mtu_huskies

I was trying to figure out the same thing for our upcoming Brilliance cruise.

Looking at a Cruise Compass from last year, they changed between Maine and Canada to match the local time zones.

This also lines up with when I looked at either the Halifax or Saint John port schedule, their arrival time for Brilliance matches what's on the RCCL itinerary online for time in port. So I'm guess it's safe to assume you'll change an hour mid cruise and the time on land will be the same on the ship. That's my thought at this point.

I agree with most everything in this thread.

I just hope people are sharing their concerns/comment with RCCL directly.

I recently did that with an email to Richard Fain. We haven't sailed for 2 years, but the drink costs and some other items have us concerned and are at least considering NOT being loyal to Royal. An employee in Miami did call and we discussed the concerns, and at this point we're at a wait and see how the Brilliance cruise goes before we decide if we stick with RCCL. These comments need to be sent to RCCL so they know what the drink prices are causing people to do, i.e. drink less or look at other cruise lines.

We've done about a 10AM with no problem. We carried our bags off the ship, early to the airport, no one was there, agriculture bag check was easy and security was easy with no one there. We were actually early sitting at our gate.

Compared the year before where we had an afternoon flight, that airport was a crazy zoo with all the people fresh off of cruises, I'd take the early/risky flight next time I'm in San Juan.

We did late seating on both AOS cruises and easily saw sail away and El Morro fort as we sailed away before we headed to dinner. I don't remember it being an issue. I wouldn't worry.

Thanks for the thoughts/advice!

We did Hotwire and got the Seaport for $199.

I think we'll do the public transit from the airport to the hotel. Is it free?

We are on Brilliance of the Season 10/11/15. We're looking at advice, looking at you 138east, for our pre-cruise hotel on 10/10. We are thinking we'll get a direct flight from Minneapolis for a mid afternoon arrival. My wife has never been to Boston, and it's been many years for me, so we'd like to see some sights and then get dinner.

I'm a Hilton guy but willing to stay anywhere, we have Hilton Financial District booked at $399 with a cancelable rate. Seems too high for me from the Midwest, but would if it's the best option. I considered Best Western Quincy Adams Inn, but it seems too far out to go out there, check in and take the T back downtown for sights.

Should I seriously consider hotwire Waterfront Area for $200? I've never done Hotwire, but it might be the Seaport? To get downtown for sights/dinner would it be a taxi or the T? Any other hotwire areas look good?

Hilton Backbay is $335 on their site directly, is that closer to sites, hop on/hop off tour etc? Should I be considering the Hiltons by the airport? Any advice/thoughts are appreciated!

Such a shame. I love the Viking Crown. Great view and quiet. 270 doesn't seem as intimate to me. I don't like loud, crowded venues when I'm drinking.

Agreed. We've tried to head up to the Viking Crown on all our cruises, typically at sail away. Great view, quiet, easy to get a drink. That's one of my bigger disappointments lately with RCCL is the making more of it private.

Another suggestion for 11AM. Both times we arrived around 10:30-11AM. It was smooth sailing/fast check in.

I'd recommend just using Priceline, get a good price and there will be plenty of action around whatever you end up getting. That's what we did for our AOS cruises.

I'd just add make sure to get up to the Viking Crown Lounge (Blue Moon) for a sail away or two. It's away from the promenade and up high, so it can be forgotten about at times. But it's a great place to grab a drink for sail away that's not too busy.

I'd recommend skipping the beverage package and getting down to San Juan. It's a great place to sail out of and a good ship.

I agree with the other poster, keep in mind with the port intensive trips that with the activities you do on the islands, cost can add up quickly.

I cruised out of LA on Mariner and that stopped because the ship was too big for the area. I doubt a bigger Oasis will make its way to the West coast.

Plus it'd be too big for the Panama Canal so it be a long trip around South America.

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Yeah the stress doesn't sound fun, but I'd be pretty happy with this upgrade and I'd say they made you whole. Enjoy the trip!

We stayed at the Intercontinental and had a good experience with the beach right there.

I also recommend the San Juan forum area, but from that forum we learned of others using Priceline and using certain Zone and Level of Star hotel you'll have pretty good idea of what hotel you'll be getting. A good way to save some money.

We have done both out of San Juan. If you have a direct flight, you should be fine. If I had a choice I'd be there the night before, but like you we had no other options and flew in the morning to San Juan. It was a long day, but really not that stressful.

What are the benefits to getting on a ship at 11am that isn't sailing until 8:30pm? If the buffet is the only big draw? I was thinking this time getting on as late as possible and enjoying what San Juan has to offer for as long as possible. I think my attitude may be odd - what am I missing?

If you have never been to San Juan, I'd check out Old San Juan, but generally getting on the ship early lets you check it out. I've seen other say, you've paid for the cruise, why not get on the sip have some lunch and check out the ship while it's still half empty.

We have done both, flying to PR the day of and the day before. It's a long flight and I'd recommend the day before.

We stayed at the Intercontinental which was great. I'd recommend Priceline to get a good price on a good hotel. There's more information on the Puerto Rico part of the forums to help you.

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I've cruised several times in April and I haven't seen NHL playoff hockey.

In addition to the international stuff, I've seen the Masters golf, NCAA Championship Basketball game, and because of their broadcasting ESPN, plenty of NBA Playoffs, but no NHL sadly.

It seems like I have a different opinion than others.

We rented a cheap car and did the easy drive to Cocoa Beach after we flew in the day before our cruise. With your arrival time you could head to Cocoa Beach easily, and then spend the evening grabbing a good dinner by the ocean and checking out the area. We ate and watched the cruise ships sailaway and then went to the pier to walk around and grab a drink. It was an easy place to get around and I highly recommend it. Checking out Cocoa Beach is better than hanging out around an airport. Dropping off the car and using their shuttle to the ship was a breeze.

I'm the occasional cigar smoker with friends and scotch during the summer. I don't know why it took me so long, but on my last cruise I finally made it to the cigar lounge on formal night on Adventure. What a great night. Relaxing area, great bar staff and it was nice and quiet. I definitely plan on visiting again on future cruises with cigar lounges!

We've done both, a tour of San Juan and then a 3PM flight and the other time we did walk off with luggage with a 10:30 flight.

Yes, 10:30 was a little nerve racking if there was a snag with customs or something, but the airport was so dead, we were sitting at our gate in plenty of time, the ag inspection line was empty, I would do the 10:30 again before I'd do an afternoon flight. The airport was a zoo in the afternoon. It's all about how much risk you're okay with!

Our first cruise was on Freedom when it was pretty new. I had similar concerns about booking our next cruise on a different class of ship, the Mariner. I was wrong. We had a great cruise! Exploring a new ship is part of the fun!

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Yes, use the rcl dining email address. We are 4 for 5 using that. The one time we didn't get a table for two we went to the maître d the 1st day and got moved to a table for 2. Good luck!

Robyn, did you see any of the RC beer coolers around the pool deck? I'd probably buy one if AOS has them next month.

Hopefully enjoying her cruise!

I'll be following along, only 2 months until we'll be on AOS.

I see that the bus is $2.30, is that round trip? If so, what do they give you for he trip back to show you paid?