weebo

Thank you, everyone, for the information.

We are flying in the day before the cruise but our flight doesn't get in until 2pm. I figure it will be 3pm by the time we get to our hotel. Is this too late to start walking around Old San Juan? I imagine the forts close at 5pm...?

We have looked at the Intercontinental; that looks like a good hotel for the post cruise stay. We will probably just want to lay by the pool or on the beach by then.

We are looking for a nice beach with comfortable lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a bar in St. Martin and I saw someone mention the Holland House Beach Resort.

We aren't interested in Orient beach; if I remember correctly, the person who mentioned Holland House said there were less vendors and no nudists there as opposed to Orient beach.

Can you tell me where the Holland House beach is located (Dutch side, I think...) and how long it takes to get there from cruise port?

Also, if there is another beach we should consider, I'm open to suggestions. Thanks!

Being a relative newby to cruising, we've only been on two cruises, I'm kinda confused about using the OBC. We didn't have OBC on either of our previous cruises.

So how does this work in relation to planning for excursions and things? We have done our own excursions in the past but we might want to do a ship's excursion this time.

I assume that we have to be actually on the ship during the cruise to use OBC for things? Can someone confirm this? Like if we sign up for specialty dining, spa items or excursions now, we have to pay right away for them? So if this is true, should I just plan on using my OBC for...what? (we have a drink package already and don't want internet)

Thanks for helping me with this basic question. :)

I've been reading everyone's suggestions regarding where to stay in San Juan (the night before and the night after our cruise) in December. ...But I'm no closer to making a decision.

Many of the hotels say they are in the Condado or in Old San Juan district and that these are great areas for walking around. Can you tell me which one you picked to be near and why?

We are considering the Marriott Stellaris, Doubletree Candado, or the Hampton Inn and Suites which is in neither place but close to the airport. I'm open to considering other hotels as well. BTW -My hubby wants a big chain and not the boutique-type smaller hotels.:rolleyes:

Honestly the more research I do the more confusing it is. Most of the better hotels won't let you reserve just one night.

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I couldn't find the answer... which airport is the main one to fly into on Puerto Rico? There are two listed; Luis Munoz Marin and Isla Grande.

Like here in Dallas there are two airports but the one is smaller (Love Field) and you would find most people use DFW.

I want to find the larger of the two airports on Puerto Rico.... thank you.

Thank you so much, everyone! This has been most helpful and has definitely eased my mind about the "older" ship. :)

Thanks also for being so kind and upbeat in replies; now we are getting excited to be cruising the islands in Dec on the Summit!

thanks MareT, that's very reassuring!

Good points, thanks for the input.

The other itinerary that I was referring to would be the one out of Miami on the Reflection. It goes to the same basic area in December.

My hubby and I are booking our first Celebrity cruise tomorrow! We are excited to be going to the southern Caribbean on Dec 10th on the Summit.

However, I have been reading some posts here that say the cabins aren't very nice on the Summit... holes in the carpet, broken things, cracks in the sink and the like. Since we haven't put our deposit down yet, should we switch to a newer ship with a similar itinerary?

Thank you!

I'm still swaying and moving inside! :( Feels like I am still on board... (we got off the Jewel of the Seas yesterday morning)

Does the feeling go away soon??