Deck 2 OK? Any advice very welcome

[Jim Avery]

Thanks for the fedback re: "gty". That looks to me the best way for us to go. :D We are arriving in Puerto Rico a day ahead (Dec weather being so iffy in MI) and are looking at staying at the Sheraton, but am open to other hotel suggestions....(Just like the nearness to the ship of the Sheraton). Has anyone reported on the affect of the ownership change on service or amenities?:confused:

 

We have used the Sheraton two times. First was an un remarkable room but it did have a view of SeaDream docking in the morning. The second time, we were upgraded to a harbor front suite! Food and service was good (not spectacular) but then we were not expecting that much. Cant beat simply walking across the street to board SD. If you have 2 days (their minimum) or more, El Convento looks very nice. It is in a beautiful old part of Old San Juan and is a short cab ride or an easy walk to the dock. Have fun.

Jim.

[DisneyJen]

The last two years we have embarked in SJU and stayed at the Cairbe Hilton. It is a quick cab ride from the airport to the hotel and then from the hotel to the port. We usually stay on HiltonHonors points. The rooms were renovated in the last year so it is fine.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

El Convento is nice, however the rooms are a bit small and it is difficult to find somthing to eat or drink early or late. There is a bar (Marias?) down the street, in the direction of the docks, that serves decent bar food late. It's funny to watch them make it, as the bartender gets things out of coolers behind the bar and microwaves them. The stuff is "home made" and tastes better than it sounds :p Plus the bar is lively and the drinks are good.

 

We got to the the El Convento at 11pm and were starving and so had to go on a food crawl, and stumbled on the bar. Met some nice locals there and had a good time until 2am (we were still on West Coast time).

 

The next morning we set out on foot to find a replacement cell phone for the one Mrs. Danneskjold washed in her jeans the night before the flight to PR. There is a Radio Shack a few blocks from the hotel and they hooked us up with a cheap pre-pay that our still-working SIM card would work in, problem solved for $90!

 

We then walked down to the docks to see the ship and had a great breakfast at, of all places, the Subway sandwich shop right on the waterfront :D We had looked in the Sheraton but all we saw was the buffett and weren't that hungry. Had breakfast sandwiches and "cubano" coffee.

 

We then walked the perimeter wall until we made our way out to the big fort. From there it was just a short walk back to the El Convento to grab our bags and take the 5 min cab ride to the ship.

 

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[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Hmmm, the old grey-matter is still functioning, despite age and a few too many at that bar. It is "Maria's", and worth a stop for a drink with the locals of Old San Juan:

Maria's: 204 Calle Del Santo Cristo, San Juan, Puerto Rico

It's just a local bar, with a few tables in a hallway where you can also sit and order food. But I recommend sitting at, or near, the bar.

 

Frommer's Review

Forget the tacky decorations. This is the town's most enduring bar, a favorite local hangout and a prime target for Old City visitors seeking Mexican food and sangria. The atmosphere is fun, and the tropical drinks include piña coladas and frosts made of banana, orange, and strawberry, as well as the Puerto Rican beer Medalla. Open daily 10:30am to 3am (closes at 4am Fri-Sat).