Cruising to San Juan

[kps01824]

I just talked to a friend who is in San Juan today on a cruise and he was telling me that San Juan is not ready for tourists, still without power in over 70% of San Juan and nothing is really open except for a few hotels and casinos. Why in the world would a cruise line especially Celebrity bring tourist to a port that is a disaster, are they that money hungry. Shame on Celebrity cruise lines for doing this to San Juan and to there passengers. When you ask they will tell you that the cruise port and Airport is open and yes they are but to bring aid not more headaches.

[Nachosdelux]

2 reasons I can think of:

 

1. no room at alternate ports

 

2. the $$$ the tourists bring are helping the San Juan recovery

[LkGcruiser]

I just talked to a friend who is in San Juan today on a cruise and he was telling me that San Juan is not ready for tourists, still without power in over 70% of San Juan and nothing is really open except for a few hotels and casinos. Why in the world would a cruise line especially Celebrity bring tourist to a port that is a disaster, are they that money hungry. Shame on Celebrity cruise lines for doing this to San Juan and to there passengers. When you ask they will tell you that the cruise port and Airport is open and yes they are but to bring aid not more headaches.

 

Funny how that's not what posts from this weeks cruise on Summit are saying. They say the airport was fine, plenty of taxi's operating and even Uber is running. Easy getting to pier and no hassles with check-in at the dock.

 

Hopefully that's the truth as we are sailing out of SJ this Saturday.

[OCruisers]

Funny how that's not what posts from this weeks cruise on Summit are saying. They say the airport was fine, plenty of taxi's operating and even Uber is running. Easy getting to pier and no hassles with check-in at the dock.

 

Hopefully that's the truth as we are sailing out of SJ this Saturday.

 

Please do report back after your cruise.

[kps01824]

We are not leaving from San Juan it is a port we are stopping at and will have to try and find something to do

[mom says]

We are not leaving from San Juan it is a port we are stopping at and will have to try and find something to do

 

Have you asked what is open on the Ports of Call forum for San Juan?

When will you arrive?

[Bo1953]

I just talked to a friend who is in San Juan today on a cruise and he was telling me that San Juan is not ready for tourists, still without power in over 70% of San Juan and nothing is really open except for a few hotels and casinos. Why in the world would a cruise line especially Celebrity bring tourist to a port that is a disaster, are they that money hungry. Shame on Celebrity cruise lines for doing this to San Juan and to there passengers. When you ask they will tell you that the cruise port and Airport is open and yes they are but to bring aid not more headaches.

 

k - I do not know which sailing you are on, yet if you will so kindly go to X's website you will find all 'current' modified itineraries there.

 

I, personally, see no issue with using SJU as an embarkation point or dis-embarkation point.

 

YET, when perusing X's website, which I recommend you visit for the most current info, you will find several sailings that are within the next 30 days, that use SJU as a Port Of Call, you will find that either another port has been substituted OR it becomes a sea day.

 

If your sailing is beyond the most current update point, just keep checking back.

 

 

I have said this before and will say it again, X has more to lose to place passengers in harms way than the money they can make on sailing to or from or stopping at that port. They are in business to make money and make fond memories for its' passengers, Pure and Simple Goals, day in day out. Most times, in my opine, they excel, they do fall short from time to time, yet I have never known them not to try and make things right as best and as quickly as they can.

 

 

Now, for those who continue to believe or promote such a theory, need to just cancel their sailing and then X will not have their money at all, if in fact that is the real issue for them...

 

 

It is quite possible that SJU is not ready for tourist the way you want/wish it to be ready, if that is the issue, please state "it is not ready the way I want it to be". I do not understand the reason those who post here on CC presume to speak for ALL passengers on any given sailing.

 

Personal preferences, I can accept, yet to speak for 2k +/- other passengers, I will not accept.

 

Check your travel insurance policy if you have 'Cancel For Any Reason' rider please cancel, otherwise try to have a great sailing with your family and friends.

 

bon voyage

[Northern Aurora]

Funny how that's not what posts from this weeks cruise on Summit are saying. They say the airport was fine, plenty of taxi's operating and even Uber is running. Easy getting to pier and no hassles with check-in at the dock.

 

Hopefully that's the truth as we are sailing out of SJ this Saturday.

 

 

I've posted several times on the San Juan sub-forum (located under "Caribbean"). We were on the Summit repositioning from Bayonne to San Juan, and disembarked in San Juan on October 28th. There is absolutely no problem with taxis. There was a line of taxis at least half a mile long when we left the ship, and our hotel had no problems calling taxis for us.

 

When we flew out on October 31st the air conditioning was working at the airport. The airport shops and food concessions were operational.

