dolfndreams

I can recommend Villa Herencia. Stayed there three times so far. Enjoy the botique atmosphere. Feels kind of like staying at your Grandma's hacienda to me.

Very unique atmosphere, on the edge of a lovely little Plaza located next to El Convento. Includes a small breakfast. Midrange pricing but definitely my favorite for Old San Juan stays. Not for anyone looking for a 5 star chain experience, but for a unique one it is my favorite.

I have also stayed at the Hotel Plaza de Armas, great location but it has been so long ago I think it is under new management, when I stayed it was "ok" but iffy depending on the room first stay great, second definite mold on the walls involved. Did stay once at Hotel Milano which was great location but very bland, good budget stay though and we were able to walk to the hotel with luggage when we ended up arriving during the festival when the streets were closed down. Just a few blocks from pier and very reasonable price price.

First choice still Villa Herencia for me.

While I did schedule with people on my roll call when I travelled solo in the mediterranean where many of the small tours did require me to put together a group or join one through cruisecritic (since I was travelling solo) I almost always scheduled by contacting the vender directly.

Most of them will add you to other groups with no problem at all. Never felt it was a issue and always enjoyed my tours. I will occasionally do a Carnival excursion I agree the quality and small number of people in private tours makes them my preferred way to tour and I was always made to feel welcome whether I was solo or travelling with family.

Just off the Noordam a couple of weeks ago and they definitely had the bread pudding most days.

First time trying it and ended up being my favorite of all the deserts. Served in the area they served ice cream.

Speaking from my own personal experience this year in January. While you might not need a credit card on the ship you never know what emergency will come up.

My sister became ill and we were put off ship to "hospital" so they tell us (basically 3rd world clinic) on Dominica. I shudder to think what would have happened had I not taken the advice here and had a high limit credit card (ok a smaller limit might work but it would have been tight.

By the time we got home I had used it for hotel, 2 nights (small island one flight a day and couldn't get on first day flight), port agent assistant tips ; credit card for his fees(some cash from card since i hadn't planned on needing much on the ship). $2200 flights home. Food, taxi to airport etc etc.

We did have travel insurance which did reimburse me everything but I have nightmares about being there without resources.

Just something to keep in mind.

Also I don't fault Carnival at all, they were exceptional with us and I did understand the rule they have to not keep very ill passengers on the ship and she became ill a few hours before they left port and hadn't improved. They weren't responsible for conditions at clinic, although that I did email them to let them know of the conditions. Conditions on the ship medical clinic was excellent.

I was very impressed with the care on the ship in Jan. Much as I regretted having to experience it.

My sister got very ill after a snorkel trip with oxygen saturations dropping etc. They had all the base medical care we could have asked for. Able to do xray, IV, lab tests, EKG and the care was exceptional. Thought it was pneumonia initially and had to debark in Dominica when ship left port. Before that though they actually stayed with her (DR and nurse for 2 + hours watching and caring for her.

Now being put off in Dominica with horrific medical care (that is your worst fear, rusty beds, had the IV from the ship, no sheets or pillows, dirty room, overflowed toilet.....yikes.....

However I must say the care Carnival gave us was exceptional. And luckily she did do ok, took us three days to get home but I got her out of the "clinic" on Dominca as soon as possible since we assumed it was pneumonia since they did nothing but a xray and rarely even checking her though she was in for low oxygen saturations.

And actually I thought the cost charged for the Dream clinic was very reasonable for the constant care and all the testing done. Everything reimbursed by trip insurance luckily.

Turned out to be a heart attack but all is well and off for our new adventure

I have always purchased trip insurance on my cruises and finally the precaution did pay off on our January cruise.

Sister became ill on Dominica and we were put off the ship to a very poor medical facility (not carnival's fault but definitely appreciate care here at home now) sent us out that night from medical with possible pneumonia and with help of person assigned to us by Carnival at Dominca got hotel for two nights before we could get a flight. Took 3 days to get all the way back to the states where we found out she had a heart attack, ended up in hospital with stents and the knowledge there was nothing to be done about the heart attack damage at that late date.

