San juan sailing???

[onesphinx2004]

My husband and I are sailing out of San Juan on the Adventure of the Seas on May 17. The ship departs at 8:30 PM. Questions:

1. How early in the day can we board the ship? Our flight arrives at 2:30 PM. From airport landing to arrival at dock, how much time should we allow? Some airports are not very efficient.
   
2. Should we book a hotel and fly into San Juan a day earlier ? If we did that, what do we do with our luggage from noon on departure day til boarding?
   
3. Any recommendations for hotel?
   

[kenevenpar]

We always fly in the day before for sooo many reasons. You should be able to go directly from the hotel at noon to check in for your cruise, negating the need to store your luggage..

 

If you do fly in the day of, you will be able to go directly to the cruise.

 

Ken

[CookieBird]

Hi - we were on AOS earlier this month.

 

You can in general board around 12 or 1 up to around 5ish. I am sure someone else can give you the exact times. If you have a 230 flight you should be ok.

 

I would highly recommend coming in the day before though. On our trip our flight was delayed leaving by 2 hours due to mechanical problems with the inbound flight. Nothing due to weather. So, we almost missed our connections, we had minutes to spare. Luckly we were arriving the day before so if we missed it no biggie. It is just not worth taking the chance. Get there a day early and have a day to unwind before you start your vacation.

 

We stayed at the Caribe Hilton - beautiful. We booked it through priceline for a little over $100 a night. Go the the San Juan boards on here and you will get hints on how to bid for these hotels.

 

We kept our luggage in the room until checkout time - noon. The hotel will store your bag for you until you are ready to leave for the ship. We spent most the morning and day at the pool and the beach at the Hilton and then just grabbed our bags and went to the ship around 330.

[ginger2000]

We were on the AOS In Jan and flew in the day before and spent the day at the pool and relaxed. Check out time was 12 pm (we stayed at the Embassy Suites) went directly to the pier, stood in line for only a little bit and was on the ship by 1pm. Highly recommend going the day before. No worries of weather or mechanical delays and time to reorganize your take on bag on the ship!

[snausman]

My husband and I are sailing out of San Juan on the Adventure of the Seas on May 17. The ship departs at 8:30 PM. Questions:

1. How early in the day can we board the ship? Our flight arrives at 2:30 PM. From airport landing to arrival at dock, how much time should we allow? Some airports are not very efficient. You can go direct to ship from the airport.
   
2. Should we book a hotel and fly into San Juan a day earlier ? If we did that, what do we do with our luggage from noon on departure day til boarding? Fly in the day before, that way you don't have to worry about any flight delays. Also you can be at the pier by noon.
   
3. Any recommendations for hotel? I have stayed at the InterContinental and the Old San Juan Sheraton. The first is wonderful and great beach the second has a great location.
   

 

Hope this helps you.

 

Laura

[39august]

It is far too risky to fly to San Juan the day of your cruise. Please save yourself anxiety and plan to go in the day before. We stayed at the Miramar Courtyard by Marriott for only about $114 plus taxes. The staff is fluent in English, very courteous, rooms are clean, and taxi to pier was about 10-12 minutes. We were in line for a time at 11 AM, but were on board by noon.

[BroncosFan2010]

I second, third, forth, etc.... the flying in a day early. Especially if you are leaving from any wintery destinations! You can board the ship as early as 11:00 in the morning, but will probably not be able to get into your room until 1 or 2.

[Cruisingjer]

Add me to the list of flying in the day before, really a must if you are coming from a northern destination. It is so much more relaxing going the day before and you can rest knowing even if there are delays that you will be ok.

 

FYI... hotels in San Juan are very pricey, check priceline or hotwire and bid resorts.

We are leaving in 15 days!!!

[emb2007]

onesphinx2004 - I just wanted to invite you to come over to the Roll Call board and join us! There area bunch of people (me included) who are on the same sailing as you and would be happy to help answer your questions.

 

I do agree that flying in the day before, if possible, is the way to go. Two years ago when we went on the AOS we flew in the day of (our wedding was the day before, so no choice) and I was SO stressed the entire time until we walked on the ship that something would go wrong. This year we are flying in 3 days in advance and planning to enjoy PR before we set sail. We are staying at the Caribe Hilton, which I've heard great things about.

