San juan 2 pm docking advice

[shakeNbake]

Hesitating to book this itinerary, reason being other ships docked there are scheduled to depart at 2 PM. So in reality I figure it will be around 3:30, which actually is 4:30 Atlantic Time before docking and going ashore. That only gives you 2 hours of daylight before sunset. We would not be doing any beach activities. Please help with your personal experiences and thoughts. Thanx in advance.

[Clarea]

Don't quite understand. Which ship and sail date?

[alfaeric]

Hesitating to book this itinerary, reason being other ships docked there are scheduled to depart at 2 PM. So in reality I figure it will be around 3:30, which actually is 4:30 Atlantic Time before docking and going ashore. That only gives you 2 hours of daylight before sunset. We would not be doing any beach activities. Please help with your personal experiences and thoughts. Thanx in advance.

 

The times that are listed for docking are local times, so far San Juan, it's already Atlantic time.

 

What ship arrives at 2pm? I thought they are all listed at 1pm.

[goneclear]

The times that are listed for docking are local times, so far San Juan, it's already Atlantic time.

 

What ship arrives at 2pm? I thought they are all listed at 1pm.

 

I have no idea what ship the OP is on but I have a cruise booked on Navigator O.S. for April 30 2016 and it arrives in San Juan at 2pm and is there till 9pm.

[alfaeric]

Gotcha- thanks.

 

That time would mean 2:30 is when the gangway is all set to go. Which is a lot of daylight time.

 

Still- we love spending the evening in San Juan.

[cruisinfanatic]

Hesitating to book this itinerary, reason being other ships docked there are scheduled to depart at 2 PM. So in reality I figure it will be around 3:30, which actually is 4:30 Atlantic Time before docking and going ashore. That only gives you 2 hours of daylight before sunset. We would not be doing any beach activities. Please help with your personal experiences and thoughts. Thanx in advance.

never mind worrying about when other ships are leaving. If you are scheduled to be docked at 2, you usually will be

[Clarea]

I have no idea what ship the OP is on but I have a cruise booked on Navigator O.S. for April 30 2016 and it arrives in San Juan at 2pm and is there till 9pm.

That would be enough time to tour the forts and have a nice dinner in Old San Juan.

[molly361]

Or time for a few pina coladas at Barrachina's:D

[Clarea]

Or time for a few pina coladas at Barrachina's:D

That would work too.:)

[Langley Cruisers]

On most, if not all of our cruises, the Captain has brought the ship alongside before the posted arrival time. I feel you are overthinking this - go into San Juan and have a great day! :)

[monctonguy]

I get what the OP is asking...seems like a pretty late dock time and not many hours of sunlight to enjoy. That being said, it wouldn't be enough for me to consider not doing the whole cruise.

 

Much similar to the cruise I am doing in Jan on IOS, leaving Labadee at 3pm...seems early as will prob have to be back on the ship 230ish? So kinda rushed imho for a "day" at their private island...but it wont make me nor did it make me consider not taking the cruise.

[Havingfun2010]

Hesitating to book this itinerary, reason being other ships docked there are scheduled to depart at 2 PM. So in reality I figure it will be around 3:30, which actually is 4:30 Atlantic Time before docking and going ashore. That only gives you 2 hours of daylight before sunset. We would not be doing any beach activities. Please help with your personal experiences and thoughts. Thanx in advance.

 

 

I'm don't understand the question. If you dock at 2:00, you will be there at 2:00 and most likely off the ship before 2:30. SJ is not really a place to go to the beach at. It has plenty of things to do and see (w/o an excursion package) in Old San Juan, non of which sunshine is needed.)

 

So please explain why you need sunshine?

[Susie51]

You will have plenty of time to enjoy Old Sa Juan.

[ehfl]

So enjoy dinner ashore. Lots of great restaurants in Old San Juan.

[MADflyer]

I found no problem last month on Liberty with the time in port. This allowed me to enjoy the ship and lunch prior to joining everyone on deck for the terrific arrival into San Juan.

