RCI Bacardi Rum Tour Review

[St Bernard lover]

:) We just got off the Adventure of the Seas yesterday and decided to take the Bacardi Rum Tour offered by Royal Caribbean as an excursion for people that have flights after 3:00 pm. We met in the Imperial Lounge at 7:45 AM (the first group to meet). All RCI excusions met there and the crew handed out stickers for our shirt with the number of the excursion. The night before, we were instructed to leave our large checked bags outside our door as usual. Most people had their carry-ons in the Imperial Lounge with them. We were ushered off the ship around 8:00 AM and went through the terminal quickly. We picked up our large bags by the color of our sticker and then headed out the door. There was a large truck there that took our large bags and some larger carry-on's as well. Then we boarded a smaller tour bus. This bus had overhead bins for carry-ons but not room for the large bags. Everything went really smooth and we were on the bus by 8:15 AM.

Our driver was Carlos and he was great. He collected our tickets for the excursion and then told us he had good news and bad news. The bad news was that the the Rum Distillary doesn't open until 10:00 am on Sundays (it is open at 9:00 AM on week-days). The good news was that we were going to have a tour of Old San Juan to pass the time until the tour! He first took us to a government building near El Morro. We were given 15 minutes to go inside and marvel at the beautiful interior. We then drove through Old San Juan and saw both forts, and other highlights of the city. Carlos was very knowledgable and gave us a lot of history and trivia regarding the city.

We arrived at the Barcardi distillary at 9:55 am and were given the first tour tickets. We went on the trolley tour that took about 45 minutes and then went back to the gift shop/pavillion. The tour was very interesting and informative. We each were given 2 tickets for free drinks. There was a small concession stand available with hot dogs, nachos, etc. to purchase. Then Carlos pulled up and we boarded the bus again. He told us more history and pointed out more interesting things on the way back to the airport. He also gave us tips on restaurants at the airport. He pulled up the terminal around Noon and our small group of bags were lined up and with a security guard. It was very easy to grab them and head inside.

The tour was around $27/person. I figured that we would have spent at least $25 for a taxi for the 2 of us. So we felt it was a good value and it was very enjoyable way to spend the morning.

[rainforestgirl]

Great review.

I think the only way the Bacardi tour makes sense via the cruise line is on debarkation (since they handle your luggage for you and give you a ride to the airport). $27pp for a tour and transportation , not too bad.

 

But if you have more than 2 people in your party, it can get pricey, and you may be able to find a private guide, or rent a car and do a private trip.

 

For people on a budget and have the time, store your luggage at either Audio Guia ( across from Peir 4 ) or at Barrachina restuarant, then take the ferry and then a taxi to Bacardi. It takes longer, but the charge is about $7 pp rt. But then you have to get to the airport, which is about $19 for 5 people plus baggage fee.

 

Info on the Bacardi tour:

ttp://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/bacardi-rum-factory-a-tour-free-drinks/

[rcprncss]

St. Bernard Lover: Did you tour the distillery? RCI description:

 

"This tour will give you the opportunity to learn about San Juan's History and the development of its unique sugar cane industry. Bacardi Corporation is the largest rum distillery in the world. At the plant you will be able to see the giant fermenting tanks that turn sugar cane into molasses and finally into rum. You will be able to follow the process from vat to barrel to bottle, and then have a chance to sample the results. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Bacardi shops and museum."

 

Is this a video? I think I read somewhere, Coquishideaway's post maybe, that it is a video and you don't actually go to a plant. Just wondering if RCI's tour is different than the tour offered on SJ's website.

 

Thanks for your review by the way. We are trying to find something to do in SJ.

[St Bernard lover]

You take a trolley through the grounds to a building. There are about 5 guided "stations" that you go through, one of which is a movie. The others include a replica of the barrels and distillary tanks, a history room with photos and documents from the past, an interactive room with short videos and opportunity to smell the different types of rum, and a bar type room where they explain how to make different drinks. There also were examples of advertising from the past that was really fun to look at. Then the trolley drives you through the grounds where they point out various buildings and discuss more of the history. You can go through the stations at your own pace and just take the next available trolley back to the gift/shop rum tasting pavillion. My husband and I enjoyed it and felt it was worth the time.

[carbon]

We are platinum and we are able to enjoy some beverages before leaving the ship. So you need to get off the ship that early if you are on the Barcardi tour?

[rcprncss]

Thanks St Bernard lover! It is something to consider. :)

[MARTYsmom]

Thanks for all the info as we also have a flight that doesn't leave until 3:30pm. I'll show this to my DH as I think that this is a great idea. I hate just killing time at the airport.