Pied Piper's Post Thanksgiving Cruise - Rcci's Serenade Of The Seas

[Fidel2Cruise]

Hey Fidel,

 

We have reservations at The Sheraton, but El Canario by the Sea looks great and like $200/night less than The Sheraton! We're thinking about changing. What's transportation from the airport and to the cruise terminal like?

 

Tyler-

 

I think it's $32 from airport to pier. I paid $16 from aiport to Canario in March 2008; then another $16 from Canario to pier the following day. Canario Hotel is in Condado which is mid point between airport and Old San Juan. It's about 2-3 blocks from Marriott Stelaris and Atlantic Beach Hotel. Closest club would be EROS and any cab can take you there for a few bucks.

 

Fidel

[Fidel2Cruise]

Toucan-

 

You have a couple of choices in where to stay and atmosphere. tripadvisor.com is very informative.

 

Isla Verde is right near the airport. It's more upscale with hotels like Ritz-Carlton, El San Juan Hotel & Casino, and Intercontinental. Once there, you might just stay on the resort. Not much tourist activity on that strip.

 

Next is Ocean Park. Mostly a residential area, but with many B&B. San Juan Beach Club is new and popular.

 

Condado is right outside of Old San Juan and the tourist hub. Hotels include Marriott Stelaris, Ramada, La Concha, Condado Plaza, Caribe Hilton and Normandie. PLENTY of restaurants and bars along the strip.

 

Old San Juan has the cobble stone streets and quaint shops. Hotels include El Convento, Sheraton, Howard Johnson and a few B&B.

 

If you have questions about any one hotel, just email me directly. This will be my 8th time in San Juan for pre-cruise.

 

Fidel

[Fidel2Cruise]

When I was in San Juan March 2008, MOM and I ate at Yerba Buena near hotel. It had great authentic Puerto Rican food. I hope to take DH this time. I recommend the cod fritters and beef patties.

 

Fidel

[Bryan&Joel]

Hey Guys we are in

Thanks for setting up this thread - should be helpfull as the cruise aproaches. We are excited about going on our FIRST Gay cruise. Joel is from PR so we will be flying in early and staying over a few days on both ends. Considering staying at the Sheraton so we can meet a few of you at the bar the night before. Hope we fit in well....:D :cool:

 

 

So far looks like the Cruise Critic contingent consists of;

Fidel & George - NJ

Tyler & Paul - Kansas City

Premiumrican – NYC

(djg30084) Dennis & Richard (et al) – Atlanta

Neil & Paul – Toronto

Kyle & Dan – Denver

Chris – Denver

(wolfatlga) Roy & Marty – Atlanta

(crispycrttr)Christina & Mary – NJ

(afflier) Lenny – Washington DC

02143 – Sommerville Mississippi

Gibby7072 – Boston

Tucan

Bryan & Joel - Central Florida

[Host Tyler]

Hey Bryan and Joel glad you're joining in. It should be an awesome cruise. I know you'll enjoy the diverse group of guys and gals!

[Host Tyler]

Hey Guys we are in

Thanks for setting up this thread - should be helpfull as the cruise aproaches. We are excited about going on our FIRST Gay cruise. Joel is from PR so we will be flying in early and staying over a few days on both ends. Considering staying at the Sheraton so we can meet a few of you at the bar the night before. Hope we fit in well....:D :cool:

Hey Bryan & Joel....glad you'll be joining! I know you'll enjoy the diverse group of guys & gals.

[wolfatlga]

Greetings...

As the final payment is approaching we are looking at the Dolphin swim excursion thru RCCL in St. Thomas. Samantha Brown did one on the travel channel when she cruised and it looked fun, has anyone done this one, or planning on going?

Since our plane leaves late, we are also looking at the El Yurque Rain Forest excursion, when we dock back in San Juan.

When we have sailed with RCCL before, we have done one excursion is each port and have enjoyed them and meeting family on the excursions.

Thanks...

Roy

Atlanta, Ga

[Fidel2Cruise]

Greetings...

As the final payment is approaching we are looking at the Dolphin swim excursion thru RCCL in St. Thomas. Samantha Brown did one on the travel channel when she cruised and it looked fun, has anyone done this one, or planning on going?

Since our plane leaves late, we are also looking at the El Yurque Rain Forest excursion, when we dock back in San Juan.

When we have sailed with RCCL before, we have done one excursion is each port and have enjoyed them and meeting family on the excursions.

Thanks...

Roy

Atlanta, Ga

 

Roy-

 

It's our first time with Pied Piper. I was told they offer exclusive excursions to the group after 9/15 when the ticket info gets mailed to us. If this is not the case, I would begin booking now through RCCL or on my own.

We would consider the dolphin swim in St Thom. Do you have more info or web site?

 

Fidel

[afflier]

PP does send out their own excursions. Some of them are the same as the cruise ship but are usually much cheaper. We went on a few with PP and had a great time with the "group".

 

We are up for meeting up for drinks in SJU Friday night if anyone else is. We can try to plan something when we get closer.

[wolfatlga]

Thanks for information..we went to the RCCL website and looked thru shore excursions for each port. When it's a full day excursion, we usually book thru RCCL because if there is a delay getting back to the ship, they will not sail till you get back.

When we were in Rome on an excursion, we got caught in traffic and it was nice to know they we waiting for us. If you go on your own, the ship would have sailed. I'll check out PP for the shorter ones and see what they have to offer.

We are coming in on Friday also and staying at the Sheraton, looks like several of us will be there. We wanted to be near Old San Juan, so we could walk around and see the sights.