 

I chose just to enjoy a long walk around the old town, purchased a few Items I needed at the Marshalls store in the center and was glad I had visited the CVS earlier in the day as it was packed in the evening with passengers.

 

I had been in San Juan often so I just returned to the MDR and enjoyed my table all by myself. While the Casino at the Sheraton had closed, I did get a few good night shots of the ship from across the way at their rooftop pool.

 

They were allowing those from the early seating to dine at the late seating, space available. I did hear that the Windjammer was packed late, but the dining room was no problem at all with well over half missing for late seating.

[heartscontent]

On our sailing of Navigator of the Seas a few weeks ago, we docked in San Juan around 2 p.m. and headed immediately to Cafe Cuatro Sombras just north of the pier for free WIFI and truly great Puerto Rican coffee. After a little shopping in old San Juan (yes, we were guilty of hitting Marshalls!), we walked through the San Juan gate to watch the sunset over the harbor. On the inside of the gate, and up towards the left, we visited the lovely statue La Rogativa which creates magical shadows on the city wall after dark. From there, we headed up Calle Cristo to our favorite tapas spot, El Picateo in the historic El Convento hotel located across the street from the cathedral. More free WIFI, great sangria and tapas! A leisurely stroll took us back to the ship in plenty of time for sail away. Don't be concerned about enjoying San Juan in the dark - it is equally enchanting at night, and it feels comfortably safe. If this is your first visit to San Juan, I would highly recommend you head first to the fort El Morro, as it is not to be missed, but for a repeat visit, or if forts are not your thing, just enjoy all the cafes and shops that old San Juan has to offer!

[cruisinfanatic]

I'm don't understand the question. If you dock at 2:00, you will be there at 2:00 and most likely off the ship before 2:30. SJ is not really a place to go to the beach at. It has plenty of things to do and see (w/o an excursion package) in Old San Juan, non of which sunshine is needed.)

 

So please explain why you need sunshine?

It doesn't? What's wrong with here?

[CrusinAgain]

Or time for a few pina coladas at Barrachina's:D

 

We are going on the Anthem which arrives at 2 or 3 who cares? Where is this place at? :)

[Clarea]

We are going on the Anthem which arrives at 2 or 3 who cares? Where is this place at? :)

 

http://www.barrachina.com/about.html

[cb at sea]

If you are all about the ports...you take a land-vacation. Cruises are mainly about the ship!

[Langley Cruisers]

If you are all about the ports...you take a land-vacation. Cruises are mainly about the ship!

 

I take a cruise for a variety of reasons. The ship is just one of the factors.

[Koohiichan]

If you are all about the ports...you take a land-vacation. Cruises are mainly about the ship!

 

Or . . . you could choose a different ship with a different itinerary. The Southern Caribbean cruises are very port intensive and spend most of the day on the islands. We loved Adventure out of San Juan.

 

I love cruising, but I also love the ports and enjoy a port intensive cruise.

Cheers,

 

Koohiichan

[papaflamingo]

If you like the rest of the itinerary, don't worry about it. As others have said, if you are scheduled to dock at 2, you'll dock at 2. Departing ships are irrelevant. They don't, to my knowledge, put an arriving ship in a holding pattern waiting for the departing ship to leave, unless some unusual circumstance has arisen. Docking times are pre-arranged to accommodate for all arrivals and departures.

I'm so so on San Juan. Have been there many times. But I would actually prefer a 2pm arrival and evening departure. You can go and wander the shops (visit the Butterfly People). You can enjoy the bars and restaurants. Or you can just enjoy the ship. And as others have said, if you are off the ship by 2:30 or 3 you can also still go to the beach or do a tour. I would certainly not let it put me "off" of a cruise. Research the night life in Old San Juan and go enjoy some of the great bar and restaurant options. It would be fun.

[CrusinAgain]

We use to be all about the ports and a good ship. Now that we have gone to all of the ports, we are all about the ship. Most of the Caribbean islands are alike to us, (non beach goers) they look pretty much alike when you take an island tour.

[Susie51]

I also cruise for a variety of reasons. It is not all about the ship.