NCL Encore ... San Juan ... Evening Only ... What to Do?

[ajtraveler66]

We will be on the NCL Encore in February.  Our first stop is San Juan.  But we don't arrive at port until 5:30 p.m. ... and the ship will depart at midnight.  So we don't have much time there, and it will all be in the evening.

 

Any suggestions for our group of 4 (60ish).  We are more than happy to take on of the ship's excursions if that is our safest and best option.  Any excursion you could recommend?  [see thoughts in last paragraph]

 

Also, if you think it's safe to do our own thing in the evening, what would be some good things to do relatively close to the port?

 

All we would really care to do is possibly sample a little bit of the local cuisine....and maybe do a little browsing (possible shopping) in the local shops.

[Guatiao]

Hi! There's many attractions within walking distance from the pier, like casinos, local and international fare restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir stores, etc. Usually there's good police presence during a ship's stay at port, so you should be fine. For local fare near the port you can check restaurants in front of the Doña Fela parking building, which is located some 7-10 minutes walking from the pier. Google Maps is very handy in Old San Juan!

[njhorseman]

6 hours ago, Guatiao said:

Hi! There's many attractions within walking distance from the pier, like casinos, local and international fare restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir stores, etc. Usually there's good police presence during a ship's stay at port, so you should be fine. For local fare near the port you can check restaurants in front of the Doña Fela parking building, which is located some 7-10 minutes walking from the pier. Google Maps is very handy in Old San Juan!

 

There are no casinos in Old San Juan. There used to be one in the Sheraton Old San Juan, but no longer. The closest casino is in the Sheraton hotel at the convention center, which is a few miles away, not within walking distance.

[redwings1958]

• What about a Sunset Cruise?  They leave at 5 or 7pm for a 2 hour excursion

[sunnydaygirl]

I’d google the birth place of Pina’ Coladas. I’ve been there and going back next week, weather permitting. This time I’ll also eat dinner. Great place. Walking. 

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, sunnydaygirl said:

I’d google the birth place of Pina’ Coladas

Or you could just tell them the name of the restaurant...Barrachina 

[SeaWatcher65]

NCL right now is offering nothing that is interesting other than overpriced walking tours (I can walk on my own... for less money).  Bioluminescent Bay is not offered and too far away to risk on my own without a ship excursion.  Sunset Cruise would be nice but I need suggestions and read reviews.  Never been to San Juan before.  This might be one of those ports where I get off the ship, walk a while, and hop back on the cruise ship to enjoy a great new ship more!

[ajtraveler66]

5 hours ago, SeaWatcher65 said:

NCL right now is offering nothing that is interesting other than overpriced walking tours (I can walk on my own... for less money).  Bioluminescent Bay is not offered and too far away to risk on my own without a ship excursion.  Sunset Cruise would be nice but I need suggestions and read reviews.  Never been to San Juan before.  This might be one of those ports where I get off the ship, walk a while, and hop back on the cruise ship to enjoy a great new ship more!

Yep......you can enjoy the cruise ship more when 3/4 of the people get off for an excursion.  I'm laughing here, but it sure is the truth.

 

[M&JfromSDL]

EAT!  Skip dinner on the ship and head into Old San Juan for dinner.  

[Sand and Seas]

So Encore will most likely dock in Old San Juan?  It's been years since we were there and it was a full day stop.  Loved seeing El Morro, but I'm guessing it won't be open for long when we are docking at 5:30 pm. 

We would love to walk around Old San Juan if that is doable from where the ship docks.

[40yearcruiser]

We will be on Encore in December and appreciate the suggestions of what to do when we will only be in port in the evening. Will anything be open other than restaurants? Is it safe to walk around the Old Town in the evening, and is it well lighted?

[Stinger-pr]

On 8/28/2019 at 11:00 AM, redwings1958 said:

• What about a Sunset Cruise?  They leave at 5 or 7pm for a 2 hour excursion

They visit on February. By then it will be dark at 7pm or at least past sunset and the ship doesn't arrive until 5:30pm.

[redwings1958]

OK CHIEF!!

 

[Stinger-pr]

On 8/25/2019 at 1:24 PM, ajtraveler66 said:

We will be on the NCL Encore in February.  Our first stop is San Juan.  But we don't arrive at port until 5:30 p.m. ... and the ship will depart at midnight.  So we don't have much time there, and it will all be in the evening.

