Aruba Nightlife Tips by SabrinaSummerville

Nightlife Spot: Le Dome Sunset Cruise

Le Dome is one of the best restaurants in Aruba, so when you sign up for the Le Dome sunset dinner cruise you know you are going to be getting something really special.

We boarded the catamaran at the de Palm Pier beside the Radisson Hotel. Several of the guests were enjoying cocktails at the bar on the pier while we waited to board and at that stage the sun was beginning to set and was already turning the sea to gold.

The tables were set out on the deck, open to the stars, and were fully laid with white linen and silver service cutlery. As we took our seats the champagne corks popped and every guest was treated to a glass of champagne, which was refilled before it had a chance to empty (over and over and over again).

As we sailed down towards the California Lighthouse, the staff took orders for cocktails and other drinks - it is fair to say that the drinks literally flowed, and were all of high quality.

We anchored within view of the lighthouse and then canapes were served. These were followed by a three course meal. I started with smoked salmon and a large plate of very tasty salmon was served to me with a garnish of very fresh salad and capers. I followed this with the lamb, served pink, with baked potato and vegetables. It was very good indeed. Finally, every guest was served a baked cheesecake. The first and second courses were a la carte, with a choice of three of each.

As we returned to shore, coffee and chocolate truffles were served with your choice of liqueur (and that, too, was refilled with a very large measure before we docked).

At around $100 per person this is not a cheap night out, but it is a top quality night and worth every single cent.

You can book this tour directly through Le Dome restaurant or through your hotel. It departs on Thursdays only at 6pm.

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Theme: Eating and Drinking
Dress Code: Wear comfortable shoes - remember that you are on board a ship. I saw ladies tottering precariously on high heels as the boat rolled on the sea - not a pleasant experience. Also, bring a jacket - it can get very cool in the night winds at sea. Other than that, smart casual is a good dress code for this type of night out.
Phone: (297)587-1517
Directions: Catch the cruise from the De Palm Tours jetty by the Radisson Hotel (High Rise Area), Palm Beach.
Website: www.ledome-aruba.com

Nightlife Spot: Let's Go Latin

This tip also appears on my Aruba page under "Things to Do", as I couldn't move it from that page to this. Anyway, it suits both headings!!

Let's Go Latin is the name of a spectacular show of Latin singing, dancing, and acrobatics. It runs from Monday to Saturday at the renaissance Hotel theatre and is a visual feast of colour.

We went on a Monday and the theatre wasn't full. Seating is free-style so we had our choice of seats. We sat about five rows from the front. Where you site is important because it is said that if you sit in the front three rows you cannot see the dancer's feet as they perform. Also, I found that sitting in the fifth row (close to the front) I was chosen to sing and also to dance. Normally shy, this time I agreed to go ahead with it and it turned out to be a lot of fun. In fact, three days later when dining at Madame Janette's, some people came up to me and said "Oh you're the dancer from the Latin Show!"

The show has a cast of around 40. There's a leading male and a leading female and they are comperes and singers - both with great singing voices and very easy on the eye. We met the female singer before the show when we were trying to find our way atround the hotel and she could not have been more helpful - she's a lovely person as well as a great singer.

The costume changes for both the singers and the dancers were many and varied and quite amazing.

The acrobats (two males and a female) performed about three seperate acts and are amazingly talented.

I would recommend taking the dinner and show package. At a cost of $89 per person some might find it expensive, but I thought it was great value for money. Dinner is at L G Smiths restaurant and I will seperately review that. For $10 less you can eat at the adjoining seafood buffet.

To see the show alone it costs $44 per person.

After the show the cast line up in the foyer for photographs and to greet the audience. It's a lovely touch.

I thought this was an incredible night out.

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: Dress as you wish, though I always feel it's lovely to dress up for a night at a show.....apart from that, everyone on stage is dressed to impress.
Address: Renaissance Hotel, L G Smith Boulevard, Oranjest
Directions: Right in the centre of Oranjestad facing the cruise ship berth. Go up the red carpeted stairs towards the Crystal Casino and the theatre is right in front of you.

Nightlife Spot: Casinos

Aruba is known for its casinos and there are many of them all over this tiny island.

I'm not a casino person, but at dinner in L G Smiths restaurant (Renaissance Hotel) we were given vouchers for free "spins" on the gaming machines and we just couldn't resist using them.

It passed a very pleasant couple of hours.

As with casinos in Las vegas, they keep you topped up with drink while you gamble.

The Crystal Casino at the Renaissance is, I believe, the only 24 hour casino on the island, though the others stay open very late.

The picture here is of the Alhambra Casino which is in the low rise area and also has its own small shopping centre. Don't be expecting to buy great glamour there - it's mainly an outlet for the usual souvenirs.

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Theme: Casino