San Juan questions

[TillThen]

Hi

Just booked a cruise on Caribbean Princess Dec 20, last minute flash sale. Travelling from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Obviously I made sure I can get flights before I booked the cruise, but I'm now shopping for a better rate. Anybody have any suggestions?

Also, we plan on staying in San Juan for 3 days after the cruise. Suggestions as to where to stay? I can use my Aeroplan rewards for either of the Sheraton's, and also for the Best Western Pichi Hotel (is there only one BW? Expedia calls it by a different name? BW San Juan Airport Hotel & Casino). The BW is about half the points of the Sheraton, but I see it is on the other side of the Island, and that seems to be off the beaten path?

However, I've never been to PR, so I really don't know.

So, suggestions for accomodation - or at least which hotel to use my points for, would be appreciated too. I would like to check some of the on line deals because if I can get a really good rate, it's not worth using my points for.

Thanks - wow only 18 days away!! :p

[Steelers36]

Ever heard of TripAdvisor.com?

[sing2sas]

We just got a great deal on Priceline for Feb 18-21. We bid $90 for a resort hotel and got Caribe Hilton. You might check it out. Hotels are expensive overall in SJU so this was a great price. The only Best Western I'm aware of is right at the airport. It looks OK but wouldn't be that good if you were staying 2-3 days. Have a great time on your cruise!

[eetonaee]

Are you looking for a better rate on your cruise or flights?

 

We drove down to SeaTac from Vancouver and saved $800 over the Air Canada price for the two of us on a United flight to San Juan via DC.

 

More hotel info can be found at tripadvisor.com

[chasetf]

One thing I would recommend you consider. Fly in at least the day before. We did San Juan on a redeye from SFO. We made San Juan in plenty of time but when we boarded the ship we were beat. :(

 

We went to bed a 3pm and slept for a number of hours until we sailed at 11pm. The next day was a sea day and we spent it recovering from our flight.

[robgvic]

We got a flight on American for about 725 each for our flight on Friday. It is cheaper to go through Seattle but we didnt want to be driving to Vancouver at 10 pm.

 

I hope you book quickly as that will be a very busy weekend from travel.Good Luck

[vancruisr]

We stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan in April. It was quite a zoo as shiploads of passengers came and went, and our friends initially were stuck in a guestroom with no windows. On the other hand, the great location allowed us to walk anywhere in Old San Juan with ease.

[lurvecruise]

flash sale Dec 20 how much did you pay for your cruise and how many days? im waiting for flash sale for Jan 24 for 7 days cruise.

[Stevesan]

Hi

Also, we plan on staying in San Juan for 3 days after the cruise. Suggestions as to where to stay? I can use my Aeroplan rewards for either of the Sheraton's, and also for the Best Western Pichi Hotel (is there only one BW? Expedia calls it by a different name? BW San Juan Airport Hotel & Casino). The BW is about half the points of the Sheraton, but I see it is on the other side of the Island, and that seems to be off the beaten path?

:p

 

If you are staying three days, I'd suggest a "resort" hotel in the nearby Condado area. OSJ "Old San Juan" has a couple worthwhile sites such as El Morro Castle, but they are easily done in one day.

 

http://www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp

 

http://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm

 

http://www.hotels.com/processIndexSearch.do?destination=&KTID=5b4de5e1-ca68-2e68-bbc5-00000dc8f227&acDestinationId=238C031A-0920-4D05-AC0B-014BAF0C9DD4&displayAd=false&PSRC=MSZ&utm_source=MSN&utm_medium=CPC&mcid=MSZ.M129009809.Condado%20hotels.e

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147320-d150494-Reviews-Condado_Beach-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

 

http://www.langland.org/cruises/sanjuan.asp

[Fancy_Goods]

Welcome aboard! Come join our Roll Call! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1035473 We have a lively group on this sailing! :D

[TillThen]

Thanks very much, everybody. I looked into flying out of Seatax (Seattle) and for this particular date/airlines etc, the different is $139. Not worth the extra travel. I will book my flights today for sure....

We paid $1,046 CAD pp for a balcony (inc. all taxes and port fees)

[Steelers36]

Oh God. I feel bad that you got ripped off on the currency conversion. You should have booked and paid in USD.

[Cruiseorr]

We stayed here before our cruise last year as part of a package with our cruise line, and were really led on by the description of rooms with either a harbor or city view. Imagine our surprise when we checked in and found that our room, which cost $200 per person, not only did not have a view, but had no window!! We live in San Diego which is not an inexpensive place to stay by anyone's reckoning, and for $400 a night, I can get a pretty nice hotel room. We've stayed at the ST Regis in San Francisco for less, and had a room with a view over the entire city.

On a positive note, the room itself was quite comfortable, but we think it odd that they advertise on their website about the rooms with the views, and then you get there and find that a large number of their rooms are inside rooms with no windows. The breakfast buffet is about $20 per person, so that was extra. The hotel has a nice rooftop deck with pool and the location is very convenient to walking around the old part of the city.

Just make sure to request an outside room!