CruiseLoris

Oh, this just came to mind. I cruised out of San Juan last January on the RCL Jewel of the Sea, Must have been the "Pan American Pier" and I remember seeing a cruise ship docked in town when we toured around earlier that morning, and tour bus driver mentioned the two different piers. So if I am 'stopping' in San Juan next month on the Oasis - will that be the pier right in town or the out of town one- does anyone know by chance?

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This sounds like a great plan! Can you tell me which hotel you went to? Thanks

We just looked at map and chose the Courtyard by Marriot Isla Verde Beach Resort. It was right by the airport and the beach area was very nice! Restaurants and couches to relax in either in the sun or shade. There was a large restroom in the lobby that we changed before our flight and the bellman called us a cab when we were ready to leave.

I spent a few hours talking to a couple that were staying there, and they really enjoyed it, I would consider going back there and staying. The pool area was very nice, and we watched them setting up for a wedding there on the beach.

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Well we did go, and it was an experience- was VERY crowded the day/time we were there. They kept running out of mud in the buckets. The smell was not bad at all - but yes- was very hard to wash off the skin. Looked clean when left the shower-then when skin dried at was still there. Need soap to get it off! Can't attest to any smell left in the suits - for my oldest daughter left our bag of wet suits at the port shopping mall when too busy using the free wi-fi!!! I just hope that maybe someone else got to use the 3 suits and clothes/cover-ups that were in the bag-and it was not just tossed in the trash!

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We have 4:30 flight today out. But seeing as it is below zero at home and 82* and sunny in San Juan - we just opted for the beach! (Saw forts before cruise). We just took cab to a hotel by the airport and on the beach and checked our bags with the bellman. This is awesome!!

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Just wondering if anyone has done the "volcanic mud bath experience"?

Sounds different and interesting. I am going with my daughters (22 and 19), so thought it sounded like a fun "girls day" activity.

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I started packing tonight for our cruise this weekend. It is just a 6 night - but have a black skirt, black dress pants and a black dress. Will wear the dress twice- but have 4 different tops to pair with the pants and skirt. Decided to do all black to cut back on shoes. But, yeah I'm pretty sure no one will think twice about seeing you in same outfit more than once. Especially these days when paying for luggage on flights! I am trying to get my 2 daughters and I to get by with 2 suitcases for the 3 of us. We will see!

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Anyne done the Segway tour in Antigua? I will be there next week and finally have a day off work today, to look into shore excursions. WE love the beach because we live in MN, and my young adult daughters love to just lay in the sun and tan, but 5 days of that, could get a little old, so looking for a few others excursions besides beach time.

Thanks!

I get why people stick with booking through the cruise, just most gaurantee of your money and such. Kinda depends on the risk/gamble you would like to take.

I checked out the Dophin Discovery site for St. Kitts on Friday night the 2nd of December and they had a big banner that said "50% off today only!" I then wondered if they always have that there or it really was a special, I left for an appt. and then kinda forgot about for a few days. When I did go back on there, the special was gone! :( sad day - regrets for me!! Well I waited a few more days and then when I logged on they had a advance booking special that I got 27% off if I booked more than 27 days in advance. So I went ahead and booked (with 29 days advance). So I saved $80 at least, but could have saved $140 if I did the first night I looked it up!

I did get an email the next day that the time slot that I signed up for was no longer available and they bumped me from noon to 11 am. I replied and said that concerned me, becuase our ship was in port from 10-6 and it says to arrive 1/2 before time slot. so giving me 1/2 hour to disembark and get there was cutting it too close. She then replied and said that 2 or 3 in the afternoon would also work and told me to reply with my preference. I then told her, we would take the 2, and she confirmed and sent me an updated confirmation.

I have read that a short taxi from the port, so should have plenty time to get there and back.

I too need a night pre cruise...Do all the hotels there have the extra 'resort fee

'? I see them running as high as 18-20% of the price! yikes! I would like the Sheraton, but is sold out the night I need.

I have been on close to 20 cruises and I live in Minneaplois. I ALWAYS fly in the day/night before. I would only consider not doing it, if a direct flight and flying Delta (since MSP is hub, and many flight options available) But, if not possible, then book air through cruise line, because they will then help you rebook if something does happen with your flight.

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Just checking back in now....I didn't do the above mentioned form and didn't need it, was with my 14 year old son and adult daughters.

BUT - when booking an excursion through the Ship (while already onboard) that crossed the Canadian border- it said I must have signed permission if both parents are not with the minor. The agent said to just have his Dad write out that he gave his permission to go on the train ride from X to Z on such a date with his mother and to take a picture of the note along with his ID. Ex was thorough and did hand write a note and included both his drivers license and passport in the photo that he texted to me. Ended up not needing that either, when customs bordered the train and asked for everyone's passports - my son only had his birth certificate and he simply asked his age.

Though I do think may have been different if he was a small child.

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Cruise I am looking to book says it arrives in port at 6 am - wondering on what a safe time is to book a flight out? Not sure of distance to the port from airport. Been about 15 years since I've cruised out of PR.

