CCress9324 Posted May 17, 2004 #1 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I am trying to decide whether to go down the day before our cruise when we do Southern Caribbean leaving from San Juan. We have a big group (about 60). We usually cruise every year and leave from Miami and have a grand time at the Embassy Suites the night before, but I have not found any really nice hotels in San Juan that would be worth going down the night before. I know that there is an Embassy Suites in San Juan, but it does not sound like it is in a very good location (bad section of town). I am wondering if we should just wait and go down the day of the cruise and spend the extra money on massages, etc. Is getting to San Juan at 1:30 the day of the cruise a safe time to arrive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddean52 Posted May 17, 2004 #2 Share Posted May 17, 2004 later this week we fly down early for aos and are staying at wyndham old san juan..walking close to old city and a decent hotel with sm pool on the roof! ALICE & DEAN ADVENTURE 5/23/04 EXPLORER 9/27/03 time left till adventure of the seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMorris Posted May 17, 2004 #3 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I have not heard any bad things about the Embassy or the location. I am booked there, along with my group, for our cruise in November. Email: Deanna34769@netzero.net Until our Martian Yatch Club Adventure RCCL Adventure of the Seas 11/14/04 RCCL Voyager of the Seas 10/26/03 Carnival Pride 11/9/02 Premier Cruise Lines (5 sailings) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH1002 Posted May 17, 2004 #4 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Hello! I cannot imagine departing out of San Juan and not arriving early. San Juan is a city rich in culture and history. There is so much to see and do that we always arrive 2 to 3 days early. There are some beautiful hotels in a variety of neighborhoods. There is the Condado area, which is one of the "night-life" areas; there is the Wyndam Condado. It is a two-tower hotel with an enclosed bridgeway over the main road Ashford Avenue. One section is on the Atlantic Ocean and the other tower on the beautiful San Juan Bay. There is also the Caribe Hilton. They have an amazing pool and tropical gardens with peacocks and a tropical fish pond. There is also the Isla Verde neighborhood, which is again a "high roller area†with a number of beautiful properties. Both these neighborhoods have restaurants, shops, and lots and lots of energy! The previous post also speaks of staying in the Old City, either the Wyndam or there is the ElCovento Hotel. The old city is the oldest Walled city in this Hemisphere and a working seat of government. There are shops, restaurants, and spectacular historical sites such as El Morro. A massive Fort from the 1500 now run by the national park service. The is a guided walking tour of the old city, these are streets paved with granite brought during the 1500 to 1600's as ballast on the old sailing ships. The architecture is amazing! I could also, go on and on about what there is to see and do within an hour's drive of the city. I would encourage you to buy a vacation guide to Puerto Rico at a local bookstore and read up on all the possibilities. It is a shame to view San Juan as only a departure port. As day or two early extents your vacation and it never hurts to add an hour of two by the pool! As you might have guessed I love Puerto Rico, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I can also put you in touch with a bus company we used for our group (only 30) to transport our entire group to the ship for only 9.00 each. That was a blast to all arrive in a great air conditioned bus at the pier, we felt very special! What ever you decide I wish you Bon Voyage. JH "Born To Cruise" 23 Voyages and counting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Mike Posted May 17, 2004 #5 Share Posted May 17, 2004 We did this cruise on The Monarch 3 straight years. We always went down on Friday and sailed on Sunday. We stayed at the Hyatt each time. It is about 45 minutes away but was a option from RCCL. They picked us up at the airport on Friday dropped us at the Hyatt and picked us up on Sunday at noon. We were the first people to board each time. I would not consisder anything else. It is like having two vacations. You wake up Sunday morning and say" let go on another vacation" It is the best. Capt mike SS Windward 81 Monarch 98 Monarch 99 Monarch 00 Splendour 02 Rhapsody 04 Elation 04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buzzandjulie Posted May 17, 2004 #6 Share Posted May 17, 2004 CCress, I'm with your opinion I am unsure that going down a day early is worth it especially from east coast we are not getting real good airfaire raites either and if I arrive at SJ by 11:30 or 12 noon should be alset because ship pulls out around 10pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggNKara Posted May 17, 2004 #7 Share Posted May 17, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DMorris: I have not heard any bad things about the Embassy or the location. I am booked there, along with my group, for our cruise in November. