Aviator of the Seas

I'd recommend Hotel Europark on carrer Arago, close to Passeig de Gracias.

 

Far enough from the tourist trap/mad house that is La Rambla, but close enough that you can walk there if you are so inclined. Closer to the magnificent Sagrada Familia, in the charming Eixample neighborhood. Next to a great market and a short walk to the elegant Passeig de Gracia. And it included a full American breakfast (plus Spanish hams and cheeses) the last time I was there.

 

http://www.hoteleuropark.com/en/

Back to "normal". That is, as we were before the latest blackout.

 

One bit of good news out of this latest event, is that the accident that caused the blackout, happened during the preparation for the testing of a redundancy loop, that's supposed to give further stability to the system. After the repairs were made, they finally tested the line/loop, it worked and it is now in service, which should prevent or minimize these wholesale blackouts. So says the power company.

Aviator...you say you are local? I can only hope that the recovery from the hurricanes are moving along and getting back to somewhat of a normal. I can't imagine the devastation anyone has gone through and wish you the best.

Thank you very much for the sentiment. Yes, I am a local and yes, the past seven months have been a struggle. But our recovery is coming along well. We've had a successful fall/winter/spring cruise season and many thousands (and approaching the millions) have already enjoyed the island post-hurricanes. We are overwhelmed by the support we have received from all over the world, but particularly from the cruise lines and cruisers that didn't cancel on us. You have no idea how much it means for us that we were not abandoned. Just by coming down and keeping people here busy with their jobs is the best way anyone can help us. For that we will be forever grateful.

 

I am including a recent article on the state of the El Yunque National Forest (the rainforest). Great signs of improvement.

 

Take care. And again, thank you for your concern and kind words.

 

https://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=46291065&nid=157&title=puerto-ricos-rainforest-slowly-reopens-to-visitors

Note: Uber is prohibited from dropping people off at the rainforest because there's barely a signal up there, and they have left many people stranded because they can't connect with the app to go back.

The lush scenery that you might have seen in pictures was greatly affected by last year's hurricanes when most trees were defoliated. Don't be disappointed, nature heals itself and our forests are currently going through that process. You don't say when you are coming down, but it could be a year or two before the lushness returns. In the meantime, you now have a rare opportunity to witness this process as it unfolds, the destruction/rebirth cycle which is part of life in the tropics.

 

There are many ways of getting to the rainforest, from rental cars to tour companies. I can't recommend any as I am a local, but I'm sure others will chime in, or you can peruse further into this board and you will find plenty of info and recommendations.

I take it you don't want to or can't walk to these locations? I ask because there's really no place for a taxi to sit and wait near the Parque de las Palomas, and it is so close to the cruise ship piers that I wonder.

 

But if you want to taxi it, when each cruise ship docks, a taxi line forms outside the terminal and you can just walk to any and negotiate a private rate for your "not tour".

5 miles exactly.

Subscribing in anticipation of our new home port RCI ship. Looking forward to many sailings on her.

FEMA isn't giving businesses any money. Businesses must rely on insurance or SBA loans to get back on their feet. FEMA only deals with infrastructure and individual citizens/families.

Most likely the tour will be on a Robinson R44 piston powered (as opposed to turbine powered) helicopter. That much I can say. If $260.00 seems steep, consider that turbine powered helicopters are usually chartered for over $1,200.00 per hour. if this tells you anything.

That is a great idea.

Reminds me of my morning reflection during my walk around outside deck two. Water,water everywhere and the explorers Erickson and Columbus navigated this ocean and its uncharted waters. Here I am on a very modern ship sailing the same waters today.

 

We spotted the first ship on the horizon yesterday. It was a tanker.

 

 

 

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I did the same crossing but on the other direction. Barcelona-Mallorca-Cartagena (Murcia)-Canary Islands-Puerto Rico, which is the same route my great-grandfather and his brothers took when they moved from Jaén to Puerto Rico in the 1890s. A rite of passage for me. I also gazed at the ocean all the time, mesmerized by its enormity and the challenge it must have been for our ancestors, almost always a one way trip.

