchase many of the same products along the pier, often for about the same price.
I did a brief tour through the crowds and then got out of there. I’m not a person for crowds.
I bought a little bottle of chocolate curaçao at one of the shops near the port for $8. About two and a half shots.
They also have lovely gift packs with several different flavors if you are looking for great gifts for your friends back home.
Me not wanting to check a bag on the way home only bought one small bottle that fit in my 1 quart bag of liquids.
My friends were probably disappointed I didn’t bring any home to share. Ah, c’est la vie. Next time!
Curacao Island Stop #2 – Aloe Farm
Second, if you are looking for other unique and fun things to do in Curacao island in a day check out one of the Aloe Farms.
Aloe is a large export for Curacao and I loved getting to see one of the plantations. I gathered with my tour group in a large thatched roof palapa for an informational talk about aloe and its many uses.
In addition to its wonderful use as an aid to sunburn, people actually eat it to treat illness. I was able to try a piece which tasted to me a little like cucumber. In my opinion aloe is better as a sunburn aid then a snack. 😂
I made the terrible mistake of going out without sunscreen the first day at port and got a fiery, peeling sunburn to show for it. The aloe samples were a welcome treat to sooth my burning arms and chest. As a kid I remember my grandma always had a plant she used for cuts and burns too.
As much as I’ve traveled I still make the occasional mistake, so don’t beat yourself up when that happens to you.
Here’s a tip from your best friend. Buy a solid sunscreen stick to keep in your toiletry bag. This way you always have it handy and it doesn’t have to count as part of your liquids in your one quart bag for the plane.
I usually buy a can of sunscreen spray when I get to my destination, but didn’t have the opportunity before boarding the cruise this time
The aloe farm also has a nice gift shop with all kinds of potions and lotions you can try.
There is also a chance to try aloe juice. Be adventurous and give it a try! Not the best tasting, but definitely an opportunity that you don’t have often.
I love to try new experiences! Sometimes you will have a lovely new habit as a souvenir you can incorporate into your life back home. Other times you just have a bragging rights or a great story to tell your friends. If you have the opportunity go for it!!
I perused the shop and headed outside to their wraparound deck to check out the flora and fauna.
It’s was such a luxury to be somewhere warm and sunny while it’s cold and gray back home in March in Colorado. Plus, I was treated to seeing these beautiful yellow birds taking a welcome respite from the hot Curacao island sun under the shady palms!
How many birds can you spot? When I took the photo it was pretty bright out and I only saw one.
When reviewing and editing my photos I was thrilled to find there are actually four! Can you find the last one?
# 3 – Serena’s Art Factory
Lastly, if you are looking for more unique things to do in Curacao island check out some fun art at Serena’s Art Factory. They make Chichi sculptures.
A Chichi in Curacao is the oldest sister who doesn’t marry and takes care of her younger siblings and aging parents. They are much loved in Curacao.
This interesting artist enclave makes colorful sculptures of these voluptuous ladies like the one below.
Serena’s Art Factory has a pretty garden surrounding the workshop and gift shop that displays some of their sculptures. I liked this hanging coconut bird. Although not sure it was for sale.
In the workshop I watched the artists molding and painting the Chichis.
Being an animal lover my favorite sculptures in the gift shop were of course the little Pushis (cats) and Chochis (dog) below.
I love how colorful they are and they are the perfect size to bring home in your carry on bag.
I explored Curacao island as an excursion on a Holland America cruise. The above excursion takes about 2 hours, quick, but fun. Plus it leaves time for a blue curaçao cocktail and time to explore Curacao island a little on your own!
Here’s another tip from your best friend. Make sure your book your Holland America excursions at least a month before your cruise leaves. They fill up quick and you don’t want to miss out! These cruisers are planners.
I enjoy having the cruise ship take care of all the logistics once in awhile. Plus if there are any changes to your itinerary due to weather or mechanical issues they will rebook for you.
After the excursion take some extra time in Curacao to stroll along the port and check out all the vendor stalls. You can buy the authentic Curacao liqueur to make your curaçao cocktails, colorful Caribbean shirts and sarongs, hand painted signs as well as all the usual kitschy souvenirs.
There is a also a great cocktail hut right off the cruise ship with inexpensive frozen cocktails. Much cheaper than you will find on your cruise ship.
Keeping walking along the port and check out the cool fort below or wander further to explore more shops and restaurants.
