Hi, Sjoerd. I did an AMS-CUR flights with KLM last year. If you like, have a look at the
Trip Report I did at the time. Otherwise...
Originally Posted by Sjoerd
Just booked flights Y class AMS - CUR - AMS on KL 735 (30 Jan) and KL 736 (6 Feb). I never been on Caribbean flights on KL before. Some questions:
1) What aircraft on this route? Is it a 747 all-pax?
Both of these are, yes. And they're direct, too, no stop in SXM or wherever required, which is a bonus.
2) Chances of op-up for a PE accompanied by a lowest level FD member?
Not sure. IIRC, these flights don't just serve CUR. When I was there (admittedly in the Summer), C was absolutely packed - that's from the point of view of seat assignment and OLCI as much as on board.
Yeuch. There's a lounge (that can't fit a 747's WBC, let alone the élites) upstairs, that was already filthy when I got there. Barely worth it, but then, the rest of the departures lounge isn't much either, particularly as a large chunk of the passengers on your flight will be transit from the first leg (wherever that's from - it seems to vary...) You just have to put up with it, really...
4) We will be staying at the Marriott. Saw excellent reviews here on Flyertalk and elsewhere. Anyone here been there?
Not stayed there, but had a look. Seemed very nice.
5) Daytrip to Aruba and/or Bonaire. Worth it?
I looked into this, and decided against it. The fares weren't fantastic, and, with the diving course, managed to keep myself occupied on CUR well enough. I was, however, tempted to take a day trip to the Venezuelan mainland (in the end, couldn't be bothered...)
6) Anything else I should know about CUR?
Arrival at CUR looks incredibly frantic. Actually, it's mostly just people waiting around for pre-arranged transport. If you fight your way through the crowd, there's some ATMs by departures for both USD and NLG, and the taxi queue is barely used. The taxis are fine - should cost you US$20 to Punda, less to the Marriott.
Pay heed to the check-in times on departure. It's all rather hectic, and quite strict. The security on CUR-AMS flights is very heavy indeed (particularly if you're a young, solo male like I was...) Keep a hotel receipt in case you're asked for it, both at CUR and on arrival at AMS (expect X-ray at the incoming gate).
Otherwise, I enjoyed trying a bit of diving, eating some of the fantastic fresh seafood around both sides of Willemstad, and hiring a car and driving to some of the more remote parts of the island.