Adventure OTS / San Juan logistics.....

[mattpro]

Since we have a late arrival into SJU the night before embarkation this trip, was wondering if anybody knows if RCCL permits guests to check in (was thinking 11:30 am ish), eat lunch, then grab a tax to/from SJU before returning to the ship. I've only read comments here that people drop their luggage, tour & then check in later. We could store luggage @ the Hilton and cab over to SJU but don't want to miss lunch lol.

 

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You can check-in, have lunch and tour SJ & return to the ship before sailing.

 

A few things to know:

 

If all goes smoothly you can be checked-in by noon and have lunch, however the staterooms are not open to store your carry-ons until after 1:30 p.m.

 

Taxis charge extra for each bag and I doubt if you want to lug your bags thru SJ.

 

Muster is at 5:30 p.m. - lasts to about 6:oo - 6:15 p.m.

 

If you miss this muster there is another one at 8:00 p.m. - check with guest services for actual time and location.

 

The Adventure sails from the Pan Am pier - not the one in front of the Sheraton in old SJ, like the Carnival cruise do.

 

Taxi fare each way to old SJ & back runs about $25 + tip = $50+tip for round trip.

This a 15 minute ride.

[Clarea]

... Since we have a late arrival into SJU the night before embarkation this trip, was wondering if anybody knows if RCCL permits guests to check in (was thinking 11:30 am ish), eat lunch, then grab a tax to/from SJU before returning to the ship.:confused: I've only read comments here that people drop their luggage, tour & then check in later. We could store luggage @ the Hilton and cab over to SJU but don't want to miss lunch lol.

No problem, we have done this several times.

[GottaKnowWhen]

Our sailing is a ways off, but I am quite an OCD planner, so I am thinking of things already. Never did a sailing that wasn't CONUS, so I am wondering....

 

1. We'll be coming into San Juan the day before. Where is the best place to stay? I know everyone has there favs, so there is no bad answer. For our group of 6, we would likely prefer first, the best location for getting to the pier. Second would be convenience for a touring day.

 

2. The ship leaves port later than we are used to...830PM. When is the best time to board? Does it make sense to do any tourist things on the day of sailing, or better to get to the ship at the earliest possible time?

 

3. If you had one tourist thing to do in San Juan (and have never been there before) what would you do? We'll have most of the day before sailing available.

 

4. If you have ever done the AOTS Southern Caribbean itinerary before....What are your one or two must do excursions/activities? In St. Maarten, I kind of want to go to the beach at the end of the airport runway. That looks cool.

 

Our group last sailed n Adventures sister ship, Navigator, so we are very familiar with the ship. We all have balcony rooms next to each other n Deck 7. We are also hoping that the November drydock for Adventure is awesome.

 

In advance, I thank all of you for inputs. I love this site for planning and reviews.

 

We chose our first cruise, on AoS, partially based on the Southern Caribbean itinerary, but mostly because of the chance to visit San Juan. Several days there pre and post cruise, then again post cruise on a TA aboard AoS. Great place to visit!

 

When I travel, I have zero interest in Holiday inns, Ramadas, Hiltons, Motel 6, Embassy Suites or any of the other cookie-cutter hotels you can find anyplace. I know for some the familiarity provides a sense of comfort; I get that comfort by staying home. When I travel, we look for something different. In San Juan we searched on hotels.com and/or booking.com or something similar, came up with a few B&B type boutique hotels in Old San Juan. One we have enjoyed is the Casablanca, but you have be willing to walk up and down stairs there (and probably any other "boutique" small hotel). Many good restaurants within a few blocks.

 

There are no hotels close to the pier where you will be departing. If there were any, you wouldn't want to stay there - it is a crummy industrial shipping venue next to the local airport.

 

In Old San Juan, definitely go to one or both forts, preferably at sunset. And hope you catch a cruise ship coming or going... there is a bus/trolley that loops around Old San Juan, hop on hop off, no charge. Many very fine restaurants, nice small bars with outside seating and nice views over the harbor. Sunday morning is a special time along the promenade. We booked a foodie tour one day, lunchtime, through Viator. Excellent! But mostly we wandered the streets, explored the forts, took in the views, and enjoyed the opportunity of being in a totally different and unique part of the United States.

