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Toonjie's Back!

toonjie

By toonjie,
in San Juan, PR

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toonjie

toonjie

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We're back and adjusting to life in the real world after our best cruise ever on the AOS with one day pre at the Marriott Stellaris and 4 day post at the Wyndham Rio Mar. I just uploaded over 1200 pics to Photobucket and am working on a major report, but just wanted to let Greeneyedlady and all those who got the El San Juan know that I did get to tour it and it is a great hotel! I wasn't able to see the rooms, but from the lobby areas and pool areas, and some interaction with the staff I can assure you that you will love it.

Here are some pics:

Lobby:

IMG_6469.jpg

Pool:

IMG_6475.jpg

IMG_6477.jpg

IMG_6478.jpg

IMG_6479.jpg

Beach:

IMG_6484.jpg

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mel9294

mel9294

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Welcome back!

 

I have followed your posts and love all the great advice you give. Even when you have to answer the same questions several times to different posters...you never get angry and take the time to explain things completely. Thank you.

 

Can't wait to read the report and see the pics! :)

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cruzobsessed

cruzobsessed

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toonjie...i haven't seen your other posts...yet..but i did have a question...

we'll be in san juan from 2-midnight. we've been to san juan before....saw the forts....did some shopping etc. since you've just spent a decent amount of time there....is there anything you'd suggest?

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toonjie

toonjie

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toonjie...i haven't seen your other posts...yet..but i did have a question...

we'll be in san juan from 2-midnight. we've been to san juan before....saw the forts....did some shopping etc. since you've just spent a decent amount of time there....is there anything you'd suggest?

 

Check out Puerto Rico Day Trips for some ideas, http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/, they post on this board a lot. I guess it depends on what you want to do. Everyone should definitely see the rain forest, El Yunque, but it does take about an hour each way to get there. You could just relax on a beach in the Condado area or Isla Verde or out at Loquillo. There's also loads to see right in OSJ. You could tour La Fortaleza, hit the museums, cathedrals. Hope this helps for now, let us know your interests and we can suggest some more.

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cruisintwinsmom

cruisintwinsmom

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It was great to meet you on AOS! It is so difficult to come back to the real world after such a relaxing vacation. Your help pre-cruise was so helpful and I don't think I did a very good job of thanking you in person. So, Thank You!!!!!!

 

We had such a great time in the Caribbean, that we are going to sail AOS on the alternate itinerary next year.

 

Best wishes and have a great "Labor" Day (pun intended)--it will be here before you know it.

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toonjie

toonjie

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Welcome back!

 

I have followed your posts and love all the great advice you give. Even when you have to answer the same questions several times to different posters...you never get angry and take the time to explain things completely. Thank you.

 

Can't wait to read the report and see the pics! :)

 

Thanks! I love cruising and San Juan and it's great to be able to help people out! It was especially great to meet people in person on this last cruise, like Cruisintwinsmom, who I was able to help.

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toonjie

toonjie

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It was great to meet you on AOS! It is so difficult to come back to the real world after such a relaxing vacation. Your help pre-cruise was so helpful and I don't think I did a very good job of thanking you in person. So, Thank You!!!!!!

 

We had such a great time in the Caribbean, that we are going to sail AOS on the alternate itinerary next year.

 

Best wishes and have a great "Labor" Day (pun intended)--it will be here before you know it.

 

You are more than welcome! Glad you liked the Marriott! Glad you're going on the AOS again! You'll love the other itinerary, it's a little more laid back with two days at sea, we did it last year and loved it! It was great to meet you guys, we had a great time on this past cruise!

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cruisintwinsmom

cruisintwinsmom

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You are more than welcome! Glad you liked the Marriott! Glad you're going on the AOS again! You'll love the other itinerary, it's a little more laid back with two days at sea, we did it last year and loved it! It was great to meet you guys, we had a great time on this past cruise!

 

 

I was really looking forward to 2 sea days, but alas, they have changed the itinerary. Now stops in Aruba, Curacoa (sp?), Grenada, Dominica, and St. Thomas. This time we are thinking about possibly staying on Vierdas (sp---will look it up) before the cruise. Nothing in stone, but just a possibility.

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toonjie

toonjie

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I was really looking forward to 2 sea days, but alas, they have changed the itinerary. Now stops in Aruba, Curacoa (sp?), Grenada, Dominica, and St. Thomas. This time we are thinking about possibly staying on Vierdas (sp---will look it up) before the cruise. Nothing in stone, but just a possibility.

 

I didn't know the new route was in effect that soon. Grenada is great, hilly and gorgeous with great beaches as well and I have always wanted to go to Dominica, but have never got the chance. I've seen lots of shows on it, there is a hike up through the rainforest to a boiling lake that we have always wanted to do. You'll have a blast!

