Love PalmTrees

Also helpful to have lots of smaller bills, ones and fives, to pay taxi drivers, souvenier vendors, restaurants in exact amount. Otherwise you may end up with a pocketful foreign coins, which no one seems to want to exchange. We have also had taxi drivers tell us they did not have change for a bigger bill, for example. I don't mind giving a bigger tip, but within reason of course.

That's interesting. I know that higher is not necessarily better. It definitely pays to consult a deck plan chart and determine what is below and above. Thanks for the info! I love Cruise Critic - so much info and so many very very helpful fellow cruisers!!:):)

Hi! We are new to RCI, but not new to cruising. I am a bit confused with the pricing structure. We are booked on a 2017 Jewel of the Seas cruise out of San Juan in a Deluxe Balcony cabin. There was no price increase for same class of cabin as you climbed higher in the deck plan. Other cruises we have been on have always had a higher cost the higher the deck for the same class of cabin. Not so with this specific RCI cruise. Is this typical across the board for RCI? I am not complaining, just a curious newbie. :confused: If so, booking early definitely pays off. Thanks! :)

Looks like the Pan Am pier is right next to the airport - Wow! Are there any big jets or are the planes smaller? We live near a regional airport and we enjoy watching the jets take off, which are usually few and far between. Mostly prop planes and news helicopters. Definitely something to check out. Thanks!

I am not concerned in the least. Always fun to just leisurely pass the time, explore, etc. :)

BTW, we have cruised one other time out of San Juan. However, it was a Carnival cruise with the ship docked at the pier in Old San Juan. We actually checked in and then DD and I got of the ship and shopped in Old San Juan. Can't recall the exact time that one needed to be back on the ship, but departure wasn't until 10pm. As a matter of fact, the MDR was half empty. Lots of guests still in Old San Juan. The Pan Am pier is different though from what I have read. Nothing really to do nearby. I have no other choice but to enjoy the ship. :D

Regarding dragging luggage around, thanks for the warning. We usually end up going first thing to whatever food venue is open, generally the cafeteria-style restaurant near the pool, and camp out for a bit. We do only carry-on, so we definitely don't move again until the cabins are ready. We hang out, take turns going to get food/drinks/etc. Usually we are all unpacked and ready to enjoy the cruise by 2:30. :)

Thanks so much for the details! We are not suite guests, but still looks like we are OK to board late morning. Hotel check out time is usually around 11 - noon. That is part of the equation, but in all honestly, the sooner I can board, the sooner the cruise begins!! :D:D Thanks, again!

Hi! I have searched but did not find a clear answer. We will be cruising on the Jewel and scheduled departure is at 8:30 PM out of San Juan. This is later than the typical 4pm departure for most cruises we have been on. What time does check-in start at the terminal? I called RCI and they said check-in begins at 3pm. From some of the reviews/posts I have read, however, people check in sooner. Don't want to show up too early, but we are always anxious to get on board and start our cruise! Is 11 - 11:30am too early? Thanks!

Thanks, everyone, for all the good ideas/info. Right now I am leaning toward renting and returning at the airport and grabbing a cab to the pier. I want to obviously keep costs in mind, but also not make things too complicated. No sense to start out the cruise all frazzled. Thanks again, fellow CC members! :)

Ok, thanks! I wasn't sure on which forum to post. :)

Hi! Our first cruise with RCCL - so excited!!! We are on the Jewel out of San Juan - Pan American pier, specifically. My question is what car rental companies are nearby and do any have complimentary shuttles to the pier? Thanks!!

So excited!!! We just booked our first cruise on RCCI as well. Is my litte black dress and bling high heel sandals OK for formal nights? I add jewelry, scarves, or sheer shrug, etc to dress it up a bit more. Thanks!

Thanks for the replies. :) DH and I prefer by the bed by the balcony, but either way we are still on a cruise!!!!!!