[cruisestitch]

Why bring tourists to San Juan?

 

1. They are probably contractually obligated to as long as the port is open

2. Alternate ports may not be available

3. Tourists can spend money there and boost the existing economy

 

I'm sure there are other reasons, too, but those three came to mind first.

[hcat]

If they are there for a port stop where can they go for an enjoyable visit...beyond immed port area..rainforest, tours, etc?

[jcc1025]

We are not leaving from San Juan it is a port we are stopping at and will have to try and find something to do

 

 

 

We are also and touring old town is something everyone should do. I use to visit on business and even if nothing had happened we would have spent the day in old town. From what I hear from the locals is that old town is fine. The power issues are on the outer area that cruise passengers would not visit anyway. I am really looking forward to getting back.

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

2 reasons I can think of:

 

 

 

1. no room at alternate ports

 

 

 

2. the $$$ the tourists bring are helping the San Juan recovery

 

 

 

How can tourist money help though if there is virtually nothing to spend it on?

 

 

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[WonderMan3]

I just talked to a friend who is in San Juan today on a cruise and he was telling me that San Juan is not ready for tourists, still without power in over 70% of San Juan and nothing is really open except for a few hotels and casinos. Why in the world would a cruise line especially Celebrity bring tourist to a port that is a disaster, are they that money hungry. Shame on Celebrity cruise lines for doing this to San Juan and to there passengers. When you ask they will tell you that the cruise port and Airport is open and yes they are but to bring aid not more headaches.

 

 

 

Can you ask your friend what excursions they were offering outside of San Juan?

 

 

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[hcat]

We are also and touring old town is something everyone should do. I use to visit on business and even if nothing had happened we would have spent the day in old town. From what I hear from the locals is that old town is fine. The power issues are on the outer area that cruise passengers would not visit anyway. I am really looking forward to getting back.

 

 

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San Juan is a repeat port for many cruisers..,who have been to both forts, toured the old town more than once, tried more than one restaurant and shopped at the outlets and stores. Tours beyond the port city are very much in demand but not going to be possible for awhile.

 

Recovery takes a long time. We know first hand from Charley in Florida, Sandy in NY and the recent Fla Hurricane.....hoping all goes well in Puert Rico but there is alot of work they need to do there.

[Mynki]

How can tourist money help though if there is virtually nothing to spend it on?

 

 

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Before the hurricanes the Puerto Rico economy was in bad shape as it was. Now they're in real trouble. Read any report about what's currently happening and you'll find a lot of people being very critical about the perceived lack of support from the federal government.

 

So, IMHO spending just a few dollars in the restaurants, bars, shops, casinos and using the taxis will help the low paid and their families.

 

Again, in my opinion Celebrity are very much doing the right thing by leaving Summit home ported there because as soon as the hotels are repaired and open for business, more X passengers can stay pre and post cruise and help in a small way to rebuild their economy.

[torybruno]

I wonder the same. We are scheduled to be there on Christmas Day, from 3:30-11pm. If electricity is still a problem, that could be a big problem with our evening visit!

[davekathy]

How can tourist money help though if there is virtually nothing to spend it on?

 

 

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Speaking from experience?

[Redtravel]

I cannot understand why any ship would stop at San Juan this winter. I live near Philadelphia. There are plane loads arriving daily from San Juan. There are centers in Philadelphia assisting people from hurricane affected areas. They are supplying basics....food, housing, and clothing.

Until San Juan recovers, sailing into San Juan or other devastated islands seems wrong. Contribute money and desperately needed items would be welcomed. A ship full of people on vacation isn't helping closed stores.

The recent storms have certainly affected sailings in the Caribbean. With the vast number of winter Caribbean cruises, the ports unaffected by storms are likely full. Many cruises have changed ports. That takes a lot of rearranging and can be costly for the cruise lines and the guests. However, there is a limit to how many ships can dock. It could be that some cruise lines were waiting to see if the ports would be ready for guests. It is a tough situation. Sail to San Juan this winter?

[hcat]

Before the hurricanes the Puerto Rico economy was in bad shape as it was. Now they're in real trouble. Read any report about what's currently happening and you'll find a lot of people being very critical about the perceived lack of support from the federal government.

 

So, IMHO spending just a few dollars in the restaurants, bars, shops, casinos and using the taxis will help the low paid and their families.

 

Again, in my opinion Celebrity are very much doing the right thing by leaving Summit home ported there because as soon as the hotels are repaired and open for business, more X passengers can stay pre and post cruise and help in a small way to rebuild their economy.

