Old & New San Juan City Tour

[depot72]

Has anyone done this tour with Royal? We have very limited port time on the Allure (only there until 1) and want to get an overview of San Juan.  We had also looked into a private tour for our group but we had a hard time finding any and the few we did seem much more expensive so we are thinking this might be the way to go. Thanks!

[Clarea]

Be sure and also take a look at the San Juan forum:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/80-san-juan-pr/

[1025cruise]

I did the tour with Celebrity this year. Had plenty of time at the fort. The new San Juan was a quick trip. Not quite what I was expecting.

[depot72]

Thanks! I looked in the forum and posted their initally but didn't see much.

 

What do you mean by not quite what you were expecting? How long was the tour itself? Was it all done by bus? Thanks for your input

[kathy884]

Just an FYI, not with the cruise ship, but here is the old city walking tour we booked.  It starts at 9 a.m. San Juan time and lasts for two hours.  We booked it thru that TripAdvisor owned company Viator who is a consolidator of various tour.   It's $40 pp.  https://www.viator.com/tours/San-Juan/Old-San-Juan-Walking-Tour/d903-16292P1

[depot72]

Thanks. I don't think some in our group could do an only walking tour. The Royal one is only about $25 pp. Also thinking we may get off the ship faster if we are part of the tour?

[Clarea]

43 minutes ago, depot72 said:

Thanks. I don't think some in our group could do an only walking tour. The Royal one is only about $25 pp. Also thinking we may get off the ship faster if we are part of the tour?

 

You will get off the ship faster than most who are using the standard luggage service, but it will be after the self-assist people.

[depot72]

This is just an excursion, we are not disembarking in SJ.

[Clarea]

2 minutes ago, depot72 said:

This is just an excursion, we are not disembarking in SJ.

 

Your meeting time and place will be on your excursion tickets. They will likely have you assemble someplace, like the main theater, and you will be escorted off.

[SuiteLady]

I did this tour in May (through Royal), while on the Anthem....the tour busses are at the end of the pier and to the right.  We enjoyed our tour.  I have been to OSJ a few times, but never really did anything beyond shopping near the port, the casino (which isn't there any longer), and Senor Frogs, so opted for a tour this time.  We saw many things and got off the bus several times...stop at a beach and at a Fort (not the one by the pier, but the other end of town), also got off by the government buildings.  Saw a lot and very informative- glad I did it.  Forget how long the tour was, maybe 2.5-3 hours- just long enough.....

[biomedbob]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the free trolly that you can access right from the cruise ship and hop on and off as you want.

 

[jr8934]

Didn't know there is a free trolley. Where do you pick it up? Is it easily accessible to people with limited motor? I have a bad leg.

[Maplemoose]

I read that the trolley stopped running. It would be good to know the status as we are heading there next year too. https://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/