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Aruba
Posted on 3/29/21 at 7:08 pm
Posted on 3/29/21 at 7:08 pm
Trying to fill in gap of a canceled int'l anniversary trip with the wife in a month. She requested Maui and have a hotel booked but looking online it's impossible to get a restaurant or tour reservation etc. right now since their restrictions on distancing are so tight. The testing either way doesn't bother us.
My question is: I'm considering switching to Aruba, got a good rate on a hotel. Has anyone been lately? How open is it?
My question is: I'm considering switching to Aruba, got a good rate on a hotel. Has anyone been lately? How open is it?
This post was edited on 3/29/21 at 11:48 pm
4
Posted on 3/29/21 at 7:29 pm to TheChiefHasArrived
Not sure if you consider September, “lately”. But it was our 2nd time there and enjoyed it more this time around.
Stayed at Stellaris and was 25% occupancy which was great. The beach side umbrellas were easy to get in the front row anytime of day where as normally it was an hour wait to reserve the day before.
Dinner reservations, massages, activities were wide open whenever we wanted. The casino was a bust as dividers were placed at the tables making it packed. But sports betting was no issue.
Only left the resort for a snorkeling trip but when we go to Aruba, we go for the resort.
ETA...as far as a good rate, check out Marriott vacations and build a trip to Aruba. Not sure when you are going or where you flying out, but we got flights + 4 nights in a suite at Marriott Stellaris for 2 people @ $1,300 total...didn’t include anything else other than flight/lodging however
Stayed at Stellaris and was 25% occupancy which was great. The beach side umbrellas were easy to get in the front row anytime of day where as normally it was an hour wait to reserve the day before.
Dinner reservations, massages, activities were wide open whenever we wanted. The casino was a bust as dividers were placed at the tables making it packed. But sports betting was no issue.
Only left the resort for a snorkeling trip but when we go to Aruba, we go for the resort.
ETA...as far as a good rate, check out Marriott vacations and build a trip to Aruba. Not sure when you are going or where you flying out, but we got flights + 4 nights in a suite at Marriott Stellaris for 2 people @ $1,300 total...didn’t include anything else other than flight/lodging however
This post was edited on 3/29/21 at 7:38 pm
Posted on 3/30/21 at 7:17 am to TheChiefHasArrived
My last trip was Feb 2020. Got another coming up this June. I had one planned for this past Fall, but cancelled due to all the freaking restrictions. Here's what I know:
-You have to wear masks everywhere
-You have to have a negative test 3 days before arrival
-You have to have another negative test to get back into the USA.
-You are forced to buy Aruba's COVID health insurance. It costs $30. It does not matter if you already have insurance. This is purely a money grab.
-Bars are closed, except at resorts that also serve food.
I'm hoping some of these are gone by the time our trip comes around, but we always stay at the Marriott Renaissance. You should check that one out. Two different hotel, one for families, the other is adult only. The pool at the family side is very nice and they have a salt water lagoon beach. They also own a private island that is awesome. Water taxi leaves from the hotel every 15 minutes. Restaurant and beach-side service for drinks and food too.
-You have to wear masks everywhere
-You have to have a negative test 3 days before arrival
-You have to have another negative test to get back into the USA.
-You are forced to buy Aruba's COVID health insurance. It costs $30. It does not matter if you already have insurance. This is purely a money grab.
-Bars are closed, except at resorts that also serve food.
I'm hoping some of these are gone by the time our trip comes around, but we always stay at the Marriott Renaissance. You should check that one out. Two different hotel, one for families, the other is adult only. The pool at the family side is very nice and they have a salt water lagoon beach. They also own a private island that is awesome. Water taxi leaves from the hotel every 15 minutes. Restaurant and beach-side service for drinks and food too.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 7:34 am to greygoose
You had to wear a mask everywhere back in Feb 2020? Pool and beach?
I find that surprising as that was not my experience at all and was also at a Marriott property. Other than airport, I didn’t wear a mask my entire visit and was not asked to put one on at the resort. Especially not at the pool or beach...things may have changed since September of course.
ETA - I may have been asked to wear a mask in the casino now that I think about it. I didn’t stay long bc it was hard to get a seat with leaving open every other chair so I can’t quite remember
I find that surprising as that was not my experience at all and was also at a Marriott property. Other than airport, I didn’t wear a mask my entire visit and was not asked to put one on at the resort. Especially not at the pool or beach...things may have changed since September of course.
