Boarding the Victory in San Juan

[Newbie41]

I will be taking the Victory that departs from San Juan at 10:00 PM. We will be arriving in San Juan a few days before we sail, and want to stay in a hotel that is close to the pier. In San Juan there are 2 piers and I wanted to know which Pier the Victory docks at. I also wanted to know what time we would be allowed to board the Victory. The ship doesn't depart until 10:00 PM, but we have to check out of our hotel by noon so I wanted to have lunch and head over to the ship if we are allowed to board that early. I initiated an online chat with one of the customer service agents at one of the consolidator sites to ask this question. By the time I was done I still didn't have an answer and felt like I was listening to Abbott and Costello performing who's on first. Here is a copy of the chat so you can understand how frustrated I was trying to get an answer to a simple question.

Hi, I am interested in the Carnival Victory departing from San Juan, and

have a question. The ship departs at 10:00 PM and we are wondering what time we can board the ship. I understand there are 2 ports in San

Juan so which port does the Victory depart from?

11:53:15 AM [Christy] Hello I am happy to assist you today!

11:56:03 AM [Kathy] We were planning on staying in San Juan for a few days before our cruise. I understand the Sheraton hotel in Old San Juan is right near the cruise ship pier, but I also understand there is a second pier that is further away. Which pier does the victory depart from?

11:57:46 AM [Christy] Pan American Pier Isla Grande, Santurce, Puerto Rico From Luis Munoz Marin International Airport - 8 miles: Exit the Airport to San Juan taking the middle lane on Baldorioty Ave. This avenue will take you to New and Old San Juan. Once you are at the end of the avenue you will find a traffic light. On the right you will see the Condado Lagoon and on your left you will see the Yacht Club. This is a one-way road. Stay in the left lane and follow the signs directing to San Juan or the Convention Centre. Keep to your left and make a U-turn whenever possible. After the turn, remain on the right hand side and continue forward past the Yacht Club, Sizzlers Restaurant. At the corner make a right, continue to the traffic light. Make a right hand turn at the next right. Follow the road to the entrance of the pier.

 

12:01:11 PM [Kathy] Thank you for the directions, but we will be flying into San Juan a few days before our cruise departs and will probably stay at the sheraton in old san juan if that is the port the victory departs from.

12:01:40 PM [Christy] Yes, the address and information above is for the Carnival San Juan port.

12:02:20 PM [Kathy] Is that the Port in Old San Jaun or is that the other port that is further away?

12:03:15 PM [Christy] The Old San Juan terminal at Calle Marina is located in the heart of Old San Juan.

12:04:41 PM [Kathy] So which port does the Victory depart from the port in old San Juan or the Pan American port?

12:04:53 PM [Christy] Old San Juan.

12:05:35 PM [Christy] Carnival Cruise Line departs from the Old San Juan port and not from Pan American port.

12:05:59 PM [Kathy] Thank you for that. You mentioned that we could board the ship as early as 2:30. Is 2:30 usual or is that the earliest possible time. What would be the worst case scenario?

12:06:14 PM [Christy] That is the earliest possible time to board.

12:06:32 PM [Christy] You must begin boarding at least 2 hours prior to the departure time.

12:13:58 PM [Christy] Is there anything else that I may assist you with today?

12:15:05 PM [Kathy] I want to board as early as possible because we will need to check out of the hotel by noon.

12:15:25 PM [Christy] Unfortunately, 2:30pm is the absolute earliest.

12:16:08 PM [Kathy] But I don't want to arrive at the port alot earlier then boarding time and have to sit out in the hot afternoon sun. So what time would you recommend we arrive at the port?

12:16:40 PM [Christy] I recommend that you arrive when it is convenient for you, just be sure to arrive at least 2 hours prior to the departure time.12:18:02 PM [Kathy] I want to arrive at a time where I will be able to board quickly, so when would that be?

