CCress9324 Posted May 17, 2004 #1 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I am trying to decide whether to go down the day before our cruise when we do Southern Caribbean leaving from San Juan. We have a big group (about 60). We usually cruise every year and leave from Miami and have a grand time at the Embassy Suites the night before, but I have not found any really nice hotels in San Juan that would be worth going down the night before. I know that there is an Embassy Suites in San Juan, but it does not sound like it is in a very good location (bad section of town). I am wondering if we should just wait and go down the day of the cruise and spend the extra money on massages, etc. Is getting to San Juan at 1:30 the day of the cruise a safe time to arrive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailingDoug Posted May 17, 2004 #2 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Look at the booking where carnaval goes we did a trip ot of San Jaun, and had a nice hotel near the pier, Carnaval was doing pre bording there and made getting on the ship easy. It was a nice hotel. Hope this helps I can get the name of it or you can call carnaval and they should be able to help Ecstasy 6/03 Sprit 12/02 Holiday 12/96 & 1/2000 Elation 5/99 Sprit 11/17/2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted May 17, 2004 #3 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Firm believer in going to day before, unless the ship does not leave until evening, maybe late evening. It takes very little for a flight to be delayed these days which means the ship leaves without you. Why bother? Alaska via Spirit 6/2/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tera821 Posted May 17, 2004 #4 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Definitely, it's worth it just for the peace of mind! [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;10;3;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] ...until the Carnival Miracle October 3, 2004 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmedic Posted May 17, 2004 #5 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I agree, we only live 40 minutes from the pier in Galveston, and we always go down the evening (or afternoon) before. helps us get into the "vacation mode". and, one never knows when you car is going to get a flat on the way to the airport! Proud members of O.A.T.C. Inspiration Sept,2001 Celebration Jan,2002 Celebration Oct.2002 Conquest Sept, 2003 Elation Feb. 2004 Elation Nov, 2004 [img]http://www.gifs.net/animate/am369.gif[/img] from the Alligator capitol of Texas- we dance to the Raggae beat!!! [img]http://animatedgif.net/sports/diver_e0.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgmrdev Posted May 17, 2004 #6 Share Posted May 17, 2004 [img]http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vintage-images/ockerani.gif[/img] We went down the day before and stayed at the Caribe Hilton. After having to wait in line on a very hot day outside to board, we were glad we did!!! <html> <head> <title></title> </head> <body> [img]http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vintage-images/hula2dancers.gif[/img][img]http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vintage-images/homersofa.gif[/img][img]http://mywebpages.comcast.net/vintage-images/hula2dancers.gif[/img] <font color="#FF0000">Grand Princess 2-2001</font> <font color="#0000FF">Grand Princess 12-2001</font> <font color="#FF8000">Carnival Paradise 3-2002</font> <font color="#FF00FF">Carnival Destiny 10-2002</font> <font color="#008000">Golden Princess 10-2003</font> <font color="#0000A0">Carnival Legend 6-8-2004</font> </body> </html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyO Posted May 17, 2004 #7 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Personally, I would go the day before due to the fact of delayed or cancelled flights and I have heard many complaints from those who didn't. JohnnyO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Ellen Posted May 17, 2004 #8 Share Posted May 17, 2004 neighborI sailed from San Juan once (can't say I'll do that again). Thankfully, we did fly in the day before. At our first port, there was the biggest pile of luggage and group of passengers waiting to board the ship I've ever seen. We also stayed at the Caribe Hilton. OK hotel, beautiful grounds - nothing else around there. We were driven through some [I]"interesting"[/I] neighborhoods on the way to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winewanderer Posted May 17, 2004 #9 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I highly recommend going the day before. A couple of years ago we sailed out of San Juan. What a mightmare the flight situtation was. We were traveling from the west coast. We had to take a red eye. When we arrived in SC our flight was delayed almost 2 hours. Once we finally made it on the plane we sat on the runway for 1 hour. By the time we got on the ship we had been travelling (and awake I might add) for 20 hours. My husband and I agreed that we'll go the day before when we sail from the east coast or beyond. Did this our past cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, what a difference it made!!! 2/2004 Carnival Legend/Exotic Western Carribean 4/2003 HAL Statendam/Sea of Cortez 9/2002 CarnivalHoliday/Western Caribbean 4/2001 Carnival/Western Caribbean 4/2000 Carnival Paradise/Southern Caribbean 5/1999 RCCL/Alaska 4/1998 NCL/Pacific Coastal 10/1997 Carnival/Mexican Riviera 11/1995 Carnival Holiday/4 day Baja Mexico 6/1992 RCCL Viking Serenade/4 day Baja Mexico 6/1981 Pacific Princess/Pacific Coastal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5668200 Posted May 17, 2004 #10 Share Posted May 17, 2004 We have never flown down the night before and have never, in 12 cruises, had a problem. We have always had plenty of time to shuttle to the ship and get checked in - with lots of time to spare, and we are flying out of Minnesota. