Greenpea2

42 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

I think cab rides from both places were around 15-20 minutes. We have a tendency to arrive early at the port if possible. Last year they were still disembarking when we arrived (probably around 10-10:30) and we did have to wait awhile before embarkation started. Our goal, however, is to get on the ship and start vacation as soon as possible.

I hear ya. Me too! OK, thanks.

7 hours ago, deedle910 said:

You think women don’t? 

Agreed. If it gets bad enough, I'm not all that picky where I pee.

11 hours ago, sid_9169 said:

I was waiting on the taxi line, and a guy and his girlfriend / wife / whatever comes up and just sort of stands beside me for a minute, then eventually in front of me... I said "hey buddy, the end of the line is wayyy back there"... He gets all huffy and puffy, but at the end of the day, there was no way I was letting him in. The people around me in line cheered as he stomped away all mad, and still cursing me. 

Love it!

1 minute ago, brookie848 said:

People do walk it from the hotels closest to the pier, but I wouldn't suggest it. There are no sidewalks on part of that road and the traffic can get really interesting. Plus, I don't want to start my vacation by being hot and sweaty.

 

As I mentioned, Sheraton Old San Juan was an okay place to stay. If you do it, book the breakfast package -- it was pretty decent. We also liked it because there was a Walgreens on the first level and we are really good at forgetting things. We walked up the hill the night before for dinner. We didn't do any other exploring because I was between foot surgeries and didn't want to spend any more time on my feet that day.

 

We're staying in Condado this year (we stayed there back in 2019 as well). Our hotel is the Condado Palm Inn -- it's a Hilton property. We stayed there is 2019 when it was a Best Western. Nothing really special about the hotel then, but the location was great. A lot of restaurants/shopping close by (CVS across one street and Walgreens across the other) and we walked over to the beach for a few minutes on embarkation day. I'll try to remember to report back on what the hotel is like now that it has been renovated.

Great info--thank you! Do you know if the cab ride from Sheraton Old San Juan is a lot longer (time wise)? 

1 hour ago, brookie848 said:

Sorry...but numerous people mentioned this and you kept insisting being across the street. That's where it came from.

 

Sheraton Old San Juan is definitely okay place to stay. Traffic at the pier can be bad. I would not make the trip twice. The Sheraton should be able to hold your luggage for you -- they did for us when our room was not ready when we arrived after check-in last year.

Apolopgy accepted. I did not see the other post mentioning the second pier. Have a lot going on at home that I am dealing with so I am a bit scattered.

There seems to be a hotel pretty near the Pan American pier--but tpeople in reviews of that hotel do say a cab will be necessary. All of them say it's about a 5 minute ride so I expect those reviews are pre-Viva added to the pier line-up. We are flexible -- just won't plan on shopping in San Juan and we will focus on getting a cab to sit in, in the traffic! 

8 minutes ago, brookie848 said:

Hahahaha...no. Look up Pan American Pier. That is where you will embark the Viva.

 

I stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan last year. I could easily walk to the pier where ships dock for the day. I could walk to the pier where Carnival boards. Yes...it was right across the street. However, that is NOT where the Viva docks to start cruises. It docks at the Pan American Pier, which is a good 15-minute, 3-mile taxi ride. That's a bit farther. Do some more research and then make your plans.

 

I have sailed out of San Juan on NCL three times. PAN AMERICAN PIER.

Why the need to laugh at and talk down to me? Feel better about yourself now?
 

 I  appreciate knowing it will be a different pier. That is helpful. The attitude and hahaha? Not so much. 

4 hours ago, brookie848 said:

There is NO hotel across the street. There is an airport across the street. And there are no sidewalks on the road to the port.

 

You are not embarking in Old San Juan, you are embarking at the San Juan pier. And as @BirdTravels says the traffic can be really, really interesting. We've sailed out of this port three times and have two more planned.

Excuse me but you are just wrong. The Sheraton Old San Juan is .14 mile from the pier. (meaning a few minutes walk). I have read numerous posts by people who have stayed there and walked to it. Is it literally "across the street"? Maybe not. But it is less than a quarter of a mile away. Traffic will not affect us.

And Old San Juan, is a neighborhood IN San Juan.  

4 minutes ago, dmet0225 said:

My wife asked me when I got home with my new car what I named it.  She named her car Vanna (as in Vanna White).  After much debate, I settled on Mr. White (Breaking Bad).  She STILL insists on calling him Walter.