12:19:44 PM [Christy] Because boarding begins at 2:30 and the cruise does not depart until 10:00pm, there should not be a rush,compared to when a cruise departs at 4:00pm. There will be passengers arriving right up until 8:00pm.

12:21:56 PM [Kathy] You stated the earliest possible time to board is 2:30 PM. I don't want to arrive at 2:30 PM if in most cases they are not ready to allow passengers to board. I do want to board as early as possible, but I don't want to arrive at the cruise terminal at 2:30 if they won't be ready to allow passengers to board until much later then that.

12:22:50 PM [Christy] Then I recommend that you arrive anytime after 3:30pm.

12:23:03 PM [Kathy] Thank you.

 

Was it just me or did she seem rude and not very helpful. I get much more help from the travelers on this site then I did from her, and you aren't being paid to answer my questions. lol

[laumicmah]

:eek: Who's on 1st?

[k2]

I plan to head over at 11:00 people have said that they were on board by noon.

[Newbie41]

K2,

I'm not leaving until April so please let me know how arriving at 11 works out for you.

[jimbug]

Sounds like the customer service reps at the online site where I booked my most recent cruise. ::headdesk::

 

The Victory does depart from the pier at Old San Juan. I can't help you with boarding times, as I cruised on RCCL out of San Juan...BUT, if it matters, we were also supposed to depart late at night, and we boarded shortly after noon. The cab driver in OSJ didn't even want to take us to the pier (the Pan-American pier where RCCL departs) at 11:00 am when we were ready, because he said there was no way we'd be able to board. Well, guess what...we showed up shortly after 11...there was already a big line of people, and the line moved inside within 20 minutes or so and we got to board immediately!

[cdamion]

Didn't seem overly rude to me. I think it is hard to judge when chatting with somebody on a computer. I much prefer to just speak on the phone.

 

You said that you are staying for a few days in San Juan? Why not spend the first couple days over in Isla Verde by the airport. There are nice resorts on the beach over there - you could do El San Juan, Intercontinental, etc. it is a relaxing place to stay. While I like Old San Juan, my preference is to stay in Isla Verde if I am there more than 2 nights. If you are a beach person, I don't believe there are any beaches close to Old San Juan.

[mysh442olds]

I will be taking the Victory that departs from San Juan at 10:00 PM. We will be arriving in San Juan a few days before we sail, and want to stay in a hotel that is close to the pier. In San Juan there are 2 piers and I wanted to know which Pier the Victory docks at. I also wanted to know what time we would be allowed to board the Victory. The ship doesn't depart until 10:00 PM, but we have to check out of our hotel by noon so I wanted to have lunch and head over to the ship if we are allowed to board that early. I initiated an online chat with one of the customer service agents at one of the consolidator sites to ask this question. By the time I was done I still didn't have an answer and felt like I was listening to Abbott and Costello performing who's on first. Here is a copy of the chat so you can understand how frustrated I was trying to get an answer to a simple question.

Hi, I am interested in the Carnival Victory departing from San Juan, and

have a question. The ship departs at 10:00 PM and we are wondering what time we can board the ship. I understand there are 2 ports in San

Juan so which port does the Victory depart from?

11:53:15 AM [Christy] Hello I am happy to assist you today!

11:56:03 AM [Kathy] We were planning on staying in San Juan for a few days before our cruise. I understand the Sheraton hotel in Old San Juan is right near the cruise ship pier, but I also understand there is a second pier that is further away. Which pier does the victory depart from?

11:57:46 AM [Christy] Pan American Pier Isla Grande, Santurce, Puerto Rico From Luis Munoz Marin International Airport - 8 miles: Exit the Airport to San Juan taking the middle lane on Baldorioty Ave. This avenue will take you to New and Old San Juan. Once you are at the end of the avenue you will find a traffic light. On the right you will see the Condado Lagoon and on your left you will see the Yacht Club. This is a one-way road. Stay in the left lane and follow the signs directing to San Juan or the Convention Centre. Keep to your left and make a U-turn whenever possible. After the turn, remain on the right hand side and continue forward past the Yacht Club, Sizzlers Restaurant. At the corner make a right, continue to the traffic light. Make a right hand turn at the next right. Follow the road to the entrance of the pier.

