PR - to stay pre-cruise, post-cruise or both??

[Xcitdcruiser]

Hello critics, I was looking for some advice -

 

We have decided on a cruise sailing out of San Juan for our honeymoon in Feb 2014. As we are travelling from Australia, we thought we would also take the time to explore Puerto Rico & make it a 2 week trip.

 

I originally thought it arrive the night before the cruise & stay the week after - but then i figured i may as well arrive the week before the cruise - but have since heard of horror stores of San Juan airport & now thinking of breaking the trip up with a handful of nights pre & another handful post cruise.

 

What would you recommend?

 

*note, plan to hire a car in PR whilst staying in eastern PR to visit the rainforest & head to Culebra. The other half of the trip was staying in OSJ to explore (as many cocktails as i can :p )

[fredflint]

before would work fine as long as you had a late flight back but depending on flights you may find that flying on a tues-wed-thur has the lowest price so that may guide your plans

[icemanoneaatl]

We stayed post cruise in The Condado section of San Juan at the Stellaris Marriott. Nice hotel, clean rooms, decent casino on site, good beach location.

 

After cruise took cab to airport, boarded shuttle bus to rental car and then drove to hotel.

 

Only negative I distinctly remember, Stellaris is strict about not allowing eary check in. Rooms were given to us at 4 and we could have driven about, but after leaving ship at 8 and such- we were ready to relax and unwind.

 

Walking distance to restaurants was good. We also drove around the island, literally, and it was a once in a life to-do (driving around the island).

[Gig103]

Personally I wouldn't break it up - either before or after. I wouldn't want to go through all the travel nuisances (hotel arrangements, varying check-in, check-out times, rental car pickup/return, luggage, etc) multiple times.

 

My instinct is to do the land portion beforehand, since flying the day-of a cruise is not recommended. And, since you will have a car you can find a laundromat before the cruise to freshen everything up. It also gives you a chance to do some shopping beforehand, so you can minimize luggage for that length of travel (I am talking about toiletries, etc).

[DaveandDiane]

We love Puerto Rico, and I would vote for going precruise and getting out of San Juan.

 

On the East side of the island in Fajardo we have stayed at the Passion Fruit B & B and had a wonderful time. It isn't fancy, but very clean and the owner is wonderful. From there it is a short drive to the bio bay and the rainforest. Another idea would be to catch the ferry from Fajardo and go to Culebra or Vieques.

 

On the Western side of the island we really like Rincon. It is a very laid back town with a lot of surfing and beaches. We spent 5 nights at the Lazy Parrot a couple of years ago and had a wonderful time. From there you can see Arecibo, the caves, or the Cabo Rojo area as day trips.

 

Have fun and enjoy Puerto Rico!!

[MicCanberra]

Congrats for your nuptials, I suggest a pre-cruise stay, that way you can get all your touring done and then relax onboard for the rest of the honeymoon.:D

[NLH Arizona]

I stayed at the Stellaris Marriott two days before and one day after my cruise last November and had a great time. I had no trouble checking in the day after my cruise at 11:00am and was able to enjoy the whole day.

[Xcitdcruiser]

Ok, pre-cruise is sounding good.

 

So there is no need for another holiday to unwind after our cruise then...

[Caribbeancruzin]

We love San Juan too. We fly in from California and enjoy going a few days before just to unwind. We also stay a day or two after to decompress from the cruise, come back to a bit of reality before heading home. :) We have stayed at the Stellaris many times, we enjoy the proximity to Old San Juan as well as being able to wander the area. We have a couple of fun places we enjoy eating at as well. This time we are at the Conrad for the first time. We'll see how that goes!

 

I would stay at least one additional day after the cruise so you don't have to worry about your flight.

 

Best wishes to you and your fiance'!

[Xcitdcruiser]

We love San Juan too. We fly in from California and enjoy going a few days before just to unwind. We also stay a day or two after to decompress from the cruise, come back to a bit of reality before heading home. :) We have stayed at the Stellaris many times, we enjoy the proximity to Old San Juan as well as being able to wander the area. We have a couple of fun places we enjoy eating at as well. This time we are at the Conrad for the first time. We'll see how that goes!

 

I would stay at least one additional day after the cruise so you don't have to worry about your flight.

 

Best wishes to you and your fiance'!

 

Thank you for the wishes! We are very excited about this trip.

I like the idea of staying an extra night or 2 but maybe it will depend on flights - especially if they are cheaper coming back a few days later.

In OSJ we will be at Villa Herencia, it looks amazing!!

[AquariusOne]

We have booked Villa Herencia for 4 nights before cruise to enjoy sights, sounds & food of Old San Juan.

Then we have 3 nights post cruise to enjoy other parts of PR. We are not sure where to spend these days & nights. We are also thinking of renting a car for the 3 nights post cruise.

We have never been to PR.....suggestions please.

[Xcitdcruiser]

We have booked Villa Herencia for 4 nights before cruise to enjoy sights, sounds & food of Old San Juan.

Then we have 3 nights post cruise to enjoy other parts of PR. We are not sure where to spend these days & nights. We are also thinking of renting a car for the 3 nights post cruise.

We have never been to PR.....suggestions please.

 

hello! I made a mental note to come back to your post but i think i've already answered it in the ports of call area!

Hopefully i've helped...somewhat....

 

Re our stay i think i will figure out how many nights we would liek to stay in OSJ & around El Yunique then maybe see what flight prices are like.

If there is no difference, we'll do everything pre-cruise rather than break it up.

[Mapleleaf5]

Last year we stayed at Hotel El Convento. Gorgeous hotel in OSJ

 

Joanne

[Xcitdcruiser]

Oh no, now i am stuck. We ( & by we, i mean I) were thinking of first heading to the rainforest, then OSJ & then cruise (that way we are close to the cruise for boarding).

 

The moon calendar for us to do the bio bay tour is at its best just before the cruise & just after.

 

If we are staying in OSJ right before the cruise, what is the best way to do the bio bay?

How would we get from OSJ to El Yunique for the bio bay tour only?

 

Or if we decide to do the bio bay on the day the cruise ends, what is the easiest way to get there for the day - should be then stay the night for the flight the next day, travel back that night to sleep close to the airport OR do the EL Yunique portion of the trip AFTER the cruise..