In studying the history of seafaring in Curaçao much attention has tended to be placed on macroeconomic maritime and military aspects. In the past; when nearly all trade in food and other commodities occurred by ship; the Caribbean Sea played a pivotal role in the social life of many Curaçaoans; both the elite and the working class. Work at sea was an important basis for the livelihood and social mobility of especially the black working class. In this article I discuss the role and experiences of Afro-Curaçaoan seamen who sailed the seas between Curaçao and other places. This study argues for incorporating the perspectives of in particular lower-class experiences into the maritime historiography of Curaçao. The article focuses on but is not limited to New York (USA) as one of the destinations of Afro-Curaçaoan seafarers. It draws on a database of arrivals at Ellis Island in New York harbor; archival documents; as well as oral history data through which the voices of these men are heard. The study presents some findings and thoughts regarding seafaring in the Dutch Caribbean and raises questions for further research. In this way it hopes to contribute to filling the gap of information regarding this part of the Afro/Dutch/Caribbean world. ; Al estudiar la historia de la navegación en Curazao se ha prestado mucha atención a los aspectos macroeconómicos y militares. En el pasado; cuando casi todo el comercio de alimentos y otras mercancías se transportaban por vía marítima; el Mar Caribe desempeñó un papel fundamental en la vida social de muchos curazoleños; tanto la elite como la clase obrera. El trabajo en el mar fue una base importante para la subsistencia y la movilidad de la clase obrera negra. En este artículo se discute el papel y las experiencias de los marineros afro-curazoleños que surcaban los mares entre Curazao y otros lugares. El artículo se centra en; pero no se limita a Nueva York (EE.UU.) como uno de los destinos de los afro-curazoleños. Se fundamenta en una base de datos de las llegadas a Ellis ...