My favorite store was the Heinen Delffts Blauw pottery store in the courtyard just past the fort. I bought a beautiful and colorful little ceramic replica of a Curacao island home to remember my trip.
I visited Curacao island on Holland America’s Southern Caribbean cruise in March on the Nieuw Statendam.
Read my reviews of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. Check out my other posts on their accommodations, food, drinks and entertainment, plus my stop in Aruba.
Bon Bini to Curacao island! Don’t forget to have a a blue curaçao cocktail when you visit!
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Have you ever dreamed of flying business class to Europe? Are you tired of being cramped on an overnight flight and trying to sit up for 7+ hours trying to sleep? Do you wish you could be pampered with champagne, gourmet meals and a lie flat seat? I have!! Now I finally figured out how to do it without spending thousands of dollars. Here’s how to upgrade to Business Class for Under $100!
Last November I took my first Business class fight! I flew from New York to Dublin, Ireland in Aer Lingus Business Class. I upgraded my ticket for less than $100. Here is how I did it. First, I bought a Smart Economy ticket on Aer Lingus for $515 dollars. Then I upgraded to Aer Lingus business class with points. I earned the points for less than $100 by getting the Aer Lingus Credit Card and meeting the initial spend requirement. The annual fee for this card was $95.
I also scored my connecting roundtrip flight from Denver to New York for less than $12. I used leftover points from an older JetBlue card bonus! You can also take advantage of other low-cost carriers on positioning flights that help you get to a destination where you can take advantage of great international flights. I discuss more about this in this post.
With time, a little patience and the right credit cards you can do this too and for even less money. I’ve been playing the points and miles game for almost two decades, but I just cracked the code and took my game to the next level. I’m so excited to share what I’ve learned with you!
Since I leveraged my credit card to do this I will start with a disclaimer because one of my other passions is personal finance. Do not, I repeat do not do this if you cannot commit to paying off your credit balance each month in full. The interest you pay on the credit card will cancel out any savings you get from upgrading to business class.
If you can’t pay your credit card balance in full every month try getting a zero interest card and book an economy flight instead of business class one.
When I was younger and had less income I once financed a trip to Italy on a zero interest card, but only because I knew I would be able to pay it off before the zero interest expired. Also, if you are paid bi-weekly then twice a year you get an extra check in the month. It’s a great way to add travel to your budget!
There are a ton of different ways you could upgrade to business class and the route you take will depend on where you want to go. Have a specific trip in mind and are not sure how to upgrade to business class? Reach out to me and I will tell you how to make it happen!
I will tell you my story. In 2023 out of the blue my friend asked me if I wanted to go to Ireland in November. She knew it had been on my bucket list for a long time. I of course jumped at the chance!! She had found a good deal on airfare, but I yearned to make one of my life long goals come true. I wanted to fly business class in a lie flight seat to Europe!
How to Upgrade to Business Class: The Magic of Avios
If you have never heard of Avios it is the rewards program of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia and Qatar Airways. I already had several thousand Avios points left over from a trip through London a few years ago where I used a British Airways credit card bonus. I was excited to learn that I could transfer my British Airways Avios miles to Aer Lingus for my upcoming trip to Ireland. British Airways is also a great rewards value for flights within Europe.
Avios miles can also be transferred to Iberia and Qatar Airways. If you are transferring your Avios to Iberia keep in mind you will need to set up your Iberia account and have it open for at least three months before you can transfer Avios miles from the other rewards programs I mentioned into it.
If you are headed to Spain you can snag a business class seat from the East coast to Madrid or Barcelona for only 34,000 points each way! That’s less than then I spend to visit family in New York from Denver.
What I think is so unique about the Avios program is these four airlines all share the Avios program. Not only can you transfer miles between the programs, you can also transfer them back to another Avios program if you end up not using them all . That is unheard of in the points and miles world!
Sadly I checked award availability for Aer Lingus Business Class and there was nothing available, as is so often the case with rewards flights. What’s a girl to do? When I really want something I do not give up easily. You can bid for an upgrade and see if it is accepted. Who knows what that would cost? OR you can use the secret trick I discovered below:
Upgrade Request
- Join Aer Lingus’ Aer Club. Here is a tip from your best friend. Go to http://Avios.com and click “Join Avios Now”. Scroll down to “Join AerClub” the loyalty program for Aer Lingus. While you’re there sign up for the other Avios programs too.