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weswas Posted May 17, 2004 #11 Share Posted May 17, 2004 WE only sail out of San Juan and have always gone a day early. WE stay at the Condado REsort and love it. It is relaxing with a couple of bars that have eveing music and a nice restaurant. We love te pools and chance to relax before we sail UNTIL WE SAIL AGAIN....... [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2005;5;8;22;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthomp Posted May 17, 2004 #12 Share Posted May 17, 2004 We prefer to go the day before. You get on the ship rested and ready to start your vacation instead of so tired after a long day of travel. We stayed at the Caribe Hilton. Really enjoyed it although the food there was very overpriced. DESTINY 11/03 FASCINATION 11/02 IMAGINATION 10/01 INSPIRATION 3/96 Days til Valor Vampires Cruise [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;10;30;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] [img]http://www.bigotis.com/valorvampires.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadPirateRobert Posted May 17, 2004 #13 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Last Summer we sailed Destiny out of San Juan. We actually went down 2 days before and I wouldn't recommend that. One day would be nice. We had a great cab driver who pretty much came at our call. Wandering around Old San Juan is pretty cool. There are great restaurants, and the people are friendly. We stayed at the Hampton in Isla Verde. Same as a Hampton in the states but it was very affordable. Have Fun! Windjammer Fantome May 1988 ? Elation Sept 2001 Voyager of the Seas May 2002 Celebration July 2002 Jubilee Sept 2002 Destiny June 2003 Jubilee Sept 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannasail4ever Posted May 17, 2004 #14 Share Posted May 17, 2004 When traveling out of San Juan, I highly recommend flying in the day before! We have stayed at the Condado Plaza (which is actually a resort with a large casino, a beach and Salsa dancing) and also the Wyndam at the pier. That was really convenient and allowed us to wander around San Juan making it an extra port. But the real reason we do this is that on one of these sailings, my sister's luggage did not arrive with the flight. Luckily, we came in a day before. When did the luggage make it? Right before the ship sailed at 11:00p.m. She's very tall and we never could have replaced her clothes. Needless to say, we were all on pins and needles. Anyway, there are lots of things to do and see in San Juan. But, one day is enough. Bon Voyage Macy [img]http://www.cruisemates.com/animated/slowfish3.gif[/img] 6/5 Glory [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;06;05;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Red Posted May 17, 2004 #15 Share Posted May 17, 2004 We ALWAYS fly in the day before - just in case. Don't want to be left standing at the pier!!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img] Petra ****Proud member of O.A.T.C. (OPENLY ADDICTED TO CRUISING!!)**** <applet code="countdown.class" CODEBASE="http://*************/java-sys" width="203" height="25"> <param name="font" value="lcdb0"> <param name="year" value=2004> <param name="month" value=09> <param name="day" value=17> <param name="hour" value=10> <param name="minute" value=30> </applet> Until I howl with the Royal Hounds [img]http://www.bigotis.com/royalsmallwide.gif[/img] <applet code="countdown.class" CODEBASE="http://*************/java-sys" width="203" height="25"> <param name="font" value="lcdb0"> <param name="year" value=2005> <param name="month" value=02> <param name="day" value=12> <param name="hour" value=06> <param name="minute" value=30> </applet> [img]http://www.bigotis.com/Miracle.gif[/img] Miracle - 2/13/05, Mariner of the Sea - 9/04 (Royal Hounds), Carnival Conquest - 1/04 (Conquestadors), Carnival Glory - 9/03 (Glory Hounds), Carnival Legend - 2/03, Carnival Victory - 11/00, Carnival Ecstasy - 11/99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising89143 Posted May 17, 2004 #16 Share Posted May 17, 2004 I have to go with the majority here and say go down the day before. That is a must for me regardless of where I cruise from. To me it is worth getting down there early to rest up and know that I am there. Gordon [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator"]http://community.webshots.com/user/cruisingator[/url] NCL Starward-86, Starship Atlantic-91, Caribe-92, Seabreeze-93, Fantasy-93, Norway-94, Celebration-94, Sensation-95, Imagination-96, Destiny-97, Celebration-98, Triumph-99, Victory-00, Majesty of the Seas-01, Fascination-01, Carnival Pride-02, Majesty of the Seas-02, Carnival Legend-02, Fantasy 7-03, Glory 9-03, Fantasy 11-03, Triumph 3/04. 9/02/2004 Fantasy [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;9;2;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Navigator of the Seas 12/04/04 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2004;12;04;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCLNCLRCICRUISER Posted May 17, 2004 #17 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Im going down to Puerto Rico 2 days before and staying two days after my cruise. That's still not enough time to do all the things I would like to do.