Constellation out of PR

[parrothead1]

We are currently on the final stages of planning our Constellation cruise for 3/12/05. We always fly down a day before for the extra rest and relaxation. We sailed the Galaxy out of PR in 3/98, and they let us on at like noon or so even though we didn't sail until 11:30. Here are the questions I have:

 

I have heard that they will usually start boarding at 11:30 or so. Is this still true today?

 

Also, I have been to PR MANY MANY times on business and always stayed at the Embassy Suites in Isla Verde by the airport. I am looking for a good price and something reasonably close to the pier. Anyone have any other thoughts? I haven't been there for a long period of time since 1999.

 

Thanks for your help!!

 

Celebrity:

Zenith 10/92

Horizon 07/94

Century 01/97

Galaxy 03/98

Zenith 06/99

Century 03/00

Century 03/01

Zenith 06/02

Millineum 04/03

Constellation (Most likely)

 

Carnival:

Glory 02/04

Victory Cruise to NOWHERE

[sbd1601]

We were able to board on Connie at 1 p.m. last Saturday (3/27) and it seemed like there were already people on board. I don't know exactly when they started boarding.

 

No ideas on the hotel - sorry!

[dabear]

the Wyndham Old Juan is almost across the street from the port and is walking distance to old san juan. the rooms are supposedly average and it only has a small rooftop pool. We are staying at the Wyndham In the Condado area as it is more of a resort and is still only a short cab ride away.

 

1/05 Constellation

2004 Tahitian Princess

2002 zuiderdam

2001 millenium

1993 regent sea

1986 emerald sea

1981 sun viking

1971 jason

1969 carla c

[friarfan]

We stayed at the Wyndham in the Condado area before our cruise in January. It was about a 5 minute cab ride to the pier. We boarded at about 12:00 noon. It was very easy. The hotel was very convenient and there were lots of other Constellation cruisers staying there as evidenced by the luggage tags on all the bags. Another hotel in the same area is the Caribe Hilton. Good luck and have fun.

[birders]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> the Wyndham Old Juan is almost across the street from the port <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Yes, but you would need to check WHICH PORT the ship will be at for embarkation! When a ship sails into San Juan for a port day in the middle of a cruise, it's usually to the Old San Juan pier right there by the Wyndham O.S.J. but when we've sailed Constellation out of San Juan, it's been from across the harbor - I think it's called the Pan American Pier???

[urbanian]

We got our docs today (WHOO HOO!!) for our departure out of San Juan on the Constellation on April 24. According to the documents we sail from the Pan America Pier. Embarkation begins at 5PM.

 

Dan & Marlene

 

Us - NCL Norway 02/03

Her - NCL Southward 04/92

- Star Princess 05/95

- HAL Westerdam 09/96

[dabear]

friarfan: did you like the Wyndham Condado Plaza? did you try any of its restaurants? was there shopping nearby or should we just go to old san juan to shop (one of my wife's favorite passtimes). We've been to SJ a few times (last time 2 years ago) and we thought that they really cleaned up old san Juan.

 

1/05 Constellation

2004 Tahitian Princess

2002 zuiderdam

2001 millenium

1993 regent sea

1986 emerald sea

1981 sun viking

1971 jason

1969 carla c

[yankfan]

We were on the connie in March and boarded before 12 noon. The cabins were not ready until an hour or so later. Enjoy

[Denham33]

On 2/21 sailing we arrived at the pier around 11:15 and were on board around 11:30. People at our hotel saw our luggage tags and asked why were going so early, since they had called Celebrity that morning and had been told 2:00 was the boarding time. We explained that that was the "official" message, but based on these boards, we knew it was not true. We could not get into our room until 1:00, but it gave us plenty of time to walk around the ship, get a feel for her layout, etc. and have lunch. I was on board; I didn't care if I wasn't in my room quite yet!

As for hotel, we have stayed at the Wyndham Old San Juan before. It is nice, but still need a taxi to get to the Pan Am Pier. It is also somewhat expensive. We chose "simple" this time and stayed at the Howard Johnson in Isla Verde. Only about $100, and a clean room with a decent restaurant. Close to airport and only a 10 minute ride to pier. I'd rather have the extra $$ for drinks on board!

 

Constellation - 2/04

NCL Dream - 2/00

NCL Dreamward - 2/96

[friarfan]

dabear,

 

The Wyndham Condado was fine. It was nice but nothing special, which is fine since you are only there one evening. The hotel has a casino and several restaurants. We ate at one of the nicer restaurants in the hotel (can't remember the name of it). It had an enormous fish tank. It was the length of the entire restaurant. We were told it was the largest in the carribean. The food was good, but not as good as the cruise ship! One exception, they had a coconut creme brulee served in a hollowed out coconut. It was awesome! I must tell you that everything at the hotel (drinks, dinner, breakfast,etc...) seemed pretty pricey. We love to go to fine restaurants and nice resorts regularly, but it just felt like you were overpaying for what you got here. As for the shopping, there wasn't much in that area. You'd be better off doing the shopping in Old San Juan. All in all, the convenience of the 5 minute cab ride to the pier made it worthwhile to stay there, although I would not stay there for a week. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Have a great time.

