Sailing from San Juan - questions

[born2travel]

Help!

 

DH & I are sailing AOS out of San Juan on Nov 25, our first departure from that port and have lots of questions. Any insight would be much appreciated. We arrive in PR early Sat evening. As sailing time is 8:30 pm on Sunday, we'd really love to see some of old San Juan, but don't know where to start. Specifically:

 

Do you have any recommendations for decent but not $$$$$ hotel that is located in a convenient area?

 

What is boarding time for an 8:30 sailing? Earliest? Latest?

 

Can you board and then leave the ship to do some touring?

 

With the limited time at San Juan, what would be your "must-see" recommendations?

 

Can you/do you leave luggage at hotel after check-out and reclaim it later in the day, then proceed to the ship?

 

Thanks for any any advice,

Mary

[karena1]

Help!

 

DH & I are sailing AOS out of San Juan on Nov 25, our first departure from that port and have lots of questions. Any insight would be much appreciated. We arrive in PR early Sat evening. As sailing time is 8:30 pm on Sunday, we'd really love to see some of old San Juan, but don't know where to start. Specifically:

 

Do you have any recommendations for decent but not $$$$$ hotel that is located in a convenient area? We have stayed at Hotel Milano, HJ Plaza de Armus - both in old San Juan, and Canario by the Lagoon in Condado. All just fine and very reasonable.

 

What is boarding time for an 8:30 sailing? Earliest? Latest? You should be able to board by 11:30 if you want. Rooms are generally not ready until 1pm

 

Can you board and then leave the ship to do some touring? yes, or if you want you can just drop your luggage off and go do some touring and not check in until later, whichever you want.

 

With the limited time at San Juan, what would be your "must-see" recommendations? Depends on what you like. If you like forts - go to El Morro. My DH loves that place. Views are incredible. Old San Juan is a great place to just walk around and see the sites. Lots of old architecture, lots of shopping, lots of little restaurants/bar. We love it there.

 

Can you/do you leave luggage at hotel after check-out and reclaim it later in the day, then proceed to the ship? Yes, we do this all the time.

 

Thanks for any any advice,

Mary

 

Hope that helps. We love leaving out of San Juan. Without a doubt our favorite departure port.

[wolfganghowell]

I think there is a Marriott that is very close - walking distance to the pier. Although walking distance means without luggage - I think you'll want to cab it. Lots of hotels in all price ranges close to the pier and adjacent to OSJ.

 

I recall boarding around 12 or 1. Yes, you can leave your luggage and go back off the ship. Just make sure you have your Seapass Card with you. Sometimes rooms are not ready for a few hours so you might not be able to leave until you have access to your room or find a way to store your carryon bags. They will have the time posted on when everyone needs to be back aboard.

 

Ft Morro is beautiful and interesting if you have any interest in history. We always just enjoy walking around OSJ, buying goodies at the Coach and Polo outlets and just finding little bars and cafes to hang in and watch the world go by.

 

Finally leaving the luggage at the hotel is probably an option depending on where you stay. Personally, I'd rather get it onboard early and then leave the ship to go exploring. That way you have done the bulk of the "responsible" things and just have the fun things to do.

 

Have a great time - San Juan is one of our favorites.

[BiteMEagain]

DW and I are also on that cruise. Please go to M&M and sign up. We are staying at the Sheraton Old San Juan that according to the site is next to the pier.

 

Hope to see you!!

[wrp96]

DW and I are also on that cruise. Please go to M&M and sign up. We are staying at the Sheraton Old San Juan that according to the site is next to the pier.

 

Hope to see you!!

 

Please be aware that the Sheraton Old San Juan is next to Pier # 4, NOT the Pan American Pier where the AOS sails from. You will have to take a taxi to get to the Pan Am Pier from the Sheraton OSJ (there are no hotels near the Pan Am Pier). The Sheraton is a decent hotel though. If you don't need double beds, ask for a room on the front of the hotel so you won't get the noise from Senor Frogs.

[born2travel]

Thank you, everyone! I am getting so excited I can hardly think already, and really appreciate the advice. I like the sound of doing the "responsible" things and then setting out for a bit of fun.

 

It's great to hear that San Juan is a popular port. It looks so beautiful.