 

Continue enjoying. And thank you for taking us along.

 

Fair winds and following seas

One recommended activity during ocean crossings: bet who's the first to see a bird on the other side of the pond.

Most hotels in San Juan have a Tour Desk in the lobby where they arrange this sort of thing. Check if yours can help.

El Yunque is only partially reopened. Most of the trails and roads are closed. You can go up to la Coca Falls and do a short trail walk. The Visitors Center is closed. There are no facilities to speak of. Your best bet is to hire a professional tour guide who can navigate around the damage.

 

Now, having said that, don't rule out a visit to the Rainforest. The impact of the hurricanes is great, but so is the resiliency of nature as it heals itself. It's something few people experience and see live in front of their eyes. You should try it.

Agree with the above that La Rambla is not the best area to stay in Barcelona. I'd recommend Hotel Euro Park on Aragó street in the charming Eixample neighborhood. It's closer to the Sagrada Familia than La Rambla. It's next to a nice maket, about a ten minute walk to Passeig de Gracia, 15 minute walk to Plaza Catalunya, and 20 minutes to La Rambla.

 

http://www.hoteleuropark.com/en/surroundings/

Just booked a cruise from San Juan for February 2019. Many of my friends have told me that Old San Juan and other parts of the area are unsafe. Restaurants and hotels not up to standard. I am just wondering what the current status is of the port. Have tried to google it but not finding much or very recent. Would appreciate any input.

 

Jenster57

 

The Port of San Juan, Old San Juan, and the resort, hotel and inn areas of Condado, Ocean Park and Isla Verde are back to normal, except for a few hotels that haven't reopened yet. The main attraction of El Yunque Rainforest was heavily damaged and is reopened on a very limited basis. Otherwise, other attractions east of San Juan, particularly water sport based activities off Fajardo, are just fine. This is for the rest of the spring/summer 2018.

 

Now, you're coming in on February 2019. To get an accurate estimate for you, we will have to wait for the 2018 hurricane season to be over. ;)

When a ship prepares to go into restricted waters (like into port), or get underway, the anchors are prepped for instant use in case of emergency, so all of the "safety devices" are removed, and the anchors are holding just on their brake bands. Sometimes, if the bands are not tightened enough, severe vibrations, like when a ship gets going too fast in shallow water (the propeller wake bounces off the bottom and vibrates the ship), the windlass brake band can slip, and the anchor fall under its weight to the sea bed. It's embarrassing, but it does happen.

 

Thank you for the explanation. Very interesting and makes a lot of sense.

Great, hope all is well. Board the Glory next weekend.

 

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They'll probably have to shop for a new anchor before you cast off! ;p;p

Doing almost 9 knots, headed 315. Great job all around to those involved in very difficult conditions! Sorry for the alarm if any family of those on board was reading this.

Looks like the tug Harbor Miracle just released the Glory and she's on her own headed NW!

Looks like Glory is moving away. she's up to 5 kts. she has another anchor so she may be continuing on with her cruise to Grand Turk. Salvage crew may look for the anchor on the sea floor tomorrow and meet up later with Glory and get it fixed. Who knows. I wouldn't think they would sit too long in the middle of a cruise over a lost anchor when they still have another.

 

I can hear the CD: "Okay folks. We're on our way. We won't charge you extra for the little adventure we just had!"

Marine traffic showed a minute ago that the Glory is at 6 knots heading NE, which is better than nohing.

 

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:-66.126/centery:18.487/zoom:13

Found this picture on Twitter,not sure how accurate it is..

 

I don't have much to add to this thread except that I'm currently on the Sunshine.

 

We saw the Glory in St. Thomas yesterday, and we are currently underway to San Juan.

 

We've been on the Glory 3 times, so it's of interest.

 

Thanks AOS for your on the spot reporting.

 

I wish I had marine VHF radio on me. It's Sunday and all the news sites are asleep.

Prayers for those on board. Even if close to shore and competent assets, the anxiety of being stuck in rough seas, don't care to go through that.