Review Southern Caribbean Cruise from Puerto Rico Jan 18th -25th on the Valor

[Dirkgun]

Just posting an update about our booking with Spencer...it's a go! :D The confirmation email was sent, twice, and we just never received it. They thought there may have been computer issues on their (Spencer's) end, but seeing as how others received their confirmation emails, we're beginning to think the problem is on our end. There was a "microsoft update" about a month and a half ago that really messed up our computer, requiring a new modem and a lot of work on DH's part. We have heard from Spencer himself and their website administrator and both confirmed we are booked for that date. We had such a great time on the "Jalousie Beach Break" last time and are really looking forward to the Land & Sea tour.

 

 

Glad to hear it. I think you will really enjoy the Land and Sea Tour. The Mudbaths are cool and be sure to wear your water shoes to get in the Toraille waterfall. I wish I was going with you. :eek::D

[rocking-m-cruiser]

Just posting an update about our booking with Spencer...it's a go! :D The confirmation email was sent, twice, and we just never received it. They thought there may have been computer issues on their (Spencer's) end, but seeing as how others received their confirmation emails, we're beginning to think the problem is on our end. There was a "microsoft update" about a month and a half ago that really messed up our computer, requiring a new modem and a lot of work on DH's part. We have heard from Spencer himself and their website administrator and both confirmed we are booked for that date. We had such a great time on the "Jalousie Beach Break" last time and are really looking forward to the Land & Sea tour.

 

We did the land and sea tour with Spencer this past May. Spencer could not make it that day he had a court hearing from someone vandalizing his boats. He sent his daughter in his stead who was extremely nice with several other mates. When we arrived at the dock for the beach lunch an older gentleman, who refused to take his shoes off before getting in the boat when asked, fell in between the dock and the boat. It was absolutely horrible. Tour guests that had already gotten off the boat were trying to keep the boat from crushing the man against the dock. The mates on the ship unfortunately were not the size of our average American husbands and could not lift him back in after the tour guests got him up. The boat pulled away, too far for the tourist guest to help further and it took them 6-8 times to pull him in as he was on the rail of the boat.

In the meantime, Spencer's daughter called a halt to the unloading at this dock that they were trying out and had taxis drive us to the lunch break at the beach. Spencer was notified immediately from his daughter and was there at the beach waiting for the man. After lunch he personally escorted us back. I never found out the end results but when your told to take off your shoes they mean take off your shoes.

Spencer was a very up and up guy, takes his job seriously and wants everybody to have a good time.

Enjoy your time with him. Be careful of the high dock when exciting this boat. Where it is located the waves are rough. If someone is giving you hand take it.

Edited July 26, 2015 by rocking-m-cruiser

[mss22859]

I have a question that I hope someone here can answer. How much is a cab for 4 people and luggage from San Juan airport to pier? Trying to decide between that and Carnival transfers for our October Liberty cruise. Thank you in advance.

[Dirkgun]

I have a question that I hope someone here can answer. How much is a cab for 4 people and luggage from San Juan airport to pier? Trying to decide between that and Carnival transfers for our October Liberty cruise. Thank you in advance.

 

 

I would definitely do the taxi..... a lot more efficient. The rate will be $23 plus $1 per bag (not including bags you keep on your lap) for up to 5 people ($2 charge for extra ppl up to 7) Plus tip. So assuming you each have a bag .... it would be $27 plus tip (total not per person) to taxi from the Airport to old san juan pier. I am sure you will have a great time. here is the link for this info in case you have questions that I did not answer.

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/getting-around-by-taxi/

Edited July 26, 2015 by Dirkgun

[pghsteelerfan]

Glad to hear it. I think you will really enjoy the Land and Sea Tour. The Mudbaths are cool and be sure to wear your water shoes to get in the Toraille waterfall. I wish I was going with you. :eek::D

 

That was the toughest decision...mud baths or volcano. I let DH choose this part. Volcano. I know it's a stinky volcano but I'm actually excited to see it...as long as it doesn't erupt. LOL!!! We could smell it while on the Jalousie Beach Break tour while on the boat and to us, it smelled like fireworks, but I've seen other say "rotten eggs". We do have water shoes that are like tennis shoes which we generally wear, so we're good to go there. I wish you all were going too. I've gotten to know another couple through CC who will be on the same sailing. They did the same cruise on Valor in October 2013 and also did a review. We're really looking forward to this one.

