anyone sail out of San Juan? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

CaliTraveler77 · 02-28-2008, 03:18 AM

Eyeballing a couple of cruises next year and wanted to see if anyone had sailed into/out of San Juan and what you thought of it. As always, any info is MUCH appreciated!

Cruise Planner · 02-28-2008, 02:00 PM

We have sailed out of San Juan several times - the Southern Caribbean is one of our favorite itineraries.

Although we've never flown in the day before our cruise, we've had many clients find some very nice lodging, if you're interested in that.

We fly in the day of the cruise. We'll find an early flight and the cruises don't leave until late evening, giving us plenty of time. We'll check onto the ship, then get off the ship and do our sightseeing and obligatory shopping for cigars and linens.

There are some nice places to shop in Old Town and a few places to sightsee.

And there are several ships and itineraries to choose from, but I'm not a big fan of the Destiny. If you're into Carnival, the Victory will be there next year and this is a welcome change. There is Celebrity, RCCL, and Princess offering some very nice 7-night cruises. And if you want something longer, there are some wonderful ships and itineraries that are available.

Pete

Iluv2cruise · 05-02-2008, 05:40 PM

This will be our 2nd cruise out of San Juan. Because we are from the mid-west we arrive at least a day early. This time we are arriving 2 days prior so we can relax one day and see parts of Old San Juan that we missed the last time around. Much history and a lot of things to see and do in San Juan. Hotel are a little pricey though!

We loved our cruise on the Serenade so we are hoping we also enjoy our upcoming Adventure cruise!

Cruise Planner · 05-02-2008, 06:11 PM

When you spend some time walking around Old Town, I suggest two places; one is The Cigar House (255 Calle Fortaleza). It's inside the store called The Doll House and the old guy in there hand rolls cigars that are wonderful. Across the street and down a few doors is a place that sells micro-fiber linens that are absolutely fantastic. We always buy tablecloths and napkins for a very good price and make wonderful gifts for people. Problem is deciding on the pattern as they are all great.

Enjoy your stay in San Juan!

Pete

LuLu · 05-04-2008, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliTraveler77

Eyeballing a couple of cruises next year and wanted to see if anyone had sailed into/out of San Juan and what you thought of it. As always, any info is MUCH appreciated!

We loved the 7 day B2B's on Princess so much so we did them two years in a row. If I were going to fly, it's just as easy to fly to San Juan ... and in January it's immediately very warm upon arrival!

Cruise Planner · 05-04-2008, 12:45 PM

The only thing you need to be aware of is that depending on when you're planning to go, there could be alot of foreigners, Puerto Ricans, or children onboard your ship. I don't point this out to be prejudice or as a bad thing, but just providing additional information to you for consideration.

Often, especially on Princess, they'll offer some really great rates on B2B cruises for foreigners. For example; last year when we went on the Crown, about half the ship was filled with Englanders. What amazed me was that the price they paid for B2B with airfare was about what Americans were playing just for a one-week cruise without airfare. Princess is one of a few cruise lines that will not let U.S. agents sell to foreigners with overseas adresses. I guess it's because of the whopping good deals that we can't get.

We had a wonderful time and made some new friends. But another time our ship was full of Germans. And yet another time, it was full of Puerto Ricans and alot of noisey kids - school was out down there while up here, school was still in session. When the ships aren't real full, they'll offer a special for the locals to fill the space, such was the case on that cruise.

Europeans love the Southern Caribbean more than the Eastern or Western Caribbean because of the diverse international culture down there, lots of ports, and the fact it hasn't become quite so Americanized, yet. This makes for a very interesting and educational cruise, and is one of our favorite places to cruise.

Pete

Krazy Kruizers · 06-21-2008, 01:54 PM

Our first cruises - back-to-backs -- back in the 80's were out of San Juan.

Have taken a few other back-to-back from there.

Just got a taxi and took off for the pier. Same at the end -- got a taxi back to the airport.

Of course now we always stay precruise and post cruise. No m ore flying in and out on the same day.

MD11F · 06-29-2008, 04:38 PM

In 2004, we arrived in San Juan on Thursday evening for our Sunday cruise on the Carnival Destiny. We stayed at what was then known as the Wyndam Condado Resort & Casino. We went to the El Yunque Rainforest and a beach break on Friday, and did the City Tour, Old & New San Juan together with the Barcardi Rum Distillery tour on Saturday.
We've been back to San Juan in November 2006 to embark on the Crown Princess, but this time we flew in early in the morning on embarkation day for an 11pm sailaway. Last year, March 2007, San Juan was our first port of call from Ft Lauderdale on Costa.
It's nice if you haven't been there before. After that I don't care for San Juan anymore.

boyconny · 06-29-2008, 11:22 PM

We cruise out of San Juan 2004 on Princess to the southern Caribbean, and the ship stop in St.Thomas as it's first stop, so it left San Juan at midnight.