The trip insurance reimbursed all the $4000 it took for hotel/food/expensive last minute flights/ and medical care).

It actually hadn't really occurred to me before this that we might be stranded somewhere, I did the insurance for med evac and now realized it is definitely much more than that. Glad I had listened to advice here and had a high limit credit card for expenses before we were reimbursed. Hate to think of being stranded with no money at all.

I go through insure my trip and usually end up with travel safe or travel guard. Actually in this case we were under different policies (both of the above) both of them did pay for expenses. Hers for medical and mine for having to cancel/return home based on sisters illness.

Thanks, planning on going with him next May so good to hear a first hand current account. Did you do train either way? Still going back and forth on that versus bus up and back.

Thanks for the great review. Your pictures are stunning.

Leaving in a month or so and your review definitely has me excited to see this beautiful place.

I have done a lot of excursions solo. While I've travelled with sisters on occasion alot of my cruises have been solo (pretty awesome actually).

I have never had a issue with being solo on excursions and I have done alot of them through outside vendors I found through cruisecritic. I contacted them and just let them know I needed one slot. I haven't done the take a chance and pick it up on the dock so by the time I had read reviews here and tripadvisor I was already very confident about the tour itself and never have been turned away because I was solo.

I have never felt out of place and almost always ended up in casual chatting with the other people on the excursions. Met some amazing people along the way. The fact I was there solo didn't even come up.

Has anyone ever had to actually USE the trip cancellation insurance? If so, was it handled well by the insurance company? I don't want to go cheap and then have to fight for any reimbursement. Thanks.

I just had to use the trip insurance. My sister had a heart attack on our Journey cruise of the Southern Caribbean in Dominica and had to leave the ship to their "medical facility which was rather awful 3rd world care, wishing all the time we could have stayed under care of ship or medivaced home but in that window of too sick to stay on ship but not sick enought to medivac. The ship care was fantastic but no option to stay and had to get off with all our luggage by a rickety car to their care center. We did have a port agent assigned, but definitely something I hope doesn't happen again.

I had actually added her later so had trip insurance on both of us through different insurance (Through insuremytrip she had Travelex and I had Travelsafe) After gathering paperwork which was rather mind boggling and gathering all receipts etc etc etc they both came through for both of us. I had worried since we were under different policies but her doctors write a letter stating I had to stay with her.

Almost wish they had medivac instead of leaving us in Dominica which was a pretty awful medical experience with a adventure of 3 days getting home because of limited flights etc.

All in all highly recommend trip insurance all expenses were covered for us; and I have to say Carnival also came through (day two of the cruise when it happened so even without contacting them to ask they allowed the price of cruise to be applied to future cruise) had a very helpful agent they assigned to us etc

Highly recommend both trip insurance and being sure you have a credit card with a reasonably high limit. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't had enough on my card for the $2100 in flights, $300 night in hotel costs since it was Carnival and the lower end hotels were in a insanely noisy part of town, along with 3 flights of stairs there was no way she was climbing, food and ability to get more cash for tips, taxi etc .

Good experience all in all and thank God sister was ok and we made it home. Dominica thought it was possibly pneumonia so although worried I had no idea it was a heart attack until we made it home and she ended up in the hospital (a real one in this case)

That was lovely. Thanks:) Still 3 months to go for me so a taste will have to do for now.

I tend to travel Jan and Feb to the Caribbean and find I usually am in the light capri's, shorts and swimsuits/cover ups, but I always take a light jacket because of the air conditioning inside, the breeze outside is usually perfect temperature for me even in the evenings. I haven't ever needed warmer clothes outside in the Caribbean.

As for suite and tie of course you can do that if it is a preference but other than shorts and T shirts it is unlikely you would be turned away from dining room and possibly not even then. You will see a wide range of styles of dress on Carnival but it tends more to casual except on formal night and even then suite and tie not required. I tend to cruise casual, nicer slacks and dressy shirt or nice sundress for dining.