ETA - I may have been asked to wear a mask in the casino now that I think about it. I didn’t stay long bc it was hard to get a seat with leaving open every other chair so I can’t quite remember
This post was edited on 3/30/21 at 7:38 am
Posted on 3/30/21 at 7:50 am to kciDAtaE
quote:No, this was before all the COVID crap. Everything was open. What I posted is required now. They sent me a list of the requirements as of now, when I booked my trip last week. Things have relaxed a little since the Fall, and why we are going again in June. Hopefully, the mask mandate there will be lifted by June.
You had to wear a mask everywhere back in Feb 2020? Pool and beach?
I find that surprising as that was not my experience at all and was also at a Marriott property. Other than airport, I didn’t wear a mask my entire visit and was not asked to put one on at the resort. Especially not at the pool or beach...things may have changed since September of course.
ETA - I may have been asked to wear a mask in the casino now that I think about it. I didn’t stay long bc it was hard to get a seat with leaving open every other chair so I can’t quite remember
Posted on 3/30/21 at 7:54 am to TheChiefHasArrived
Posted on 3/30/21 at 8:08 am to greygoose
quote:
No, this was before all the COVID crap. Everything was open. What I posted is required now.
Ahh. Makes sense. I can tell you from traveling during Covid, what’s posted is not always what is actually enforced or required.
For example, only. 2 of the 4 people that traveled to Aruba with me had a negative PCR test to show upon entry. But all 4 was pushed through. One had wrong test and the other no results yet.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 8:11 am to greygoose
Cool. So no masks at the beach or pool or outdoors. I would have been surprised if Aruba mandated that. Hotels still could I guess.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 9:16 am to kciDAtaE
quote:I just got back from St. Croix. Very similar requirements as Aruba. It was a joke when we got there. After getting off the plane, they had people wanting to see your email from them, on your phone that showed you had a negative test. I'm pretty sure I could have shown them a dick pic, and they would've waived me thru. I'm not sure they even looked.
Ahh. Makes sense. I can tell you from traveling during Covid, what’s posted is not always what is actually enforced or required.
For example, only. 2 of the 4 people that traveled to Aruba with me had a negative PCR test to show upon entry. But all 4 was pushed through. One had wrong test and the other no results yet.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 9:30 am to greygoose
Knew the above except the bars part, that's a bummer. I plan on staying at the Hyatt with the last night at Renaissance. Still on the fence about Maui vs Aruba, just want to explore options.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 9:53 am to TheChiefHasArrived
quote:Every bar I go to, also serves food, so that's not an issue.
Knew the above except the bars part, that's a bummer. I plan on staying at the Hyatt with the last night at Renaissance. Still on the fence about Maui vs Aruba, just want to explore options.
If you do decide to go to Aruba, I'm pretty sure you'll love it. This will be my 4th trip. I've never been anywhere, where the people were so nice. There motto is "One Happy Island" and it's very appropriate. Also, lot's of very nice looking ladies every where you look.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 11:05 am to greygoose
quote:
Every bar I go to, also serves food, so that's not an issue.
I don’t think the pool bars are closed or the bars on the beach. Casino was serving drinks as well.
For beach resort places, most bars will be open. I wouldn’t let that determine your destination. When we went to Stellaris, the only bar that was actually closed was their nightclub...which I didn’t know they had even though it was my 2nd trip.
Pool bars, beach bars, service bars, restaurant bars, casino, sports bar were all open. But regardless where anyone goes, it’s always best to call them to see what is open or closed.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 11:11 am to TheChiefHasArrived
quote:Make sure you take a trip over to their private island. Great way to spend a day. Beautiful, relaxing, with good food and cold drinks at your beacon call.
I plan on staying at the Hyatt with the last night at Renaissance.
Posted on 3/30/21 at 1:26 pm to greygoose
That's the main reason we're planning on last night at Renaissance: to see the private island/flamingos and be closer to the airport for flight out. I have status with Hyatt and Marriott but Hyatt has great rates using promocode THANKYOU if you're eligible. Thanks for the tips.
Posted on 3/31/21 at 1:02 pm to TheChiefHasArrived
Looks like you decided to go so I will keep this short. Can expand later if anyone has questions.
Just was there last month.
