bobvb22

We had no problem getting a taxi when we arrived to Barcelona.  Plenty waiting out front.

We just came back Sunday.  We were worried getting from Ship to Airport due to issues in Barcelona last week.  But no problem at all. We took RCCL transportation back to airport.   Alot of lines in Barcelona airport, between checkin, security etc.  We had 3 hours from arrival at airport to flight, and needed most of that time to get to our gate.  

My concern for anyone right now, would be staying in Barcelona while the unrest is occurring.  Sounds like La Rambla and that area (which is very close to the port) had alot of uprising issues. 

Be safe  

Song of America and sovereign. I'm tempted to take them now for old time sake

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In the past we have gone to Orient Beach which we loved. This past February (cruise) we did Great Bay Beach. We did not know what to expect. It turned out to be a great experience. Very convenient and well organized water taxi to and from beach (buy round trip, much cheaper). There were many areas with chairs and umbrellas. I think either 20 or 30 for the set. Little bars setup a few feet away to buy drinks (beer a bucket of 5 for $10), plus other drinks available. There were restaurants also open near where you were able to use toilet facilities. Each of the streets in the area had alot of construction going, but also alot of street vendors. Nearer to the water taxi were the higher end stores and they were all operational. Prices seemed to be good on items I looked at. they need the business and support. So we were quite surprised and fully enjoyed the day.

Also people seemed to say water on Great Bay not clean, but many people in water. From my perspective I could not tell of any issue. I am not a person to go into ocean water anyway, but sitting under a umbrella and walking the beach was great and relaxing. There were alot of people on the beach, but it did not seem either loud or obnoxious. Just very relaxing

We stayed at Hotel Miramar pre cruise in February. Clean and great service. Alot of good restaurants in the near area to the hotel. It was a 5 minute bus ride (75 cents each way) to old san juan. Very convenient. Bus dropped off at bus terminal by OSJ cruise dock. Old San Juan was up and running and so were places in Miramar. I did notice some restaurants did not have a full menu available. Not sure if that was coincidental or due to some supplies not available. Some street lights out in OSJ. Also did Bacardi tour. Bacardi has own power with wind mills, so no problems there either. Overall San Juan and OSJ were cleaned up very nicely post storm and we enjoyed walking around OSJ along with many stops for eating/drinking. We were told some of the large hotels on the beach in Condado were closed due to water damage. I dont know which by name, but slightly inland was ok. Overall tourism was down and therefore no crowds at all, which is too bad as this is typically high tourism time. As far as I am concerned, OSJ and SJ were great. Far better than I expected or read. Not sure how beaches are for swimming. Finally no problems at all in airport.

Do sandcastle or rainbow have chairs and umbrellas on beach or only chairs?

Yikes, ours is for Feb. 23. I figured that far out it would be safe. What's the specific reason for cancelling then do you know?

They did not say. But they did refund very quickly. I had to call them late morning to confirm this. When I called in the evening they weren't sure, and had to wait for GM to come in the morning. So other posts said they were having water issues for floors higher than the second floor. So could be that or housing fema.

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Comfort Inn just sent a cancellation notice for my reservation 1/19/2018 and /1/20/2018

Yes I posted on another thread. I called in the other day to verify our February reservation. I was told by Comfort Inn that all reservations prior to Feb 28th will be cancelled. They cancelled mine that day.

We’re booked with Hotel Miramar. Not in Old San Juan but across the street-ish from Hyatt House. I’ve spoken directly with Hotel Miramar over the past few weeks and again yesterday for our stay on 12/9. They’re open and business as usual. Check them out.

 

 

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We too just booked Hotel Miramar. I called and they said operating as usual. Actually just a very short bus trip to old San Juan. Bus stops in front of hotel. Very close to the Pan American cruise port. Seems to be plenty of restaurants etc.. withing walking distance. Looking forward to staying here.

