Have you ever traveled to Aruba? What do you think about Aruba Airlines, the sole Airline working in the country? I was hoping you could read the article to learn about my experience with the Airline and highlight the benefits and the shortcomings.
Mr. Onno J. Swart founded the Flag Carrier. In 2010, charter operations were launched by the Airline by using the seven-seat Piper PA-31 Navajo. Further, in 2012, the Airline acquired exposure leading to an upgrade of its jet aircraft operations.
They operated with two Airbus A320 twin-engined with a capacity of 150 seats. They started covering places such as Venezuela, Panama, Santo Domingo, and Curacao; however, the last two destinations were later suspended.
Along the journey of Aruba Airlines, you can observe that the carrier started pretty well; however, later, the company faced issues with operations and maintenance.
This Is What I Felt About Aruba Airlines!
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Aruba Airlines is a flag carrier founded in 2006 and acts as the sole Airline in Aruba. When it was first launched, it provided services such as charter and scheduled air transport to almost 13 destinations worldwide.
When I boarded one such flight, Bombardier CRJ200, which was leased from Voyageur Airways, I realized that it was spacious and comfortable; hence, there were fewer issues with the seating arrangement. Yet, I have needed help with operations and services.
I will be sharing my experience regarding the benefits and the shortcomings of the Airline. I will explain why I feel about Aruba Airlines the way I do and how the future will pan out!
Benefits Of Flying In Aruba Airlines
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According to the official website of the Airline, www.arubaairlines.com, the flights will be suspended from 6 August due to the sanitary measures taken by the Curacao government. There are diverse features that are efficient for their customers.
Great Deals
There are significant deals and offers when customers book their flights. You can exceed different services such as charter, seasonal, and hub, based on which you can access the flights run by Aruba Airlines.
Expert Guidance
You get information regarding the flights’ countries, cities, and airports from which the flights operate. The fleet size of the Airline includes 2 aircraft, where currently only 1 is functioning for Sunair.
Price Match
The prices of the tickets are all mentioned on the official websites, and so are the additional fees. On the website, it is very clear that many of the flights are not functioning, including Bombardier CRJ200.
Easy Cancellation
Due to the self-service options, you can easily cancel the flights based on your convenience and requirements. The services that are informed online are mostly easy to deal with. For one, I didn’t face any issues while booking the tickets.
Disadvantages Of Flying In Aruba Airlines
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Significant complaints against Aruba Airlines regarding their services and customer support have occurred. They do not have well-maintained schedules for the flights leading to serious flight delays.
Half of the time, the staff must learn what is happening, which has been quite frustrating for passengers.
No Coordination Between Staff
The staff needs to be more coordinated, and they need to inform the passengers regarding delayed flights or canceled flights.
Food And Beverages
The quality of drinks and food could be better, and apart from that, the prices are not at all affordable.
Customer Service
Customer service or support could be more efficient. The issues with asking for customer service lead to further problems and confusion for passengers.
Reviews About Aruba Airlines
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According to Tripadvisor, Aruba Airlines has been rated as 2.5 out of 5 based on 129 reviews. The Airline has been complimented about cleanliness and boarding, as some reviews are quite positive about how efficient the staff was regarding the boarding experience.
People are neutral regarding the value of money when booking Aruba Airlines! I am also on the line regarding the prices of the tickets; sometimes, they were expensive, while at times, they were affordable.
The Airline has also not been dedicated enough to its services. My flight was late, and I have found similarities in the experience of many other travelers who should have been notified before the change of time of the flight or their delays.
However, based on most of the reviews, the experience of many fliers has been negative, which justifies their dissatisfaction with the Airline. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the services have further deteriorated.
One such review by Angela Nijhuizen highlights the terrible customer service and support by Aruba Airlines in her comments.
“My flight to Las piedras has been cancelled due to closing of Venezuela airspace. After 4 years of contact, begging, sending mail from 2019 march till march 2023 I decided to give up on them. If this airline is going to fly again. Please NEVER EVER fly with this crap. Bad…“
Another negative review that further confirms the dissatisfaction of the travelers is made by Angel Garcia, who traveled in January 2022.
