ehough

We went to Playa Mia and enjoyed it- kids are 9, 7, and 3. My 3 year old LOVED the splash area and the big kids enjoyed the water slides as well as the pool and the inflatables out in the ocean. It really had something for everyone! The food was sort of unremarkable, but with kids sometimes that's a good thing! It was a pretty relaxing day for us because the kids were so occupied the whole time- we just had to supervise!

We went to Doctors Cave as well and while it was busy, I wouldn't say there were aggressive vendors. Were there vendors, yes. But they all moved right along after we politely declined. Nobody bothered us twice.

My kids are 9, 7, and 3. My best advice would be to decide on a strategy, and stick with it! We always have a rough first night or two and then it's smooth sailing (pun intended!) once the toddler realizes this is just how it is and this is how we sleep on the ship (or in the hotel room, etc).

For us, we put them to bed and then get out of their sight, just as we do at home- depending on the room set up we will sit in the bathroom or in the doorway, wherever he can't see us. We've tried lying in bed with him until he falls asleep but that is fun for absolutely nobody, so we start out with him expecting to sleep by himself (and we go back in to reassure him or put him back in bed, etc). But definitely decide on your method and stick with it so that you're not struggling the whole time!

No thank you. I love my pets but I have a hard enough time chasing after my kids on a cruise and making sure their needs are met...don't need to add any more bodies for me to take care of! Not to mention I just can't see how this would work, logistically, on a large scale.

It appears that other resort possibilities are the Condado Lagoon Villas at Caribe Hilton, El San Juan, the Inter-Continental, and the Marriott San Juan Resort.

As long as you stick with the "San Juan-Airport" area, I would not be too concerned about the taxi expense. Taxis in San Juan are regulated by zone. The El San Juan and Inter-Continental are in Zone 2, which would be a $10 ride from the airport; the Caribe Hilton is in Zone 4, which is a $19 ride. But since the pier is also in Zone 4, your cab ride to the pier would be $10 from the Hilton, or $19 from the Zone 2 hotels. So you're at $29 either way.

GreekGal, the Caribe Hilton is listed as a Resort. What I would do is check on here or betterbidding.com and see what others are paying for when you are going. Pick a bid you are comfortable with and bid on a resort in San Juan. If that fails, you have two free re-bids- there are no resorts in the Dorado-Levittown or Mayaguez-Isabela zones. So, if your first bid fails, add one of those zones and up your price. If that fails, add the other zone and up your price again. If that fails you will have to wait 24 hours before trying again (unless you'd like to go down to a 4 star). Of course, this does not guarantee you the Caribe Hilton, but that's how I'd go about getting a resort.

Just won the Radisson Ambassador (3 stars) for the night of 9/4 for $90.

Just used Priceline to book the Sheraton Old San Juan for $85 for the night of 9/12/10. Was rejected at $80 so I added the Dorado region (knowing there were no hotels above a 3 star) and upped my bid to $85, when it was accepted. Can't get a similar bid for our pre-cruise stay, however! Luckily we have plenty of time. :)