- Book a Smart ticket with cash directly with Aer Lingus to increase your chance of an upgrade. Upgrades are not available with Avios miles if you book through a third party or use miles for your ticket. Make sure to include your Aer Club account number when booking. Upgrade miles will depend on if your travel dates are on or off peak. Off Peak flights like mine were 37,000 Avios Miles. Peak flights are 44,750 Avios miles. Check Aer Lingus’ 2024 schedule here to see if your dates are on or off peak.
- Email [email protected]. Request an upgrade to business class. Include the Aer Club Account Number, Booking Number, Passenger Name and Flight Number. You can also try calling them at 1-800-237-2747.
- If there is award availability for an upgrade Aer Lingus will confirm your request and send a new booking confirmation with a seat assignment. Due to the time difference this process can take a day or two if you do this through email. Once confirmed the Avios miles will be deducted from your account. Try booking a ticket without purchasing at the end on Aer Lingus’ site to see if there are still business class seats available. If there are there is a chance Aer Lingus will upgrade your ticket.
- That’s it! It’s really that easy.
If you’ve dreamed of exploring the Emerald Isle too, but don’t have any Avios miles yet here is the simplest step by step instructions of how to get them:
- Apply for an Aer Lingus credit card The card has an annual fee of $95.
- Spend $5,000 in the first three months of getting the card. I know this sounds like a lot, but do yourself another favor and automate all your monthly bills. Set them all up for autopay using your new Aer Lingus credit card. I automate everything, utilities, car insurance, streaming service, EVERYTHING. Do you have a big purchase coming up? Need a new appliance? Have expensive car maintenance or repair coming up? Need a new phone or computer? Time it after opening the new card.
- Once you complete your $5,000 spending Aer Lingus will credit your account with 75,000 Avios miles.
- Then go to Avios.com to look for award availability or if there is none try my trick above to upgrade a cash ticket with miles. As of March 2024 Aer Lingus was in the process of updating their website to be able to search award space directly from the Aer Lingus site, but it was not available quite yet.
My first business class overseas flight was so amazing, relaxing and luxurious! I also had a fabulous time in Ireland exploring the land of my ancestors. Thinking of heading to the Emerald Island? Check out this post on the highlight of my trip, Dingle, Ireland! If you live in the Denver area, Aer Lingus will be offering direct flights from Denver to Dublin starting May 17, 2024!!
If you use any of my tips leave me a comment and let me know how you are living the glamorous life flying business class for less. Cheers or as they say in Ireland, Sláinte!
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It’s March 2024 and cruise season is in full swing. You may be wondering what are Holland America cruises like?
Think that this cruise line is only for the senior citizen crowd? Nope! There are some great things about Holland America cruises for adult travelers of all ages, especially if you are looking for a little more luxury on a budget.
Here are 5 Reasons to Love the State Rooms on Holland America.
Holland America Cruises – # 1 Beds
The most important thing about your stateroom is really the bed. When it is time to head off to dream land is the time when this wanderluster usually misses home the most.
Exhausted from exploring all day, all I really want is my comfy bed back home, cuddled up next to my Daisy doodle. Who wouldn’t miss that sweet face?! ❤️
The beds on cruise ships really are more like cots, but I have to say the Mariner’s Dream beds on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam were the comfiest I’ve slept on during any cruise.
I usually have two twin beds in my room because I’m traveling with my cruising bestie, Kate. However, you can easily have the room steward convert them into one full size bed.
Ask your room steward to bring you some extra pillows. Holland America’s convenient Navigator App allows you to make service requests right from your phone!
I ordered an extra pillow one afternoon and it was there when I got back to my room. The bed also has a fluffy and soft duvet to snuggle up in.
Each bed also has their own tiny bedside table and drawer, so you can keep your book, glasses and medicine handy.
Need to wind down before you go to bed? There is a nice reading lamp on your headboard, so you don’t have to disturb your traveling companion too much.
Holland America Cruises – # 2 Bathroom
I stayed in a verandah stateroom which usually has a slightly bigger bathroom. Who wouldn’t appreciate that?
I seem to always bump my elbows in the shower the first morning of every cruise and either end up with a bruise, knocking the shampoo dispenser off the wall or both! I did that on my very first cruise. Oops! Don’t worry, I was able to put it back up.
