Caribbeancruzin

1 minute ago, Luvcrusn said:

Honestly, the first time DH and I booked Aqua he was very skeptical about it and reviewed the menus. He only agreed knowing that if he didn't like it he could eat in the MDR. Well, we've booked nothing but Aqua class since and he loves Blu. Go with an open mind and most likely you'll find that you love it.

thank you! I will keep an open mind for sure!

I am hoping that the menu does have those things I have come to enjoy for appetizers and entrees. I am in an aft Aqua in April 2020 and having sailed exclusively on Royal save one on Summit, did not know when booking this class that Blu would be my "assigned" dining experience. I've looked at a couple menus online for Blu and honestly am not impressed with the food choices, so if it is possible to order to order from the MDR, I will probably do so. 

21 days! Liberty!

Depending on how long you have in San Juan I would recommend along with others that you take the walk to El Morro! You will see many impressive sites along the way. I've been to OSJ so many times and it never gets old. I love it there. If you already have National Park memberships here in the states, they are good in Puerto Rico considering it's a territory, same for any other US Virgin Islands. Just writing this and seeing OSJ in my mind pulls at my heart! Enjoy!!!

here is a link to find some information from Puerto Rico Now site. give flight information and hotel information.

http://puertoriconow.seepuertorico.com/

People on the 9/30 roll call have been reporting that their flights have been cancelled and hotels are also canceling. I'm on this ship later in October and had a hotel reservation at Embassy Suites, which was cancelled. They are now closed and not accepting reservations through October 31, 2017. I was able to make another reservation at the Marriott, but we'll see what happens within the next week.

 

FWIW I think Carnival did the right thing in canceling their cruises through 10/7. It gave people time to make other arrangements.

You're correct, we were supposed to be on that cruise for the 30th. Our flights cancelled along with our hotel reservations. The biggest problem right now is being able to fly in to SJ. That is not likely to happen easily anytime soon.

the 9/23 (9/27) cruise has been cancelled and our cruise for the 30th is apparently in question. They will let us know "early next week" which I suppose is Monday-Wednesday. I have to say that in the 15 years we have been cruising, this is the craziest time we have seen. We haven't heard anything from the airlines about delays or cancellation of flights due to the conditions at the airport.

I can't even begin to imagine being a resident of the islands that have been devastated and have so much more uncertainty that I could ever imagine feeling. :(

What method did they use to cancel? We also have the Sheraton reserved for the 29th. I haven't been able to reach them, and haven't received any emails, texts or phone calls from them.

We got an email as I think my husband booked through an outside source, not directly with the Sheraton.

Try to call or email your hotel. If they have had their power restored (or using their own generator), you may get an answer. Or, if you chose a hotel from a big brand, use their 800 number to see if you can find out any information.

I agree with the other poster who said that any functioning hotel right now is probably being used by rescue workers or harboring people who lost homes or tourists who did not leave in time and are now stranded.

I just tried to do a faux booking for any Starwood hotel in Puerto Rico for 9/28-30. All have posted they are not open to the public due to Hurricane Maria. On the Marriott site, only one hotel, the AC Hotel San Juan Condado, was listed as available. All others, including frequent CCer hotels Marriott Stella Maris and Courtyard Isla Verde, are unavailable.

Thank you for that information we were able to secure a room at the AC Hotel San Juan Condado.

Thanks for the info. We are scheduled to arrive on Friday, Sept. 29. Just wondering if hotels will be open or if I need to reschedule flight for the next day. We cruise out on the 30th

we are on the same cruise with Royal. our hotel the Sheraton Old San Juan just cancelled us for Friday but we did get one just now at the AC Hotel San Juan Condado. I am still concerned with flights.

I know many of us are curious as to what is going on with Puerto Rico whether it be due to family, friends, or cruising. As some of you know my husband is deployed with Virginia Task Force 2. They went down Monday and rode out the hurricane. Today they have been out and about assessing the damage and helping out where needed. Prior to that the hotel took on some water from a door and they spent some time pulling up carpet. At least they have been working and not just waiting [emoji846].

 

Anyway, if you care to follow along and see some first hand accounts of the rescue/recovery efforts put in, feel free to follow their FB page. It’s Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue. Also in there you will see some phone numbers you can call to check on the status of loved ones in Puerto Rico since cell towers and electricity are down.

 

I hope and pray everyone on the island is OK and I think we all hope for a speedy recovery for the many people affected. If I hear anything specifically about the pier, I will post. I’m not sure if they will be heading that way or not.

Thank you for posting and bless your husband and everyone with him!

That would be the cruise we are supposed to depart on from San Juan that you speak of. You would think that any food they have in port now that was supposed to be used for departing on the 23rd would be used for the people of PR as hurricane relief. The big question is did it stay refrigerated during the outages? Reports vary about San Juan itself and power. The airport has backup they are running on but it's limited from what I read. I can't see commercial flights resuming anytime soon, and why would they unless to get people off island. They really don't need tourists lugging bags around town or the worry of getting taxis around town. Were they not flooded out too? The cruise companies run on $$$ and they will do everything to keep what money you have given them. Shortening a cruise and making everyone jump around 2-3 days before it's supposed to leave is insane given the circumstances. How is it not a breach of contract when they shorten a cruise and don't refund the money to those that can not make the new sail date for any reason? That's what I'd like to know.

