CruzerDeb

So, I’ve missed sailing out of San Juan on Carnival twice! I booked my first cruise on the Valor out of SJ in 2009, and the itinerary changed. Booked again for 2020 and let a couple that we wanted to sail with talk me into changing to Celebrity. And we didn’t sail because of Covid. I’m planning to sail out of SJ in 2025 and I’m so disappointed that neither Carnival or Princess depart from there. Do we know why?

Thanks! I actually just looked at NCL, and I love the itinerary and the ship looks amazing. However, I’m interested in October and they’re only sailing Jan-April and Dec. 😢

I’m thinking of booking a Norwegian cruise out of San Juan because I love the So. Caribbean itinerary. I’ve never sailed NCL before, but have a few Carnival, Princess & Celebrity cruises. What can I expect from NCL?

I want to sail from San Juan because it seems like that’s necessary to go to the ports I’m interested in - St Maarten, St Kitts, St Lucia, Antigua, etc., on a 7-8 day cruise. Plus, I’ve been to San Juan before and would like to spend an extra day or so there pre-cruise.

It’s the itinerary I’m interested in - San Juan, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia. Maybe newer ships will go there in 2025. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤞

I’m looking for cruises that sail out of San Juan. I’ve sailed once on Celebrity (Reflection), but never RC. We felt our X cruise was a little quiet, but I can’t really judge because it was a 900 person post-Covid cruise. Thoughts on a more lively cruise? Ships currently on that itinerary are Summit and Rhapsody of the Seas.

Yes, I’m anxious to get something booked out of San Juan for October 2025! We’re we’re supposed to sail out of SJ in April 2020, and we all know what happened then. Somehow, we haven’t managed to rebook that itinerary, though we have sailed others. It’s time and I can’t wait!

Another great review and I can’t wait for the rest! I don’t cruise very often, but when I do, I look for you and Patti! 🤷🏻‍♀️😂 Maybe I’ll see you on the Horizon in Feb or the Vista for Thanksgiving ’24.

Of course! 🦃🍹🛳️ Thanks!

And I’m usually okay with the portions. Truthfully, with the app, main and dessert, it’s hard to finish.

I’m about 50/50 on MDR v buffet, but I must admit that the served meal shown above is a little underwhelming and doesn’t scream Thanksgiving Feast. Imma need a little more on my plate. 😂

That buffet Turkey looks amazing! Yum!

Thanks for the heads up!

That looks AMAZING!! Thank you so much for sharing.

Who has sailed on Carnival for Thanksgiving? How was it? Was there a traditional meal (Turkey, stuffing) in the MDR? Just curious, as I’ve already booked our family of 6 on the Vista for 2024.

Thanks @ObstructedView2!!

Sorry, I know this question has been asked and answered many times but I just can’t find the right threads and I’ve actually booked a cabana on HMC before, so I should know. But that was in 2016, so a few years have passed. I’ve reserved a cabana. So, in order to select one, I need to go to the Shore Excursions desk on embarkation day, right? TIA for responding to this question that’s been asked a million times.

You can order two 4-packs of beer pre-cruise and they'll be waiting for you when you board.

I’ve seen others recommend using GoPort for hotel and transportation. Does anyone know if it can be used when the traveling party (6 of us) will be arriving at different times? 3 from OH and 3 from CO.

We’ve stayed there many times. Yes, it’s old. It meets our needs. I love the location across from Bayside Marketplace, which offers a lot of shopping and dining options. $10 taxi ride to the port.

Try SAS Transportation

These both look like great options! Thanks for the recommendations.

This is a beautiful hotel! Thank you for the recommendation.

Thanks for the advice. We’re two 60-year-olds with a decent budget who’d like to stay close to where the sights are; I don’t want to haul my luggage all over the place and am happy to pay for transportation to/from hotel from airport or train station.

I'm planning my second (only my second!!) Mediterranean cruise for next year (Rome to Athens) and would like to start off in Venice, then Florence, ending up in Rome for a few nights pre-cruise, where I plan on staying at Albergo del Senato again. I'd love to hear your recommendations on hotels in Venice and Florence; I'll probably spend 2 nights in each place, which I hope will be enough time to see the highlights. Also, I guess I'd take a train from each city. Thoughts?