 

We did the land and sea tour with Spencer this past May. Spencer could not make it that day he had a court hearing from someone vandalizing his boats. He sent his daughter in his stead who was extremely nice with several other mates. When we arrived at the dock for the beach lunch an older gentleman, who refused to take his shoes off before getting in the boat when asked, fell in between the dock and the boat. It was absolutely horrible. Tour guests that had already gotten off the boat were trying to keep the boat from crushing the man against the dock. The mates on the ship unfortunately were not the size of our average American husbands and could not lift him back in after the tour guests got him up. The boat pulled away, too far for the tourist guest to help further and it took them 6-8 times to pull him in as he was on the rail of the boat.

In the meantime, Spencer's daughter called a halt to the unloading at this dock that they were trying out and had taxis drive us to the lunch break at the beach. Spencer was notified immediately from his daughter and was there at the beach waiting for the man. After lunch he personally escorted us back. I never found out the end results but when your told to take off your shoes they mean take off your shoes.

Spencer was a very up and up guy, takes his job seriously and wants everybody to have a good time.

Enjoy your time with him. Be careful of the high dock when exciting this boat. Where it is located the waves are rough. If someone is giving you hand take it.

 

We love Spencer, his daughter (Shequana) and their whole crew. We did the Spencer Ambrose "Jalousie Beach Break" in 2013 and it was, by far, one of the best tour days we've ever had while on a cruise. We were also asked to take our shoes off when getting into the boat and everyone in our group complied. They do offer help getting in/out of the boat and I always take their hand...I feel it would be rather rude not to, seeing that I'm a female. No matter how in shape I am, if a man offers his hand to help, I gladly accept it. :D I'm sure that experience you had with that passenger was frightening, but it just goes to show that there is a reason shoes need to be removed and they aren't just being "picky" about the boat. We're really looking forward to our day in St. Lucia on Spencer's "Land, Sea and Beach Adventure" and so excited to see more of St. Lucia and we're looking forward to another day with Spencer and crew.

Edited July 26, 2015 by pghsteelerfan
Grammar...oops.

[Dirkgun]

That was the toughest decision...mud baths or volcano. I let DH choose this part. Volcano. I know it's a stinky volcano but I'm actually excited to see it...as long as it doesn't erupt. LOL!!! We could smell it while on the Jalousie Beach Break tour while on the boat and to us, it smelled like fireworks, but I've seen other say "rotten eggs". We do have water shoes that are like tennis shoes which we generally wear, so we're good to go there. I wish you all were going too. I've gotten to know another couple through CC who will be on the same sailing. They did the same cruise on Valor in October 2013 and also did a review. We're really looking forward to this one.

 

 

 

We love Spencer, his daughter (Shequana) and their whole crew. We did the Spencer Ambrose "Jalousie Beach Break" in 2013 and it was, by far, one of the best tour days we've ever had while on a cruise. We were also asked to take our shoes off when getting into the boat and everyone in our group complied. They do offer help getting in/out of the boat and I always take their hand...I feel it would be rather rude not to, seeing that I'm a female. No matter how in shape I am, if a man offers his hand to help, I gladly accept it. :D I'm sure that experience you had with that passenger was frightening, but it just goes to show that there is a reason shoes need to be removed and they aren't just being "picky" about the boat. We're really looking forward to our day in St. Lucia on Spencer's "Land, Sea and Beach Adventure" and so excited to see more of St. Lucia and we're looking forward to another day with Spencer and crew.

 

 

Yeah the smell is definitely the rotten egg sulfur smell.... but it goes away. The Mud Baths are just down the street from the Volcano (literally you can see the volcano from the mud baths) They are both interesting. You can't go wrong.

[cocacola86]

We loved sailing out of San Juan, ports were great the only problem is that they don't offer enough ports from San Juan. We had to book Adventure of the Seas, were doing 8 days going to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaco, Antigua and St Maarten, how come Carnival doesn't offer more islands out of San Juan?

[Dirkgun]

We loved sailing out of San Juan, ports were great the only problem is that they don't offer enough ports from San Juan. We had to book Adventure of the Seas, were doing 8 days going to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaco, Antigua and St Maarten, how come Carnival doesn't offer more islands out of San Juan?

 

 

I kind of agree .... I wish Carnival would offer a different set of islands so you could do a B2B and have different islands. The 5 islands they do now are great (St Thomas, Barbados, St Lucia, St Kitts, St Maarten) and I do love Sailing out of Puerto Rico as well. I love the fewer sea days and number of ports Carnival does now, but I think different itineraries out of San Juan would be awesome. In fact I really liked the route when they did not have a sea day (when they also went to Dominica) that was an awesome route.

