My parents are docking in Aruba for 1 day. I know the layout of the roads in the area, but I don't know if when multiple ships are in if they all exit in the same spot. Is there a spot I can explain to them (they have never been to Aruba) for us to meet.

Fishing question: I plan on taking some fishing equipment. I would like to try some shore fishing, mainly for snapper. I have a rod & reel, some leaders, but that's it. What else should I take - hooks (what size) or artifical baits, etc.

Thanks in advance.
Tom

Regardless of how many ships are in port, passengers will all be passing thru the same area. There's a large open-air bus station right across the street from the ship port you could use as the area. You could also meet at the marina (which might give you the chance to ask for fishing tips while you wait) - just tell them to exit the ship area, walk straight toward town and turn right at the main street. Before going over the small bridge, bear to the right and they're on the water. From the ship they can see the marina just fine (trust me, I just saw it from the deck of our ship 2 weeks ago).

For fishing - I always target bigger fish when I go, and bring big topwater plugs to attract violent strikes from cuda and tarpon. For snapper and other reef/mangrove type fish, try using squid with smal hooks. Very early in the day is best. Tight lines!

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Thanks Kevin,
I plan on parking on the cruise ship side. Does the cruise ships exit on the 1 way road that heads to the bus terminal? We are meeting them at 9:00 am, so parking in the area will be Ok. The only problem that I might have is keeping the wife away from Nobel's.

Tom

I can't remember exactly which street they feed you into, but you can just get there a few minutes early and scout it out - there will be a bunch of tour guides and cabbies and map salesmen etc standing right by the pier entrance/exit.

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Yes it is the one way road across from the bus station. Set a time with them to meet. I find that I don't like to get off the ship at the time they state because you stand in an endless line. If you wait 1/2 hour or 1 hour there you go. My brother forgot to mention that to me when he spent a day and I cooled my heels for an hour

I watched us dock as we arrived, and it was all I could do to jump off the deck to start the day on Aruba. Such a nice sunrise over the island! We went to the gangway at like 7:15 (7:00 was the official 'in port' time) and there was no line - except for the vendors/cabbies at the fence. I was really surprised, but didn't complain. We were seated at Villa Germania by 8 AM...

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Thank's, the boat is scheduled to exit at 8:00 A.M. so we picked 9:00 to give them time. Kevin, what size hooks would you recommend. I only fish for pan fish here at home with # 6, but not sure what size for snapper.

Same size, maybe slightly bigger - the smaller hook keeps the fish from spotting it!

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