EeyoreFan1967

Where are you seeing Frontier flights for late May? I only see booking available on their site through 4/29.

I'm not seeing flights for late May. I'm so sorry if I was unclear. I'm comparing prices for earlier dates in anticipation of what to expect. And if trends prove true, I may expect much lower prices on frontier than JetBlue. So I'm trying to learn from people with experience on Frontier (I have none) how it's best to book through them. I want to be ready to jump on these low fares when they are released.

We are from NY metro area and have booked a cruise out of San Juan for late May 2019. All of the flights we are seeing right now are in the $600 pp range, so we are eagerly awaiting the discount airlines to release their rates for our travel week.

Meantime, I've been watching rates for other dates and JetBlue (JFK or EWR), which would be our choice, seems around the same as other airlines. It looks like Frontier out of Philadelphia might be a real option for us as, if trends prove true, it might save us more than $1k. It will be markedly less convenient and the flight times are terrible...but that is a lot of money I'd rather save for our next vacation! ;p

Please tell me about your experience with Frontier from Philly to San Juan. Do I need to join the den to get the best possible rate? When can we expect rates for this time frame to be released? Does frontier always publish fares on Thursdays? What time of day? Please feel free to contribute any additional info you think would be helpful!

Thanks in advance!

Eeyore

We have found embarkation day to be the biggest challenge...no opportunity to pre-order MDR choices and no servers assisting in WJ. I highly recommend specialty dining for both lunch, if available, and dinner. Your server at the specialty restaurant can provide the menu for the next night, there shouldn't be a need to go to the MDR to pre-order.

For sure. My daughter had it many times at Sorrento's on Anthem. She said it hit the spot. Just request it. They also make decent GF sandwiches at Cafe Two70. Again just ask what they can do.

Does Freedom have it's own venue? Thanks!

We just got off FOS Saturday and Sabor, in my opinion, was the best food we had on the ship! Yes, they have the red snapper and mole!!

 

 

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Please write your full review! Thanks!

Coconut mojito at Boleros!

Great, cheap upsell through TA. I made sure he knew we were interested in a good upsell and it seems I hit the jackpot when I reminded him on the right day.

My "kids" (20 somethings) and I sailed on Anthem to Bermuda last May (Memorial Day 2017). It was FABULOUS!! We didn't notice many kids or teens at all, mine felt like the youngest kids on the ship! We were surprised, too, because it was a holiday.

Honestly Anthem doesn't feel anything at all like an amusement park. Just avoid the Seaplex, and you will be fine. Entertainment on board is top-notch.

As for the weather, it's a matter of luck. We had one overcast day when we did some sightseeing in Saint Georges, and one gorgeous day at Horseshoe Bay. The water was plenty warm for swimming there. We encountered a rough storm on our sea day coming home, very high waves, but that can happen any time.

I've never done Grandeur, so can't compare, but can highly recommend Anthem.

They allow exceptions to the rules for medical reasons. I think if you explain the situation, they will allow you to purchase one package for yourself ...idk if you'd need a doctor's note.

Contratulations to your wife for taking steps towards being more healthy. Drink a toast to her for me!

We have found embarkation day to be a little rough in Windjammer and ok but not as accommodating as usual in the MDR (since no opportunity to pre-order). I recommend specialty dining on embarkation day if possible or gf pizza in Sorrento's. It's the pre-prepared kind widely available, my DD enjoyed it.

On 8/16/18 Southwest will release their schedule past 6/6/19. It would probably be worth it to wait until then. We purchased 2 roundtrip tickets from STL to SJU for $217/pp each way, departing on 2/23/19 and returning on 3/3/19. Southwest = no baggage fees. If you do decide to wait until the 16, be sure to book at that time if you see something that will work for you. The day after I booked, our flights went up to $349/pp each way. The early bird gets the best price. Good luck.

Do you know what time they release the new schedule. I will set my alarm! Traveling late May and this is what I'm waiting for to book flights. We love Southwest!