We are scheduled on the 9/30 cruise as well and scheduled to fly in the day before and stay 3 nights post cruise. our biggest concern as far as travel goes is whether or not our hotel will be fine to stay in both pre and post. I am not concerned with the cruise itself although I am rather perplexed as to why they would want to bring so many people into the port and city when things are so tentative and very unsure of conditions. I guess like everyone else we will have to wait and see.

We love San Juan, have/had plans to retire there in the next 10 years. My heart breaks for the whole island and all the islands devastated by the hurricanes.

This was a post this morning from a real estate company that my husband and I follow in St. Croix.

 

Posting from the states on behalf of Farchette & Hanley: For all those concerned about Kerri and Chris Hanley... all is well! Spoke with them Wednesday night and they are only having connectivity issues following Hurricane Maria.

Overall, St. Croix luckily weathered well. Not nearly the catastrophic level of damage sustained on St. John and areas of St. Thomas from Hurricane Irma.

Here is the initial damage report they have seen or received info about on St. Croix, as many roads are currently impassable with down trees or power lines. We will update as we receive more info:

- Significant debris in streets of Christiansted and Frederiksted, no collapsed buildings

- Federal courthouse has significant roof damage

- Hospital has water damage but no roof damage

- Sunny isle is okay, maybe a couple of stores blown in with roll down shutters

- GoodHope CountryDay School is intact

- Major grocery stores seem okay

- Airport capable of receiving relief flights ASAP if allowed

- Gallows Bay: multiple roofs missing on businesses

- East End roof damage on 1 out of every 20-30 homes. Some roads impassible due to power lines. Very limited cell / internet.

thanks for the update! we were wondering about them too!

We are onboard now. There was no 11am update today. (Normally there are 2 -- at 11am and 5pm.) But for the 5pm update the captain stated that no decisions could be made until they hear from FEMA and government officials regarding the airport and port. He said "Miami is on the table" and "in my opinion, San Juan for a Saturday return does not look possible."

 

He promised a more detailed update tomorrow at 11am.

 

Just fyi.

Thank you for the update. Captain Busto is a wise man.

The terminal building is in bad shape. The airport is not destroyed:rolleyes:. Planes are landing and taking off.

the only flights being allowed in or out were for supplies to be brought in and travelers to be flown out.

We couldn't get in to our reservation today, I called them and they "unlocked" the account. not sure what that means but I was able to access it then. Maybe try calling if you're logged in and trying to look.

We used priceline and we are going to be staying at the Sheraton Convention Center in October 2017. has this area improved? I am really hoping there is more than there was in the past, this would not have been the one by choice!

thanks

I thought the idea of going on a cruise was to experience the islands and enjoy the idea and notion of being somewhat unplugged, not to spend your time online or texting or whatever. it's too bad you're having an experience that isn't comparable to Allure or the other ships you've been on. All ships have their good points and not so wonderful points. We have been very fortunate to have had nothing but wonderful experiences on AOS every time we have been on her. :D

As for your complaint about the muster drill, dinner times are always changed for the first night. and that it was late getting started is due to people not paying attention and lagging on getting where they need to be. so cluster as you may think it is, it isn't due to lack of planning it's due to passengers for the most part.

obviously what is shown in the photo is perhaps an easy fix as some are saying. however, nobody will know for sure until daylight and an inspection is performed exactly what other damage has occurred.

it is certainly an unfortunate and harrowing experience for all onboard including the captain. Seasoned or not, I would imagine the realization of the number of lives he is in charge of keeping safe is daunting.

I can't get my head around this , it's too stupid for words . Just totally unsafe practice .

think of it in these terms though, if you were at sea, most people are not in their cabins, under no conditions do they want you or hundreds of others going back to the cabins to get their life jackets. I do understand the concern though, I was surprised as well to hear this!

very well said and a good point to remember. you've had a very good attitude through this whole experience!

thought I would try waking this one back up again. I am curious about this as we are taking our 18 year old granddaughter on a cruise in July and are trying to decide between this and the Catamaran Mirabella excursion offered by RCI. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Glad to see someone has been here. we have it booked through Royal in September and being that I am not a strong swimmer, was very happy to see there is an alternative to swimming to get to shore!! :)

we had a room booked there pre-cruise for September through priceline and they just notified us of the closing. they went ahead and booked us at the Sheraton Convention Center and let us know. Never stayed there but supposedly it is a half a star better rating! not to mention minutes from the pier!

We have stayed here numerous times, its a short ride to the pier and I wish I could remember about the taxi for you! and they will hold your luggage at the desk for you until you're ready to leave. You should have use of the pool and beach until you're ready to go board your ship!