The Ritz Aruba

Thursday, October 30th

ms Zuiderdam
Sunfarer Day 3
Oranjestad, Aruba
Arriving:  1:00 PM
Departing:  11:00 PM
Partly Cloudy - 83 Degrees

This whole cruise is a perk of the travel industry, but we took it to another level today.  I played the travel agent card, and got us a day pas at the Ritz-Carlton Aruba.  We have done this before, mostly to great effect.  This wasn't just an industry courtesy stop with a perfunctory tour, a hotel towel, and directions to the pool.  They pampered us poolside all afternoon, and then wined and dined us all evening.  Puttin' on the Ritz, indeed.

The hotel sent a taxi to pick us up at the pier.  Eduardo gave us a brief tour of Oranjestad on the way to the resort just down the coast at Palm Beach.  It was a familiar journey through poverty to reach opulence.

The Ritz Aruba is the five-star chain's most recent addition to their stable of properties in Mexico and the Caribbean.  Open just less than a year, the resort still sparkles with newness, but hasn't fully found its depth yet.  Built for business, but not busy, full of sol, but no evidence of soul.  Regardless, it's paradise.

A LUXURY RESORT RETREAT
"At the edge of the Caribbean Sea, where the white sand meets land, The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba offers an escape from routine and an opportunity to truly relax. The five-star resort was designed so that guests can easily explore the island or never leave the hotel grounds. Amenities are both comforting and indulgent, and all reflect the spirit, richness and charm of Aruba."

Waleska was our hostess for the day, not just a tour guide or sales agent, our personal concierge.  If Mr. Carlton himself had been the guest of honor, he wouldn't have had it any better than us.  After a look at the rooms and amenities, we were escorted to the bar for a drink with bartender Luisa.  And then, to the pool where our attendant Sean catered to our every need.  It wasn't the most spectacular tropical weather, the sky and the water less than a brilliant blue, but we sunned poolside, waded in the water and walked the beach.

As darkness fell, we took one last dip in the pool lit against the night, and changed for dinner.

Les Crustaces is the resort's French Restaurant, and the finest of their seven dining rooms.  Kenny and Dennis recommended and served us the most exquisite dinner, maybe the best we've ever had, certainly the best we've ever been comped.  The first courses were accompanied by champagne, followed by a phenomenal Meiomi Pinot Noir with the swordfish, lingering into dessert.

• Tuna Tartare
  Plumb Emulsion
  
• Alaska King Crab Fettuccini
  Lobster Sauce with Crab, Mushrooms, and Roasted Tomatoes
  
• Swordfish
  Grilled, Confit Potato, Irish Cabbage, Shrimp, Bell Pepper Emulsion
  
• Chocolate Ganache Crème Brule
  Dulce de Leche Ice Cream
  
• Banana Muille-Fuille
  Chocolate Ice Cream &Caramel

The Panama Canal will be the highlight of the cruise, but this was the highlight of the trip.

Next Stop:  Willemstad, Curacao