Thanks again..

Roy

[Fidel2Cruise]

Afflier and Wolfatlga-

 

We are up for drinks Friday night also. We are staying in Condado at Canario, but can meet you in SJU. Where do you have in mind? At the Sheraton? Otherwise, there is a great asian fusion restaurant called Dragon Fly within walking distance. They serve tapas style and have cafe tables we can sit at.

 

Fidel

[Fidel2Cruise]

I was just reviewing my reservation and saw that this cruise offers a Mystery Dinner Theatre in Portofino'son December 2nd. I signed up. Anyone else interested? We can link our reservations and have a big group.

 

Here is their description:

Mystery Dinner Theater - MYSTDINNER

 

Menu Dinner will include a full 4-course meal featuring Portofino's most popular items. Portofino proudly features Seattle's Best Coffee Fresh Roasted Blends and Specialty Beverages, served at current bar menu prices.

Where You'll Find It Portofino Mystery Dinner Theater is featured on our Radiance class ships, Voyager class ships, and Freedom class ships. Not available on all sail dates.

Dress Suggestion We suggest smart casual attire in Portofino - jackets for men, dresses or pantsuits for women. On formal evenings, formal attire is also appropriate in the restaurant. This includes suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women.

Serving Dinner: Hours vary by ship.

Reservations All guests over the age of 13 are welcome to attend and reservations are required for this event; please allow three hours for dining. To make a reservation, use the main menu screen on the TV* in your stateroom or call the restaurant directly. Telephone numbers can be found in your stateroom. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will be charged a minimum of $10 USD.

*Interactive TV not available on all ships.

Costs A nominal fee ranging from $39.99 - $49.95 USD applies per dining guest, including gratuities and select wines. Specialty beverages, beer, and soda are offered at current bar menu prices.

 

[Fidel2Cruise]

Royal Caribbean offers Cruise Critic Members a (free) Meet & Mingle reception during the cruise, but you must pre-register. All you need is your name, registration number, and sailing ship/date.

 

You can register via this link: https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/ccEntry.do

 

We need 25 registered guests to guarantee the reception. This is at no cost to you.

 

Please do this now.

[afflier]

Afflier and Wolfatlga-

 

We are up for drinks Friday night also. We are staying in Condado at Canario, but can meet you in SJU. Where do you have in mind? At the Sheraton? Otherwise, there is a great asian fusion restaurant called Dragon Fly within walking distance. They serve tapas style and have cafe tables we can sit at.

 

Fidel

 

We went to the Dragon Fly last time. We loved it. I am sure we can meet up somewhere for a drink. We will just have to set a time/place when we get closer.

[premiumrican]

Hi Guys,

 

I haven't been able to post in awhile since we have been busy with other trips before this cruise. Glad to see more people have joined this thread. We still don't have a room booked pre cruise, we do get in Friday. Has anyone tried priceline? If you have do you have any tips?

 

Mike and Louis

[Fidel2Cruise]

try betterbidding dot com for posting of results to bids

[premiumrican]

Great thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.

[bastienboy]

My partner and I are thinking about doing next year's post-thanksgiving parade as our first "gay" cruise cruise. I would love to read a review from a first-timer on this upcoming trip or others would have been on other PP cruises in the past.

 

Do they have separate organized activities for the PP group while onboard?

[CincinnatiGal]

Hello,

 

I had a suggestion from another traveler on this cruise that I should encourage your group to register for the meet and mingle event on this cruise. We need to get more people registered for this event sailing.

 

I appreciate anyone who can take a moment and get registered!

 

CincinnatiGal:D

[wolfatlga]

Greetings..

I just registered us for the meet and greet. This is our friends first time and not online with cruise critic, is there any way to register them also?

Thanks..

Roy and Harold, Atlanta

[afflier]

My partner and I are thinking about doing next year's post-thanksgiving parade as our first "gay" cruise cruise. I would love to read a review from a first-timer on this upcoming trip or others would have been on other PP cruises in the past.

 

Do they have separate organized activities for the PP group while onboard?

 

Usually they have at least one if not two cocktail parties. Every night people usually get together for drinks before dinner.

It is really up to the group on how much they want to participate.

[afflier]

Royal Caribbean offers Cruise Critic Members a (free) Meet & Mingle reception during the cruise, but you must pre-register. All you need is your name, registration number, and sailing ship/date.

 

You can register via this link: https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/ccEntry.do

 

We need 25 registered guests to guarantee the reception. This is at no cost to you.

 

Please do this now.

 

We just signed up. There are only 10 so far. Anyone else going to attend?

[Fidel2Cruise]

We just received our invoice via email, and request for dining selection and transfers to/from airport to port. Do those on cruise critic want to sit together?

 

Has everyone else gotten their documents? We should be receiving excursion information shortly. I would be interested in sharing which we select or selecting based on others also going. Let's see what comes.

[Host Tyler]

We just received our invoice via email, and request for dining selection and transfers to/from airport to port. Do those on cruise critic want to sit together?

 

Has everyone else gotten their documents? We should be receiving excursion information shortly. I would be interested in sharing which we select or selecting based on others also going. Let's see what comes.

 

Did you get the email about deadline to book (9/10)....or they'll have to return the unsold cabins? It would be great to know, how many cabins they've sold.

[afflier]

They usually do not say how many they have sold or not sold. They keep it to themselves. As far as sitting together, the entier PP group sits together at dinner. Some people do switch after they get there.