“This airline who has sold tickets in cuba for thousands of dollars to either Managua, Nicaragua or Georgetown, Guyana , has suspended all flights from cuba and also has shut down their customer service number to any of those who wants to claim their money back , leaving…“
A review that acts as a nail in the coffin for Aruba Airlines is done by STZ01, where the traveler was completely frustrated with the cancellation of their flight. I could relate to this frustration, especially because the same thing happened to both of us.
We were informed of the cancellation after we reached the airport. It confirms the need for more professionalism and the communication gap.
“My flight was cancelled and I wa snotified when I reached the airport – no previous call/communication. I was promised a refund and six months later am still waiting for this to happen! My advise is to stay away from this airline by all means…“
Another review compared the Airline to the plague as the traveler had one of the worst experiences. They also wanted more customer service from the airlines.
“Aruba Airlines changed my Curacao to Aruba flight time substantially so I reached out to their Refund Department on February 8th to cancel the flight completely and obtain a full refund. I never heard back from them. I called their Customer Service line twice but was hung up on…“
Conclusion
After reading this article, you will understand that there have been considerable service and customer support issues. In my flight experience, this was one of the most haphazard experiences that was completely coordinated, and most of it will be blamed on the company.
Apart from what I felt, I have also highlighted significant reviews by people who have booked tickets with Aruba Airlines. After you read them, you clearly understand why people are unsatisfied with the airline’s services.
Comment below about some of the features that must be present in the airline according to you!
Sagnika Sinha is a content writer who is passionate about writing travel vlogs, entertainment and celebrity articles and literature-based pieces. With a 4 years experience in teaching, she loves reading books. A procrastinator by nature, she loves travelling, listening to music, planting and gardening.
One response to “This Is What I Felt About Aruba Airlines!”
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Review #1
I paid cash for my $100 incidental payment. And stayed there for one night from October 13 to October 14. I never write reviews like this, but what the black women with big bodies who worked on 10/14/22 did was basically theft. I told the night lady that my room smelled like smoke, and she told me that most rooms smell like smoke and it's fine. When I checked out, the morning clerk told me she wouldn't return my cash deposit because the room smelled like smoke. I told her I don't smoke and what the night lady said, but she was rude and didn't care about what I had to say. Heard that if you pay cash as a deposit, they will make up reasons to keep it and share it with the people who clean the room.
They did not make me sign anything saying they were keeping my $100. I'll talk to corporate about this because I've been traveling for work for 9 years and never had a problem like this. The woman at the front desk basically stole my deposit, and I might have to go to court over this. I'll do just that. Check out the people who pay cash for a deposit. Heard that the black woman who worked at the front desk on 10/14/22 had been accused of the same thing many times before. When you make $10 to $14 an hour, I'm sure that stealing that $100 deposit helps you pay your bills.
Review #2
The folks at the Motel 6 down the street gave me a recommendation to park at Quality since they said it was the safest overnight option in town because to the plenty of lighting and frequent police patrols.
The check-in process was lengthy due to the slowness of the desk staff. Another visitor convinced me to call in for the lowest rate, but I was stuck listening to a vacation package sales pitch from an extremely persistent agent for what felt like 30 minutes. In the end, I decided that the points weren't worth the discomfort, but I did it for the experience. It left me pretty irritated by the end, and it still does to this day. Not even after all that effort did I get a better rate!
After I checked in, I noticed how well-kept the room was (kudos to Natasha at reception for her attention to detail). The cleanliness of the tub was unparalleled; it appeared to be brand new. However, the bottle's stopper was missing, rendering it useless. In addition, the room was unexpectedly roomy. It seemed like the only negative aspect was an old chair sitting at the desk.
When I showed up early for a free breakfast, I was told that it was grab-and-go only and that they didn't actually start serving breakfast until Friday. The convenient snack pack included a blueberry muffin, a yogurt cup, and a croissant sandwich made with sausage, eggs, and cheese that had previously been frozen.
Although one of the treadmills in the exercise room was broken, the facility was otherwise adequate.
