Never go back

[Triumph 2004]

I will never go back to pr again! What a Dump. I wouldnt send my worst enemy there. All the bums shakeing coin cups in your face, Seeing police wearing full body armour, I had to pull a Woman out of the way of a car that did not stop, We spent 1 hr. there and got back to the boat.I will never return. Just got home from sailing on Carnival Triumph 5/8/2004-5/15/2004. We had the time of our lives otherwise.

[Todd320]

Interesting you picked such a negative post for your first!

San Juan does have some problems like most major cities but it's still a winner for me. OSJ is rich in history and the old city so beautiful that I always look forward to going back.

Todd


Norway 7/87
Inspration 01/99
Galaxy 01/00
Ocean Princess 10/00
Ocean Princess 12/00
Enchatment of the Seas 04/01
Dawn Princess 10/01
Dawn Princess 12/01 14 days
Explorer of the Seas 08/02
Spirit 01/03
Adventure of the Seas 02/04
Serenade of the Seas 04/04

[gtaylor]

Did you perhaps room with [B][url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=619097554&m=215106981"]patrickc[/url][/B]?

_____
We must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor. Oliver Wendell Holmes

[This message was edited by gtaylor on 05-19-04 at 01:55 AM.]

[Triumph 2004]

no

[everyotheryear]

There are some places in sj that are not the greatest as in any city. If you ever go again try to get to the rainforest it is worth seeing and one of the best places in SJ.

Festivale 96
Fasination 98
Inspiration 2000
Maasdam 2002
Majesty of the Seas 2003
Adventure of the Seas 2005

[10X]

We've been to San Juan about 5 times and would go back again in a heartbeat. I never saw police wearing body armor, but so what if they did. As a retired police officer who wore a bullet proof vest every day for 25 years, I cheer them on.

So you saved a poor gal from being run over, what's wrong with that? Here at Michigan State University, an average of 4 people per month are injured by vehicles. If people aren't hit by cars where you live, I'm sure you make a fortune selling the secret around the country. Pedestrians and cars don't mix but it's an unfortunate fact of life that they sometimes meet. What happened in San Juan isn't any different from your home town, so why are you upset?

We love wandering through Old San Juan and once in a while going back to El Morro. We've made some unique purchases, taken some great photos and video, and met some very nice people. No one ever gave us a hassle.

Not enjoying San Juan to its fullest is your loss, not theirs.

'89 Commodore/Caribe I
'92 NCL/Westward
'96 NCL/Seaward
'99 RCI/Rhapsody Of The Seas
'00 RCI/Legend Of The Seas
'01 Princess/Ocean Princess
'02 RCI/Vision Of The Seas
'03 Princess/Sea Princess
'03 Princess/Sea Princess

TAHITIAN PRINCESS 02/11/05

[Guest]

Body Armor?? I think what you saw were police officers wearing bullet proof vests. Most PR police wear them a jackets rather than under the shirt, especially the motorcycle officers. Depending on the unit and municipality, they might also wear fatiques and combat boots. No different than other cities.

Cant imagine not enjoying Old San Juan. The city has more historical significance than any of the other islands I have been to. The forts are marvelous and of course exploring the nooks and crannys of the various streets is an education in itself.

I have travelled extensively throughout PR over the years. Been everywhere from the mountains to caves, Aquadilla to Humacao, backroads and highways. Have eaten at some of the raunchiest roadside stands that had the best food. Never had any problems. Wherever I've gone, I have been welcomed by alot of warm, friendly people. Plenty of bad areas to be sure...just like any other place.

Try living in NYC for 58 years. If I had a dollar for every cup shaking beggar who tugged my arm throughout the years, I figure I could book a Royal Suite three times a year for the rest of my life.

It's unfortunate that the short port stops cruise ships make in PR dont allow more time for the visitor to see what the island has to offer. The notion of "paradise" that we conjure up gets a little wrinkled by a few distasteful events that can occur anywhere, not just in PR.

I will be in PR in August. One week in SJ then a cruise on AOS. If by chance, I do get approached by a beggar...I will just throw a buck in the cup and consider myself lucky to be able to do so.

Just my two cents.

[Guest]

Yes, definitely your loss. Old San Juan is one of the best, most lovely, walking areas I have ever been to. The history, architecture, churches, plazas, food, etc., are varied and wonderful.