 

12:01:11 PM [Kathy] Thank you for the directions, but we will be flying into San Juan a few days before our cruise departs and will probably stay at the sheraton in old san juan if that is the port the victory departs from.

12:01:40 PM [Christy] Yes, the address and information above is for the Carnival San Juan port.

12:02:20 PM [Kathy] Is that the Port in Old San Jaun or is that the other port that is further away?

12:03:15 PM [Christy] The Old San Juan terminal at Calle Marina is located in the heart of Old San Juan.

12:04:41 PM [Kathy] So which port does the Victory depart from the port in old San Juan or the Pan American port?

12:04:53 PM [Christy] Old San Juan.

12:05:35 PM [Christy] Carnival Cruise Line departs from the Old San Juan port and not from Pan American port.

12:05:59 PM [Kathy] Thank you for that. You mentioned that we could board the ship as early as 2:30. Is 2:30 usual or is that the earliest possible time. What would be the worst case scenario?

12:06:14 PM [Christy] That is the earliest possible time to board.

12:06:32 PM [Christy] You must begin boarding at least 2 hours prior to the departure time.

12:13:58 PM [Christy] Is there anything else that I may assist you with today?

12:15:05 PM [Kathy] I want to board as early as possible because we will need to check out of the hotel by noon.

12:15:25 PM [Christy] Unfortunately, 2:30pm is the absolute earliest.

12:16:08 PM [Kathy] But I don't want to arrive at the port alot earlier then boarding time and have to sit out in the hot afternoon sun. So what time would you recommend we arrive at the port?

12:16:40 PM [Christy] I recommend that you arrive when it is convenient for you, just be sure to arrive at least 2 hours prior to the departure time.12:18:02 PM [Kathy] I want to arrive at a time where I will be able to board quickly, so when would that be?

12:19:44 PM [Christy] Because boarding begins at 2:30 and the cruise does not depart until 10:00pm, there should not be a rush,compared to when a cruise departs at 4:00pm. There will be passengers arriving right up until 8:00pm.

12:21:56 PM [Kathy] You stated the earliest possible time to board is 2:30 PM. I don't want to arrive at 2:30 PM if in most cases they are not ready to allow passengers to board. I do want to board as early as possible, but I don't want to arrive at the cruise terminal at 2:30 if they won't be ready to allow passengers to board until much later then that.

12:22:50 PM [Christy] Then I recommend that you arrive anytime after 3:30pm.

12:23:03 PM [Kathy] Thank you.

 

Was it just me or did she seem rude and not very helpful. I get much more help from the travelers on this site then I did from her, and you aren't being paid to answer my questions. lol

 

 

 

 

 

you can be on before noon we love this but you WILL BE BUSY

have fun

[trvlqueen]

The Victory is literally across the street from the Sheraton - you'll be fine there. We were at the Marriott, left the hotel at 10am to take a bus to port - arrived at port by 10:30 and were on board sipping DOD by 11:15. Don't worry about your check out time - go, have fun, and aren't the 'corporate scripts' annoying???

 

A little off topic, but on the script thing - I work for a big Bank (in) America and they try to get us to script every single thing we say too - if we followed their danged scripts every time we talked to someone, nobody would undertand a darned thing or ever get their questions answered - but that's why they have 800 numbers and call centers - they can hire for minimum wage and have their scripts followed by people who don't have any experience or know what they're talking about - ever tried to get support for a computer issue from someone in a call center??? Ugh ... at least she gave you proper directions to the port, even if it wasn't what you needed.

[princess kates mum]

We were just on the victory January 1-8

We arrived at the port around 11:30 gave our bags to the porter.We then walked over to cvs and picked up our wine and some mix.

