Explorer out of NJ - Does anyone have Puerto Rico Shore Excursions?

[WestchesterCruiseFan]

I checked the Royal Caribbean website and they don't have much listed - then again I haven't booked yet...

 

Does anyone have a list of the Shore Tours available on the 9 night cruise on Explorer of the Seas for San Juan, Puerto Rico?

 

Thank you.

[golfer1966]

We did Navigator there and the excursions were no good. We took our Mothers on an Eastern Cruise in April of 05 and we took an Old San Juan tour thru RCI and it was in a small bus and they didnt really show you much. It was basically a ride around and see tour. They did stop once to take a few pix, but nothing great. It wasnt worth the 30 or so dollars I can tell you that. Since then we have been back ( march 06 ) and we went off on our own and that was MUCH better.

[dzboss1]

My family has signed up for the ATVs at the San Juan port.

[Oaktree]

Go to Port of Call for San Juan. You will find lots of opinions on things to do,

many are very good from previous visitors, and some are to be ignored. There is a website enjoypuertorico.com that may help and another from the tourism company..http://www.gotopuertorico.com. :)

[TKinAZ]

When we were there last week, we did the Carabali 4-tracks ATV excursion. We all really enjoyed it. If you do it, wear your swimsuit under your clothes. RCI tells you to BRING your suit and wear long pants/closed shoes. Don't believe it. Wear your suit with clothing over (the sun gets hot). Sport sandals are fine. About 2/3 of the way through the tour, they stop at a river with a great swimming hole. If you didn't wear your suit under your clothes, your only choice is to get nekkid in the bamboo. :eek:

[barbaragrace]

San Juan, Puerto Rico Info (7am-3pm)

 

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/city/sanjuan.shtml

Only ship in port this day, hooray!

Old San Juan

 

Walking tour > see this, http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanjuan/0323010008.html

Top Beaches

 

http://www.gotopuertorico.com/go_beachesSports.php?language=english&page=2

Ø use Ritz Carlton (Isla Verde) beach

Ø

Ø El Escambron is near The hotel Normandie and the Caribe Hilton. Is a good beach but it is more crowded. The one at Condado is smaller protected beach,calm water.In this one maybe you can rent the chair, im not sure. At El escambron there is a very good restaurant same name.

Ø I would highly recommend Escambrón, as it is the closest to Old San Juan and the cruise piers, and is a beautiful beach with many services, including life guards and clean restrooms. My wife inspected and gave them an A grade!

It does get crowded (with locals) on the weekends!

It's very close to the Carib Hilton and their services, and some local restaurants and groceries. You can get there from Old San Juan on the city bus for $.25 and a short walk

Ø Escambron> Nice views also. Its' actually off a main road going to Old San Juan so it can be easily done by bus. About $6 for taxi.

Ø

Ø “i just got through talking to the marriott and they have day passes for $30/pp. this includes the use of the pool, beach, and gym. the gym has saunas and showers. you must go to the ocean club at the hotel to do this. if you have any other questions their number is 787-289-6023”

Ø Condado is closest to pier area (5-10 minutes by taxi) and Isle Verde is next (10 - 20 minutes depending on traffic of course)

Ø

Taxi Rates:

The Transportation Division of the Puerto Rico Tourism Board approved an increase for the taxi rates as of November 3, 2005.

 

The government recently updated their site with the new rates and added detailed infomation about the areas, how many passengers per vehicle, luggage,etc. Click to learn about the new rates:

http://www.gotopuertorico.com/go_visitPuertoRico.php?language=english&page=100

http://escape.topuertorico.com/get/

Zone 4:

Piers to Old San Juan $6.00

Zone 5:

Piers to Puerto de Tierra $6.00

Zone 6:

Piers to Condado and Miramar $10.00

Zone 7:

Piers to Isla Verde $16.00

 

 

You will need to take a taxi if you ship docks at the Pan-American Pier and Navy Frontier to any where. You will be able to walk to Old San Juan from Pier 1 to 6. Their is a walking tour that starts at 6:00 p.m. from the Sheraton hotel that is across the street from the Piers in Old San Juan.

 

It is highly recommended to look for the Ground Transportation booth when exiting the Piers and the airport. Ask for a slip with the regulated rates and present it to the taxi driver. It would be a good idea if you print the webpage above and take it with you in case the employee is not well informed.

The following excursions are available in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and are worth considering:

Prices noted below are seasonal and may not reflect the actual prices at the time of your cruise. Pricing and excursions specific to your cruise will be viewable in the "PURCHASE" section of the website.

San Juan, Puerto Rico Excursions

Price/Person (USD)

Adult

Child

Old & New San Juan City Tour

Approximate Duration: 2 Hours

25.00

25.00

Old San Juan Walking Tour

Approximate Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes

37.00

25.00

El Yunque Rain Forest Tour

Approximate Duration: 4 Hours 30 Minutes

32.00

32.00

City Tour & Bacardi Rum Distillery

Approximate Duration: 4 Hours

30.00

30.00

 

El Escambron

------------

Pros: life guards, clean restrooms, and good restaurant

Questions: rentals?

Taxi: $6 per person from pier, Zone 4, 5-10 minutes

Bus: $0.75 from Old San Juan, but need $6 taxi anyway from Pier I believe

 

Isla Verde

---------

Pros: Prettier beach?

Questions: facilities all along or only at specific spots? rentals?

Taxi: $16 per person from pier, Zone 7, 10-20 minutes

Bus: ???

 

Likely Plan

 

- Take taxi over to El Escambron ($48 total)….probably from 10am-2pm

- No sense in shopping here unless find unusual rums; DonQ is supposed to be good..but only here??

[weezerbassplayer]

You can try the El Yunque Rainforest tour. I went on it a couple years back and it's really pretty. Nice little hike through the rainforest, kind of a long ride to get there and back, though.