 

I hope to see you on the Roll Call board!

[nanfromatlanta]

My husband and I are sailing out of San Juan on the Adventure of the Seas on May 17. The ship departs at 8:30 PM. Questions:

1. How early in the day can we board the ship? Our flight arrives at 2:30 PM. From airport landing to arrival at dock, how much time should we allow? Some airports are not very efficient.
   
2. Should we book a hotel and fly into San Juan a day earlier ? If we did that, what do we do with our luggage from noon on departure day til boarding?
   
3. Any recommendations for hotel?
   

 

We always fly into port at least a day early. We cruised on the AOS for the third time last December and stayed at the San Juan Mariott Stellaris Resort & Casino. It is about halfway between the airport and the Pan American pier, from which the ship departs.

 

We checked out of the hotel around 10:30 AM on departure day, hailed a cab, and were at the port at 11:00 AM. We were allowed to board as soon as the previous passengers had cleared customs, and were in the Windjammer, having lunch at 11:30. Many passengers are not aware that they can board this early. We have found that this is the perfect opportunity to have a relaxing lunch and become acquainted with the ship before the crowds descend.

[danp]

emb,we stayed at the carbe hilton in January,very nice and clean.the room was over looking the inlet.We walked two blocks and took the bus into old san juan I think at was $.50 each way and ate dinner there.Enjoy the AOS it is a great ship.The crew was very pleasent and polite.If you have never been on her before go to deck 4 and go all the way forward on the outside deck,you will come to the steps that will take you up to the heliport.It is a great place to sit esp at night to look at the star and just listen to the seas.Most of all enjoy the cruise.

[Debde]

I too am a fan of flying in the day befor. It was a fleeting thought to try and not do this on my next cruise as the ship does not leave untli 8:30 and thank the lord the CC'ers talked me out of that thought.

I'm from NY and vacation in Jan/Feb. Right there-it should of not been a thought in my mind!!! LOL I was reminded-too much can happen with weather that no one can predict mother nature.

We also did AOS and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.

[printingchick]

I have done it both ways - flown the night before and the day of.

 

My feeling is this:

There are no decent truly INEXPENSIVE hotels in San Juan. They're all pretty pricey by my humble standards. Since the ships depart at night, it would take one heck of a flight delay to cause you to miss the ship. You're flying in MAY. An extensive weather delay is pretty unlikely.

 

The airport is a short drive from the airport. If your flight arrives at 2:30, you'll be at the dock by 3:30 - luggage in hand. That's plenty of time. Even if you plane was two hours late, you'd make it.

 

I'm sailing on Serenade in March 2010 and we will fly the day of the cruise. I'll look for a non-stop flight, leaving early AM.

 

While I agree with flying in the day previous for a Florida cruise, I think day-of is fine for San Juan. Yes, there is a slim chance something could go wrong and you could miss the ship. But for the cost of the extra day, in THESE economic times, given the late evening departure, that unlikely event is too remote for me to gamble on.

 

I may live to regret this theory, but we just can't afford the extra $$$. We're saving all year for our 2010 cruise!

[ecmcm]

We were recently on the AOS and the departure time was 8:00. We did a B2B and on the turnaround day we went into OSJ and we were told quite firmly that we had to be back on board by 5:00 which is given in the Compass as the time for everyone to be onboard. So I'll add my suggestion that you seriously consider arriving the day before. We stayed overnight at the Condado Plaza and woke to look out the window to see the AOS docked and waiting for us. We were onboard about noon the first day.

 

As for airports not being efficient, the time to worry about that in San Juan is when you depart because the line-ups to check in and get through security can take a couple of hours on a weekend afternoon.

 

em

[tuliplvr]

I fly in a day early as well. On my last cruise my luggage was lost so luckily I got it the next day right before the cruise left.

[ken_nyc]

We ALWAYS go at least a day before. It really does not matter what time of year...you can have a major delay, and no matter the odds of something occurring to cause a delay it is not worth the stress of starting a wonderful vacation worrying "Am I going to miss the ship?".

