TSUmom

We have stopped in San Juan as a port stop and enjoyed our time there. That being said with our cruise beginning in SJ we are looking at flying in a day early and just booking a hotel either in Condado or Isla Grande. Any thoughts on which would be better and a preferred hotel are appreciated.

I have similar questions. We are looking at taking the post cruise KSC tour with transfer to the airport. We are planning on booking an early flight the next morning and spending the night at the airport hotel. There seems to be plenty of options for transfer to the port as we are not renting a car. We want to fly in a day early (we always do) and looking for hotel options in Cocoa Beach. Port Canaveral is new to us so the research is fun.

Our first Med cruise and first Haven experience was on the Epic and we loved it. Like you I was confused about the two embarkation ports and we started our cruise in Rome. It was a bit crazy reboarding after our excursion in Barcelona because new passengers were embarking. There were plenty of NCL people guiding us to where we needed to reboard. This was back in 2015 and the only thing I heard some complain about was the sailaway celebration was held during the Barcelona embarkation and nothing for the Rome sailaway. I had no problem with it because I was on a ship on a cruise of a lifetime.

We are also cruising late August/early Sept and from what I have read we have chances for rainy weather. I think the spa pass will be perfect.

Thank you all for sharing this information. We have never booked the thermal spa but we will be in Alaska this summer and I thought it might be a nice place to head to after exploring or sitting on deck glacier watching. I tend to get chilled and have a hard time warming up. On my NCL it used to say not available to book until April and now it is saying book onboard. We are taking the land tour prior to boarding and won't be boarding until later in the day. Hoping there will be passes available.

If OP wants to visit KW I suggest a short vacation there. It is one of the most relaxing, layed back places we have ever been.

This is sad to hear. We enjoyed our KW port stop but that was many years ago. Two years ago we vacationed there for a few days and enjoyed ourselves but as a vacationer and not a cruise ship passenger. I do know many living there do not care for cruiseships and have been trying to stop them from porting there. The reef and their ecosystems apparently suffer.

This has happened to me. I found a cabin I wanted, called my PCC and it showed not available. My PCC told me it is because it is now on "hold" for a short time.

We are considering this tour also and plan on booking the airport hotel for the night and then an early morning flight home. I don't want to end our vacation with stress about making it to the airport in time and DH really wants to see the Kennedy Space Center.

Thank you!

This is good to know - we will be cruising out of Port Canaveral for the first time and I had no idea it could be out of a few different terminals. I usually cruise out of Miami and love the new building, especially the Haven experience. Thank you for the information. As of yet we don't know which terminal we cruise out of.

Although this was on the Prima here is a recent review of Haven boarding.

I enjoy my cabin being ready for me in the evening but honestly I am one of those that make the bed every morning straighten up my cabin and reuse towels for a few days. My cabin stewards always comment that it is like nobody is even staying there. Will I miss have twice a day service? Maybe a bit but it will not ruin my cruises.

We are taking the land tour pre-cruise and board the Jewel on the 28th of August. Is that the same sailing as you?

I had read this and it is unfortunate because this is my DH's bucketlist #1. I let him know and he is ok as long as he can spend some time in Alaska.

I know everything is subject to change but it gave me an idea of where we might stay and an overview of what to expect. I knew meals would not be provided and see the hotels have restaurants. I can now look into the area and see what is within walking distance with our freetime we plan on exploring

Thank you I will check this out!!

Thank you for sharing this information. We will be taking this exact pre-cruise and cruise itinerary late August 2023 and there is very little information on it.

Exactly what I do also

Thank you for a wonderful review and beautiful pictures. Hawaii is always calling my name and I will return.

I do have free bag status with American but still do not want to haul it around if they can check it through. I thought there was a max limit of hours they would keep baggage during long layovers..

I don't want to pay again and really don't want to drag them to the hotel to drag them back to the airport. Definately taking a carry-on for overnight. Thank you all for the info!

The "You will be leaving us soon" letter always makes me sad...the time passes too fast from boarding to packing.

We will be arriving two days pre-cruise also....Any thoughts on staying in Coco Beach? Hotel suggestions?

I am happy to hear this because we are also at the age where all of this technology is foreign to us. I keep reading "take Uber" so I guess it is time we look into it.......