 

Any suggestions for our group of 4 (60ish).  We are more than happy to take on of the ship's excursions if that is our safest and best option.  Any excursion you could recommend?  [see thoughts in last paragraph]

 

Also, if you think it's safe to do our own thing in the evening, what would be some good things to do relatively close to the port?

 

All we would really care to do is possibly sample a little bit of the local cuisine....and maybe do a little browsing (possible shopping) in the local shops.

You will be safe walking around during the evening. Like any other city, be aware of your surroundings and smart about where you walk. You will be arriving on a Tuesday so the city will be a bit quiet. You might want to walk around the base of the city wall along Paseo de la Princesa, cross the city gate and make your way north to El Morro to catch a glimpse of it lit up. I'm not sure about shopping since some stores extend their hours when ships are in town  but I'm not sure which of them. If you decide to go to a restaurant, try the Mofongo. Mashed, fried green plantain with garlic and your choice of meat. It's a must-have dish in PR.

 

On 9/1/2019 at 12:15 PM, SeaWatcher65 said:

NCL right now is offering nothing that is interesting other than overpriced walking tours (I can walk on my own... for less money).  Bioluminescent Bay is not offered and too far away to risk on my own without a ship excursion.  Sunset Cruise would be nice but I need suggestions and read reviews.  Never been to San Juan before.  This might be one of those ports where I get off the ship, walk a while, and hop back on the cruise ship to enjoy a great new ship more!

The Bio Bay tours is do-able within this time frame. It's about an hour drive each way to Fajardo plus the tour itself. You might want to call up the companies that provide the tours and ask them about the time and if they guarantee they can get you back to the ship in time. You will be going with the afternoon traffic jams on your way out of the metro area but will drive on fairly empty highways on your way back.

15 hours ago, 40yearcruiser said:

We will be on Encore in December and appreciate the suggestions of what to do when we will only be in port in the evening. Will anything be open other than restaurants? Is it safe to walk around the Old Town in the evening, and is it well lighted?

Some stores will be open but just for a few hours after the ship arrives. If you're really interested in shopping, other than souvenirs and trinkets, you might consider taking a taxi to Plaza Las Americas mall. You'd be back in time since it closes the stores at 9pm, but restaurants there are open until later. Taxis are readily available a bit past closing or any restaurant can call one for you.

[sunnydaygirl]

On 8/28/2019 at 2:43 PM, sunnydaygirl said:

I’d google the birth place of Pina’ Coladas. I’ve been there and going back next week, weather permitting. This time I’ll also eat dinner. Great place. Walking. 

Well I enjoyed going back for my drink. But I didn’t get to eat there. The bar was full and it was busy enough it was reservations only. But my friend ate there the next day and said it wasn’t good. I’d like to hear from someone else who’s eaten there. 
we tried to do some shopping and all the stores closed at 9. So we went to the pier and took pictures of our ship and the super long line of people. 

[Baby0821]

we are going in Nov.  6pm to midnight NCL ENCORE - San Juan - This port of call is the most difficult as we get there at 6pm and leave at midnight. I heard about the Bioluminescent Bay, but my fear is going out so late at night. Has anyone did this tour, if so with what company. or Is there anything else that can be done in San Juan this late at night. I would rather go with a company vs going on my own that late at night with teenagers. Like someone said, the ship took the excursion off their site. and the companies I have ran into only pick up at hotel sites.

Can someone recommend a company they have used for this excursion?  Or I'm willing to do a land excursions as well.

[amberjohn]

We are on the NCL Bliss in December 2019 and also arriving late.  The ship arrives at 4pm, so

I assume we won't get off the ship until 5pm.  Will the forts be open?  Is it worth walking

around Old San Juan or should we just stay on the ship at this port?

[Stinger-pr]

On 11/7/2019 at 10:29 PM, amberjohn said:

We are on the NCL Bliss in December 2019 and also arriving late.  The ship arrives at 4pm, so

I assume we won't get off the ship until 5pm.  Will the forts be open?  Is it worth walking

around Old San Juan or should we just stay on the ship at this port?

If you're off the ship by 4:30pm you can walk over to San Cristobal fort (it's about a 15 minute walk). It closes at 6pm so you'll have at least a good hour to browse around the fort, maybe even catch the sunset. After that you can just walk around Old SJ and maybe eat at one of the many good restaurants or shop in the many stores in town.