However, my shower on the Nieuw Statendam was the biggest shower I’ve seen so far. It was laid out along the right wall instead of tucked in a corner like they usually are on cruise ships. I had plenty of room and no bruised elbows!
It also had a lovely massaging shower head, pumps with shampoo and body wash and a clothes line in case I need to dry my wet swimsuits or wash some delicates. (Personally, I found laying my wet swimsuit on my deck chair was the fastest way to dry it. Just be careful it’s not too windy, so it doesn’t blow away!)
The bathroom has plenty of shelves to store all your toiletries. Here’s a tip from your best friend. Get a hanging toiletry case. They are great for cruising! You can hang it on the bathroom hook and all your toiletries are at eye level when you are getting ready. Your travel buddy will be happy to have their pick of the extra shelves.
A hanging toiletry case is one of my favorite travel accessories! They save so much space and keep everything neat and organized.
Here’s a picture of the one I use below. If you’d like to read about my other essential travel gear check out my post on my three essential travel bags and packing light must haves to avoid baggage fees.
# 3 Towel Animals!
Most cruise lines will make you towel animals each night, but what made Holland America Cruises special with the tasty signature chocolates they used for the eyes.
During my cruise last year nightly turndown service was only available by request due to COVID-19 precautions.
Take advantage of this classy experience! They will also refresh your ice bucket, tidy up your room and make you your very own artful towel animal equipped with Holland America’s signature chocolates.
I had such fun looking forward to what animal I would have each night as well as my tasty treat. Aren’t we all really kids at heart?
# 4 Organization
My state room on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam was sleek and elegant looking. There were closets and drawers tucked neatly against the wall.
Every cruise line and ship seems to configure things a bit differently. I liked that Holland America Cruises had the closets and drawers right across from the bathroom. It was so easy to get dressed in the morning!
Other cruise lines often have the closet next to the bed. If your traveling companion likes to sleep in this is less than ideal. You’re feeling around in the dark trying to find your clothes.
Whenever I see my room for the first time I’m always a little shocked at how much smaller it is then I remember. If you are new to cruising you may have this experience as well.
Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam room was no different for me at first. However, don’t be fooled. They are so well designed that you will find room for everything.
There is so much hidden storage you can easily keep your room tidy and organized. If you’re a slob though you may struggle, but your best friend will help you out. 😄 I have a touch of OCD, so it’s not problem for me. Okay, maybe more than a touch…
Here’s a tip from your best friend. When I’m staying somewhere for a little longer I unpack everything and put it away on day one. My clothes have a chance to smooth out their wrinkles and I can easily see what I have to wear.
Then each night, I take the clothes I’m done with and pack them away in my packing cube or suitcase. It only takes a few minutes, but by the end of the trip I’m almost done packing.
No late night cram session trying to get everything back in my suitcase! I can relax and savor my last night of vacation.
# 5 Balcony/Verandah
Now that I’m classier (at least I think so 😂), I prefer to get a balcony stateroom. Holland America Cruises calls theirs a Veranda. You get a bit more room and your own quiet spot to relax and watch the waves go by.
It’s the perfect place to relax with your glass of wine or Pina Colada and read that juicy novel you’ve been meaning to get to.
There is also a nice couch where you can read, lounge or watch TV. Inside and Ocean view state rooms don’t have a sitting area or balcony.
I’ve stayed in inside and ocean view rooms in the past. If you are on a tight budget an inside stateroom is perfectly fine. The cabin is a lot smaller, but you don’t have to spend much time in your room with so many fun things to do on the ship. Go check out Holland America’s entertainment instead.
I always got a great night’s sleep in an inside room because my room was nice and dark. Just be sure to set an alarm in the morning as you can easily sleep the day away without the sun to wake you up!
An ocean view room can be a nice compromise if the veranda is too pricey. You can watch the sun rise and set and it definitely helps with your sleep cycle. I’m all about my circadian rhythms these days!
I highly recommend upgrading to a balcony/verandah room though. You won’t be disappointed! Your stateroom comes equipped with room darkening shades, so you will get a great nights sleep and have your own private space to relax away from the crowds.
If you’d like to learn more about Holland America’s, Nieuw Statendam click here. If you’d like to read more about my Nieuw Statendam experience check out my other posts on their amazing food and beverages. Happy cruising!
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