 

At the end of our first cruise we took a Royal tour to El Yunque. It was ok, but I would recommend that instead you rent a car and do that one on your own. Too much time on the bus, too much time in the food stops chosen because they provide the max kickback to the tour guide. Stay overnight in the vicinity of the park and take your time to explore this environment.

 

But above all, remember to relax and live in the moment!

[Keith1010]

Be sure to also check out the San Juan Ports of Call Board for advice on where to stay.

 

Keith

[Hijump24]

We're close to our 3rd cruise porting out of San Juan...and we're staying at the Caribe Hilton again.

 

 

 

A fantastic hotel, great service, great amenities, great location.

 

 

 

Anyone with Hilton points will also find it a very reasonable rate.

 

 

We are staying there in August. How much is a taxi to and from the hotel? Any ideas.

[bobmacliberty]

I haven't done this itinerary yet, but will be doing so in June. Decided to stay at the Sheraton OSJ. We normally board as soon as we can to get the cruise started early but with late departure and OSJ to explore, we plan to leave the luggage with the hotel, and then pick it up on the way to the ship in the afternoon. Looking forward to seeing the forts, I'll have to check out the Segway tour mentioned by RCCruisers...sounds like a fun couple of hours.

 

We loved Bernard's tours last time we visited St. Maarten. They come highly recommended on the port boards. They will time your visit to Maho Beach so that you see the big planes land in the afternoon.

[CanadaRob]

Things to do in San Juan?

Fort was ok maybe good for some photo ops.

Absolute favourite thing for me was the Bacardi rum tour. Ferry ride over from town and a taxi from there. Tour is $45 and with taxi and ferry included you'll spend 52pp. 2-3 hours for some history views of the fort from across the bay and some rum tasting (or mixed drink preparation)

If you are a non drinker there is the $12 historical walking tour which doesn't see as much of the grounds

[Clarea]

We are staying there in August. How much is a taxi to and from the hotel? Any ideas.

San Juan taxi rates are by zone, so you are looking at a flat rate of $10 from Old San Juan to the Pan American Pier, plus $1 per bag.

[keishashadow]

thanks, turning out to be a helpful thread:)

[lauraodonnell86]

Our sailing is a ways off, but I am quite an OCD planner, so I am thinking of things already. Never did a sailing that wasn't CONUS, so I am wondering....

 

1. We'll be coming into San Juan the day before. Where is the best place to stay? I know everyone has there favs, so there is no bad answer. For our group of 6, we would likely prefer first, the best location for getting to the pier. Second would be convenience for a touring day.

 

2. The ship leaves port later than we are used to...830PM. When is the best time to board? Does it make sense to do any tourist things on the day of sailing, or better to get to the ship at the earliest possible time?

 

3. If you had one tourist thing to do in San Juan (and have never been there before) what would you do? We'll have most of the day before sailing available.

 

4. If you have ever done the AOTS Southern Caribbean itinerary before....What are your one or two must do excursions/activities? In St. Maarten, I kind of want to go to the beach at the end of the airport runway. That looks cool.

 

Our group last sailed n Adventures sister ship, Navigator, so we are very familiar with the ship. We all have balcony rooms next to each other n Deck 7. We are also hoping that the November drydock for Adventure is awesome.

 

In advance, I thank all of you for inputs. I love this site for planning and reviews.

 

ABSOLUTE BEST excursion that you can do in St. Maarten: https://www.shoreexcursioneer.com/st-maarten/beach-bum-orient-maho.html

We've done it 3 times and have been MORE than blown away (literally at Maho) each time!! We love Orient and decided we wanted to see Maho a few years ago and chose this. The drinks are unlimited and included in the price. You get about 2 hours on each beach which is plenty of time and the drive is beautiful.

 

As far as San Juan goes, we did the Old/New San Juan excursion a few years ago and it was really great. This last January we stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino and it was VERY nice. There were several restaurants in the hotel and they have a food and drink reception each night for free. The walk to the beach is only about 3-5 mins and the beach is GREAT! It is right by the airport and about 20 mins from the pier. Taxis are very expensive in San Juan so be prepared for that.

 

We will be going on Adventure for the 5th (and 6th) time January 2017 on a back to back southern Caribbean cruise! I hope this is helpful info and if there are any Adventure specific questions, I can try to answer them and if I cant, I know Bob can! :D

[cccjenn]

San Juan taxi rates are by zone, so you are looking at a flat rate of $10 from Old San Juan to the Pan American Pier, plus $1 per bag.

