teresag Posted April 20, 2007 #1 Share Posted April 20, 2007 San Juan is a stop on the Eastern Freedom cruise we're considering. Is there much to do there? Listed in shore excusions is a list of only 10 excursions. It seems to be more of a touring of architecture/fortresses kind of port. Please give us some suggestions. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue L Posted April 20, 2007 #2 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Old San Juan is wonderful as well as the two forts etc. If you want to go to the rainforest then I would suggest a tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauimary Posted April 20, 2007 #3 Share Posted April 20, 2007 San Juan is wonderful--lots of character and the colors of the buildings are really fun. We did not do an excursion-but instead just wandered up and down the cobblestone streets. We walked the neibhborhood back to the fort. The neighborhoods are fun to walk around and get away from the crowds. Enjoy the ambiance of the city and maybe a sidewalk cafe!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zantedeschia Posted April 20, 2007 #4 Share Posted April 20, 2007 San Juan is pretty neat. Do consider venturing onshore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crock921 Posted April 20, 2007 #5 Share Posted April 20, 2007 we did the rainforest tour and if are interested in nature, i would highly recommend it. Not sure about other things to do there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OHCruisinDad Posted April 20, 2007 #6 Share Posted April 20, 2007 Old San Juan is fun. Take a walking tour of the narrow streets and shops. There are the two forts, El Morro and San Christobal, I believe. For excursions, try the rain forest or the bioluminesent bay. I also understand that Vieques island is supposed to be very nice but we haven't been there. Check the threads under ports. There should be a lot of info there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilygrace Posted April 20, 2007 #7 Share Posted April 20, 2007 We LOVED San Juan! We did a Duck Tour (not a ship tour) and then walked around Old San Juan, over to the street where Coach and Ralph Lauren are. And then we walked back down to the ship. It was really a lot of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melsdt Posted April 20, 2007 #8 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I have to disagree. I am not a fan of San Juan. It is ok for walking around and exploring, but after going on several cruises many of which have stopped there or left from there, I am tried of it. Just my opinion ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
negc Posted April 20, 2007 #9 Share Posted April 20, 2007 There are also some wonderful beaches in San Juan. Among the best, and closer to Old San Juan than famed Luquillo Beach, is Carolina Beach which is in the Isla Verde section of San Juan, near the airport. The Bacardi Rum plant also offers a free tour along with samples of their product. You can do this easily and inexpensively on your own by walking to the ferry terminal in Old San Juan (near the piers where most visiting cruise ships dock) and taking the ferry across the harbor to Cataño and then a taxi to the Bacardi plant. If you are there in the evening there are several highly rated restaurants in Old San Juan. Any port of call can seem boring if you visit it enough, but we have usually found different things to see and do on each of our visits.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL-WI Posted April 20, 2007 #10 Share Posted April 20, 2007 My DW and I are not huge fans of forts, but the two forts in San Juan (El Morro and San Christobal) are wonderful. The views from the forts of the city and the ocean are breathtaking. In fact, we will stop at San Juan on a cruise next year and we will tour both forts, again! I am looking forward to our time there! :D BILL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pomperaugrr Posted April 20, 2007 #11 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I will have to agree with those that like San Juan. We often sail from San Juan, and go down a day early. The Bacardi factory tour is fun (on your own = less $$$), as is the rain forest tour. If you are not there all day, I would suggest taking a taxi to the forts. Tour them on your own and then wander downhill through the streets of Old San Juan back to the ship. You will not be disappointed. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateO Posted April 20, 2007 #12 Share Posted April 20, 2007 We are going to San Juan on the Liberty of the Seas and we arrive there at 3:00 in the afternoon so because of the timing we have very few excursions that are offered (afterall, what adventure/beach adventures can you really have between 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm). If you have the same type of itinerary that is probably why there are so few excursions. We have been to San Juan for a full day on a cruise and in answering your question, Yes, there are lots of things to do in San Juan, you just may be limited by the time of arrival. My husband and I are not at all the touring type of people but when we went to San Juan we toured the El Morro fort and loved it. They we walked through the streets of Old San Juan and loved it even more. Because San Juan is such a quaint little town you can tour it all on your own. Oh! a little tip. If you do have a 3:00 pm arrival in San Juan and you want to tour one (or both) of the forts, be sure you go straight to the fort(s) because they close at 5:00 PM. Enjoy! KateO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleob Posted April 20, 2007 #13 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I am not a big fan of San Juan as a port of call. The Pan American Pier is not near anything at all and when I went on an Eastern Carribean cruise and stopped there getting a cab meant long lines. We did do the tour of Old San Juan which stopped at one of the ports which was a good tour. We also went to the Barcadi factory and although I love rum this was a rather dull tour. I'm going back to San Juan to leave on the Serenade next March and will do a prenight stay as I'm traveling from New England and need to be careful of the weather. We're staying at the Courtyard Marriot Isle Verde which looks amazing on the website. I'm hoping to do more exploring this time and maybe find things I like better about San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie K Posted April 20, 2007 #14 Share Posted April 20, 2007 We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Isle Verde last month. The hotel is very nice, we had a wonderful dinner outdoors, the pool area is beautiful, the room had a beautiful view of the beach from the balcony. The only downside is its proximity to the runway of the airport, literally next to it, so the noise of the planes could be overwhelming at times. But it was convenient and a great