Pre cruise hotel - San Juan

[travel222]

Any hotel recommendations for San Juan, we are sailing 2/12/07 - Galaxy and plan to spend 1 night in San Juan. The Celebrity website says

that the package includes: hotel accomendations, transfers and porterage.

 

Is the transfer from hotel to pier on cruise day? or airport to hotel?

what is porterage?

 

Looks like the Sheraton Old San Juan is across the street from the pier.

Do they transfer your luggage directly to the ship for you?

[bulldogmom]

I don't really know what Celebrity offers but from my own research I've chosen to stay at the Sheraton- Old San Juan. Mainly because of the location, it is supposedly right across the street from the pier and if it is then it is really close to plenty of shopping, entertainment and dining establishments which will save a lot when you'd add in the cab fare for doing all of that. I'm not sure if they transfer your luggage or not but if not then it is no big deal since they are so close to the pier (at least not to me) You might be able to call and ask them.....

[usha]

Constellation docks at the Pan American Pier, not the one in Old San Juan.

[CarolRick]

For value, I would recommend the Marriot Courtyard on Isla Verde (by the airport). In old san juan, we love the Normandy...

Getting around SJ in taxi is easy...

[judyfssw]

I've gone to Priceline and stayed at the Normandie which is a very nice hotel. Not on the beach but very art deco. Also, at this time, you might be able to get the Caribe Hilton which is on the beach for a pretty low price. In any case, good luck.

[jula]

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites near the airport three times pre-cruise and post cruise. There is an Outback restaurant and a small casino on site. The rooms are very comfortable. Breakfast is included with the room. You can walk a block or two toward the beach and there is shopping and local restaurants. We would book here again without hesitation, I just wish we were planning a cruise so we could book here again.

[newmexicoNita]

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites near the airport three times pre-cruise and post cruise. There is an Outback restaurant and a small casino on site. The rooms are very comfortable. Breakfast is included with the room. You can walk a block or two toward the beach and there is shopping and local restaurants. We would book here again without hesitation, I just wish we were planning a cruise so we could book here again.

WE have stayed at 3 or 4 hotels in San Juan and prefer the Embassy Suites by the airport. Of course the accommodations are just like any Embassy suites, the staff is very friendly, the managers cocktail hour is wonderful as well as the made to order breakfast. Having Outback right there is great for your night meal. As for beaches, yes, you can walk, but unless you are getting in very early the day before you may want to just hang out around the pool. Our second choice in the Caribe and third would be Old San Juan Sheraton. If you go with the pre cruise package it will include transfers from the hotel to the pier and probably from airport to hotel. Porterage fees are baggage handling. NMnita