Thank you. We are staying at the Caribe Hilton this spring, and I am trying to work through my budget as accurately as possible. These little expenses really add up!

 

Sent from my SM-G925V using Tapatalk

[Plummer249]

Jump on the free trolley in San Juan good way to see the old city

[CRUISEFAN0001]

Thank you. We are staying at the Caribe Hilton this spring, and I am trying to work through my budget as accurately as possible. These little expenses really add up!

You'll love that hotel....especially the open lobby, private swimming cove & pools, as well as fantastic balcony room views.

[crusinot]

I am following!

I would like to also hear from people that just took a taxi at the ports and where did they go? Beaches, restaurants, interesting sites to see. We have done many excursions on our past crises and felt rushed to get off the ship and meet the tour! Want to relax and enjoy this time.

[mattpro]

ccjenn

 

Thank you. We are staying at the Caribe Hilton this spring, and I am trying to work through my budget as accurately as possible. These little expenses really add up!

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Something to keep in mind while in Puerto Rico if you're on a tight budget.

 

Everything you buy (food & merchandise) comes with a 10.5% island tax + a 1% municipal tax for a total of 11.5%.

 

Hotels have the above plus their own creative writing add-ons.

[leahlefler]

We are going on the Jewel of the Seas out of San Juan in 2017. We haven't cruised before, so no actual reviews - but we have booked our hotel. We are staying at the Hyatt House in San Juan. This hotel is close to the Pan Am pier, but will require a taxi to get to OSJ or Condado. It has free breakfast and I got it for a $103 price tag, so it is a good deal for our family. Since we have kids, access to the Hyatt Place hotel pool with the little water park will be nice in the evenings.

[Ash1012]

We stayed at the Hyatt House right, sort of right across from the pier. We booked Charlie's custom tours for the day. He picked us up at the hotel and took us around. He even took pictures of us and emailed them to us that evening. When the tour was over, we picked up our luggage at the hotel and he took us to the port.

 

We loved our tours this cruise. In St. Kitt's, we toured with Javin and had snorkeling and beach time. St Maarten we went with Amigo tours and saw the airport, stopped at another beach and a few other spots around the island. Barbados we did a private tour Glory tours. St Croix we went Kayaking. We had younger kids so we had to find a good mix for everyone in the group :)

[LarryL]

We have only stayed at the Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino and the Courtyard Miramar. I have to say the Courtyard Miramar had a much better, and reasonable, restaurant.

 

We were able to walk out the hotel front door on our pre cruise day and take a local bus to Old San Juan, which was a great way to interact with the locals. They were very friendly, engaging, and informative.

 

After getting off the bus we walked to the waterfront area within minutes and had a very nice coffee and breakfast sandwich at Cuatro Sambras on Calle Recinto Sur before exploring the old forts and walking most of the area. We covered a lot of territory in that one day. The bus ride back was just as easy.

 

That evening we had an excellent tasting menu dinner at Marmalade Restaurant (reservations a must). We took a taxi that evening which was nominal and worth the air conditioning. :)

 

The next day, the hotel concierge had a taxi waiting for us to the cruise terminal. The fare was far less than the transfers charges by the cruise lines.

 

Sorry for the mini review but just wanted to share a day packed with great sightseeing and meals on our pre cruise day. So many things to do there.

[Clarea]

We have only stayed at the Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino and the Courtyard Miramar. I have to say the Courtyard Miramar had a much better, and reasonable, restaurant.

 

We were able to walk out the hotel front door on our pre cruise day and take a local bus to Old San Juan, which was a great way to interact with the locals. They were very friendly, engaging, and informative.

 

After getting off the bus we walked to the waterfront area within minutes and had a very nice coffee and breakfast sandwich at Cuatro Sambras on Calle Recinto Sur before exploring the old forts and walking most of the area. We covered a lot of territory in that one day. The bus ride back was just as easy.

 

That evening we had an excellent tasting menu dinner at Marmalade Restaurant (reservations a must). We took a taxi that evening which was nominal and worth the air conditioning. :)

 

The next day, the hotel concierge had a taxi waiting for us to the cruise terminal. The fare was far less than the transfers charges by the cruise lines.

 

Sorry for the mini review but just wanted to share a day packed with great sightseeing and meals on our pre cruise day. So many things to do there.

That was our take on the restaurant at the Courtyard Miramar. Surprisingly good for a Courtyard.