They say that you can walk down the same street 100x and see something different 100x. I'd have to agree. Cruising out of OSJ this coming January. Making sure to stay 2 days pre-cruise to again enjoy the "old city". I never get tired of it........!!!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=111111&cdt=2005;1;22;22;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Serenade of the Seas

[ajilimojil]

Funny that you noticed; I did too!

Some time ago, some disgruntled traveler took it upon him/herself to discredit Puerto Rico in the AOL travel message board. It was a relentess attack, not only towards PR, but towards the board contributors. The whole thing got so heated that the board monitors had to intercede.
The person's account of his bad experience clearly demonstrated that he/she was a conceited,intolerant bore and it would have been funny if it hadn't been so trite.
Perhaps this is a reincarnation of that character who has found a new forum for his/her hatred.
As 10X stated, it's their loss!


[QUOTE]Originally posted by gtaylor:
Did you perhaps room with PatricC?_

[palmtre2]

Perhaps some of the responders here don't know that the Truimph's stop in San Juan is from 5 pm until midnite and it often isn't cleared by customs until 7pm. It leaves very little time to do anything there, most historical sites are closed by the time you get off the ship. I'm still looking for some one who can give me a good reason to get off this ship at this stop with my 10 yr old daughter.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00bfff&cdt=2005;3;26;16;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
til the Triumph

4/10/04 Easter aboard the GLORY

[10X]

pamtre2,

I always book my cruises carefully. I look at the itinerary with a fine tooth comb. I want to know how many ports we go to, when we arrive, when we depart, and what shore exursions are available during that time. If I don't like something, I look elsewhere. I don't book my cruise by price alone, although, like most everyone, it is a concern. It's just not a deal breaker. Cruising with Princess and RCI I've never had a bad port arrival/departure like you had.

Give San Juan another try. Only this time, do like I do, depart from San Juan and go a day early. Take a walk through Old San Juan, take your daughter through El Morro, let her fly a kite out in front of the fort, and marvel at the history of the place.

Book your return flight late on the last day and take a guided city tour while you wait. An informative guide is worth his weight in gold. Plus, they'll usually drop you at the airport.

I think you'll have a different view of it after that.

'89 Commodore/Caribe I
'92 NCL/Westward
'96 NCL/Seaward
'99 RCI/Rhapsody Of The Seas
'00 RCI/Legend Of The Seas
'01 Princess/Ocean Princess
'02 RCI/Vision Of The Seas
'03 Princess/Sea Princess, back-to-back
'03 Princess/Sea Princess
'04 Hawaii, 2 weeks on land

TAHITIAN PRINCESS 02/11/05

[everyotheryear]

palmtr2
At night with a 10 year old I would stay on the ship. I don't think there is a lot of things to do in that short of time that a 10 yr. old would enjoy. Just my opinion. I can't image what the cruise line was thinking with that itinerary.

Festivale 96
Fasination 98
Inspiration 2000
Maasdam 2002
Majesty of the Seas 2003
Adventure of the Seas 2005

[thestokes]

10X...What is the best way to find a good guided tour? We'll be in SJ on 11/19 prior to our Celebrity cruise. Thanks for your help.

[Andee]

If we were on a cruise that only stopped in SJ in the evening, we'd probaably stay on the ship.

But, we loved our self guided walking tour of Old SJ, the museums, the artists' cooperatives, El Morro. And there's more we didn't get to see.

[10X]

thestokes,

We used a service that was available at the pier. It was a mini type bus actually. It looked like a mini-motorhome that was converted into a small tour bus, also similar to an airport shuttle bus at large airports.

The driver was Puerto Rican and obviously loved the city. He was very knowledgeable and friendly, so we very much enjoyed this tour.

We did it as a time killer between disembarkation and our flight out and didn't have many expectations. However, we learned a lot about SJ and really had a great time. It also helped us find our way around and have done a self guided walking tour about 3 times since then. In 2003 we were able to guide 3 other couples that were with us through OSJ and to El Morro.

Since our tour was a chance encounter, I can't really help you with selecting a tour operator but you might look for those mini-buses and take a chance.

We're looking forward to going back and may do back-to-back cruises from PR again in 2006.