Have a great cruise, hope you enjoy the Sunshine as much as I did. She is a lovely ship (IMHO). I know you will hear otherwise alot but I really like her and am travelling on her again next year.

Thanks, that definitely helps get a better lay of the land for our Seward stay. Appreciate it

Nannette

I tend to book at least a year out. I love having something upcoming and spending the year learning about the islands etc. Part of the fun for me.

I did go a bit overboard for the next two years but I also wanted the grand scenic ocean view. I scored it on two of the year+ out cruises but I did have to call They didn't show as available when looking and are only a little more than the smaller scenic oceanview.

If they aren't showing available call, the person at Carnival also could check different dates so I could find a grand scenic oceanview that was available.

The two I got did not show when I looked myself.

Good luck.

I prefer to go through insuremy trip.com you can compare policies and they cover much more than through carnival for similar or less price. I usually end up with Travelex or travelsafe since they have primary coverage so I don't have to deal with personal insurance first.

finally (unfortunately) the policies I routinely get as part of my travel costs definitely paid off since my sister had a heart attack in Dominca two days into our Journey cruise. It took us 3 days to get home (hotel, meals flight, medical costs, taxi etc etc ).

Peace of mind alone knowing I had contact with someone to help me when we were put off the ship in a strange place was worth it. First call from the medical center was to the trip insurance people. There was a port agent assigned to us by Carnival who was available but still at a cost so someone outside also helped. I have to say Carnival was amazing also, kept in contact with us every day and had a amazing agent who even kept following up after we got home helping with paperwork sail and sign etc etc.

Still pending payment but process was smooth and no doubt will be reimbursed for flights/ medical etc.

It is a frightening enough experience to be sent off the ship and to find your way home with assistence from the port agent assigned by Carnival at least, knowing at least all that money going out will be returned helps a bit.

And by the way learned that the advice from this site to always have a credit card with high limit on you came in very handy. Horrified to think what would have happened if I did not have resources for a decent hotel and for the expensive flights. The medical facility was so bad they didn't even ask for info so still no idea if they will be charging but I can still send their bill to the trip insurance for up to a year.

Learning experience for sure.

Well I hate to say it but I'm now one of the examples of why you buy trip insurance. I have always bought it just in case but on the Jan 13-24 Journey cruise from San Juan we made it just to day 4 before needing the insurance.

In Dominica while snorkeling my sister became very ill. Ended up with the medical center (who were amazing with her) telling us since she couldn't stabilize we had to leave the ship. The Dominica medical center was a nightmare luckily she improved enough not to be admitted there since there was no way I was leaving her there alone and if she had worsened I am not sure they could have cared for her (they said I had to leave her alone there if she was admitted).

Anyway, long story short it took 3 days to get off Dominica since 1 flight a day and full flight on 2nd day.

Made the long flight the third day and when we got home at midnight day 3 it ended up she had a heart attack that wasn't diagnosed, actually a good thing since I would have been even more panicked and she could not have gotten care I would trust in Dominica. We are talking no blankets, pillows, flooded bathroom in the communal room with no lock on bathroom door, sinks with no soap or towels. I have been renewed in my gratitude for our care here.

Anyway. Without having credit cards with a good enough limit to pay for hotel, flights, port agent who assisted us and ability to get a cash advance for taxi's etc I am not sure what a family would do. And we did have the assistence of the Trip Insurance agent who contacted the Dominica facility for us. Carnival assigned us a port agent but he was very clear there was a cost and tip expected, however he did do everything we needed in Dominica so good enough.

Even without life flight out (which I wish had happened even with the expense) I will be reimbursed for the 8,000 dollars approximately for the illness/medical facilities, last minute flights; hotel, agent fees, taxis etc etc.

Definitely recommending trip insurance. If I went with Carnival insurance alone I'm sure it wouldn't cover as much as I had through trip insurance.