Unfortunately, once I had settled into my room, I read some quite unsettling comments about the hotel online. Except for a slightly off-putting hallway odor and some dubious carpet stains, I couldn't find any physical manifestations of the issues highlighted in the previous complaints. The reports of bedbugs were the most alarming. Thankfully, my thorough search turned up no evidence of such odors, but hearing about them from other guests tainted my overall impression of the hotel.
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Located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico is the famous region of “Los Cabos.”
This is recognized by the diverse coastline that separates the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortez because of the two different towns that exist there: Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo that are joined by a corridor with many beaches and bays.
The Cabo beaches have water characteristics, accessibility, and activities that differ from one another.
There are those with calm water suitable for swimming, while others have strong currents ideal for walking, taking photos, or surfing. This is important for travelers visiting the area and have plans for activities at the beaches of Los Cabos.
Geography Of Cabo Beaches
The coast of Los Cabos is influenced by two bodies of water:
Pacific Ocean (West-Facing beaches)
Generally rougher water, bigger waves, and rip currents.
Sea of Cortez (east-facing beaches)
"More tranquil conditions, clearer water, and improved protection in bays."
This is why swimming and snorkeling are recommended to be undertaken in particular spots.
Beach Safety And Water Conditions
Not all beaches in Cabo offer safe swimming. There are strong undertows and steep drops in many areas, most notably on the Pacific side.
Beach Flag System
The majority of the popular beaches have a flag system that indicates the conditions of the water:
Green flag – Calm conditions
Yellow flag – Moderate currents, caution advised
Red flag – Hazardous conditions; do not swim
Black flag – Beach closed
Visitors should make sure to check flags and signs before entering the water.
Beaches In Cabo San Lucas
The different beaches of Cabo San Lucas.
1. Medano Beach
Medano Beach can be found in the nearby marina area of Cabo San Lucas and represents one of the more developed spots along the coastline.
The beach has relatively calm waters, unlike other Pacific-side beaches, and is thus often employed for swimming and aquatic sports. There are eating establishments and hotels along this coastline.
2. Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor)
Because it can only be reached by water, the Lover’s Beach is located close to the iconic rock formations at the famous “Land’s End.”
One side of the beach is calm since it meets the Sea of Cortez, while the other lies adjacent to “Divorce Beach,” which meets the Pacific Ocean and has dramatic waves.
3. Divorce Beach (Playa del Divorcio)
This is a beach that is parallel to Lover’s Beach on the Pacific side. The waves are not ideal for swimming, and there are rip currents.
Beaches In San José del Cabo
The different beaches of San Jose del Cabo.
1. Palmilla Beach
Palmilla Beach is famous for its protected bay and quiet waters. It is among the beaches that have relatively stable swimming conditions, depending on the weather and the tide.
2. Costa Azul Beach
Costa Azul has a number of breaks and is famous mainly for surfing. It has varying water conditions, making it not very suitable for swimming.
3. Hotel Zone Beaches
In the hotel zone at San José del Cabo are long stretches of sandy beaches. While these are attractive, there are areas that have high currents and are not recommended for the inexperienced visitor.
Swimmable Beaches In Los Cabos
Swimming in Cabo should be restricted to beaches recognized for their calm conditions. These beaches are:
Chileno Beach
Santa Maria Beach
Palmilla Beach
Medano Beach (conditions vary)
Even in such places, circumstances change on a daily basis due to tides, wind, and seasonal changes in weather.
Snorkeling And Marine Life
There are a few bays on the Sea of Cortez that offer snorkeling opportunities due to their protected location and clearer water.
Common Snorkeling Areas
Chileno Bay – Gradual entry, reef visible
Santa Maria Bay - Horseshoe-shaped bay, calmer waters
The kinds of marine life that might be found there include tropical fish, rays, and others that migrate during certain seasons. The best time for snorkeling is usually early in the morning
Surfing Beaches
Surfing in Cabo takes place mostly along open beaches, mainly around the area of San José del Cabo.
Known Surf Areas
Zippers
Acapulquito
Costa Azul
Surf conditions are dominated by swell directions, varying according to season, and larger swells usually occur from late summer to winter.
Beaches For Walking And Scenic Viewing
The Mexico’s beaches are more suitable for walking, photographing, and enjoying the sunset.