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sunshine0503

sunshine0503

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Have you ever stayed at the Intercontinental? Do you have any pics? That's where we are staying pre-cruise for Feb 2009. I hear it's a great hotel... just wanted to see some other pics and get your experience since I consider you the SJSME (san juan subject matter expert) :D

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toonjie

toonjie

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Have you ever stayed at the Intercontinental? Do you have any pics? That's where we are staying pre-cruise for Feb 2009. I hear it's a great hotel... just wanted to see some other pics and get your experience since I consider you the SJSME (san juan subject matter expert) :D

 

Sorry, I haven't stayed there myself, but our IT guy at work stayed there last year and loved it. It is right next door to the ESJ, but my wife was waiting in the car so I couldn't go too crazy touring hotels! :) The pool area is supposed to be even better than the ESJ so it should be really nice. Isla Verde Beach is arguably the best beach in San Juan. Also there are loads of stores and restaurants all around. I'm working on my review so stay tuned!

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Texana

Texana

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Toonjie--thanks for your info on the ESJ since we'll be staying there one night pre-cruise in November due to priceline bid. Really do appreciate all your efforts on these threads..!

 

Did I read into the other post that an itty bitty Toonjiette will arrive to join you and Ms. Toonjie..:D

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toonjie

toonjie

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Toonjie--thanks for your info on the ESJ since we'll be staying there one night pre-cruise in November due to priceline bid. Really do appreciate all your efforts on these threads..!

 

Did I read into the other post that an itty bitty Toonjiette will arrive to join you and Ms. Toonjie..:D

 

Thanks, and yes, August 28th is the due date, it's a boy!

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toonjie

toonjie

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Okay, it was 40 degrees here last night, so I am dedicating today to writing up the now fading memories of our warm vacation! Here's the overall itinerary. Coming shortly, "Signs of the Times," The Pre-Pre-Cruise. :)

 

 

Friday, May 9 Pre-Precruise- Sheraton, Tarrytown, NY

Saturday, May 10 Precruise- Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, San Juan

Sunday, May 11 Embarkation- Adventure of the Seas!

Monday, May 12 Day at Sea

Tuesday, May 13 Barbados- Welchman Hall Gulley/Bathsheba (Exploring with rental car)

Wednesday, May 14 St.Lucia- Private land & sea tour with Herod, Jalousie Plantation Resort-Scuba diving on Piton Wall

Thursday, May 15 Antigua- Shopping/Eli’s Eco-Tour

Friday, May 16 St. Maarten- Ferry to Anguilla-Shoal Bay Beach/Shopping

Saturday, May 17 St. Thomas- Scuba diving/Sapphire Beach/Shopping

Sunday, May 18 Debarkation/4 night post cruise, Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort

Monday, May 19 Hiking El Yunque Rainforest

Tuesday, May 20 Beach/Belz Factory Outlet Mall/El Yunque-hiking

Wednesday, May 21 Culebrita/Culebra tour with East Island Tours

Thursday, May 22 Pool/Explore Old San Juan & Shopping 8:00pm Departure

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frito58

frito58

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Have you ever stayed at the Intercontinental? Do you have any pics? That's where we are staying pre-cruise for Feb 2009. I hear it's a great hotel... just wanted to see some other pics and get your experience since I consider you the SJSME (san juan subject matter expert) :D

 

We stayed at the El San Juan last year which is next door. We had a pre-cruise get together at the pool area of the Intercontinenetal it is gorgeous. The hotel looked very nice and its a pretty good area . Several places to eat of all price ranges . A small store which I walked to and bought some beer and snacks to take back to our room.

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Nidwaldner

Nidwaldner

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Welcome back Toonjie,

 

I am anxious to hear how your wife fared with the long flight, busy port schedule, and cruise. Was she able to do as many activities as she had hoped? How did the heat affect her? I will be going into my 24th week on my upcoming S. Caribbean. Thanks for all your reports!

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toonjie

toonjie

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Welcome back Toonjie,

 

I am anxious to hear how your wife fared with the long flight, busy port schedule, and cruise. Was she able to do as many activities as she had hoped? How did the heat affect her? I will be going into my 24th week on my upcoming S. Caribbean. Thanks for all your reports!

 

Thanks! She did very well, she is a trooper. We tailored the itinerary for her as much as possible and the only thing she couldn't do as much of is walking, but she still did 5-6 miles a day. Surprisingly the heat didn't bother her that much! Here's a link to my report:http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=783539

 

Here she is climbing in El Yunque rainforest:

IMG_6576-1.jpg

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toonjie

toonjie

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You will never understand how my eyes lit up when I saw a new post. I LOOOOOVE your review.

 

Thanks so much! I'm excitedly writing St. Lucia now which was just the best day ever with the best tour guide of all time! Wait to you hear about it!

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