I have to say I have been pleased (other than being left in Dominica with the third world medical care) The care and kindness from Carnival has been amazing. Every person I spoke with has been going above and beyond to help me gather information and the medical facility there was great.

All I can say is, be sure it is worth the risk and you can financially handle the loss if you choose to go without insurance. My sister hadn't been sick at all so totally out of the blue other than her age but still only mid 60's.

Still coming down from the adventure but things are coming together and sounding like it will be completely covered.

So glad I listened to the advice here to never travel without credit card with higher limit. It was a life saver.

And we did have 4 great days before the adventure. Hoping it doesn't scare her off our next cruise:)

I haven't been able to get a egg crate for years now though I always ask:), but they always offer extra comforter for padding and it definitely makes a difference. Not as soft as a egg crate but a definite improvement.

Has anyone use Viator tours for the "Old San Juan Architectural Tour"?

It is a walking tour, was wondering if they pickup at cruise dock

I did a great architectural tour last year with Karen Gonzalez-Jensen who runs Arch tours and is the only one who does this type of tour I'm aware of. We booked directly with her though and did not go through viator. I would think it was the same but at least another place to check if not.

Highly recommended. We did the 2 hour walking tour our first day and enjoyed it so much we scheduled the El Morro tour when we came back from the tour and thoroughly enjoyed them both.

We actually met at the old city gate for the start of our architectural tour. But she might be willing to meet you at port. Old San Juan is very walkable however so easy to meet elsewhere if needed.

http://www.archtourspr.com/tours.html

I'm a solo traveler. Will this tour be at the pier or must you reserve ahead? Do I need to form a group on my roll call? Thanks!

Did you mean the tour with Levi ( Bumpiing tours)? If so no need to form a group. I went with Levi solo 5 or so years ago and going with his tour again this year with my sister.

I would book before leaving and he will add you to the other people who book. He doesn't require a certain # before booking with him.

Highly recommended. Very excited to see Dominica again. Hated when they dropped it off the Carnival Southern itinerary. Absolutely beautiful place.

Great start, loving your style and the pics are amazing.

Heading there in just 19 days so keep it coming. You will help me pass the time utnil I can see the sights again:)

I always bring my larger cups with me. And have it down to a art now.

Pick up a napkin from silverware (never seem to be able not to spill). Use the Carnival small coffee cup for the dispenser and fill up my larger mug. Wipe up any spills and I'm good to go.

No cross contamination and I have a cup I won't be spilling when I walk (not to mention a decent size of coffee versus those small cups.

Picked up 2 $500 and $100. Too bad I'm out of points:)

Thanks everyone

Nannette

Deleted. Finished actually reading post and saw the Australia note so my idea to call isn't useful. I never could get the site to work over 3 days.

Helps if I finish reading before responding. Hope you find someone with a better answer.

heir booking site is definitely buggy.

NONONO!!!!!!!! We had the aft wrap vista suite on the Miracle and loved it!!!! You will too.

I second this, aft and aft wrap are completely different animals. I have been lucky enough to have a aft wrap twice and with the extreme balcony (on mine wraping partially around the side) you have the best of both worlds. Used the side when the sun was hot (which had a overhang) and the back when it was nice out and sun wasn't directly overhead.

I would always take a aft wrap if I had the money, amazing experience:D

I don't know that I would do a regular aft although I haven't tried it yet since I did find myself using the side a lot more than the direct back on the aft wrap due to the sun.

I went back and forth on getting FTTF with the late debarking; however I am travelling with a sister who has diabetes and some issues with standing long term and when we used FTTF on a previous trip from San Juan the only seating was in the FTTF area and she really needed to sit, so was a godsend that trip. Also did use it for the Guest services line a couple of times and it was nice to avoid the line.

So not necessary for sure but it did come in handy last time and love dropping the carryone with essentials that I would otherwise have to have with me until the room is ready. So I will go with it one more time before turning finally getting to platinum and not needing it anymore.