Jbabineau23

Last year, we stayed at the Embassy Suites San Juan and we loved it. There is a manager's reception at night with snacks and beverages and hot cooked to order breakfast/buffet in the morning. We took a tax and it was a flat rate. We didn't rebook this hotel as it was going through refurbishment and the hotel was more than I wanted to spend. The rate increased a lot since last year. This year we are trying the Intercontinental Hotel San Juan in the Isle Verde area. We did a day pass at the Marriott Stellaris last year when disembarked and awaiting our flights back home. That was a beautiful hotel/resort!! Good luck!

10 more days - Freedom of the Seas! Can't wait!

Glad I could help! :) enjoy your trip!

Thanks for your commentary, Harriskc;

 

Any other details you'd care to share? How long was the travel time to get there? On the off-chance that you may know.........did you notice anywhere that you'd be able to purchase a portable umbrella? Another poster spoke of bringing hers on the ship, but since she lives locally, it would not apply to me. The thought of being without shade is not a great one for me.

 

Scanditaly

I would suggest getting one of those umbrellas at your port of embarkation. I know when I go, I plan on going to CVS or Walgreens and picking one of before we board in San Juan.

For anyone who has been to both secret sands beach and Trunk bay which beach would you go to? We have an excursion booked to St. John to visit trunk bay then saw this excursion. Not sure which one to do!

I have an excursion booked to St. John to go to Trunk bay? I saw this excursion to Secret Sands Beach.... do these beaches compare? Trying to decide if so secret sands over trunk bay??

Great, thank you! I thought maybe they were the same beach, but I wasn't a 100% sure with what I was finding online. Appreciate the feedback. I think we will just venture to the Aquarium on our own as the price and inclusions appear to be the same. :)

Has anyone down the tour to the sea aquarium via viator? It’s only $21 per person and we have to get our own taxi there which is fine, but the list of things included in the tour seems inexpensive so I figured I would ask here. Also, is the beach a quick walking distance to aquarium? We will have kids ranging from 4 to 12 and want to do the beach afterwards. Any thoughts? I believe it is sea aquarium beach.... Thanks!

I just got off the phone with JetBlue and they did change our flight to 2pm and we made out with this change, we were able to get a direct flight back.

Thanks for all your advice!

Out of San Juan on JetBlue

Thats what i was afraid of!!! Thank you!

JetBlue just emailed to say they are changing our flights on disembarkation day from 1246pm to 9:46AM. Will we have enough time to get to airport and be able to get off of boat? We’ve only cruises once and last year I recall getting off the boat around 915AM. Figured I would ask before I call to change it. Thank you.

I was there last year and my family loved it. I think someone on this thread was there recently though...it is a quick walk from the ship which is great! I just made reservations for our trip at the end of next month and we got the same price w no lunch... $20 per adult and $10 per child. I specifically asked for no lunch and the manager was accommodating. Good luck and have a great trip!

I would wait some more until after final payment - coming up in a couple of weeks. Prices may drop some more on that balcony.

Oops looks like I posted twice by accident! Lol

Thank you for the tip! I will do that! :)

Thank you! Even when I have a balcony, I don’t use it as often as I would like, but hoping to this trip... I am more so worried about being on deck 2 with noise or maybe I am overthinking it....

Good tip! I had no idea about this! Do you call RCL directly or go through the TA?

last weekend I booked a trip in the Freedom of the Seas for an ocean view cabin. Now, I’m thinking maybe I should have gone for the balcony room.... there are some available in category 5D deck 6 and 7 or deck 6 category 1D. Should I opt for one of these balconies? Only about $300 more. Last year, we did our first sailing on RCL AOS and got an amazing deal on a JS category so I know what I am booking now will be smaller. Any help and/tips anyone can offer will be appreciated. Thank you!

I have booked an interior Ocean View room in deck 2 on the Freedom of the Seas. There are balconies available on deck 6 and 7 category 5D and on deck 6 category 1D for only a few hundred more than what I am spending for an interior. What would you do? I have never been on this ship. Last year was our first sailing with RCL AOS and we got an amazing deal for a JS so I know the rooms will be smaller and different. Any tips or help will be appreciated. Thank you.

couple of photos I took.

Thanks - that's perfect. For reservations, did you just use the email listed in your prior post? You said you talked to Dwayne. Does he have a direct line or email?

Yes, his name is Dwayne La Pas and the Email i used to correspond with him was dlapas@curacaorenaissance.com He will respond and sometimes can not be right away, but within a day or faster.

DWAYNE LA PAS|MANAGERB&F OPERATIONS

Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino Baden Powellweg#1, Willemstad, Curaçao

T +5999.435.5000 F +5999.435.5001

Did you walk there from the ship and if so, about how far/how long? We're only in port in the PM so we're looking for something close and easy.

Yes, we walked from port. You take a right out of port and follow the walkway along the waterfront and will see signs. It was a quick walk maybe 5 min. I wasn't Paying attention, but it is very close and can see the hotel from the ship.

Just got back from our cruise this past weekend. The Renaissance hotel was great. The place was Quiet and we practically had the all beach to ourselves. It was 20 per adult and 10 per child with no lunch box. Gave you towels and there were plenty of chairs and shade. I am going to try and post a picture.

Thank you for your video. Torn between Magen's Bay and Sapphire. My Family has never been to St. Thomas. We will be there next week! You didn't have to go too far out to get good snorkeling to see the sting-ray? My children would love this. They haven never seen clear water or been snorkeling so I am looking forward to this trip! Great idea on the floats!

WOW, we just got our credit card bill for the trip, we paid $10pp, got a chair & a towel, sat under an umbrella. Seems now that word has gotten out their raising their rates & throwing in lunch.

I just spoke to the manager again and asked if there was a way to not do the box lunched since my daughter is a bit finicky.... he responded yes and the price is $20 per adult and $10 for children 5 to 12 yrs. I made our reservation and will be there in little over a week. 😊

I will be in St. Kitts on July 28th. Was it worth going to the Marriott even though the beach was just OK? I believe if my information is correct there will be 3 ships in port. Trying to decide if we should taxi to Carambola, day pass at Marriott or stay of the ship with the kids? I simply can't decide. I keep reading mixed review of the beaches on St. Kitts. We have never cruised as a family before so kids don't know what to expect and it has been YEARS since I cruised....

Also, when people have gone was it a very busy resort? Just trying to get a feel. Thanks so much!