Pacific facing beaches around Cabo San Lucas
Playa Las Viudas
East Cape remote beaches
Usually, these regions experience intense wave action and shoreline formations. .
Family Considerations
Families staying in Cabo and wanting to visit beaches should consider
A calm water environment
Easy access
Availability of restrooms
Lifeguards on duty when available
Chileno, Santa Maria, and Palmilla are some varieties commonly used for these purposes. It is advisable that the conditions be checked, however.
Seasonal Considerations
Winter (Dec–Feb): Cooler water, Whale migration offshore
Spring (Mar-May): Weather is stable; water conditions
Summer (Jun-Sep): Stable weather, moderate water conditions
Fall (October-November): Transitional weather, fewer crowds
Ocean conditions can change rapidly, no matter what season it is.
Public Access And Beach Use
In Mexican law, every beach is public property even if it’s in front of a resort chain’s property. The access points to the beach might be an exposed pathway to the shore, but once you reach the shore, this is public property.
Amenities vary widely
Restrooms and parking are available at certain beach destinations
There are others which are undeveloped
The enforcement and laws concerning alcohol consumption and distribution might differ from one municipality to another.
Planning A Beach Visit In Cabo
When visiting beaches in Cabo, it is advisable to.
Check water conditions every day
Safety signs that are posted
Don’t forget the sunscreen and water
Do not swim at unattended Pacific beaches
Compliance with local regulations and natural environments
Many wellness retreat villas in Cabo region are carefully placed in or just off the more quiet areas of the coastline.
Being in the beach environment affects the rhythm of life in the wellness retreats, ranging from the morning walks in the quiet bays to the practices conducted in the outdoors that make use of the beach breezes.
The beach environment is often simply incorporated as a passive element of the wellness activities that provide seclusion or insulate the participants from the busy beach environment.
To Sum Up!
The beaches in Cabo have various conditions that result from the influence of geography and development.
Knowledge on the suitability of various beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, or sightseeing goes a long way in ensuring that one takes advantage of the experience while staying in Cabo. All one needs is the correct information.
Lassen Volcanic National Park was in the news recently as the fourth-largest wildfire in California exploded out of proportion. The park's officials evacuated staff from the Mineral community near the park headquarters.
120 people were there in the community, and the evacuation started as the fire started moving east to the park on the evening of 26th July 2024.
However, the park fire reached near containment in August, and on 17th August 2024, the park was partially reopened. You may wonder what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park after the fire breakout and if there is any significant destruction in the places of interest in the park.
Let me assure you. The park officials stated that the fire had never entered the park. However, there are still risks in the southern part of the park and Mill Creek and Mineral communities.
Nevertheless, the reopened parts of the park are out of danger despite some lingering smoke. So, Subway Cave, located around 15 miles north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, is one of the safest sites to explore after the fire incident. Make a rush, as it remains open from late April to November.
What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park After The Fire Breakout (Exploring The Underground World Of A Lava Tube)
Yes, you got me right! I am talking about the Subway Cave. The self-guided trail inside the cave is ⅓ miles long and 30 feet wide, and complete darkness is inside. So, many call it the journey into darkness. The USDA Forest Service maintains the cave, which remains open from dawn to dusk.
Before I get into more stories and facts about the cave, I want to present the basics you need to know briefly.
Important Facts About Subway Cave, Lassen National Volcanic Park Location in the ParkA 2-minute walk from the parking lot near the junction of “Highway 89” and “Highway 44” in Old StationAmenitiesPicnic TablesDrinking WaterParkingToiletsInterpretive SiteFeesFree (You can make donations)Pet-FriendlyNoParking FacilitiesMany Parking Facilities, Buses and RVsOutdoor ActivitiesInterpretative Sessions, Caving, PicnicTemperature Inside the Cave46 Degree Farrenheit Nearby AttractionShasta County (Mountainous landscape and multiple picnic locations)Nearby Trails*Cinder Crone TrailSpattercone Nature TrailButte Lake to Widow Lake, etc.
*Many hiking trails in the park, such as the Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Mill Creek Falls, are closed as the park has partially reopened after the recent wildfire explosion. So, check with the park authorities before you plan a hike on the park trails.