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ditto... Days Till We Leave For THE Cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Dazzles Posted May 17, 2004 #8 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Agree with the long posting about lots to see, especially in the Old San Juan area. Also, we always go a day ahead to any departure port. If your flight is delayed or canceled you are in big trouble. Also, one time we arrived in San Juan (late because of weather) but our bags did not. They arrived several hours later and would have missed the sailing. Always go a day ahead, relax, do whatever you enjoy, meet cruise critic members if you are part of meet and mingle, board early - much less stressful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imsulin Posted May 17, 2004 #9 Share Posted May 17, 2004 JH1002 - thanks you so much for your excellent post! I, too, love Puerto Rico (the Rich Port). We've stayed at the Sands (I think that was it..on the beach), and at several small downtown hotels with no pool, restaurant, etc., and loved it. The first time I saw El Morro, I was just fascinated by it, as well as the history of this island. You're so right about its rich culture and history, and if you don't mind, I'd like to copy your post for future reference. We've been to so many Caribbean islands (off the beatern track), and I always try to look into the history of each place and do some exploring. That's why Michener's "Caribbean" is one of my favorites. Thanks so much again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarolP Posted May 17, 2004 #10 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Hi, I have to agree with PMcC1998 going down early relives alot of stress. We always arrived the day of the cruise which means we got up at 4:30 ran around like crazy, boarded the ship and were too tired to do anything the first night of the cruise. We then started going down one day early and loved relaxing for one evening, having an easy breakfast then head over to the ship. The last couple of cruises we have gone down two days before and it is wonderful. The first day is a travel day and we are pretty tired, we then have a day to unwind. When we board the ship on the third day of our vacation it is great. Any stress from our jobs or from the travel day is long forgotten and we are ready to go. AS far as staying in San Juan, we have booked the Inter-Continental, which according to JH1002 is in the "high roller area"(which sounds good to me! thanks)for $129.00night. I did not think that was too bad. Just remember,CCres9324, no matter what you do, you can't go wrong, your on vacation!! Have fun!! 10/04 AOS 10/03 Explorer 10/02 Voyager 10/01 Paradise 09/96 Windward 09/94 Regal Princess 09/93 Regal Princess 06/92 Zenith Bridgewater MA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiverDavid Posted May 17, 2004 #11 Share Posted May 17, 2004 We stayed at the Embassy Suites San Juan in January. It was a great hotel in a perfectly safe part of town. It is one block in from the main road that is filled with condos, hotels, restaurants and stores. We were coming back from Old San Juan the night before our cruise via the public bus. We got off one stop too early and felt very safe walking along the main road then down the block to the hotel. The hotel has an Outback Steakhouse and a casino right off the lobby. Always go the day before! Why stress! But if you do wait until cruise day, 1:30pm should be fine since the ship is not scheduled to leave until 10:00pm. Ours departed at 9:30pm as everyone was aboard. David RCI Explorer of the Seas - 1/05 RCI Adventure of the Seas - 1/04 RCI Enchantment of the Seas - 1/02 Carnival Ecstacy - 4/00 Carnival Paradise - 4/99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skigirl Posted May 17, 2004 #12 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Another vote for the day before. We, too, love our pre-cruise time in San Juan. We have stayed twice at the Embassy Suites and love it. It's in a fine part of town, has a beautiful pool and is only a short and safe two block walk to the beach. There was a thread on the Hotels board about the Embassy Suites about a week ago and it got uniformly good reviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc320 Posted May 17, 2004 #13 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I agree with going a day early. That's what we are doing in Oct. We are booked at Wydham Old San Juan. We live in Florida and could have flown in the day of the cruise & "probably" been ok. Unless there was a hurricane, a mechanical problem with the plane or a dozen other things that could go wrong. Now we have a day to relax & undwind AND beat the crowds from the airport to get onboard. Halloween on the Serenade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2camp Posted May 18, 2004 #14 Share Posted May 18, 2004 We stayed at the ES in SJ for our Serenade cruise back in April. This hotel is in a perfectly great spot. It is less than a 5 minute walk to the beach and main strip. You will have to get taxi to hotel and terminal (about $20 per trip) unless you book transfers with RCI. They have a