Were on board sipping cocktails on the Lido before 12:30

Embarking was a breeze!!!

lots of people were on before us

Enjoy your cruise

Victory is amazing!!!!

Will be doing it next year

[big_duck]

The pier is across the street and down the way a bit.

 

The Sheraton is way overpriced for what you get IMHO.

[Relayer]

Yikes on the chat stuff!

 

We were on board and enjoying a nice lunch on the Lido at 11:30 a couple of years ago. Really excellent first day of a wonderful cruise.

 

We flew in a day early and stayed at the Condado Plaza Hotel. Wow! Fifteen minutes from THE port. The one the Victory will actually be located.

[cdamion]

Yikes on the chat stuff!

 

We were on board and enjoying a nice lunch on the Lido at 11:30 a couple of years ago. Really excellent first day of a wonderful cruise.

 

We flew in a day early and stayed at the Condado Plaza Hotel. Wow! Fifteen minutes from THE port. The one the Victory will actually be located.

 

Condado is nice too, a bit less than Old San Juan and Isla Verde - much more residential feel to it. Lots of reasonable dining options. 1/2 way between the airport and Old San Juan. The beach is swimmable, but not as nice as Isla Verde.

[Lafayette99]

We were just on the victory January 1-8

We arrived at the port around 11:30 gave our bags to the porter.We then walked over to cvs and picked up our wine and some mix.

Were on board sipping cocktails on the Lido before 12:30

Embarking was a breeze!!!

lots of people were on before us

Enjoy your cruise

Victory is amazing!!!!

Will be doing it next year

 

 

Ok so its ok to give your bags to the porters and then go to CVS?? I was hoping not to have to drag bags to CVS...

[H82seaUgo]

3 times, and have always been on board at noon. usually disembark and then go touring, unless the times we stayed the night before at the wyndham/sheraton

[Mumsykat]

We stayed at the Sheraton, it included transfers from the hotel to the port. We woke up the morning we were sailing and saw the Liberty out the window, and said "who needs a bus?" We packed up, schlepped our own luggage almost literally across the street, and were onboard by noon.

 

And on a side note - DH won $80 on a penny slot in the Sheraton casino!

[big_duck]

We stayed at the Sheraton, it included transfers from the hotel to the port. We woke up the morning we were sailing and saw the Liberty out the window, and said "who needs a bus?" We packed up, schlepped our own luggage almost literally across the street, and were onboard by noon.

 

I was gonna say. :cool:

[MagSeven1413]

If you don't want to take the chance of being in a line for boarding that early and you are staying at the Sheraton, we check out of the hotel and leave our luggage at the hotel. They have a secure room in back and will give you a tag for each piece. That way you can spend more time in OSJ prior to boarding. We usually walk around the city until 4ish or so and then board. Of course, that is just our standard operating procedure (as decreed by my DW :))

[princess kates mum]

Yes we gave our bags o the porter and went to cvs

It all worked out great!

He took our bags and we watched him walk unto the gate and through security

Lots of people were doing the same thing

[BenjiRodney]

We got there at 330 last year and had hardly a line to get on.

[frito58]

The Sheraton is only overpriced if you pay rack rates , have stayed there 3 times have never payed more than $100 per night and loved it . Always booked it on Hotwire , do your home work , there are ways of knowing exactly what hotel your getting and at that price it close to everything and and a short walk to the ship.

 

We checked out this past Oct at 11 , and was on the ship just past noon.

[kingoftheicedragons]

Unfortunately, that customer service agent was wrong when it came to boarding times. Below is a link to some of the things that I discovered about Victory when I was on her last month.

 

Essentially, you can check in around 10:30--some claim to have checked in sooner, but that's what it was for us and the cruise after us, the cruise before us was probably closer to 11 according to someone getting off. Actually boarding the ship started promptly at noon.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1564874&highlight=quick+victory+facts