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Curacao: when your ship stops here

Walk the floating bridge that swings open, the bright Dutch houses of Punda, and the oldest synagogue in the Americas.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Willemstad is the capital of Curacao, an island in the southern Caribbean. The Dutch West India Company founded it in 1634, and its old centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The two main quarters, Punda and Otrobanda, face each other across Sint Anna Bay.

Source: Wikipedia: Willemstad

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Walk across the Queen Emma Bridge

    A floating bridge on pontoons, opened in 1888, links Punda and Otrobanda. It swings open to let ships into the bay, which is why locals call it the Swinging Old Lady. Cars left it in 1974, so today it is for people on foot.

    Tip: When the bridge is open, two free ferries carry people across the water. Just wait at the landing.

    Source: Wikipedia: Queen Emma Bridge

  2. 2. Punda and the Handelskade

    Punda, the oldest quarter, was laid out when the Dutch took the island in 1634. Its waterfront row of tall Dutch houses in bright colours, the Handelskade, is the picture everyone takes of Curacao. Otrobanda, across the bay, dates from 1707 and is the island's cultural centre.

    Tip: The historic centre has four quarters: Punda, Otrobanda, Scharloo and Pietermaai. Punda and Otrobanda are the two you can see in a day.

    Source: Wikipedia: Willemstad

  3. 3. The synagogue with a sand floor

    The Mikve Israel-Emanuel synagogue in Punda was built in 1730 by a congregation founded in 1651; it is the oldest surviving synagogue in the Americas. Its floor is covered in sand, in memory of Jews in Spain and Portugal who muffled their footsteps while praying in secret. The Jewish museum is attached to it.

    Tip: It is at Hanchi di Snoa 29 in Punda, a short walk from the bridge.

    Source: Wikipedia: CuraƧao synagogue (MikvƩ Israel-Emanuel)

What to skip

  • Klein Curacao on a day in port

    The small island lies about 10 km (6 miles) off the southeast coast, and no one lives on it. Its windward shore is a graveyard of boats that did not stay out far enough. It is a long boat trip each way across open sea, which eats most of a day in port.

    Source: Wikipedia: Klein CuraƧao

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Curacao

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Curacao, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Curacao

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