'89 Commodore/Caribe I
'92 NCL/Westward
'96 NCL/Seaward
'99 RCI/Rhapsody Of The Seas
'00 RCI/Legend Of The Seas
'01 Princess/Ocean Princess
'02 RCI/Vision Of The Seas
'03 Princess/Sea Princess, back-to-back
'03 Princess/Sea Princess
'04 Hawaii, 2 weeks on land

TAHITIAN PRINCESS 02/11/05

[thestokes]

Thanks for the response. It will give us something to go on. I'm sure we'll have fun.

[katiel53]

I have been on many cruises that either started in Puerto Rico or stopped there. The last time I went there was on the Triumph in January. I agree that this is NOT a port to go to at night. Although there are hotels to go to enjoy the music, etc, such as the El San Juan, it's not the norm for people just there for a few hours.
We left the ship and walked to the Wyndahm hotel and went into the casino. It was the worst casino I have ever been in. The machines were in dis-repair and it was just awful. I have also been there many times where my cruise on Celebrity started in San Juan. When we did that, we went a day or more early and go to do tours in San Juan. Some were arranged through our hotel, others on our own. We have also come off a cruise there and had a taxi (van) take us on tours of Old San Juan, to the fort, to a restaurant for lunch. Those were very enjoyable and it's easy to get a taxi driver. The only problem with them is that they do wait to get a full taxi before starting the tour. These tours are far less expensive than the ship's tours. The taxi's have always taken us to the airport also. I'm sorry that you had a bad experience in Puerto Rico, and I can see if that is the only time you have been there, it would be disappointing.

Katie

[IRIS FAYE]

I've been to Puerto Rico and this was one of my favorite ports for that part of the world. My sister will be there in October alone and I've coached her on certain situations. Unfortunately, many ports DO have beggars and some DO pee in the streets, but for me I try to see beyond that because there are sooooooo many beautiful experiences to most ports beyond the local unfortunates. Posting a negative can also flag a newcomer to this city/town to beware, be careful, be prepared; but for most of us we will go anyway because our sights are based on the fun experience to come. Thank God we're different!!

[snoopy_leogirl]

I have been to San Juan at least 25 times, no exaggeration. I live in St.Maarten which is about 50 minutes away from SJ by American Eagle and everytime we experience the same goodness. I love that place. You did have a minimally bad experience but don't let that form your opinion on the place right away...I mean, what place doesn't have poor people? I have experienced the same thing like you did, many times, in SJ, but I really felt that it was so insignificant and would never ruin my fun. I would go back again and again and again. I think we go there at least once a year and it gets better everytime.

[firemed]

In feb. the star will be in port from 5Pm till 10 pm we are thinking of leaving the kids on board. I've heard they have some great reteraunts and clubs. Does anyone have a suggestion?

[MSUSigmaK]

My daughter and I were still shopping in the evening. Yes there are police officers around and they were extremely helpful providing directions for us. We did not feel threatened. We were approached once by a young man asking for money by the docks. In exchange he gave us each an animal he wove out of beach grass while talking to us.

[gtaylor]

I would suggest that people just ignore this negative thread, and post new questions or follow new threads on similar question.

Some people just want to cause a confrontation.

We LOVE San Juan! It's one of our favorite places!

[difromnh]

We too, will be on the triumph for the 5-midnight stop. We will prob leave our three kids ages 15,11, and 9, in the room to watch movies,,,,,can anyone suggest some nice bars or a restaurant that my husband and I could hit. We thought of going to the wyndham to the casino, but after that comment about what a dump it is, that may change my original plan. Any neat bars or a great suggestion of where to go to eat would be great,,,thanks a lot,,,,,
psyched for our second cruise,,,cannot wait,,,,,

[Christine Cruisin]

My husband and I stayed at El Convento (toured the world and this is one of the best hotels!). They recommended Manuel at [email]nativetours@prtc.net[/email]. I cannot say enough good things about this man and his tour. I have had ankle surgery and he did everything possible for me to see his beloved country. He went the extra mile to show us all the local sites and was a true delight to be with. No one could go wrong by choosing Manuel!

[Christine Cruisin]

My husband and I stayed at El Convento (toured the world and this is one of the best hotels!). They recommended Manuel at [email]nativetours@prtc.net[/email]. I cannot say enough good things about this man and his tour. I have had ankle surgery and he did everything possible for me to see his beloved country. He went the extra mile to show us all the local sites and was a true delight to be with. No one could go wrong by choosing Manuel!