Question for Liberty, Eastern Carib cruisers

[sandrapisc]

We are booked for LOS in July going Eastern Caribbean. It only stops in 3 ports, including Labadee.

 

Arrive in San Juan at 4 pm and from what I understand the shops close at 5 pm. I saw there are only 8 excursions to choose from, although I didn't have time to read what they were. So what do you do until 10 pm and the ship departs? This almost feels sort of boring to me, is it? :confused:

 

How is this itinerary?

 

thanks!

[Sue L]

You are definitely limited getting there so late but there is plenty of restaurants and bars, plus the casino open in the Old San Juan area. If they are offering it I would do the biolumeniscent (sp) kayak excursion or just walk around OSJ and then head back to the ship for dinner.

 

Do any of the excursions look good to you?

[Inshape]

We did this cruise in Nov and I loved LOS. I did not care about SJ and would not waste time and money doing an excursion there. WE booked to enjoy the ship not the ports. I loved the idea that there was more time to enjoy the ship. DH and I lived on that flow rider and had a blast.

If you enjoy more time in ports and not the ship, book another ship with more ports. We think it is the ship that makes the vacation, not the ports so it was great for us.

[LiLo0424]

I am confused. Is San Juan one of your stops or does it leave out of San Juan? I thought LOS left out of Miami, but normally with the Eastern itinerary there is St. Thomas and St. Maarten. If you post your itinerary I can answer more about it. Just got back from AOS and was in San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Have been to Labadee many times.

 

As far as getting bored...I don't think it is possible on LOS! We were on the inagaural cruise and even after 7 days we didn't get to do everything. Remember that you will have dinner in there and a show of some sort. Not to mention all of the other things going on.

 

Lisa

[sullyair]

Make sure you check out Radio's "Live From" thread.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=684929

 

I'm sailing it next week. Can't wait. I think we are just shopping while in San Juan.

 

 

 

:)

[Noblarneyimirish]

I've been wondering what to do in San Juan so late too. I hope the shops are open later than 5. Anyone have any suggestions?

[4everafter]

We hired a cab and drove around for 2 hours, he dropped us off at the big fort, which was closed by then & we took our leisure getting back to the boat and went to Senior Frogs for drinks and craziness. But there are many really great restaurants to eat at or just skip getting off the boat. Save your fun for St Marteen!

[Vividraven]

I am confused. Is San Juan one of your stops or does it leave out of San Juan? I thought LOS left out of Miami, but normally with the Eastern itinerary there is St. Thomas and St. Maarten. If you post your itinerary I can answer more about it. Just got back from AOS and was in San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Have been to Labadee many times.

 

As far as getting bored...I don't think it is possible on LOS! We were on the inagaural cruise and even after 7 days we didn't get to do everything. Remember that you will have dinner in there and a show of some sort. Not to mention all of the other things going on.

 

Lisa

 

 

Liberty of the Seas - Eastern Caribbean route is:

 

Depart: Miami

Day 2: Sea Day

Day 3: San Juan, PR 3pm-10pm

Day 4: Philipsburg, St Maarten 9am - 5pm

Day 5: Sea Day

Day 6: Labadee 8am - 4:30pm

Day 7: Sea Day

Arrive: Miami

 

I'd be interested in some insight and tips as well as I'll be on the 09-13-08 of this sailing.

[MomtoCCC]

We are doing this route on LOS on 9/27 with our 4yo dd. I would love any suggestions or tips as well. I haven't decided if we will do anything in San Juan or not...

[traveldog27]

Hi everyone,

 

I would have to say I agree with Lisa. My husband and I were on the maiden voyage cruise of LOS last May and wore ourselves out trying to keep up with all the activities. If you don't like what you see in SJ just head back to the ship and enjoy.

 

Traveldog27 (Cathy)

[Shelli]

I'd be interested in some insight and tips as well as I'll be on the 09-13-08 of this sailing.

 

So will I! Come join our Roll Call thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=13057492

[andnickali]

I must be in the minority because I like San Juan. When we were there is August the forts were open until 5:00, we docked at 3:00 so we walked over with the kids. When the forts closed I fiqured nothing would be happening, but it seemed as though many shops/bars etc... were open later.

 

DH and I decided to use this night to try Chops, so we had reservations around 8 that night.

 

Getting in late is certainly not ideal- but we still got to see the forts with the kids which was our main goal.

[cb at sea]

Just because you may not be able to do something ashore doesn't mean it'll be boring! The ship has so much to offer! It's not a requirement to be off the ship when it's in port!

Just beware--it can be really, really humid in SJ--I'm used to humidity and I thought I'd pass-out from the heat--stifling! And that was in April!!!!

[gfromftlaud]

Dragonfly and Tantra are two great restaurants on Calle La Fortaleza. San Juan is always one of our more enjoyable ports.

[househunter]

We love San Juan too! Use that stop to try one of the great restaurants there for dinner!:)

[masonpips]

We docked a little late and it took FOREVER to get off the ship (was way under-impressed with the whole layout/situation at that port) and we still had HOURS to shop. Everything was open until at least 8 I'd say. Dh spent at least 2 hours in the Polo outlet, bought 15 or 16 items and had it all shipped home (I was thinking "I *cannot* fit that in our luggage") for about $12 - it was fabulous.

 

I wandered the Coach and D&B outlet and we spent some time in Marshall's too. We then wandered about the city (which I thought was beautiful) and headed back to the ship. While I wouldn't want to go there on every cruise, we really enjoyed the port.

[jillyfish]

I must be in the minority because I like San Juan. When we were there is August the forts were open until 5:00, we docked at 3:00 so we walked over with the kids. When the forts closed I fiqured nothing would be happening, but it seemed as though many shops/bars etc... were open later.

 

DH and I decided to use this night to try Chops, so we had reservations around 8 that night.

 

Getting in late is certainly not ideal- but we still got to see the forts with the kids which was our main goal.

Is there a charge to get into the forts?

[jillyfish]

I must be in the minority because I like San Juan. When we were there is August the forts were open until 5:00, we docked at 3:00 so we walked over with the kids. When the forts closed I fiqured nothing would be happening, but it seemed as though many shops/bars etc... were open later.

 

DH and I decided to use this night to try Chops, so we had reservations around 8 that night.

 

Getting in late is certainly not ideal- but we still got to see the forts with the kids which was our main goal.

 

Is there a charge to get into the forts?

[jillyfish]

I must be in the minority because I like San Juan. When we were there is August the forts were open until 5:00, we docked at 3:00 so we walked over with the kids. When the forts closed I fiqured nothing would be happening, but it seemed as though many shops/bars etc... were open later.

 

DH and I decided to use this night to try Chops, so we had reservations around 8 that night.

 

Getting in late is certainly not ideal- but we still got to see the forts with the kids which was our main goal.

 

Is there a charge to get into the forts?

 

Sorry for the duplicates............darn boards !!!!

[Merion_Mom]

Is there a charge to get into the forts?

 

Sorry for the duplicates............darn boards !!!!

 

Yes, there is. Do I remember how much? No, I do not! :rolleyes:

 

It wasn't huge, but there was definitely an admission fee.

[Jimmers]

The fee was only around $3 as I recall. There as a combination ticket for both forts and that was only a couple more.

 

We only did San Cristobal which is about a 15 minute walk from the ship. Great views of the shoreline and ship from the fort which sits on a hill. The dungeons are very interesting because they have writings on the walls from when prisoners were held in them. Alot of nooks and crannies to explore.

 

El Morro is further west and on your left as the ship enters the harbor. You could probably do both forts but I think it would be rushed.