Equinox docks in San Juan @ 3:30 - enough time to get to 4 p.m. Segway tour?

[Bunny_Watson]

We are booked on the Equinox, docking in San Juan at 3:30 pm on Monday March 18th, and would be interested in taking a tour with Segway Tours of PR that starts at 4 p.m.  I understand that we dock at the Pan American pier which Google Maps shows as a 12 minute drive from the tour company.  Is 30 minutes enough time to disembark, catch a taxi, and make it by 4 p.m.?  Seems very tight to me!  If others have experience with this I'd love to hear it.  I am also posting this in the San Juan forum.  Thank you!

[shoppergirl10]

if the ship docks at 3:30pm, that doesn't mean you will be OFF the ship at 3:30pm, I wouldn't risk it, unless its a tour booked through the ship then they will wait for you.  

[Bunny_Watson]

6 minutes ago, shoppergirl10 said:

if the ship docks at 3:30pm, that doesn't mean you will be OFF the ship at 3:30pm, I wouldn't risk it, unless its a tour booked through the ship then they will wait for you.  

 

Thanks for your response shoppergirl10.  I was inclined not to risk it either, but now I see that my original information may have been incorrect.  Now I am reading that Celebrity cruises that *originate* in San Juan use the Pan American Pier while Celebrity cruises that just stop for the day, as with Equinox, dock in Old San Juan. The Old San Juan port is just a few minutes walk from the Segway tour company, which might make it more doable.  Does anyone know if this is the correct information and if it would impact the possibility of catching this tour?  Much appreciated!

[hrhdhd]

YMMV, but on our cruise a couple of weeks ago, we were about 45 minutes late to San Juan and didn't get off until around 4:20 (we were in the initial wave of people trying to get off; my DH had booked a fishing excursion).

 

Then he had a heck of a time getting a cab; one of the greeters at the port gate said when the old city is crowded, they won't let more cabs enter for a while. We waited probably another 15-20 minutes for a cab.

[Bunny_Watson]

2 hours ago, hrhdhd said:

YMMV, but on our cruise a couple of weeks ago, we were about 45 minutes late to San Juan and didn't get off until around 4:20 (we were in the initial wave of people trying to get off; my DH had booked a fishing excursion).

 

Then he had a heck of a time getting a cab; one of the greeters at the port gate said when the old city is crowded, they won't let more cabs enter for a while. We waited probably another 15-20 minutes for a cab.

 

Thanks for the additional info hrhdhd - looks like this particular excursion is not meant to be! 

[davekathy]

3 hours ago, Bunny_Watson said:

 

Thanks for your response shoppergirl10.  I was inclined not to risk it either, but now I see that my original information may have been incorrect.  Now I am reading that Celebrity cruises that *originate* in San Juan use the Pan American Pier while Celebrity cruises that just stop for the day, as with Equinox, dock in Old San Juan. The Old San Juan port is just a few minutes walk from the Segway tour company, which might make it more doable.  Does anyone know if this is the correct information and if it would impact the possibility of catching this tour?  Much appreciated!

Correct. When Celebrity calls on San Juan as a port stop you will be docked at one of the piers in Old San Juan. Right downtown. All Celebrity cruise the originate from San Juan leave from the Pan Am pier. Sounds like you are doing a non Celebrity excursion. If so the company you are booked with knows when the Equinox is scheduled to dock. Best to call the company you are booked with and ask them.  

Edited December 7, 2018 by davekathy

[dcbiker97]

If the Segway tours office is still where it was a few years ago near Tijuana’s and Subway, it’s right by the pier you’ll be docking in.  Easy and quick walk there. We’ve done it several times.  

[keesar]

There is risk involved.  There are charters coming in from Canada and the ship will wait for those cruisers before departing the U.S.   We have arrived late.  On another occasion, we arrived late due to rough  seas.   

[RickT]

I suspect the tour company may have a number of reservations from people on your ship, it’s worth contacting the tour company to explain your delemma and see what they say.  Last summer we had a bike excursion in Spain and found that half the people who booked the excursion were from the ship.  Given that information the tour company offered to wait up to 30 minutes and even refund our money in the event the ship was delayed.

 

Worth a call.  Also worth mentioning on your roll call.

[Bunny_Watson]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your posts.  I hadn't booked the excursion yet but will reach out to the operator to see if they might be able to work with us - great idea!