 

1.  Climate control in cars these days is great.  I love my heated and cooled seats.

2.  Don’t know how we lived without CarPlay.

3.  Even though you might know where you’re going, CarPlay, Google Maps, etc., can always send you on a detour through and around wrecks and construction.

Good info! Thanks. I LOVE the Mr. White. 🙂 AND the "Walter."

I have the basic (LX) model--I don't think we have heated and cooled seats. But that would be nice in the winter (such as it is, down here).

Sorry, I meant to add that I told Mr. GreenPea about naming my car. His immediate response was not surprising: A curt "people don't name their CARS." I ignored that (that's a talent in any marriage longer than 5 years) and told him the story of how the name came to be. He was soon smiling and amused. Who wouldn't be! Celeste is a great and funny name for my man-car.

Checking In.

First of all--Sid. What is up with the combative mini-episodes! Don't you be doin' that. It makes all the motherly Tribe members worry. Not that you could be my son, I am not old enough. (It's nice to be able to say that at least once in a while.) Just be careful, we don't want you hurt or thrown in the slammer (except this slammer which does sometimes happen.) P.S. CC please don't hurt me for that. Was that a bad thing to day?

I have been having fun mostly playing and learning about Celeste. For any newbies, that is my car. Who IS male. Explanaions are posted earlier.

I found an excise to take Celeste out for a little ride this morning. We had a small discussion. Well I did--I explained about the name. Celeste was very quiet and I sensed an initial opposition to his name. I just ignored that and said nice things to him. He'll get over it. He is a good boy.

Started on the 2" car manual. Man. I will NEVER learn all of it! But I learned 4 things today:

1) How the heck the climate control works (I did not realize there are two--for both driver and passenger). I know most of you are used to this stuff, just remember my last new car was 15 years ago.

2) I also learned how to use Apple CarPlay which is just amazing.

3) And I took a look at Apple Maps (I'm used to a GPS),. It already had me in there (as I sat in the parking lot) as at "Home," Hmmm. I never told Apple CarPlay where I live. (Loud horror film noises.) I called Mr. GreemPea via Siri from our parking lot and he was on stereo, sounded like a movie theater. Wow.

4) I also set up "where is my parked car." No comments please on when I might need THAT. 

That's enough learning for one day. I will learn a couple of things every week. 

So fun though!

4 hours ago, VictorWI said:

Love all the Tribe members lives, post reviews and general help and discussion and figured I'd finally introduce myself here. I've been following Sid's reviews since before Covid but kind of forgot about them during it since it was all closed down. Anyway, picked it back up when I went on the Breeze Oct. 2022 and the Celebration in May 2023.  I just returned from 6 days in Mexico and boy was it nicer waking up there than here this morning in Milwaukee, WI. Brrrr... I'll abide by the "rules" and play nice and post an occasional food pic like these two of the many excellent dishes I had on Isla Mujeres last week. 

 

Now off to catch up on those Tribe Cruise lives. When I last checked people were just arriving in Miami. Gonna be a long day on the ole laptop I am guessing. 🙂 

 

Black Grouper in Spicy Green Sauce

 

Veracruz-style Snapper

Welcome!

4 hours ago, Stallion said:

I think that's a bargain

"Real Date"* Nights at a nice restaurant are running $200+ with bottle(s) of wine these days

 

*Not sure if Dinner with the wife is a "Real Date" since someone ordered Iced Tea and you both have to eat every night anyway😎

As long as she made out with you at least a little--that's a date! And if she didn't--you were required to start it. Women are as simple as they are complicated! lol

19 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

So B and I tried a new little Italian spot here in the Big D tonight…. Place is pretty small and it’s been tough to get in since the opening, so we made this reservation a few weeks back. For 5:30pm. 
 

 

Really nice place, well decorated, but the all-to-familiar cruise ship curse of two tops WAAAAY too close together. Hey, server’s butt. 
 

 

menu wasn’t very big, which often times can be a good thing. Do a few things and do them well. 
 

 

ricotta montata which came with this great pillowy bread

 

 

 

arugula and bresaola

 

 

we each kept it simple and went lasagna. I hate ordering the same thing, but yelp went crazy over the lasagna and it honestly just sounded great. I’m down 8 pounds since I started having dental issues a few weeks ago, and even though issues persist (that’s a whole other post), something familiar and filling sounded good. 
 

 

i like the little tray the check came in. I don’t like the fact that i paid $35 for lasagna. 
 

 

neat little spot, though. The bar reminds me of Park MGM (IYKYK) with that shade of green and the arches. 
 