 

BiteMEagain, we are definitely on the M&M list, bringing the grand total to NINE. It doesn't look great but a lot can happen in the next few weeks. I have posted regularly on the Roll Call thread since we booked last week, maybe we'll get acquainted there before we meet in person.

 

Mary

[born2travel]

Hi wrp96,

 

Thanks for the tip about the Sheraton OSJ and the information that there are no hotels near the PanAm pier. I had read on a thread that AOS sails from that pier but couldn't figure out where the heck it is or what might be close. Now I can relax and stop looking for something near our pier and concentrate on picking one that will allow us to do a bit of walking afetr check-in on Sat.

[Loveynj]

We too stayed at the Hotel Milano. It was great. Looking out my window down on the cobblestone was perfect. Plus we were within walking distance of the shops and such. Especially the Coach outlet (always love to go there, great deals).

[wrp96]

Hi wrp96,

 

Thanks for the tip about the Sheraton OSJ and the information that there are no hotels near the PanAm pier. I had read on a thread that AOS sails from that pier but couldn't figure out where the heck it is or what might be close. Now I can relax and stop looking for something near our pier and concentrate on picking one that will allow us to do a bit of walking afetr check-in on Sat.

 

The Sheraton is definitely within walking distance of everything in Old San Juan and does have a great view of the harbor. You can see the Pan Am Pier from some of the rooms and definitely can see it from the rooftop pool. On Saturday night be watching for the Serenade of the Seas and the other ships to sail away. It's really beautiful and will make you even more excited to board the AOS the next day.

[01 Cobra]

We are considering cruising on AOS out of the San Juan port for our Anniversary next year in late Aug. I heard they are building a new Marriott on Isle San Juan, not too far from the port, but definitely a taxi ride. Has anyone heard about it? Also, has anyone been to any of the beaches in San Juan? Are they ok?

Thanks,

Ann

[M&M Hayden]

We sailed out of SJ on the Empress in February. Stayed two nights prior to sailing and two nights after sailing at the Courtyard by Marriott which wasn't far from the pier, but not walking distance. Nice hotel, good area, Great pool, nice beach, very very friendly staff. I think we paid $120 a night.

Empress sailed at 5, we got to the pier before noon. We wanted to check in and then head to OSJ to meet up with friends who were sailing on the Jewel which was scheduled to arrive at 3 PM, but didn't make it since we'd have to back on board by 4:45 for muster.

Enjoy!

[mjyanne]

We are considering cruising on AOS out of the San Juan port for our Anniversary next year in late Aug. I heard they are building a new Marriott on Isle San Juan, not too far from the port, but definitely a taxi ride. Has anyone heard about it? Also, has anyone been to any of the beaches in San Juan? Are they ok?

Thanks,

Ann

 

They are opening a Renaissance Hotel in the Condado area (just down from the Marriott Stellaris) in November 2007. Go to Marriott's website for more info on the hotel.

[karena1]

We are considering cruising on AOS out of the San Juan port for our Anniversary next year in late Aug. I heard they are building a new Marriott on Isle San Juan, not too far from the port, but definitely a taxi ride. Has anyone heard about it? Also, has anyone been to any of the beaches in San Juan? Are they ok?

Thanks,

Ann

 

We have been to the beach at Isle Verde and it was real nice. There were bars/restaurants across the street, but we had our own cooler so did not go to any of them. They had loungers for rent, don't remember if they had umbrellas or not.

[robtulipe]

We stayed at the Mariott San Juan resort and Stellaris casino in Condado after our AOS cruise the 1st week of March of this year. It was really nice and since we rented a compact car (Dollar under $25/day inc. fees and tax) location was not a concern other than there was a $14 parking charge. We got this on Priceline for a resort hotel bid of $85 ($109 with taxes and fees).

In late Oct/06 we stayed at the Hotel Miramar on Ponce de Leon Ave near the Pan Am pier on Isla Grande in the Miramar section of San Juan. It wasn't as luxurious nor as large as the Mariott but quite nice with very large rooms and close to the pier but not within walking distance with luggage as you must cross Hwy #1 to get to Isla Grande where the cruise terminal is located. I dropped DW and another couple off at the ship before returning our rental car since we arrived two days early in order to have time to visit before embarkation. Go to miramarhotelpr dot com

for more info.