[trlord]

We just returned from the Constellation on 4/3/4 and what a trip! I would not change a thing about this boat. We arrived on 3/27 and was able to board the ship immediately, which was about Noon after the ride over to the Pan Am Pier.(which is not within walking distance of any area - it is strictly a commercial pier) This gave us time to unpack our carry-ons, have lunch on board, and go back out to see the town a little. We took a taxi to the Fort ($12- what a view) and then walked (downhill) to Old San Juan. Nice walk and then caught a taxi ($10) back to the ship in the late afternoon. When we returned our luggage was there and we were all set!

 

They told us to come to the early seating as it was 'open seating' for dinner, but a nice staff told us to disregard this, and choose our scheduled late seating if we wanted. Which we did. There was still a large crowd at the 8:30 seating. Don't let them tell you to come to the early seating if you don't want to!!!

 

I would never cruise again without a balcony room - it is well worth the extra $$. We spent most mornings w/room service and most late afternoons (the cheese/fruit tray or chef's salad is nice) on the balcony as we left port. Nothing like it in the world!! The majority of our pictures seem to be taken from the balcony view.....

 

One other quick tip - when you return to port for disembarkation, and if you have some time left during the day (possibly a later flight out?) like we did, then by all means - go straight to the airport and check your baggage - if you are flying Delta the lines are extrememly long and took almost 1 1/2 hours. (they tell you the airlines will not take your luggage only up to 2 hrs before a flight - but we found out from Delta they take it up to 6 hours before a flight - thus we did not need to try to find a place to pay to 'store' our luggage while in town. Our friends were flying Continental, again a late flight, and they had no problems checking their baggage at 11:00 AM)) Then we took a taxi and went over to the Ritz Carlton for lunch and a leisurly stroll around the properties. Much nicer day than sitting at the horribly crowded airport waiting on our flights. Almost like having an extra day.

 

This was our first cruise and let me tell you -formal nights are not always so formal. We dressed 'to the nines' but alot, and I mean alot, of folks were in pants outfits for women (all men were in tuxes or suits/sportcoats) So do not stress over what to wear - nice pants and dressy blouses/sweaters, etc. The majority did NOT have on long gowns. I took a long skirt with my sequins and ended up wearing dressy slacks with them instead. And alot of teenagers were not even formal at all. I did not see one person turned away for inappropriate dress. I believe you would have to be in jeans to be turned away! If you love to dress it is the time to do it, but do not STRESS over it at all.

 

We took the 5 Star Catamaran trip out of Barbados and it was excellent - real first class boat, food, and crew. I would recommend to all. This was our only pre-booked excursion. We were able to read the itenaries each night and make our own plans for each island. Such as shopping in town and then a quick change to go back out to one of the beaches. Best beach by far was in St Thomas - Coki Beach. It was what we had been expecting to find all along. Secluded but not remote, crystal clear waters and very, very calm. Good food and snorkeling right from the beach. You can skip the Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, it is rough water and you are constantly hounded by locals selling their wares. Find another beach if you are a 'beach bum' like us!

 

Dickerson Bay in Antigua was nice - it is home to a Sandals Resort and have several nice places to eat or rent chairs/umbrellas. There was calm water but quite a lot of seaweed - not sure if this is always the case or not - but the beach is alot of fun. Locals are selling their wares but it is up to you to approach them. At all beaches - remember you are alot closer to the Equator - so take strong sunscreen....

 

Nicest islands to shop are Antigua and St Thomas. Grenada seems unsafe and not very clean. We bought a digital camera in St Thomas but only because we had done our home work and ended up saving at least $100. Casa De Campo is a stop for the Dominican Republic but the only thing worth it there is the resort excursion (we heard it was a fantastic place). you can skip Altos el Chavon - this is a 'nothing' town, hot and deserted on a Sunday. The Marina area was nice if you just wanted to sit and take in the boats. But spend your day at the Resort (fantastic pool) or either stay on the boat!!

 

The only other thing - we read so much before about liquor on board or not - well by all means - if you are a drinker. We saw people bringing it on constantly and never stopped. You can purchase whatever you need right in the ships'terminal in San Juan - from beer to liquor to soft drinks - and walk right on with it. (so don't bother packing in your suitcases, etc!) We even overheard the store clerk in the ships own store saying that you could by the liquor from him and take it immediately back to your room as long as you had some sort of bag to put it in -such as their Constellation beach bag they provide in all the rooms! People were bringing in bottles of wine and even saw one man with a case of Miller Lite walk right on.

 

Finally - hats off to the Ocean Liners staff and chef - it was an extraordinary experience. Well worth the money if you are considering it. Best night would be Wednesday as you do not miss either formal night or the better menus in the main dining room. Wednesday is causal night in the dining room. Dress for Ocean Liners is formal - but again - dressy pants for ladies is very appropriate as well.

 

'Sure wish I could sign off saying when my next cruise is - but there WILL be another one day!!! Why we waited so long to do our first, is a big regret!