One Day Before in San Juan?

[Sleeepy]

We are cruising out of San Juan in February (Serenade/Southern Caribbean). As we are in DC and weather is unpredictable, we think it would be good to fly out the day before. Would love advice on:

 

1. Recommendation for nice hotel (under $200) and distance to/from port.

 

2. Things you can see and/or do in a few hours the afternoon before or morning of the cruise (arriving mid-afternoon).

 

Thanks!!

[DutsCruiser]

We stayed in the El Canario by the Seas hotel in PR. I'm not sure what kind of hotel you prefer? The El Canario by the Seas is simple but clean and the staff is friendly. It's nicely located near the beach. All I needed but no luxery if that's what you prefer?

 

As for sightseeing;

We booked the RCCL visit to the El Yunque rainforest. Looking back I would rather have done this visit in my day pre-cruise and on my own.

 

Also the city center is a nice place to saunter for a day.

[Annefran]

Sleepy,

 

I am in the same situation in April 07. I'm debating whether to go a day earlier or not. From comments I've received here from other members. Your best bet is to look for hotels online with *expedia, *hotels.com, things like that. I know that most of the nice hotels are $150+.

[jeffaggy]

Going on the AOS out of San Juan this weekend and got the Caribe Hilton for $90 on Hotwire (normally over $200) for 1 night pre-cruise and the Ritz Carlton post cruise for 1 night at $200 through the Ritz website. Both better deals than what I saw at the other "nice" hotels

[chicagojayhawk]

We had a few nights layover in San Juan during our honeymoon and I will highly recommend this really quaint local B&B for you. It is truly worth it!! http://www.thegalleryinn.com

 

The Gallery Inn is located in Old San Juan (much closer to the port than the chain hotels on the touristy strip in SJ). It's owned by a local artist and the entire B&B is COVERED in her artwork. Absolutely breathtaking and equisite.

 

While there, be sure to eat at Baru...it's fantastic tapas joint a few blocks away with the most incredible menu. Their mojitos are the best I've ever had.

 

When we stayed there, everything was within walking distance, including the port (though I'm not sure you'd want to haul your luggage down the hill, but the cab fare would be really inexpensive.

[CruisinRoxy]

We did the AOS last July, and because we'e never been to PR before, decided to fly in on Friday. We stayed at the Wyndham El San Juan - not cheap but right on the beach. We had a great time exploring El Yunque (we rented a car for the day - not too difficult getting around) Went on a few hikes through the forest. Also had time to explore Old San Juan, had dinner at a local restaurant. Had a great time - I do recommend it. Have fun!;)

[bouhunter]

Check out the Puerto Rico section here and you'll find tons of info.

 

We spent a week at the Caribe Hilton a couple years ago and I recommend it.

 

Old San Juan and the forts are worth the time, and for dinner down there I HIGHLY recommend the Parrot Club.

[cruiseman_tx]

Definately a good idea to fly into San Juan the day prior to departure, especially in February. Back in 2002, we had good luck in bidding for rooms through Priceline.com in the "resorts" category. Got the Caribe Hilton for $65, and the Wyndham Condado for $80. I'm sure they're higher now, but you should be able to snag a room for a lot less than any online published price.

[TheEngineer]

We stayed at the Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino last October and it was very nice. We paid between $105 and $125 (stayed one night before and one night after) and were very happy. The cab to pier was a pretty short ride. The hotel is right on the beach.

[downtheaisle]

I'm so gald you posted this! We are taking AOS/Souther Caribbean crusie in December for our honeymoon, and are flying in the day before to San Juan... also looking for hotel recommendations! :)

[TexasMom2]

We stayed one night pre-cruise before our AOS cruise and I am so glad we did it. No weather problems (June) or flight delays, but it was nice to sightsee Old San Juan that afternoon, have a nice dinner, sleep late in a comfy bed, then arrive in a leisurely way at the pier. It's a great way to start your vacation relaxed and well-rested.

[frudutx]

Last December we stayed at the Normandie, while very nice, it's off the beaten path and for that reason I would not recommend it. When we cruise this coming April we plan to spend the night at the Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar. We've never stayed there before but, it's not far from the cruise terminal.

 

d

[Giorgi-one]

Absolutely, fly one day early. The one time we flew on the same day was a cruise out of San Juan. We made it but my wife's luggage did not. She had to wear my clothes for three days until her luggage caught up with the ship. I have been on 16 cruises and have met people on almost every cruise who did not have their luggage. Note that there is no guarantee that your luggage will catch up with the ship.

[mdeane]

We love going out of San Juan and have done it several times. We stay at either the Caribe Hilton or the Sheraton Old San Juan. Great to just spend the afternoon walking all over old San Juan. Our favorite restaurant is in Old San Juan, called Al Dente. It is Italian and very quaint. The wife is an artist and her interesting paintings are hung all over. We even bought one.

[bethaniesmom]

we also stayed at the El Canario, it is quaint.....but air conditioning is not its strong point! we were there a couple of years ago between hurricanes....the staff was good, but definitely is not a resort hotel, gives you more of a local feel...we walked around the neighborhood and ate local food, and wonderful icecream...we have done the Bacardi Rum Tour, costs a couple of bucks for a ferry ride and another couple for a van from the ferry to the factory...much cheaper than doing it thru the cruise line...absolutely wonderful rum drinks at the end of the factory tour, and cheap prices on rum in their gift shop! have also walked around old san juan at christmas time, in the evening, when everything was decorated for the holiday. There are city parks that are nice just to walk thru and swing on the swings. wasn't much impressed with the beach, but, again we were between hurricanes so i think that caused beach problems...

you are definitely right about arriving the day before...and we had the luxury of staying the day we got back too! the airport there is easy to get in and out of, but close your eyes when you get in the cab cause these guys drive like crazy people!

