Marcella Janczewski
American Dutch · Foodie & Vibe Checker
Easygoing, but my taste buds have standards. Below you find the tours I tested and the little details that make them worth your time.
Quick facts
Marcella in six answers
My Aruba connection
My Dutch mom was born and raised here
Moved here
13 years ago, on my own
Two perspectives
American and Dutch
In hospitality and travel
15 years and counting
Happy with
A quality pour of wine and a seriously good bite
Tours tested so far
3, from a submarine to a sunset sail
About me
Aruba felt personal long before I called it home
Aruba felt personal to me long before I called it home. My Dutch mom was born and raised here, and when she first brought me, I fell for it too. 13 years ago, I made the move on my own, and the poco poco lifestyle suited me pretty well. So well, I haven't left.
Being both American and Dutch gives me two perspectives on what visitors look for, while 15 years and counting in hospitality and travel have taught me to notice the little details that make an experience truly worth it. I know Aruba's beaches, food, happy hours, hideaways and rugged side. I'm easygoing, but my taste buds have standards.
Tested by Marcella
Tours I did myself
Every tour below carries my pink hat. I booked it, joined it and wrote down what I really thought, including the things the brochure does not tell you.
Island day
De Palm Tours
De Palm Island
"Did De Palm Island with a group of girlfriends for a birthday and upgraded to a private beach cabana, right where the flamingos hang out and just walk around the beach with you. We booked the ticket with bus pickup, and with the ferry over it was a super smooth start to the day. Once there it's open bar, lounge beds, attentive staff, and genuinely good food. We did the banana boat a few times as a group, way more fun as adults than expected, and the tall body-drop slides are a solid thrill if you're not with little kids (there's a separate water park for them). A really memorable day, great for groups, families, or a couple wanting something special."
Water
Tropical Sailing
Tropical Sailing Experience
"We joined Tropical Sailing's 4-hour sunset cruise with a group of friends, leaving from Barcadera Marina just past the airport, easy to find and the crew was welcoming right away. It's a smaller, traditional sailboat, so it really feels like sailing. We sailed past Mangel Halto for pretty views over the water and mangroves, then anchored off Reflections Beach for sunset with a full barbecue dinner, plenty of food and fruit, and time to swim if you wanted. Really relaxing. Recommend it if you'd like a small, classic sailing experience."
Water
De Palm Tours
Aruba Atlantis Submarine Tour
"Did the Atlantis Submarine with the family and it's a nice change from another beach day. You check in downtown at the Renaissance Marina, then head into the lower cabin below the water, air-conditioned, with windows looking straight out at the fish and reef. The kids were glued to the glass the whole time. Best part: you stay completely dry, no snorkeling needed, so it's an easy win even with younger kids. Runs a few times a day too, so it's easy to slot in. Would genuinely recommend for families."
Straight from my reviews
Things I wish I knew before
The small things that make a big difference on the day. Each tip comes from a tour I did myself.
Stay dry with little kids
On the submarine you see the reef and the fish without snorkeling, so it works even with younger children.
Make a birthday special
Upgrading to a private beach cabana on De Palm Island turned a fun day into a really memorable one.
From: De Palm Island
Dinner is on board
The sunset sail includes a full barbecue dinner with plenty of food and fruit, so no need to book a restaurant that night.
Getting there is easy
The De Palm Island ticket includes bus pickup and the ferry over, a super smooth start to the day.
From: De Palm Island
Out on tour
Photos from my tours
Snapshots from the days our team spent testing. Click a photo to see it larger.
The people behind the pink hat
Meet the rest of the team
Questions about a tour?
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