Aruba HELP!

We are getting married May 25th. We are going to Aruba. Neither of us have passports. Can anyone tell me what we need for entry into Aruba. Thanks. Denise

Aruba HELP!

I think if you don't have a passport you can use your birth cirtificate (but it has to be an original not a copy). That is what I used when I went to the Bahamas....but to be on the safe side you may want to check with you travel agency.

Aruba HELP!

You need a birth certificate with a raised seal, it doesn't necessarily have to be the original you got when you were born, just as long as the raised seal is there, it's fine. You also will need your license to show your ID at the airport, so don't put your airplane ticket in your married name, put it in your MAIDEN name!!!! I went there on my honeymoon in October and we stayed at the Marriott and we had the best time!! You'll love it!

Aruba HELP!

Oh that is where i am staying! :-) Ok, I know that I have a raised seal, I have to see if Mike does on his. We were going to get passports, but then when we come back I will be changing my name (not before), so then it won't be useful right? I did put my airline tickets in my maiden name! One thing I did right! :-) Well thanks soo much for the info.

Bearsbabe_113

One more thing, can you explain to me about what you bring back from Aruba. How you have to fill out a form and pay taxes on things. I am very confused about that part. Thanks, Denise

Bearsbabe_113

I don't remember the amount of money that you can buy up to without declaring, but I think we went over the limit a bit (I bought a lot of Swarovski there since it was duty-free and cheaper than here), but we didn't we have to pay anything extra. They give you a form to fill out and they don't really go into details about what you bought. I don't know if they are still doing this, but we actually went through customs in Aruba and not in the US. NY should take a lesson from them in their airport security -- they were so strict (of course it might be because it was October and we just started bombing). We went through 3 different checks and they even checked my bag AGAIN right as I was walking down the ramp to get on the plane!!!! But I'm not complaining, I'd rather that then letting any chooch on the plane.

Aruba HELP!

The Marriott is beautiful!! Even though it's a little bit 'off the strip', I liked it much better because they had the nicest beach! (All of those hotels are one nicer than the other though and you can't go wrong with any of them.) You can walk straight on the beach to the other hotels though. I thought that the sand at the Marriott was less pebbley. Are you getting an ocean-view? We had one overlooking the pool and ocean and the room was huge -- the sunsets are AMAZING (bring plenty of film)! Even the balcony was a normal size. You can get room service and eat on the balcony -- although we never did it, we saw other couples and it looked like fun and very relaxing, I don''t know why, but when we ordered room service, my DH had to eat it inside!!! Whatever. Oh, I wish I was going back, I''m jealous!! It really is beautiful -- the water is amazing and there is a lot of stuff to do. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, jetskiing, parasailing, tubing (which I never got to do), rent a jeep, go horseback riding, and so much more. We rented a jeep for one day, it didn't pay to keep it the whole 10 days because the cabs were so cheap and there's a bus outside the hotel you can take all the way in to Oranjestead (the town). They also have those booze-bus-tours, Kukukanoo and one other one. They looked like a blast, but we didn't get to do that either! You're going to have a great time! Enjoy it! Where is your reception?

Aruba HELP!

Oh, thanks for all the information. I heard so many wonderful things about Aruba! :-)))) I can't wait. All this wedding stress! We are getting married May 25th at John Anthonys. Its coming fast! Where did you get married?

Aruba HELP!

Let me tell you, after all that stress from planning (I don't know about you, but I became witchy-poo and was totally not myself and had several panic attacks and breakdowns) I COULD NOT WAIT until the honeymoon and it was the perfect remedy!! We just basically vegged out and relaxed the first 2 days and started doing stuff on the third. It was so nice not to be running around doing stuff! When we came back I was so clicked off the 'wedding mode' stuff, that I didn't give my videographer pics of the honeymoon until a couple of weeks ago!! I just was in no mood to do anything wedding-related. But it is so worth all that stress and aggrevation and I wouldn't have changed anything. John Anthony's is beautiful! The food was really good. My cousin got married there several years ago. My wedding was at the Sand Castle. I live in Queens (although I'm always in the Island), but I needed someplace that was kind of half-way for all the Suffolk County,Jersey, Brooklyn, Upstate, etc. people. Good luck to you! Don't worry about anything the day of your wedding -- everything really does turn out right (and if I heard my DH say that to me one more time before we got married, I was going to kill him), but it is so true. All the things you're stressing over now, you won't give a second thought to the day of -- trust me, I'm Miss Neurotic and I didn't let anything get to me, not even the balloons blowing away. I was the biggest crab the night before (the week before) my wedding, but the day of (and it was POURING in the morning, but the sun came out and it was gorgeous) I had the best time (even after hyperventilating on the alter during my vows)!!! I didn't want it to end! So enjoy and all the best of luck!!!!

