Aviator of the Seas

Port of San Juan ship tracker says it’s underway at .4 nm

 

 

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That seems like a swing around the anchor. Almost no forward speed.

What’s going on now?

 

 

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It's still stuck out there, according to Marine Traffic. It is now dark in San Juan.

This is a post on FB

 

Well the Carnival Glory decided to drop one of her anchors leaving San Juan and drag it awhile. So we are stuck here for a bit. Looks like I need to take over driving this ship.

How the heck does that happen? Isn't there a safety detent or something?

This is one of those annoying "news" sites with lots of ads and what not. Tread lightly if you want to see a shaky video of the scene just before dusk:

http://www.tuvideopr.com/video/483678581--Crucero-encalla-cerca-del-%C3%A1rea-del-Morro-

Video of the scene shows a tug alongside the ship. It's getting dark in San Juan right now. (6:50 Atlantic Standard Time).

Preliminary: ship dropped anchor for unexplained reasons just off the harbor and the anchor is stuck at the bottom and can't be retrieved. Passengers and crew safe.

Local news reporting trouble with a Carnival ship apparently running aground in or just off San Juan harbor. The Glory was in San Juan in a port call today.

Anyone know if accurate or true?

Exactly. And you live there, right? So you know.

 

Article buries the good stuff. “Old San Juan is the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico. San Juan is the oldest city in the United States, founded in 1521. Puerto Rico has a lot of history — and it has been through plenty of storms.”

 

I won’t waste sorrow thinking it’s all over. I have faith that it’ll be fixed. :)

Yes, and right. It's about a 200 meter section of the walk, where the waves overpowered the very low safety wall and took along with it some lamp posts and a fence by the fountain. The pier by the San Juan Gate/Puerta de San Juan has been unusable since forever. That pier had no history to it. It's just a recent addition for the convenience of modern boaters. Way back when people used row boats from the ships and then waddled ashore.

Give me a crew of about ten masons and welders and I'll have this walk fixed up in a week. Not the first time it happens.

Old San Juan was doing just fine. But then, we had a ginormous northerly swell hit us overnight and today, which caused considerable damage to Paseo La Princesa, the bayside promenade most people take to walk to the forts from the piers. Now you will have to cut across town until that beautiful walk is repaired.

The rainforest will take a long time to mend post hurricane. Right now you can see less than 5% of what you normally would. Uber is not authorized for tours such as these. They would just drop you off nearby and then you would have to fend off by yourself in a very isolated area. Why would anyone hail Uber for a tour?

Airport is back to normal. Both terminals A and B are operational.

Welcome back!

We thought we would just get on the cruise early and take a nap. I will see about a hotel room for a few hours.

On turn around (disembark/embark) days, no one is allowed on the ship until the previous sailing has reached "zero count", meaning everyone has gotten off and cleared U.S. Customs. Once Customs clears the ship, then the cruise line hands the passenger manifest for the next embarkation to port security and then people can start getting onboard. And all that doesn't happen until 10 or 11:00 AM, on a good day. When Customs gets testy, the process can drag on until noon or even early afternoon.

So, yes. Book a room if you want to rest a little.

Wow, many breakfast places don't even open until 6:00 AM on Saturdays. There's one of those 24 hour chain restaurants at the Condado Plaza Hilton, near the ports. Other than that, the only places open would be the late bars in Old San Juan, but those are just too rowdy at that hour.

I'd call a hotel and see if they can give a you a room reservation for the 13th, with a very late check in the wee hours, so you can crash for a couple hours and freshen up. Otherwise, you're out on the curb until that luggage holding restaurant you mention opens.

My apologies. I wasn't aware that both the Sea and the Sky would be in San Juan around the same time. A first for us! But yes, both should depart from Pier 1 or 4, most likely Pier 1 which is closer to the old city center.

Do you mean the Viking Sea? It should depart from Pier 4 or Pier 1, both right in Old San Juan.

Or to make it a little easier for you, here's the link to the official Puerto Rico Tourism Company (Authority) website on the subject:

http://www.seepuertorico.com/en/experiences/lifestyle/weddings/

Google: Destination Weddings Puerto Rico and you will get loads of information.

Puerto Rico recently eased their laws related to weddings to facilitate the process for visitors.

Good luck.

I'd recommend Hotel Delle ****oni, right in the historical center of the city, walking distance to everything. Not expensive (at least in September).

 

http://www.hotel-delle****oni-rome.com/

The post got censored because part the name (Hotel "of the nations", in English) comes out as the commonly known horrible German regime of the 30s-40s. But it has nothing to do with that. It's on Via Poli 6.

I'd recommend Hotel Delle ****oni, right in the historical center of the city, walking distance to everything. Not expensive (at least in September).

http://www.hotel-delle****oni-rome.com/

As Alfaeric says, just by coming down and supporting our tourism industry, you support our economy. What we need is jobs. Another thing is, most of the major damage and where people still need help is up in the mountains, which would require a long day trip to accomplish anything.

AoS,

Thanks for the info and your time to answer questions.:):)

You're welcome and thank you for coming down. We appreciate your courage and wisdom to see beyond the dire and negative headlines.

There are many popular places nearby to eat. A couple right near the entrance of Ocean park at McLeary street, and a bunch along calle Loiza which is a block south and parallel to McLeary street. Sorry, but as a local CruiseCritic does not allow me specific recommendations for San Juan. Just follow the local lunch crowds and you'll know if a place is good or not!

Thanks for posting that link AOS.

I was able to translate and read English version.

 

Devastating for sure.

Still lots of work ahead.

 

Thanks again.

You're welcome.

Aviator of the Seas also how about bus service #53 to get to OSJ and other beach areas? Thanks, any info and advise would be appreciated, first time try an Airbnb.

Buses are running, yes. Including number 53.