very good comp breakfast and one of the best Managers Receptions I have seen. I stay at many ES on business travel and have never seen the range of name brands that this hotel served. As far as night before, we fly out of ATL and I would not do this any other way. We were so relaxed when we got to the ship. No rush..no fuss...no worries... Carnival Pride 06/08/2002 Carnival Glory 09/06/2003 RCCL Serenade 04/17/04 Until VOS New England/Canda Until SOS Alaska Inside Passage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JH1002 Posted May 18, 2004 #15 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Imsulin - Thank you for your kind words. I tried to email you thru your profile but no address. But I did see you are a social worker, which explains it, so am I! I always feel quite sad when I read posts from folks who are seeing Puerto Rico as just a place to "rest up and pass thru"! I love the island. I have been fortunate to have many days pre and post cruise throught the years that allowed me to go forth and explore. There is so much to see and do. The island is so very diverse that there just isn't enough time to do it all. And I never tire of the city, old and new, landing at San Luis Airport is always like coming home. I hope you continue to enjoy your travels. JH "Born To Cruise" 23 Voyages and counting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hstrybuf Posted May 18, 2004 #16 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I responded to your question on the Carnival board so I won't repeat it here. Navigator OTS 10/04 Legend 04/04 Grand Princess 09/03 Dawn Princess 01/03 Enchantment OTS 10/02 Destiny 01/02 Sensation 08/99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanilousky Posted May 18, 2004 #17 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Hello Everyone: I'm from Puerto Rico and this Island is rich is culture... You can walk throw the Paseo La Princesa... There, you can drink "Piña Colada" tipic of my island.... You can go to the El Morro or walk in our street... If you come to Puerto Rico, always, the first tuesday of the month we have a real party in the San Sebastian Street.... Is wonderful, too much color, all... Is Wonderful this island.. You can enjoy.... If you want to see pictures of the colorful street and house, El Paseo de la Princesa, El Morro or La Puerta de San Juan, you can enter to my Webshot page.... Click in the link and enjoy... <CENTER>My Webshot Page... <center>Adventure of the Seas October 17, 2004 Home Page...</center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skigirl Posted May 18, 2004 #18 Share Posted May 18, 2004 There was a post on these boards from someone who had stopped in San Juan on a cruise to the effect of "we walked around for an hour but the people weren't friendly - I'm glad I was there but I won't go back". I am constantly amazed by folks seeing a place for a few hours or even a day and deciding that they have seen it all and they don't like it. We love PR and hope to go back for a longer vacation some day. We look forward to seeing the rest of the island as well as spending more time in SJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kteacher Posted May 18, 2004 #19 Share Posted May 18, 2004 I would also recommend going down a day early. It is just so much less stressful when you are not up at the crack of dawn, traveling all day, and then getting on the ship-this way you are rested and can fully enjoy the first night on the ship. As for Puerto Rico.... Puerto Rico me encanta!! I hope to retire there some day The people, the food, the music, the beauty of the island.... This trip we are staying an extra day after the cruise is over as well as a pre-cruise stay. Have fun whatever you decide AOS 7/04 Sovereign 4/03 AOS 7/02 Nordic 7/01 Zenith 7/00 Nordic 7/99 Sovereign 5/98 Monarch 5/97 Sovereign 5/96 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samdel Posted May 19, 2004 #20 Share Posted May 19, 2004 We sailed AOS from SJU in 2002 and arrived at 11:30am for our ship. We had transfers from the cruise line, and by the time we got to the ship it was 3pm, because some of our luggage didn't make it to PR with us. We boarded, found our cabin, lunched, and it was almost 5pm. We were exhausted as we had been up since 3am for our 6am flight from GSP (Greenville, SC) and we decided to just stay on the ship and dine, and explore. It was just too tiring. We're sailing AOS next weekend and we're going down on 5/28, staying at the Holiday Inn Express (Old Tanama Comfort Inn) in Condado, within walking distance to the beach and lagoon. Also about 10-15 min from pier and airport. We live, as you can see, in SC, and it was a short flight from GSp to Atlanta, and straight to SJU, but with the heightened security at this time, and possibility of late flights, I would go at least a day early. we're looking forward to exploring SJ more even though we've been there 3 times. We're going to Arecibo and the world's largest radiotelescope on Sat. and to the Camuy Caves. Whatever you decide, happy sailing, and look for my review sometime after June 8th on CC. WHoooeeee, 8 days til SJU and AOS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.