Aruba HELP!

Oh my God, you didnt hyperventilate on the altar, did you?? You sound just like me. It is exactly what I am going through! Very stressful, I just want to begin the rest of my life. All this stress is turning me into something mean and ugly! :-) But I am trying to keep a level head and not get to crazed. The passport ordeal was freaking me out, but thanks to you I calmed down. So thanks once again for all your advice and support. Denise

Aruba Trip Report

You will love Aruba. We went for our February honeymoon and stayed at the Allegro. No passport needed just birth certificate and license. Security leaving Arube is very strict. Checked out bags several times. We couldn't even go on plane with lighters. Try to do the Jeep tour. We did a half day tour with ABC Tours and had a blast. We also did the KUKO Kunnuko Party bus and had so much fun. They take you for a great dinner in the home of a native Aruba person and then to four hot night spots. The last one is Charlos and Charlies. We did this for Stephen's birthday and had a blast. Not sure of price but you get a discount since you are on your honeymoon. We were teaching the natives of Aruba the YMCA and the electric Slide. By the end of the night everyone on the bus knows everyone and your hands are tired from shaking the maracas, legs are tired from dancing, but you have a wonderful time. Stephen went parasailing and loved it. It is not something I would have liked. We also went on the pirate ship dinner cruise and had fun. There are many things to do. I was so sad the last day I wanted to visit schools to see what they were like(I am a teacher and didn't want to leave). I am so jealous of you but I know we will be back again. I am in a wedding party April 6th at John Anthony's. I have never been there but will report back.

Aruba HELP!

You''re welcome and anything else I can help you with, ask away! And yes, I did hyperventilate on the alter -- everyone thought I was going to pass out, but my DH talked me through it. The videographer asked me if I wanted to edit it, but I said no because first of all, that''s something typically me and second, then I''d have no vows!!!! Just keep taking deep breaths!! LOL :0 egreen is right, Aruba security is very strict! They wouldn''t let a disposable camera on the plane! You had to put all cigarette lighters, cameras, cell phones (what a ruckus that caused), combs, etc, in your suitcase. Meanwhile the funny thing was my DH wanted to bring home 3 cuban cigars and he hid them in his suitcase, well w/all the searching, he got all paranoid and made me throw them out! $36 down the drain and he was very mad when they didn''t up his suitcase at the next inspection!

Aruba HELP!

Oh God, well thanks for the warnings. Would you mind if I ask what DH stands for? I am assuming you are talking about your new husband. I feel stupid asking, by the way.

Aruba HELP!

DH is Dear Husband or Darling Husband! Don't feel stupid, I had to ask someone what it meant also when I first started reading all these wedding sites! To be honest, I can't print what I originally thought it stood for!!! :0

Aruba HELP!

Oh my God, that is what I guessed on, Darling Husband, but I felt stupid saying that is what I thought it was, in case it wasn't! Ha ha! I am good! :-)

Denise ARUBA Info

Just thought I would post some information from our honeymoon last May--cant believe it has been that long---Restaurants Pavarotti-Italian Avallones-Italian Hostaria DVittoria(sp?) Italian ---def the best one but all great Salt N Pepper --for Tapas/ambience Texas De Brazil--Brazilian BBQ-- great for meat Flying Fishbone--on same block as Brisas Del Mar--down in Savaneta---go when you have a car-- on the expensive side but absolutely amazing--you eat on the beach-- def need reservations--try the lobster salad/lobster soup--the shrimp and blue cheese dinner was out of this world as was the steak dish—very expensive--for dessert the chocolate mouse was amazing El Faro Blanco--- a must for sunrise--make 6:00 reservations as everyone makes 6:30 so it gets crazy cause you all get seated at once---it overlooks the golf course and water right next to the lighthouse--again try to do when you have car as it is expensive Le dome on the ocean--book through De Palm tours-- they only do it on thur nights-- worth the money--- El Gaucho for steaks--make reservations--upstairs room was quieter Iguana Joes was good too-- more relaxed but food was great we found prices to be a little higher than NY-as if that is possible Def try a brown lady (it is a frozen drink) DePalm Tours--- We loved the Jeep Safari-- you drive a Land Rover (bring a license) and you spend the day touring the island (off road) snorkeling at Depalm island lunch--def worth it We also did Mi Dushi snorkeling trip-- it was okay but only makes one snorkeling stop--- the other make 3 for more money Def see Baby Beach/ natural bridge/lighthouse--check out the other hotels (especially the Hyatt) DONT go to Alfredos Restaurant My famiy goes every year so feel free to ask any questions-- you will love it Laura

Laura - Aruba Info.

Thanks so much Laura for giving me all that great information. That will definitely help us. Thanks, I really appreciate it! :-))) Denise