way to start off our vacation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABCHICK Posted April 20, 2007 #15 Share Posted April 20, 2007 We also did the Duck Tour in San Juan. Had a great time with a bunch off cc friends. Will be sailing out of SJ next year on the southern itin. Going down a day early so we can see the forts and and other parts of Old San Juan. Can't wait. Judi :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katiel53 Posted April 20, 2007 #16 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I am not a big fan of San Juan as a port of call. The Pan American Pier is not near anything at all and when I went on an Eastern Carribean cruise and stopped there getting a cab meant long lines. We did do the tour of Old San Juan which stopped at one of the ports which was a good tour. We also went to the Barcadi factory and although I love rum this was a rather dull tour. I'm going back to San Juan to leave on the Serenade next March and will do a prenight stay as I'm traveling from New England and need to be careful of the weather. We're staying at the Courtyard Marriot Isle Verde which looks amazing on the website. I'm hoping to do more exploring this time and maybe find things I like better about San Juan. I guess I am surprised when you say you were at the Pan Am Pier. For all my cruises, Pan Am was only used as a starting/ending pier. We went to San Juan on RCI and were docked at the main pier. When we have sailed from San Juan, albeit on Celebrity, but RCI was docked next to us, it was from Pan Am Pier. Perhaps your cruise was more recent thatn ours from San Juan. We were there 2 years ago. I guess it depends on what time you arrive in San Juan as a port. If you arrive at 3 or so, it's kind of hard to do things such as the fort. If you are into casinos, there are a few not far from where the ship docks. No matter, enjoy your trip. There are good and bad points in every cruise. Katie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msraye Posted April 20, 2007 #17 Share Posted April 20, 2007 I do not enjoy San Juan and have not done a southern itinerary because it starts there. I have found San Juan to be very dirty and the shopkeepers overly familiar. Do be careful if going to the beach and check the ratings with the CDC. When I checked EVERY beach was polluted. I did like going thru the fort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted April 21, 2007 #18 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Not one of our favorite ports--we aren't into architecture or the history of any given island! We did wander about Old San Juan and walked through the fort, but beware--it can be incredibly HUMID--take water!!! At one point, I thought I was going to pass out--and I LOVE heat!!! Having done this once, I would probably stay on the ship and use the pool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitra Posted April 21, 2007 #19 Share Posted April 21, 2007 Been a couple of times, never have found it to be a favorite. I would rather just stay on the ship personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColumbiaMDCanadian Posted April 21, 2007 #20 Share Posted April 21, 2007 We've also gone back onto the ship. Not impressed with the city - or the merchants constantly trying to hustle you. That said, we spent a week at the El Concquistador and had a great time - but we stayed on the hotel property for pretty much the whole week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPT Trips Posted April 21, 2007 #21 Share Posted April 21, 2007 we have had only good experiences in san Juan . . . hope it continues as we are leaving from there on May 5th. If you have a "National Parks card" that is good for all parks - bring it along as the forts are national parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erniesband Posted April 21, 2007 #22 Share Posted April 21, 2007 I guess I am surprised when you say you were at the Pan Am Pier. For all my cruises, Pan Am was only used as a starting/ending pier. We went to San Juan on RCI and were docked at the main pier. When we have sailed from San Juan, albeit on Celebrity, but RCI was docked next to us, it was from Pan Am Pier. Perhaps your cruise was more recent thatn ours from San Juan. We were there 2 years ago. I guess it depends on what time you arrive in San Juan as a port. If you arrive at 3 or so, it's kind of hard to do things such as the fort. If you are into casinos, there are a few not far from where the ship docks. No matter, enjoy your trip. There are good and bad points in every cruise. Katie We normally sail out of San Juan and leave from the Pan Am pier. We've seen Jewel docked at the OSJ pier as a port of call, but Navigator came into the Pan Am pier for a port of call once while we were there - think it depends on who is at the OSJ piers, and maybe the size of the ship? We love San Juan, but we've never done just as a port of call, only as an embarkation port. We love visiting the forts, and walking the streets of OSJ. I don't know that there's time to do a rainforest tour on an afternoon port of call stop, but that's fun, too. Jodi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laceyjane Posted April 23, 2007 #23 Share Posted April 23, 2007 We love San Juan. The Puerto Rican food is fabulous. Old San Juan is really nice to walk around and the rainforest is amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texancruzer Posted April 23, 2007 #24 Share Posted April 23, 2007 Here's another post in the " we loved San Juan" section. We went down and spent 3 days/2 nights precruise before our Serenade cruise.... we loved it. We walked all over old San Juan - went salsa dancing, and more..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nbsjcruiser Posted April 23, 2007 #25 Share Posted April 23, 2007 San Juan is a stop on the Eastern Freedom cruise we're considering. Is there much to do there? Listed in shore excusions is a list of only 10 excursions. It seems to be more of a touring of architecture/fortresses kind of port. Please give us some suggestions. Thanks We went there last year on the NOS. We weren't expecting much since the few people I talked to that had been there didn't have much to say about the place. As a result our expectations were low. Having been there however, I have to say it was a really nice stop. We just walked around old San Juan for the day and it was quite enjoyable. The atmosphere and language differences made for the day I thought. We went into the old Cathedral there and went in a ton of shops. We never did make it up to the fort but I think next year when we go back we will. In the evening we went down to the Casino in the hotel (can't remember the name) and lsot a few $. I have heard the shore excursions are not great there so my vote is to bring your camera and spend the day walking. You'll enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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