Hi! So excited!!! Just booked our first RCI cruise, specifically cabin 8524 on Jewel of the Seas. (I searched but found nothing, as well as nothing on the Sticky cabin thread.) A couple questions about the cabin....

(1) Any good or bad comments on the cabin? Noise, location, etc

(2) Is the bed or the sofa by balcony?

Thanks!

How long is the ship typically in dry dock? Thanks!

We just returned from 1/30 sailing of Reflection and ate each evening in MDR. The best meal we all agreed was the Beef Tournedo (i.e., beef filet). So tender and flavorful. DH liked the lamb wrapped in phyllo pastry (sorry, don't recall name) and the duck dishes. The salmon was usually done nicely as well (the one on the everyday menu). The shrimp cocktail in the everyday menu was consistently awesome!!

My lobster was very disappointing!! First one I got had minute pieces of the shell and with each bite I felt like I was eating sand. They replaced and it was better as far as the shell pieces goes, but it was very tough and overcooked. DH's sirloin steak was almost rare. He reordered and second one only slightly better.

In general, food was good and definitely a step or two up from our past Carnival cruises. If we were not happy, the wait staff was happy to get us something different. Also, agree about good dishes on same night. We were traveling with extended family and we would order another main dish to share sometimes.

The MDR waiter brought some for my DMIL on the Reflection last week.

Just heard on the Nightly News that Carnival Cruise Lines and United are giving full refunds for pregnant women traveling to locations officially noted as having the Zika virus. Hopefully Celebrity follows suit.

You can also directly appeal to the cruise company to refund your money. We had to do this once with Carnival 8 days prior to a cruise (Dad ended up in ICU and Mom with Alzheimer's. Doc wrote a letter saying I was only person available to make life and death decisions for my dad.) They did not refund our $, but gave us future cruise credit assessing only a $50 pp penalty. Since then we always buy cruise insurance. I only mention this because it might give you some different options to offer to Celebrity. Good luck and take care of yourself - that's what is important.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post observations and esp the photos! Haven't cruised Celebrity in nearly 20 yrs, mostly Carnival in meantime. Looking forward to the little things. The cool towels and drinks as you return to the ship look awesome!! Wishing you good weather and calm seas. :)

Love the photos and thanks for giving the rest of us something to look forward to. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!!!!!

Thanks for the great review and awesome photos!!! Sounds like debarkation wasn't much fun though, as if it ever is. Did you do self-disembark or usual? DH and I travel only with roller carry-on's and always do self-disembark. Haven't cruised out of Miami in long time, but usually we are off ship and in a cab within 15-20 minutes at most!! I am sure it was very frustrating for you.

Glad to hear MDR was good for you. I was beginning to worry, but have read numerous positive reviews more recently.

Cruising and being out on the water is one of my favorite things to do. :)

Thanks so much for your review. We are going on Reflection cruise soon and always looking for more info about the cruise/ship. Sorry to hear you didn't make Grand Cayman. It is one of our favorite stops. And thanks for "black hole" warning and lack of food venues on port days. Carnival usually extends their OV cafe hours on these days. I will be sure to check out the Dailies and note the lunch hours. Quite often DH will get off the ship, check out things and make it back on the ship for a workout and late lunch. With a tender port this could be a real disappointment. Thanks again!

Thanks so much for your candid review and comparison to Carnival. We are going on Celebrity cruise soon, having gone on Celebrity only one other time about 20 yrs ago. In meantime we have cruised Carnival and have always been happy. I am anxious to make my own comparison. One reason we especially like cruising, in general, is the option to partake or not to partake in the on-board activities. Everyone can do what they like and be happy. From what I have read, I am sure to pack an extra book and crossword puzzles, just in case. I have never been on a cruise I didn't like. :)

Hi! Thanks so much for a wonderful and also positive review!! Do they still serve sushi in OV cafe in late afternoon? I realize it is just very basic sushi, but it still makes for a nice late afternoon snack. Thanks!