BigDaddyCVO

Used it multiple times in multiple ports, never a problem. I wish it was available in more places (San Juan).

We are looking at flying in the day ahead - and possibly staying at the Radisson Ambassador Plaza. Trying to get some idea on the cost of the taxi TO the hotel - and then the next day - the cost from the hotel to the Pier. We were hoping to also stay one extra day and do the same. But I just can't tell what the taxi fees are going to run - to see if they are going to get pretty costly - as opposed to flying in the day "of" and catching the shuttle directly to and from the ship. Any thoughts?

You're staying in the Condado area which is a $15 flat rate cab fare from SJU. There may be surcharges for luggage, 6th and 7th passengers, etc...

I don't think the fare from your hotel to the pier should be too much different if you are sailing out of the Pan American Pier (RCI/X). Though, fares may be a bit more of you are sailing out of the San Juan Cruise Port (pretty much everyone not RCI/X) in Old San Juan.

Google "Puerto Rico Tourist Taxi" for specific fare info.

We normally fly in one day pre-cruise and don't consider San Juan cab fares to be unreasonable.

We're interested in this excursion while on a late June cruise.... But, when I contacted the operator I was told the excursion must be purchased through the cruise line. The problem is this excursion is not listed on RCI's website, including when I accessed shore excursions through my online reservation. I guessing this excursion may be sold out. Thoughts? Has anyone seen this excursion sold at the port?

Anyone????

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Thanks jacketsfan. Since we are coming in the day before the cruise we are wondering what area the Pan American pier is located. Is the BW closer to the pier or airport?

 

 

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The Pan American Pier is near the Condado area and Condado is about 1/2 way between the airport and Old San Juan which is also a popular area to stay pre and post cruise.

The BW+ is much closer to the Pan American Pier than the airport, but the traffic pattern makes the rides similar in length. It about a 15 minute ride from the airport to the BW+ and about a 10 minute ride from the BW+ to the pier.

Have you considered the turtle farm? They have a man made beach and lagoon stocked w/ turtles and fish for snorkeling. The turtle farm also has a decent size pool and food/beverages. My 7 y/o (at the time) son enjoyed interacting with the sea turtles and other exhibits before the pool and snorkeling. We would have stayed at the turtle farm all day if we know more about it before going, but had other plans and had to leave early afternoon.

We're considering the Puerto Rico Old San Juan City & Fortress Tour through Puerto Rico Cruise Excursions LTD after our cruise to kill some time before our mid-aftenoon flight. They advertise picking us up at the pier (Pan-American), storing our luggage during the tour, and dropping us off at the airport.

Has anyone done this tour? Comments?

We don't have "points" to use. Any recommendations for a pre- cruise hotel for 1 nite? Not to far from the pier and have restaurants to walk to. A shuttle from the airport would be good too!! Thanks!

 

 

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We're staying one night pre-cruise at the Best Western Plus Condado Palm Inn & Suites. Probably one of the more reasonable hotels in San Juan. It's only one block from the beach. They don't have an airport shuttle, but taxis are reasonable. Though it's a BW, the reviews are very favorable and the property appears to be newer and kept up nicely.

Hey all!

My fiancée and I will be honeymooning on the Adventure of the Seas June 26th, 2015.

 

This is the first time that we have been to San Juan.

Does Royal Caribbean offer transfers to and from the airport?

And if so, what are the prices?

2nd vote for skipping the RCI transfers and using a taxi, you'll find this true for most departure ports. I'm not sure if your date is a typo, but we're sailing AOS on June 27.

If you are indeed cruising on June 27...

Be sure to stop by the roll call and introduce yourself to the group here http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2035787

And, sign up for the Meet & Mingle here https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/ccEntry.do

You cannot use the Visa companion fare redemption with the BOGOHO promo.

Can visa points be redeemed for any of the other awards such as additional OBC? I know the OBC reward is a bad deal, but I'm curious how the promotion affects other visa reward options.

You cannot use the Visa companion fare redemption with the BOGOHO promo.

I was afraid of that. Thanks.

I'm sure this question has been hashed over again and again, but...

I just booked during the current BOGOHO+$200 OBC promotion; not because of the promotion, but because the stateroom category we want was about to be sold out. We normally apply visa points for a free companion fare, but I'm not sure if this is permitted and if it is how the BOGOHO+$200 OBC promotion is affected. Please fill me in. Thanks.

Just a Fyi if only 1-2 cabins open up the prices are sometimes higher than normal (for that category). This seems to be normal when inventory for a given category is low, or when it sells down to suddenly become low. I track prices on all my cruises up to the sail date and it seems like every other day random categories show up for sale again, after previously being sold out. Best to jump on these quick as the inventory goes fast.

Two opened up this morning and I was able to get one of them.

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Can you tell me what the difference in a D1 and E1 is? Thanks for the information.

 

 

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Normally... D1=sofabed and E1=pullman. The size difference is not a big deal, but we prefer the sofabed.

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I'm looking at a D1 on AOS deck 6 just above Guest Services. Does anyone have experience with cabins in this area? I'm concerned about noise from the Promenade.

Booked AOS for June 2015. Wanted D1, but settled for E1 because it appears no D1's are available. Is it possible for sold out categories to become available again this far in advance? I'm hoping none were available when I booked due to 24-hour holds which will either expire or be cancelled.

The Adventure Ocean staff go to the island and have a special area which is walled in on the beach where they play water games and build sand castles etc. We felt a little guilt about taking our kids there but they didn't want to leave. Our kids are 4&6 and had a blast in the program every day.

 

Having them on the island made our day even more enjoyable as we could lay on a lounge chair and actually close our eyes!

 

Have Fun!

Thanks. Exactly what I was looking for. Do you recall the name of the beach they use for AO?

I would like as many specifics about the (on island) Adventure Ocean program that you can provide. We are taking our 7 year old on his first cruise and he is excited about Adventure Ocean onboard, but I didn't think about the program being available in (off-ship) Labadee.

Just booked the "Beach Break" through RCI for a November 2009 sailing. RCI didn't mention that it was Bannister Island/Caye, but the photo is the same as on Coral Breeze's web site. RCI is a few dollars cheaper than Coral Breeze, but does not offer the snorkeling or a ride through the manatee reserve. The Coral Breeze tour appears to be 45 minutes longer than RCI.

For those cruising on RCI, it may be to your advantage to book through them if you aren't interested in snorkeling and don't need to see the manatees.