Cruise tourism to Aruba began in the early 1950's with the visit by the M.S. Liberator, a combination cargo/passenger ship of the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company/K.N.S.M, now know as the Nedlloyd Line.

The first all-passenger ship, the Tradewind, called in Aruba for the first time in 1957. A barbecue with local entertainment was held at the Aruba Palm Club to welcome the cruise passengers and at the same introduce them to the first luxury resort, the Aruba Caribbean Hotel, then under construction. It opened in 1959 and is now the completely renovated Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort.

The Grace Line cruise ships, the Santa Rosa and the Santa Paula, began weekly Thursday visits in 1958. The luxurious new Santa Rosa paid her first visit early in the year with a full complement of 200 passenger and crew of 250 who were escorted into the harbor of Oranjestad by a large number motor and sail vessels. The passengers were offered a special Aruban cocktail of coconut milk and gin. The ship was made available for locals to tour between 5 pm and 8 pm. Thousands visited the US$25 million ship which was 584 feet in length weighing 20,000 with a cruising speed of 20 knots. Her sister ship, the Santa Paula followed later in the year.

In the early 1960's, the MS Oranje Nassau and M.S. Prins der Netherlands continued the tradition of K.N.S.M. by bringing to the island both cargo and passengers which included immigrants as well as tourists, mostly from Europe.

The growth of cruise tourism was remarkable during the 1970's when Aruba began to receive the visits of larger cruise companies such as the Italian Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, Costa Line, Sitmar Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

In the 1980's. even more cruise lines declared their interest in Aruba including the Chandris Line, Sun Line, Royal Cruise Line, Majestic Cruise Line and the Russian Black Sea Shipping Co.

In 2006, Aruba was chosen as the Top Caribbean Cruise Destination by passengers who voluntarily participated in a survey conducted for the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association by the Business Research Economic Advisors.

In 2007, Aruba was awarded the Most Improved Cruise Terminal by a reader's poll in Dream World Cruise Destination magazine.

Dream World also declared Aruba as the Most Responsive Cruise Team in their definition of a partnership between a destination and cruise line passengers. The Aruba Port Authority, the Aruba Cruise Tourism governmental organization and the private sector tour operators work together to provide the best services and information to suit each individual cruise line and its passengers.

The infrastructure of the cruise terminal and its surroundings, just a few minutes walking distance from the capital city of Oranjestad, is continuing to improve the facility.

Analysis of the cruise data over the last 20 years indicates significant growth and the challenges were met with great effectiveness. With dynamic and exciting beautification and renovation plans of the Aruba Port Authority to begin, Aruba Cruise Tourism is very optimistic that Aruba will remain a preferred destination.

Aruba whole-heartily welcomes the cruise ships, passengers and crews and will continue to offer the best experience in the Caribbean.