best time to board at Pan American Pier

[westerfiek]

we will be sailing on the AOS departing from San Juan 18 Jan 09.

 

what is the best time to depart from our hotel (Embassy Suites by the airport) to arrive at the Pan American Pier and board our ship?

 

we really would like to avoid crowds and long lines if possible.

[rainforestgirl]

Do a search on this forum, but from what I have read here, avoid the area until mid-afternoon, early evening. It seems even the cab drivers don't want to be near that area at mid-day.

[SeaVee]

We stayed at Embassy Suites, Isla Verde, by the airport. We arranged for a late check-out the next morning. We did the 1/2 day rainforest tour in the morning, then came back to the hotel and took showers, and checked-out at 2:45pm, and headed straight to the Pan Am Pier. No problem with traffic or lines. We checked in and got right on the ship. Very quick and easy.

 

We did not have the rainforest tour booked in advance, but we talked to the guys out in front of the hotel, (the ones who help with taxis and luggage) and they called the tour directly for us. The tour picked us up at the hotel about 9:00 am the next morning, then we just paid cash when the tour was over. The rainforest tour included some pretty strenous hiking including lots of wet slippery steps (need shoes that can get wet with good TRACTION) but it was lots of fun and very beautiful, including waterfalls.

 

Have fun on your cruise!