[mss22859]

I would definitely do the taxi..... a lot more efficient. The rate will be $23 plus $1 per bag (not including bags you keep on your lap) for up to 5 people ($2 charge for extra ppl up to 7) Plus tip. So assuming you each have a bag .... it would be $27 plus tip (total not per person) to taxi from the Airport to old san juan pier. I am sure you will have a great time. here is the link for this info in case you have questions that I did not answer.

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/getting-around-by-taxi/

Thanks for the quick reply. Taxi it is! Can't wait for this cruise, as it will be the sixth for DW and I, and the first for my SIL and BIL.

[vn123]

Hi,

 

Do you remember the name of ferry company? I read somewhere that there are 3 companies operating the route. The ferry you took looked really in good shape.

 

Thx!

[Dirkgun]

Thanks for the quick reply. Taxi it is! Can't wait for this cruise, as it will be the sixth for DW and I, and the first for my SIL and BIL.

 

 

The company we used was the only ferry going out of Red Hook Bay. I know there is other ferry places like in Charlotte Amalie.... We just took the taxi to Red Hook and got on the ferry there. It was a very simple process. Sorry I did not see your question until today. I hope it helps.

[Dirkgun]

Hi,

 

Do you remember the name of ferry company? I read somewhere that there are 3 companies operating the route. The ferry you took looked really in good shape.

 

Thx!

 

 

Oops.... see above post. Somehow I quoted the wrong post in my answer.

[Gallivanting Souls]

You can tell this is a well-written comprehensive review when its still active almost a year later! Thanks for all the info. I will be going on a Carnival cruise (Conquest) that will stop in Puerto Rico, also St Kitts, and St Maarten. This will be our first Carnival cruise. I am really looking forward to the itinerary. Not sailing out of San Juan, but still getting a taste.I enjoyed reading about your trip and all the info you shared. Thank you for the time you put into it!

PS, you sailed on this cruise the same time we did our last. It was for our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

Edited January 18, 2016 by familyoutdoors

[Dirkgun]

You can tell this is a well-written comprehensive review when its still active almost a year later! Thanks for all the info. I will be going on a Carnival cruise (Conquest) that will stop in Puerto Rico, also St Kitts, and St Maarten. This will be our first Carnival cruise. I am really looking forward to the itinerary. Not sailing out of San Juan, but still getting a taste.I enjoyed reading about your trip and all the info you shared. Thank you for the time you put into it!

PS, you sailed on this cruise the same time we did our last. It was for our 25th Wedding Anniversary!

 

 

Thank you so much for the nice words. I really like writing reviews for a couple reasons..... 1. it means I got to go on another cruise. 2. It is a great way to relive the trip at a later time. Enjoy your time in the Caribbean you will love those Islands. SAN Juan is a magical place try to make sure to really explore the city it is a must see.

[frozenrope2001]

Thanks for the review and including the contact info for the taxi drivers in Barbados and San Juan. I am off on the Liberty in 5 days. I did the same itinerary on the Victory 5 years ago. I enjoyed your review !

[Dirkgun]

Thanks for the review and including the contact info for the taxi drivers in Barbados and San Juan. I am off on the Liberty in 5 days. I did the same itinerary on the Victory 5 years ago. I enjoyed your review !

 

 

You are entirely welcome. I include names of those who really do a good job in case anyone needs to contact someone. I really hope you have a great time. Would love to read a review from you when you get back. :D

[Yuridog]

Dirkgun - Isn't it time you took another well-deserved cruise? Your review was so awesome that we'd love to have another one soon.:)

Maybe you can create a "Go Fund Me Page" for your trip (ha-ha)

[Dirkgun]

Dirkgun - Isn't it time you took another well-deserved cruise? Your review was so awesome that we'd love to have another one soon.:)

Maybe you can create a "Go Fund Me Page" for your trip (ha-ha)

 

Thank you that is so very nice of you. I would also love to have another one in the chamber as it were. lol. If I thought a "Go Fund Me Page" was an option I would be all over it. :eek::D:rolleyes: Be sure to have a great time on you next one and be sure to write a review. They are very fun to write so you can relive your experiences.

[ch27088]

I am so excited about reading your review. I've read a few of your other reviews and totally enjoyed them. Looks like you and the family had a wonderful time, thanks for taking us along on your trip.

[Dirkgun]

I am so excited about reading your review. I've read a few of your other reviews and totally enjoyed them. Looks like you and the family had a wonderful time, thanks for taking us along on your trip.

 

 

Thanks for your comments and for reading my other reviews. We did have a great time. This is my favorite cruise itinerary and vacation place of all time. We just love it in Puerto Rico and the Southern Caribbean. In fact we wish we were there now... and out of the Utah Winter cold. :eek::)