This Is How The Subway Cave Was Formed
If you are a keen learner of geology and want to know what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park, you cannot avoid the lure of Subway Cave. I have already shared an account on the geothermal wonders of the park. This cave is an example of how lava flowed around 20000 years ago and created some magic.
A major lava explosion happened all across the Hat Creek area around 20000 years ago. The top layer of the lava flow became cold and hard in contact with air. Thus, a hard cap was formed. However, there was a continuous flow of molten lava below this cap.
The molten lava drained out Over time, but a hollow tube structure remained there. As you hike this trail, you will find traces of the more recent lava flows.
Route To The Subway Cave
Is Bumpass Hell on your list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park? Are you planning a trip to the park soon? Then, you will be disappointed as the Bumpass Hell trek route is closed after the park has reopened following the recent fire breakout.
Further, as Bumpass Hell is closed, you must take the Warner Valley Area route to Devils Kitchen, which is the cave's opening. Devils Kitchen is a 4.4-mile hike from the Warner Valley Area (camping here is closed for 2024).
Accessing The Subway Cave
You have to climb down metal stairs as you access the Subway Cave. You will get down into a wide opening in the ground. The ground surface has a leveled floor. However, you must be careful as you get off the stair flight.
Further, you must wear sturdy footwear to avoid injuries and difficulties where the floor gets rough.
Fortunately, the ceiling and walls are quite smooth, minimizing the hiking difficulty level while hiking. Also, there is complete darkness inside the cave. So, you will need a flashlight to make it to the end.
The weather inside is a little cold, even in summer. So you will need a light jacket. Moreover, don’t forget to read and follow the interpretative signs through the trail to better understand the place.
The best thing about this park is that it’s 30 feet wide. So, even with complete darkness inside, you never feel suffocated.
What To See In Lassen Volcanic National Park Subway Cave
It is not a long walk inside the Subway Cave. However, this short walk is enough to make it feature on the list of what to see in Lassen Volcanic Park.
Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac (An Attraction Very Few Knows About)
Have you listened to Satan’s Cul-de-sac from Gangland Buries Its Own? The first thing that may amaze you inside the cave is Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac. There is a split as you enter the cave, and you are to turn to the right if you want to continue the trail.
However, you will notice a big room if you are adventurous enough to turn left, when I tell you about Lucifer’s Cul-de-sac, The ceiling height starts from 6 feet and gets higher up to 15 feet.
The most amazing thing about this room inside the cave is the rock formation on the ceiling and walls. It’s gothic and justified its name.
https://open.spotify.com/track/6cq37W4OXjEdQRLh2IVQOF
As The Hike Advances
The ceiling height will vary as you continue the trek, and there are small boulder-like rock formations in many places. So, be careful with your steps and do not stumble upon them. Also, because of these rock formations, you must not wear an open-toe shoe while walking through the cave.
Nevertheless, the ceiling formation is fascinating, and in one section, it looks like stoned rainfall or water ripples. The section is called the Lavacicle Lane. Molten lava dripped off through the cracks in the ceiling cave, and there were formations of “drip pendants” or “lavacicles.”
Further, as you plan to take the exit, you notice all the colors in the lava rock formation, including green, blue, white, and brown lines.
Getting Out Of The Subway Cave
As you approach the end of the cave, you will find a metal stair flight similar to the one at the entrance. From the top of the exit staircase, you can hike through an on-ground trail to the west or north to find the parking lot.
However, I prefer to take another walk through the cave and get back to the entrance. It will be so much fun to explore this unique geological formation again.
Things To Remember Before Getting Into The Darkness Of The Subway Cave
Subway Cave is a hidden gem if you consider what to see in Lassen Volcanic National Park. However, once you take the hike and read the interpretative signs, you will learn why it is geologically unique.
Nevertheless, you must be careful about certain things to ensure complete safety throughout the hike.
You will find rattlesnakes in the trail, and you have to be respectful to these reptiles. You must not make any move to catch or hurt them. Moreover, you cannot go off trails or litter inside the cave.
No food, water, or firelighting is allowed inside the cave. There are picnic areas nearby for you to catch refreshments. Wish you a safe, easy, and fun-filled experience inside the Subway Cave!
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