The first cruise ship to visit the island of Aruba was the M.S. "LIBERTADOR," which combined cargo... and passenger facilities. lt was a part of the K.N.S.M, the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company, now the Nedlloyd Line (Maersk).
The first all-passenger ship was called the "TRADEWIND " and first stopped at Aruba in 1957. A party was thrown to welcome passengers to Aruba's first luxury hotel, which was then under construction.
This hotel has been renovated, and is now the Radisson Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino.
ln the early 1960's, the MS ORANJE NASSAU and M.S. PRINS DER NEDERLANDEN 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 ltalian Line, Cunard, Holland America Line, Costa Line, Sitmar Cruises, Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
Around late 70’s – early 80’s the cruise ship used for the American television series Love Boat visited Aruba. This television series was aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24, 1977, until May 24, 1986. The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain. It was a production of Aaron Spelling, and was part of ABC's popular Saturday night lineup. The one-hour sitcom was usually set aboard a Princess Cruises cruise liner.
The biggest cruise ship to hit the port of Aruba was the ALLURE OF THE SEAS from the Royal Caribbean cruise line in 20'11. This is a cruise ship that houses 5000 passengers and a crew of 2000 that’s seven thousand people on one ship.
FREEWINDS is a cruise ship operated by International Shipping - Miami and owned by San Donato Properties.
FREEWINDS visits Aruba every week, it usually comes on a Wednesday and departs on a Saturday. Sometimes it stays for longer periods.
On June 6, 2013, FREEWINDS will celebrate its 25th anniversary.
1. First cargo/passenger cruise ship named MS LIBERTADOR
2. First passenger cruise ship named TRADEWIND
3. Princess Cruises line, Love Boat (PACIFIC PRINCESS.)
4. The biggest cruise ship to hit the port of Aruba, ALLURE OF THE SEAS from the Royal Caribbean International
5. FREEWINDS.
Aruba Post website.
Built as a passenger-cargo vessel under yard No 59 by Danziger Werft Internationale Schifs und Machinebau A.G., Danzig, Germany for the NV Koninklijke Nederlandsche Stoomboot Mij, Amsterdan.
Launched as the EL LIBERTADOR, named after Bolivar the liberator of Venezuela.
Tonnage 1,713 gross, 750 net, 987 dwt. Dim. 76.99 x 12.24 x 3.73. (draught)
Powered by two triple 3-cyl. expansion steam engines, 1,600 ihp, twin shafts, speed 12 knots.
Accommodation for 59 passengers.
26 September 1929 delivered to owners.
Used in the service between the Netherlands Antilles and Lake Maracaibo.
During World War II in Allied service and used mostly around Australia..
1945-1948 Chartered by the Koninklijke Pakketvaart Maatschappij (KPM), Amsterdam.
April 1948 sold to J. Burke, Brisbane, Australia and renamed in ELSANNA.
Used in the service between Brisbane and Thursday Island, accommodation for 78 passengers.
November 1956 sold to Chiap Hua Shipping Co, renamed in FLYING DOVE, under Panama flag.
06 November 1957 arrived at Hong Kong for scrapping.
Aruba 2013 250c sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.kroonvaarders.nl/alfabet/esc ... rtador.htm Lloyds Register.
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz and various other web-sites.