[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] Jeff [url="http://cruiseclues.com/shipstips/carnivaldestiny.htm"]Destiny Info[/url] [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&s=927093444&a=tpc&m=5113014967&f=6963067357"]Destiny 10/03/04 Roll Call[/url] [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?q=Y&a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=2083089557&p=1"]Destiny,Past,Present and Future Cruisers[/url] 10/03/04 Date with Destiny [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=006400&cdt=2004;10;3;22;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsgoofy98 Posted May 18, 2004 #18 Share Posted May 18, 2004 We always go down the night before a cruise. We lost a lot of time on our very first cruise - our flight was delayed four hours. We will never allow that to happen again. The last time we left from San Juan, we stayed at the Intercontinental San Juan in Isla Verde. It is very nice and you can walk to either side of the hotel to two nicer hotels. The Intercontinental has a nice beach and offers some water sports. We didn't take advantage of it, but it looked nice. I am a travel agent and have had two other clients stay there and they loved it. When I told them my in-laws were celebrating their 50th anniversary, they sent them a fruit basket and bottle of champagne to their room, upgraded the room and for no extra charge. Hope this helps, Donna LEGEND, May 04 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;05;31;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Sapphire Princess, Sep 04 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2004;09;22;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] TOO BUSY SELLING CRUISES AND VACATIONS TO TAKE THEM. I WISH I COULD BE ON ALL THE CRUISES THAT I HAVE SOLD IN THE PAST YEAR. Fascination, June 97 Destiny, July 98 Paradise, July (ALMOST) 00 Ecstasy, Feb 01 Destiny, Jan 02 Grand Princess, Feb 03 Zuiderdam, May 03 Serenade of the Seas, Sep 03 Legend, May 04 Sapphire Princess, Sep 04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vidimom Posted May 18, 2004 #19 Share Posted May 18, 2004 We flew down 2 days prior to our cruise and stayed at the Marriott Condado. It was a great location with a Casino, several restaurants, bars, etc. We were within walking distance of a number of different restaurants. We spent the day in between touring Old San Juan. Went to the Bacardi Factory which was GREAT!! You may want to consider that extra day just to make sure everyone has all of their luggage and makes it to San Juan. This will also give you a day to get into the "CRUISE MODE". With the group that large, I would do it just for pure sanity with that many people! Sensation 9/98 10th anniv. Big Red Boat 5/99 Ecstasy 10/00 Destiny 9/01 The week of 911 Victory 10/01 Imagination 12/20/01 Imagination 2/4/02 Zuiderdam 9/6/03 - 15th anniv. Carnival Legend 11/27/04 Happiness is being on a cruise with the one you love! [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;11;27;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img] Legend Here We Come 11/27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottp Posted May 18, 2004 #20 Share Posted May 18, 2004 We always, always go the day before. No matter where we are sailing from!! Less stress, more relaxed on day of embarkation!! [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;6;19;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img] Until the FUN begins!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted May 18, 2004 #21 Share Posted May 18, 2004 We also stayed at the Wyndam. Was well worth it getting there a day before. Nice hotel, nice rooms, restaurant, bar, and Casino. Nice pool on the roof too, in a penthouse fashion that allows nice views of the harbor. Even though we sailed the next night, we woke up refreshed, relaxed, with a nice morning at the pool (wanted to watch the ships sail in but they arrive so damn early). Only mistake we made was that we carried our luggage down to the ship. The pier look a lot closer than it seemed. We ended up sweating like pigs. [img]http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/peter.gif[/img] __ /7__/7__/7____ \:::::::::::::::::::/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Miracle 7/10/04 NY to Bahamas and Port Canaveral Disney Wonder 3/04/04 Pride 7/16/03 Bermuda Legend 10/17/02 CTN Disney Wonder 9/15/02 Destiny 4/29/01 Southern Caribbean Victory 9/14/00 Canadian Maritimes Triumph 9/99 Canadian Maritimes Jubilee 4/98 Trans Pacific/Hawaii Imagination 4/97 Western Caribbean Imagination 4/96 Western Caribbean Fascination 4/95 Southern Caribbean Ecstasy 4/18/93 Eastern Caribbean Fantasy 9/25/90 Bahamas Jubilee 5/13/90 Mexican Riviera NCL Seaward 1/15/89 Western Caribbean Jubilee 4/24/88 Eastern Caribbean HONEYMOON [img]http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/daffy.gif[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hstrybuf Posted May 18, 2004 #22 Share Posted May 18, 2004 Only once have we flown to port the day of our cruise. Since then, we have found that flying in a day early, especially from San Juan, gives us more time to relax. So far no problems with flights, but if you watched "Airline" on A&E the other night you would see why it could be to your advantage to fly in a day early. On this particular episode, the airline had overbooked the flight to Ft. Lauderdale by 53 people! Several families were on their way to a Carnival cruise, ship unknown, and had to be put on later flights. Even then, some were put on flights only to be bumped at their first connection and flown back to the point of origin where they would have a better chance of reaching Ft. Lauderdale in time for sailaway. After reading these boards for several years now, we never take a chance that something out of our control could delay us in reaching the port. Go the day before! [img]http://www.bensleyraceteam.com/Ani_Gif_Images/bookworm2.gif[/img] Navigator OTS 10/04 Legend 04/04 Grand Princess 09/03 Dawn Princess 01/03 Enchantment OTS 10/02 Destiny 01/02 Sensation 08/99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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