What to do pre-cruise? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

shargurl · 11-14-2007, 09:31 AM

We will be arriving in San Juan a day early (our plane arrives at 5:45pm). We will be staying at El Canario by the Lagoon. Don't know why I picked it, but that's where we are going. I think it's close to a beach, but since we will be there later in the evening, I guess the only thing to do would be to find a restaurant close by. Any suggestions?

The next day our ship will be leaving at 10pm, so we have a full day of ???? to do.
We have a tour booked with Victor (Countryside Tours) for debarkation day, so I don't want to do Old San Juan. So what I was thinking is that we head on over to the ship and then what? What do people do between then and 10pm??? I heard there is a Coach outlet? Is it close to the ship terminal? What is in walking distance? Or do we board and stay on board?

LuLu · 11-14-2007, 03:00 PM

Shar .... Think I remember your saying on another post that there will be at least a couple of children along with your group. By the time you actually get to your hotel they will be hungry so it'll be best to feed them and not worry about other things. Hopefully, your hotel will have an outdoor area they can enjoy for the remainder of the evening.

Since you already have VICTOR planned for your post cruise, you might want to just board the ship as soon as possible and spend your time exploring the ship. (Just a suggestion.)

Note on the Coach Outlet: It's in Old San Juan. Very convenient for those with port stops ... but ... not close for those departing from there.

Krazy Kruizers · 11-14-2007, 03:09 PM

Once you are on the ship, you all might consider walking to El Morro Castle.

I see in your signature that you will be on Carnival. Carnival has a lot of stuff for the children to do on the ship. So you might consider just staying on the ship.

shargurl · 11-14-2007, 03:36 PM

Ok, sounds good! Stay on the ship it is! If the troops want to wander off, we'll decide once we're there! Thanks guys!

Char · 11-14-2007, 07:26 PM

Our members always come to the rescue with good ideas!

Thanks guys!

ccawalleye · 01-30-2008, 05:20 PM

Left Chicago on the 11th on non-stop to San Juan and got to our
hotel the Howard Johnson in Old San Juan at about 9:30pm and
got checked in right away and had a great room facing the street
in number 204 which had a shared balcony with a King Bed. Room
was very clean but elevator was very small and had to carry luggage
down stairs next day cause it was broke. Got a good nights sleep
and next day got up early to check out Fort Morro and take pics of
Old San Juan. Had to be back at the hotel to check out by noon. Taxi
from airport to hotel $20.50 taxi to cruise ship from hotel $14.00.
At Pier 4 Day 1 to check in was very smooth got there about 1:15pm
and was in our room by 1:40pm and right away got unpacked and
out to meet our dive instructor and explore the ship and up to the
horizon for lunch buffet. Since there was only coke products on
board I had to find some Dew for the cruise so we got off the ship
and went along the port to find Code Red at a little shop and bought
6- 20oz bottles that did not last long enough for the week on the
cruise.
But at least I was able to have a Dew for six of the seven days.

Charlie

coqui · 02-05-2008, 04:50 PM

Plenty of nice restaurants in Condado / Isla Verde

Metropol (Cuban / PR)
Miro's (seafood)
Ajili Mojili (PR)
Ropa Vieja Grill (Cuban / PR)

In OSJ the Coach Outlet is close to the Cathedral and El Convento Hotel - the hotel has a nice tapas bar.

If you have no plans to do El Morro post cruise - then check it out before you board the ship. If you have kids, they can fly kites in the open grass space in front of the fort.

Krazy Kruizers · 02-05-2008, 06:41 PM

coqui

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