 

Some hotels there as well as some in Florida are predicting rebuilding and repairs may take many months

 

...PR needed to rebuild its economy way before the storm. Realistically, a few extra shoppers at CVS, Coach or diners at local restaurants won,t really be enough.. When our itin stopped there at 3:30 p.m., we didn,t do much more than that...

 

As for a stop on Christmas Day..we,d stay on the ship and enjoy the festivities !

[WonderMan3]

Speaking from experience?

 

 

 

Did you not read the OP's post?

 

What it says actually ties in to what "The View" showed last week with one of their hosts walking through Old San Juan. The streets were virtually empty of people, few shops and restaurants were open and virtually everything was running on generator power. Some businesses interviewed said that if power was not restored soon they would have to close as it was too expensive for them to operate with so little business.

 

So it's all well and good to say " get out there and spend money to support Puerto Rico" but if it's mainly hotels and casinos that are open as the OP seemed to indicate then there isn't really a lot for people to put their money towards. Now for me personally, I like to gamble, so going to the local casino would be fun. I've done the forts before so I was hoping to wander around Old San Juan and check out the shops, etc. but if most things are still closed when I'm there in January then I probably will just head to the casino.

 

 

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[davekathy]

Did you not read the OP's post?

 

What it says actually ties in to what "The View" showed last week with one of their hosts walking through Old San Juan. The streets were virtually empty of people, few shops and restaurants were open and virtually everything was running on generator power. Some businesses interviewed said that if power was not restored soon they would have to close as it was too expensive for them to operate with so little business.

 

So it's all well and good to say " get out there and spend money to support Puerto Rico" but if it's mainly hotels and casinos that are open as the OP seemed to indicate then there isn't really a lot for people to put their money towards. Now for me personally, I like to gamble, so going to the local casino would be fun. I've done the forts before so I was hoping to wander around Old San Juan and check out the shops, etc. but if most things are still closed when I'm there in January then I probably will just head to the casino.

 

 

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Just as I thought. "Do you not read" any other posts on this forum including other cruise line forums here on CC concerning this very subject. Like the OPs post and others (positive or negative about cruising to the effected ports) I consider the postings good FYI only. Looking forward to our up coming stop in San Juan and other ports that were effected. Sounds like you are already planning on possible shore excursions or spending money in the casino. Walk up to Barrachina's enjoy a pina colada and a snack. Juan and Puerto Rico will be glad to have your support. Enjoy and report back with your San Juan/Puerto Rico experience(s).

Edited November 15, 2017 by davekathy

[Longboysfan]

We are not leaving from San Juan it is a port we are stopping at and will have to try and find something to do

 

Walk up to the Forts.

[Mynki]

Some hotels there as well as some in Florida are predicting rebuilding and repairs may take many months

 

I know Florida very well. I know of one hotel which was damaged in 2008 by a hurricane and has still not been repaired!

 

...PR needed to rebuild its economy way before the storm. Realistically, a few extra shoppers at CVS, Coach or diners at local restaurants won,t really be enough.. When our itin stopped there at 3:30 p.m., we didn,t do much more than that...

 

It's economy is built on tourism. If it had problems before the hurricanes it's well and truly screwed now. Remember there are thousands of cruisers visiting PR, many will do things differently to you. Or put it this way, do you think the locals would rather see some tourists or none at all?

 

I've read a few reports as we're travelling there soon, the locals featured all stated that they were happy to see tourists returning after fears of being abandoned.

 

As for a stop on Christmas Day..we,d stay on the ship and enjoy the festivities !

 

Xmas day is just one day. It's s good job for the Puerto Ricans that not everyone thinks like you! :)

[hcat]

Hope those who stop there on the Holiday will find things open but hopefully most folks who live there will be home with family!

[cltnccruisers]

Did you not read the OP's post?

 

What it says actually ties in to what "The View" showed last week with one of their hosts walking through Old San Juan. The streets were virtually empty of people, few shops and restaurants were open and virtually everything was running on generator power. Some businesses interviewed said that if power was not restored soon they would have to close as it was too expensive for them to operate with so little business.

 

So it's all well and good to say " get out there and spend money to support Puerto Rico" but if it's mainly hotels and casinos that are open as the OP seemed to indicate then there isn't really a lot for people to put their money towards. Now for me personally, I like to gamble, so going to the local casino would be fun. I've done the forts before so I was hoping to wander around Old San Juan and check out the shops, etc. but if most things are still closed when I'm there in January then I probably will just head to the casino.

 

 

I'd have to know exactly the date and time the person from The View was filming. Just because the piece aired last week doesn't mean it was shot last week. Also, having "LIVE" on the screen definitely does not equate to real time. A couple of weeks ago GMA aired an update but used footage from just after the hurricane - a bit misleading.