Thanks for the ideas guys :) I also messaged a few popular Puerto Rican vegan pages on Instagram to ask them. 3 out of the 5 of us are vegan, so I can usually find something at most places, but it's easier if I scope things out in advance. :)

Agree better to plan on this. Curious what other places you find. 2 out of 5 of us going soon are also Vegan. So I always try and find a place that can satisfy all of us.

Can anyone give an update on the state of the following hotels?

- El Convento

- Hotel Miramar

Are the places functional - AC, Dining?

After dark, can you go to anywhere to eat, drink etc.. or basically stuck at room? (power etc..)

Can anyone give an update on the state of the following hotels?

- El Convento

- Hotel Miramar

Are the places functional - AC, Dining?

After dark, can you go to anywhere to eat, drink etc.. or basically stuck at room? (power etc..)

If you are mean Old San Juan, the restaurant in El Convento has options, and Barachinas has vegan selections.

I called today. I had a reservation in February. I was told all reservation prior to Feb 28 are getting cancelled.

Just to clarify given other hotel mentioned in this thread. Comfort Inn is cancelling all reservations prior to Feb 28th.

I called today. I had a reservation in February. I was told all reservation prior to Feb 28 are getting cancelled.

Does rcl offer the option to check your luggage on the ship before you leave and take to airport? This was offered on freedom at port Canaveral. Just wondering if available in San Juan.

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Was it your own choice to change ships? We are booked on Jewel for Feb 4th but as yet have not confirmed in the light of Irma. We have been on all the Radiance class ships since 2003 but we like each one for diffent reason.for different reasons. My favourite class of ship now is Voyager class and has been for a long time.

We had to change. Adventure in dry dock.

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Glad you started this. I have not seen allot on jewel. I too had to change from adventure to jewel this coming Feb. Looking forward to reading comments. I like the smaller ships, so hoping not disappointed.

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I found windjammer good. But in main dining, very difficult. I never knew what I was going to get, and what I got was very bland. I ate windjamme r and just nibbled at dinner with nonvegan friends. I wish rccl was better at that. When on disney the head waiter did a great job planning the meal the night before with me. Now maybe on rccl I had a bad head waiter . This was my experience.

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Just wondering if there are any issues with the Grandeur. I noticed yesterday that it labored into port at Nassau fighting thru some rough seas. Then i noticed that the 2 tug boats needed to turn the ship around in the lagoon area so it can back into the dock. Today I noticed the Grandeur is still in port on Nassau vs I think it is supposed to be in coco cay today.

So not trying to alarm anyone, but I am curious.

The RCCL website shows all the changes in the deck plans. So you can see all the new rooms and locations by floor.

That is great your waiter took care of your wife. I too told them I was Vegan when I booked, and also talked with my waiter and head waiter. My head waiter said dont worry we will bring you something. So every night it was a"mistery" dinner. I had no idea what I was getting until my food arrived. It was usually some form of unseasoned vegetables or beans.

the next time I am going to talk with the waiter every night before and ask what options are available the next day.

When I talked with RCCL via phone when I booked my next cruise, the person told me to ask what is in the windjammer. As any meal in the windjammer can be brought to the MDR.

I'm Vegan and was on Freedom this year. The Windjammer was great, the MDR was terrible. they brought tasteless and low imaginative food. I just ate pasta and then went to windjammer. When I was on Disney, the head waiter met with me the night before and we planned the meal for the next day. I had a great meal everynight, but on Freedom no such luck. I am not sure about other ships.

The updates are Already on the rccl site. Shows all changes in the deck pages

For the most part you can eat smart and healthy in the Windjammer/buffet. Difficulty is in the main dining room. I eat a whole food/oil free vegan diet, so I had to work with the head waiter on my meals. I started getting steamed veges with my meal every night, along with getting mixed fruits for desert. They always made a main meal that was ok (with beans, veges etc..). So I found no issues. Some head waiters will work hard to help you and some don't. So if the main dining room really does not work out, head to windjammer. You wont go hungry, and you will feel good about what you ate.

Both. When I give my bag to porter, I smile, say thank you and tip. I really like having my bags get to my room on time and in one piece. I minor thing to do to lessen the risk of a problem