Rarely wore my mask and that was generally due to glaring Karen's and not due to staff.
Everything seemed to be open but occupancy is WAY down. They are desperate for revenue and service was EXCELLENT. They are happy to have you there for sure.
Nicest people of almost any place i have travelled. Prices are good and food was excellent.
I am going back again at the end of the summer. I liked it that much.
There is an online questionnaire you need to start on ASAP. They then have you upload your negative test 72 hours before your flight. They email you an approval to get onto the island. The government does hit you up for the $30 "insurance" that pays for your room for two weeks if you test positive when you do the online stuff. BUT what they don't tell you is you don't stay at your hotel. You have to stay at a government run boarding house / jail looking building.
You have to pay for a test 72 hours before leaving. The hotels have testing set up. You get your results by email and then the airline counter personnel check it. They don't care, US Customs doesn't look at it either. I could have not paid for the test and still flown home.
Just was there last month.
Rarely wore my mask and that was generally due to glaring Karen's and not due to staff.
Everything seemed to be open but occupancy is WAY down. They are desperate for revenue and service was EXCELLENT. They are happy to have you there for sure.
Nicest people of almost any place i have travelled. Prices are good and food was excellent.
I am going back again at the end of the summer. I liked it that much.
There is an online questionnaire you need to start on ASAP. They then have you upload your negative test 72 hours before your flight. They email you an approval to get onto the island. The government does hit you up for the $30 "insurance" that pays for your room for two weeks if you test positive when you do the online stuff. BUT what they don't tell you is you don't stay at your hotel. You have to stay at a government run boarding house / jail looking building.
You have to pay for a test 72 hours before leaving. The hotels have testing set up. You get your results by email and then the airline counter personnel check it. They don't care, US Customs doesn't look at it either. I could have not paid for the test and still flown home.
Posted on 3/31/21 at 2:15 pm to jbgleason
Good thing I booked my flights <24 hours ago. I'll cancel and re-evaluate when this expires on the 11th. Can't catch a break.
quote:
New Health and Safety Measure Update Effective March 27, 2021
LINK
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT SAFETY MEASURES & UPDATES
The government of Aruba has also implemented additional island-wide measures to further maintain the health and safety of visitors. As with all of Aruba’s procedures and protocols, this will be monitored and is subject to change as the situation develops.?
· From March 27th, 2021, until April 11th, 2021 the following will be in effect:
o Curfew starting at 10:00 pm until 5:00 am.
o In addition to the curfew, there are “restricted zones” that are off-limits between the hours of 7:00 pm - 5:00 am. Restricted zones include all beaches and public parking lots.
o No groups over two people are allowed to form in public spaces unless the group consists of a family from the same household. This includes gatherings on the beach.
o All establishments are currently required to close by 9:00 pm at the latest.
This is not applicable for establishments at hotel properties, however is applicable for hotel Casinos.
Closing times per hotel may differ, please check with your hotel for more information.
o A maximum of 4 adults can be seated together at a restaurant, indoor or outdoor. Children under the age of 12 are not counted towards the maximum.
Tables must be at least 1.5 m apart.
· Establishments (indoor and outdoor) are permitted to have (music) performances by up to a maximum of 1 musician/performer under the established guidelines.
· Grocery shopping is limited to one person per family. Online shopping with delivery or pick-up is preferred.
· All bars, rum shops, and nightclubs are closed until further notice. Restaurant bars can serve at tables only. There will be no bar stools and no standing at bars.
· Hotel bars can serve at the bar for only registered hotel guests.
Posted on 3/31/21 at 3:30 pm to TheChiefHasArrived
quote:
New Health and Safety Measure Update Effective March 27, 2021
LINK
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT SAFETY MEASURES & UPDATES
The government of Aruba has also implemented additional island-wide measures to further maintain the health and safety of visitors. As with all of Aruba’s procedures and protocols, this will be monitored and is subject to change as the situation develops.?
· From March 27th, 2021, until April 11th, 2021 the following will be in effect
Wow! That sounds like a reaction to the Spring Break shenanigans we have been seeing in Florida more than COVID reaction.
Posted on 3/31/21 at 6:29 pm to TheChiefHasArrived
Before you cancel, I’d call the property and ask their restrictions. The links you posted said
quote:
This is not applicable for establishments at hotel properties, however is applicable for hotel Casinos.
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