 

 

Now it’s back on the couch to flip between the Stars and SF/GB before an early full belly bedtime. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

This place (and the food) looks WONDERFUL. I am envious!

41 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

The port is pretty bad to get into/out of. (i.e., don't expect a quick in, drop bags, out)

We will be (hopefully) staying at the hotel across the street. We can walk there. 🙂 I won't expect a quick drop off anyway. Thanks!

2 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Yes, it is allowed. We've done it at other ports where we picked an early check-in time, dropped off our bags, went through check-in, got our keycards then left. Came back later on and just had to go through security again before going right on the ship.

 

Last time we were on the Epic was a few years back, but there was a couple that shared a taxi to the port with us. They dropped their bags with the porter then hopped right back in the cab without even checking in. Fun guys, they knew how to party!

Oh this is happy news! Thank you so much. There seem to be no flights from where we live to San Juan that get us there before around 5:00 pm the night before, which ruins any ideas of browsing shops once we actually get to our hotel. And my guilty pleasure is browsing the Coach Outlet store. Yippee. Thanks again.  🙂

We will be cruising out of San Juan next year. The ship departs in the evening. Are you allowed to check in and embark, and then disembark to explore for awhile before getting back on well before departure time? Or is it once you embark you have to stay embarked?

I realize there are other options (explore first, get later check-in time, etc). But I just am curious if that is allowed. Thanks in advance. 

Really enjoyed this review, Sid. It was really good.  

On 1/19/2024 at 11:43 AM, sid_9169 said:

Audience participation is wayyy down these past couple of days. Maybe I scared away all the readers? Whatever... I forge ahead...

I was busy yesterday buying a car. And drinking last night. i'm back and look at all the catching up I gotta do! No worries, Sid.

On 1/19/2024 at 11:42 AM, sid_9169 said:

 

 

 

 

 

I would be ALL OVER the chicken satay. One of my favorite meals ever and always and NONE to be had down here (at least locally). SAD.

23 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

I have wanted to use that lovely name for a while, but am not planning to trade cars. You have saved me from moving out of my pet-free condo so I can buy a cat and name her Celeste 😂

The only Celeste I have known is Celeste Holm (All About Eve, High Society, etc)--but even I am too young to have watched those movies when they were new! That name just makes me smile--its a great car or pet name!

2 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

She’s beautiful!  What is her name?  I think she looks like a Celeste 😂

Celeste! lol.

I have been thinking of it as a him. A strong, hunky handsome protector, but … maybe he has a secret sensitive intuitive feminine caretaker side too. I want that in a car as well.
 

Ok so here it is. My handome new vehicle is a guy. He is gonna protect me. And his name is Celeste. 
 

Honestly, I love it even more now! Thanks ZoeyVictoria! 😂 😆 the last

19 minutes ago, dmet0225 said:

Good looking ride there.  I’ve had mine for 2 weeks now, and am still learning how to operate things.  I was leaving the bowling alley last night, got about 2 blocks away and realized I had accidentally turned off the auto headlights.  I immediately pulled into a parking lot and got them turned back on.  I didn’t need to have a cop pull me over with beer on my breath.  Sure enough, about a half mile later, a cop pulled onto the street on which I was driving.  Whew! 

 

 

Wow! That was a close call! I'll watch out for that!

1 hour ago, Shaded Lady said:

@Greenpea2 Good for you! I LOVE new cars... but hate the smell! So many people claim they love that scent of plastic and chemicals... I start with the Febreeze car vent scents immediately....

 

But she's a beauty! I love white cars!

Thank you! I will enjoy that new car smell, I think. If not, will make use of your tip. Funny, when I first thought about getting a new car (before I had to, I mean) I had decided I liked the white. My friend said WHY would you want white! Now that she has seen it, shoe loves it and wishes she could get a white Jeep, lol. I think it looks so good in white because it is accented with black, which really makes it pop. And because it is a pearly white. It kind of shimmers.  

4 minutes ago, blarko said:

Congratulations 🎉🎊🍾 

Did you drive it home?

Nope. They delivered it to my home--no charge. It really is beautiful "in person". Seems hard to believe it all happened, but yay. Something to smile about!

19 hours ago, MeMetwo said:

@Greenpea2How are you and hubby feeling now?  Any calmer?  How’s the car search coming?  I hope you can have a restful, peaceful weekend. 

Thank you! It was a whirlwind day yesterday ending in a beautiful new vehicle. Then over to my BFF's house for an early BD thing. Plied with martinis, champagne, wine. Feeling it today but had a lot of fun.