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Oh my goodness!! "Luvbnmomto2" - I almost forgot about the fog horn night that we had!!!! It was awful!!!! Ours were only 8 minutes in between and it was SO loud!!! Luckily it was not first night of cruise, it was later in our week and we were all tired enough to sleep through some of it- but was definitely not a good nights rest!! Went on for like 5 hours and sounded as if it was right outside our window!

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We were in 1858 on our Alaskan cruise in August...LOVED IT!!!! We did not feel any extra movement, even though it got rough enough that they closed down the upper decks. Loved sitting in our window and watching the icebergs float by...I will try to post a few picks. I was me and my 3 teenagers, was tight squeeze when the pull out bed was out, but otherwise roomy enough.

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I am wondering if there ever trouble getting into these lots, if they ever fill? Or if safe waiting to just park and paying when get there? In particular looking at the armory lot. I have a relative that lives an hour away from port and if they are able to get off work and let me leave my car at their house and drop me off, I of course would choose that option, but they won't know until a few days beforehand if they can do that.

I guess just really not much way of knowing and taking a chance, but if it is a huge lot, than I may just wait and wing it!

Thanks!

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Has anyone been in the new oceanview panoramic rooms on the Explorer of the Seas? They added them on the 12th deck around the spa and we are booked in one next week and I am pretty excited. Just wondering what others thought of them. It is me and my 3 older kids and we have almost always had balconies but just couldn't swing the cost for an Alaskan cruise. The very front room was available, but I did choose the one a few over thinking we could see more if the port was on that side.

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I kinda forgot about corkscrew when we took a bottle on. I just walked into one the bars that wasn't super busy and asked if I could 'borrow' a corkscrew, told him I would bring it right back. But he just gave me plastic ship branded one and told me I could have it. For glasses, I would just stop in the bar to ask for and if they were busy, I would just grab 2 clean glasses off the counter stock.

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If you have a newer (less than 90K miles) and it is in good shape AND it is a car and not part of your family, check out Flight Car. They are near the airport. We have used them...parking is free...they wash your car....and they rent it out to trusted people. You do get paid if your car is rented. Mileage is limited. We made $60 on our ten day trip.

I found this to be intriguing, and so looked into, but as of July 14,2016 they posted on their website that they are now closed.

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Thank you for the info. Tom!!

Yes, I had seen that it was $26 to park right at the port. I'm pretty sure I'm at Pier 91 - but haven't double checked. I'm on Royal though.

I am finding a number of hotels booked now or over $200, so I think I will stay east of Seattle some and then try the armory parking for the convenance. I am single mom traveling with my 3 kids , though they are not small, youngest is 14.

Thanks again!

Lori

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I am driving to Seattle from MN in 2 weeks, and haven't planned where to stay the night before we get there. I would like to stay under $150 for the night, since will just get there and sleep and leave in the morning. Wondering if staying about an hour east of Seattle and paying to park by pier would be cheaper than a cruise and park near the port?

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Thank you for the link for the form. I didn't even think about that. I am taking my 3 kids on a cruise this summer - but only one is under 18. Guess I will have his Dad sign and have just in case!

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"Five years ago I took my daughter on an Alaska cruise. Her father and I had been divorced only a couple months. I did the research at the time, and Canada required a letter from the non-traveling parent for children under the age of 16. Fortunately, my daughter had turned 16 a couple months before. The Canadian border agent looked at our passports, and I did ask him about the age limit. He indicated that if she'd been under 16, we would not have been able to cross the border. This has to do with International child abduction law. Be sure to check what Canada's current requirements are as this was five years ago."

Guess - I have not done the hilight and reply yet....but regarding above quote.

I am glad I ran across this info. I will have to do some research - I had not even thought about this. I am divorced and will be taking my 3 kids on Alaskan cruise in July. But only one is under 16. In fact I chose a RT out of Seattle just so I wouldn't have to bother with obtaining a passport for him. But after reading this, it may be an issue? I took my kids on a Mexican cruise when they were all underage and never gave a second thought to having paperwork along and it never came up.

Guess I will look for other threads containing this info or start one- I am getting off track of the OP.

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Depending on your port time in Nassau, my daughter and I were just there last month, and we were in port until midnight, so had a full day there. We had tried to book a day pass to a few resorts, but they were all sold out, since last minute and was spring break.

We walked to Junkanoo Beach, was not bad at all, water was lovely and we stayed for quite a few hours. We then walked back to ship ( is maybe a 10-15 minute walk) grabbed lunch, showered and took a taxi for $4 each to the Atlantis. Good tip from the cabby, is that after 6 pm, you can roam around the Atlantis at no charge. Your kids would love looking at the huge aquarium and just walking through the gardens and walkways on the property. Is quite a bit to just look at and marvel at, especially IF you have never been to the Atlantis!

Enjoy!

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There is a number of rental car places within a few miles of the POM. We used Dollar two years ago and it was just a $8 cab from there to drop us at boat. Enterprise has a location a few miles from the Port and also has a desk in one of the big hotels right there also.

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Good luck! I was just last week trying to find one for this Sunday night - and was not having much luck without paying $200 - which we just need a clean bed to sleep in! It is spring break though ....ended up getting a hold of an aunt who lives 45 minutes from port and will be staying at her house.

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