[paintedduck]

we stayed at the coral princess in the condado district, one nite prior and two nites after our empress sailing. about $150 and a good breakfast included. the hotel is about equal distance from the pan-am pier and the airport and old san juan. we did walking tours of old san juan and loved the forts (we toured both). we did spent a little on taxis to get around. good resturants in the condado area, too. we were going to take the rainforest tour but they never arrived at the hotel to pick us up as planned, so old san juan recieved our attention. we enjoyed san juan.

 

happy sailing

gary

[Tex_Jen]

I've stayed at the Marriott Stellaris on points and through Priceline so really don't have a handle on the reasonably priced hotels in the area.

 

You can board the Adventure as early as 11:30a.m., but the cabins are not ready until at least 2:00p.m. If you plan to stay at a hotel in Old San Juan, I would keep the luggage at the hotel and then pick it up to the make the trip to the ship. Adventure leaves out earlier than it did the last 2 times I've been on, so not sure how soon you have to get back. Might check for some reviews to see when Muster is. That will give you an approximate answer to how early you have to be on board before the ship sails.

 

Have fun! Love San Juan and I love the Adventure!

 

Jen

[01 Cobra]

Thanks for all the comment on hotels and San Juan Beaches. We are Marriott rewards members so we will most likely try out the new Renaissance at Condado beach. We are going to book the cruise on Wed the 17th since there is a little sale that day ...and maybe some on board credit to be had..I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a good deal.

Happy cruising to all...

Ann

[CLQ]

Hope that helps. We love leaving out of San Juan. Without a doubt our favorite departure port.

Karena1, we're going to stay here pre-cruise in March. Do you specifically remember whether you left luggage with them after checkout and is this advisable? Any other good/bad memories of that hotel? Seemed like we got a good rate for a decent little place.

[Nantucketer]

Has anyone ever stayed at the Radisson Ambassador? We have it booked for February....had a little trouble finding a room anywhere else that slept four.

[JohnnyCruiser]

Please be aware that the Sheraton Old San Juan is next to Pier # 4, NOT the Pan American Pier where the AOS sails from. You will have to take a taxi to get to the Pan Am Pier from the Sheraton OSJ (there are no hotels near the Pan Am Pier). The Sheraton is a decent hotel though. If you don't need double beds, ask for a room on the front of the hotel so you won't get the noise from Senor Frogs.

 

I can definitely vouch for this. DW and I stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan last year. The morning of the cruise there was a nice big Carnival ship in front of our room. You could see AOS on the other side of the harbor (near the small general aviation airport). We ended up hiring a cab that morning to take us to the Bacardi rum factory for a tour and had him drop us off at the ship rather than back at the hotel. Otherwise, the Sheraton is right in old San Juan and perfect for walking around town the night before.

[Darkwolfe]

We're taking Serenade from San Juan in January of 2009 and finding a place to stay has been looming as a serious question for us. This thread is helping me start some plans even at this early date! :)

[Bonnielass]

We have sailed into San Juan on previous cruises and always docked at the pier in town which is just opposite the Sheraton in the Old Town. This time when we departed from San Juan on AOS we were surprised to see that the ship was docked in a pier outside of town, so if you are expecting to walk from the Sheraton beware, if the AOS is docked at the same berth as it was in September you will need a taxi. Hope this little bit of information helps.

[waterbugohio]

I am a first time cruiser and need a little info on San Juan.

 

Can someone tell me how I know what pier we will go out of? We are cruising the Serenade 11/08.

 

Also a little explanation of "old San Juan" vs. San Juan island or Isle Grande

 

Where are all the hotels? what can we all walk to? If we just pick on day to stay would you recommend coming in the day before or staying the day we return??

[wrp96]

Serenade sails from the Pan Am Pier. Old San Juan is across the harbor from the Pan Am Pier. It is where you will find the forts and most of the shopping etc. Isla Verde is a beach area. Where you should stay depends on what you want to see in San Juan and how much you want to spend.

 

If you can only add an extra day to your vacation, I recommend coming in a day early. That way if you have any flight issues you still have a day to make your cruise.

[waterbugohio]

So then the PanAM harbor is closer to the airport and hotels or further.

 

I need to find a good map that kinda lays out the area. I always need to know where we are at!! I assume then we could taxi to the pier and then walk around to sailing time??