Can't wait for your full review! Decided on a memorial day sailing in 2019 and want to read all I can get. Glad you had a great time!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! We have booked a cruise on Freedom next May...never done a cruise out of San Juan. So looking forward to it! Glad you have more cruises booked on her, votes of confidence! Did you try any specialty dining?

There's only one bridge that goes from Condado to Old San Juan, which is the bridge carrying Ashford Ave. I've walked over that bridge many times, although not recently, and I've never walked all the way into Old San Juan. We would just go between the Caribe Hilton and the hotels and restaurants near the Condado Plaza on Ashford Ave.

 

I don't know what your exact starting point in Condado will be, but for example the walk from the Condado Plaza Hilton to the area of Old San San Juan near the cruise terminal is about two miles.

Bingo! Condado Plaza Hilton is winning as of now. It looks like a great location near a nice beach but close enough to walk to OSJ. I checked Google maps and the hotel to the Castillo is 5 km, definitely walkable for us as long as that bridge works!

Thanks for the input!

It’s safe to walk across, as we’ve run across it many times.

 

But it’s a good walk from there to the restaurants in Old San Juan. Over a mile, I seem to remember

 

 

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Thanks so much for your reply. We are fine with distance, love a long walk! We were only concerned about the safety.

Looking at my maps of San Juan, there are a few bridges that connect Condado neighborhood to Old San Juan. Are these bridges safe for pedestrians? Do they have sidewalks or paths or are they busy with fast cars and not recommended for walking? Thinking of staying in a hotel on the Condado side but will want to walk around and have dinner in OSJ. Will we need taxis? The comparable hotels at this point are more expensive in OSJ.

Thanks!

Eeyore

Loving your report. Wondering if you noticed any seaweed at any of the ports? I've read many Western Caribbean ports are inundated with it and I hope it's not also an issue in the south.

I wouldn't let the ship or cruise line deter you from Alaska. We went in May on a HAL cruise and it was just amazing. I'm sure you can find one that suits your taste! Another option might be Norwegian's Pride of America in Hawaii? That and a southern caribbean are on my bucket list. I'm booking Freedom for next summer...I know the ship is due for dry dock, but I'm so into the itinerary!

Just found this doing a search since I just decided to book Freedom southern Caribbean for next year.

Loving your report and look forward to more!

The lowest I’ve seen it is the occasional promo flights that Hawaiian Airlines (great experience flying them) runs on the JFK-HNL direct flight. I think the fare was around $650 round trip. The outbound flight takes off around 10am and lands around 4ish local. Return departs around 4:30pm and gets in around 7am back in New York. The flight over is a big mai tai fueled party and is fun. The direct back always leaves us a bit loopy for a few days because of the major time change.

Yes thank you I found this flight, but for my dates is running around $877 round trip. In your experience does hawaiian air ever drop their fares? I'm still more than 10 months out.

Our favorite way of flying from the East Coast to Hawaii is to take a late flight out, spend the night near LAX, take an early flight to Honolulu and have sand between our toes by noon. Direct flights usually spend an entire day of vacation traveling. The fare and one night hotel can be less than the direct flights. Usually going back it is easy to leave Honolulu, make a connection, and arrive home the same day. If the direct fares from the East Coast for next May are now 8-$900 and you are set on a direct flight you know that if it goes down it may be time to buy. Last October a friend flew from Boston to Maui for $450. You just have to keep an eye on the fares and check both airline and travel websites. Good luck, Cherie

Thanks for this helpful suggestion about staying over and getting an early start from the West coast! This will be especially beneficial if/when Southwest starts offering routes from Oakland or San Diego!

Looking at fares for next May and yikes! They are so high...$800-$900 pp. Is this the norm? Any advice on finding better fares? Maybe I'm searching too early?

Thanks!

Could you say when approximately you booked and whether the price for a balcony went up or down since? Also when did you book your air and how did the price compare to flying to Florida?

Thanks!

Following...thinking of booking this cruise next year. Thanks for sharing!