 

Beverly

[Family Man]

This thread is timely. Earlier today I got a 48 hour hold for a flight to San Juan using frequent flyer miles. We sail out on a Sunday and obviously return on Sunday (assuming no detours along the way ;) ). I want to fly in on Friday to see the sights Saturday and give us a cushion, just in case.... Unfortunately, there are no departure FF seats available until the Monday afternoon at 4:00 following disembarkation. Are there enough fun things to do in San Juan for 3 days (first Saturday, last Sunday, and most of Monday) or should we just plan to relax at the pool?

[TexasMom2]

One thing I've always wanted to see was the bioluminescent lagoon. You have to be there at night to see it, and since you might stay over Sunday night that would be a neat thing to see. Saturday you could tour Old San Juan then just get a late check out onMonday. I'll try to find a link for the lagoon.

[Family Man]

One thing I've always wanted to see was the bioluminescent lagoon. You have to be there at night to see it, and since you might stay over Sunday night that would be a neat thing to see. Saturday you could tour Old San Juan then just get a late check out onMonday. I'll try to find a link for the lagoon.

 

Thanks Tina. I would love to know more about it.

[TexasMom2]

http://www.ecoactiontours.com/bioluminescent.html

 

Above is a tour company for the lagoon and below is a nice story explaining why the plankton glow.

 

http://www.rgj.com/news/printstory.php?id=98925

[Family Man]

http://www.ecoactiontours.com/bioluminescent.html

 

Above is a tour company for the lagoon and below is a nice story explaining why the plankton glow.

 

http://www.rgj.com/news/printstory.php?id=98925

 

This looks interesting. Thanks for the links!!! I will definitely check it out.

[paintedduck]

we cruised out san juan in march and stayed one nite prior and two nites post cruise at the coral princess in the condado district. it is almost equal distant from the airport, old san juan, and the cruise terminal (the one where the small ships dock, i.e. the empress of the seas) and a couple blocks from the beach. lots of good local resturants in the area. less expensive than the resort hotels and a nice breakfast included. we did a walking tour of old san juan and the forts. we had tried to book a rain forest tour, but they never came. i would definitely recommend a day early.

gary

[puertorican]

Last December we stayed at the Normandie, while very nice, it's off the beaten path and for that reason I would not recommend it. When we cruise this coming April we plan to spend the night at the Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar. We've never stayed there before but, it's not far from the cruise terminal.

 

d

 

Since you didn't like the Normandie, you should re-consider your option on the Courtyard, yes your are right it is some close to the Panam Pier, but there is nothing else of interest around, it is in the middle of a residential area. If you want to be close of everything, try hotels in the Condado or the Old San Juan Area.

 

Hope this helps.

[erbngrl]

I'd like to arrive in San Juan the day of the cruise, but have been told by RCCL that we cannot check our bags at the pier, explore, and return to the ship before departure. 1)Is this true? 2)Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do with our bags while we explore San Juan before boarding? Thanks much.

[mjyanne]

We are cruising out of San Juan in February (Serenade/Southern Caribbean). As we are in DC and weather is unpredictable, we think it would be good to fly out the day before. Would love advice on:

 

1. Recommendation for nice hotel (under $200) and distance to/from port.

 

2. Things you can see and/or do in a few hours the afternoon before or morning of the cruise (arriving mid-afternoon).

 

Thanks!!

 

I would definitely fly in the day before (regardless of the time of year). I have stayed at the Marriott Stellaris & Resort and also the Courtyard Marriott Isle Verde. Both nice.

 

For sightseeing I recommend walking around Old San Juan, the El Yunque Rain Forest (do this early and on your own as it's about an 1 1/2 from San Juan but worth it), and The El Morro Fort in Old San Juan.

 

Since you live in Stafford (I'm in Manassas) check out Jet Blue out of Dulles and Richmond for a great flight and fare. You'll have to change planes in JFK but it is still better than United (although United is a direct flight. Also, take the frist flight (or as early as possible) that way if there are weather delays you'll have a better shot at getting out.

[SunLover05]

We were on the AOS last April and flew in a day before as Michigan weather at that time can be unpredictable. We stayed at the Embassy Suites near the airport. It was beautiful. There was an Outback Steakhouse at the hotel. I got that with Hilton Hhonors points.

 

Our flight home was on a Monday morning after the cruise, so we stayed at the Caribe Hilton, which I got through Priceline for $90. The hotel and grounds are beautiful. However, the meals were expensive! A hamburger (which was great) was $11 at the pool area. The least expensive place to eat. But, there is a Subway about a block away, with a little convenience store next door. Check out this website for Priceline levels and areas.

http://www.biddingfun.com/page5.html.

I check this for current Priceline pricing, to see what people are bidding currently. http://www.betterbidding.com/index.php?showforum=164& There is also another website I have used, but I don't have it at my fingertips right now.

 

Good luck.