Located in the southern Caribbean, Aruba stands out for its desert-like vistas, wind-shaped trees, natural rock formations and breathtaking beaches. Its terrain offers plentiful opportunity for exploration and off-road trekking.

Arriving on an MSC Caribbean cruise in Oranjestad, a tax-free capital named after William I (the Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands), observe the city’s charming Dutch Colonial architecture with its antique buildings and houses that blend with today’s modern architecture.

Not much grows on Aruba. However, its hot, dry climate is ideal for aloe farming. Book an MSC excursion to the Aruba Aloe Museum & Factory, and learn about the 160-year history of aloe farming on the island.

If adventure is on your agenda, get on a UTV on an MSC excursion that will take you through Aru-ba's outback, skirting along the coastline with visits to the Alto Vista Chapel, the Bushiribana Gold Mill ruins that point to Aruba's 19th-century gold rush, and to the early 20th-century California Light-house, which bears the name of an unfortunate ship that sank nearby in 1891. An on-road driving MSC excursion will visit those sites as well, along with the amazing Casibari Rock Formation, huge diorite boulders found in the center of the island.

Take a “Natural Aruba” MSC excursion to tour the Butterfly Farm, then pass countless divi divi trees and cacti before arriving at Aruba’s Natural Bridge, a wonder carved of solid coral by the relentless pounding of the surf.

Or relax in the calm waters lapping Arashi Beach and Palm Beach, while snorkelers enjoy our catamaran sailing excursion that explores Boca Cathalina and the World War II shipwreck “Antilla,” considered one of the top dive and snorkel sites of the Caribbean.