[Cruisingjer]

We were recently on the AOS and the departure time was 8:00. We did a B2B and on the turnaround day we went into OSJ and we were told quite firmly that we had to be back on board by 5:00 which is given in the Compass as the time for everyone to be onboard. So I'll add my suggestion that you seriously consider arriving the day before. We stayed overnight at the Condado Plaza and woke to look out the window to see the AOS docked and waiting for us. We were onboard about noon the first day.

 

As for airports not being efficient, the time to worry about that in San Juan is when you depart because the line-ups to check in and get through security can take a couple of hours on a weekend afternoon.

 

em

Ecmcm... We are also staying at the Condado Plaza as well. Did you enjoy your stay there? Can you see the ship from the front of the hotel or beach section?

[ecmcm]

Ecmcm... We are also staying at the Condado Plaza as well. Did you enjoy your stay there? Can you see the ship from the front of the hotel or beach section?

 

We booked a City Vista room and DH asked for a upper floor when we checked in. We had a corner room that looked towards the Pan Am pier so we could see the AOS in the morning. The hotel was very nice, had a nice restaurant, and beach and pool areas for relaxing. Our room was lovely with a large balcony looking towards the city for a great night view. Plus the bathroom was almost as big as our cabin on the AOS. :D There were lots of taxis when we left for the five minutes ride to the pier. Here's a pic of the Pan Am pier with Adventure behind a Princess ship. That's the Hilton on the right I think.

 

em

[cruiseawaits]

I fly in a day early as well. On my last cruise my luggage was lost so luckily I got it the next day right before the cruise left.

 

We sailed the AOS last week. Flew into Miami the day before with flight arriving too late to connect to San Juan, stayed overnight near Miami International and flew out the next morning(AOS departure day) scheduled to arrive in San Juan at 1:30. Well we arrived at 1:30, however our luggage did not. After getting very frustrated, angry and disgusted by the lack of assistance at the airport, ended up waiting 4 hours for two additional flights to arrive from Miami to see if luggage was on the flights. Finally, there it was...last pieces to be unloaded on the second flight. Off we went, dashing to the ship. Checked in...at least no lines to wait in at this late arrival time, however, had to wait to board as they were conducting muster drill(which we missed--at least some good came of this miserable day). I was so disgusted with the American Airlines personnel and airport employees. Every single person we spoke with was indifferent to our problem, extremely rude in their responses and were absolutely, positively no help whatsoever. However, once we were on the ship, all was forgotten until we were back at the San Juan Airport to come home. Oh my, another time with that horror story. My suggestion--get to San Juan with luggage in tow the day before, if not sooner.

[Cruisingjer]

Ecmcm... Thanks for update, I did not know it was that close to the Pan American pier.

What time did you leave for the ship?

 

We leave two weeks from today. :)

[Mo from Canada]

We always go in one or two days early It takes all the stress out of rushing the same day

There are some very good prices on Priceline

We got the Courtyard by Marriot Miramar March 6th for $48.00 and March 7th for $88.00

It makes your vacation longer and gives you time to unwind in the sun

[ecmcm]

Ecmcm... Thanks for update, I did not know it was that close to the Pan American pier.

What time did you leave for the ship?

 

We leave two weeks from today. :)

 

We left the hotel at 11:50 and were standing in a very short line to check at 12:00. There were lots of taxis waiting at the hotel and there were no traffic problems at the pier as were reported a couple of months ago. Boarding had already begun and we were onboard by 12:15.

 

Have a fabulous time!

 

em

[ken_nyc]

There are three of us (all adults) with the usual one large piece of luggage and a garment bag with our carry-ons, what do you suggest for getting to the airport? RCI transfers, taxi, etc.? Thanks in advance for your suggestions! :)

[Cruisingjer]

Just grab a taxi, they have vans available and the fare is predetermined before you go.

Taxi's are better than RCI transfers because you can go anytime you want and you do not have to wait for the bus and fight all the other people.

[Cuizer2]

My husband and I are sailing out of San Juan on the Adventure of the Seas on May 17. The ship departs at 8:30 PM. Questions:

1. How early in the day can we board the ship? Our flight arrives at 2:30 PM. From airport landing to arrival at dock, how much time should we allow? Some airports are not very efficient.
   
2. Should we book a hotel and fly into San Juan a day earlier ? If we did that, what do we do with our luggage from noon on departure day til boarding?
   
3. Any recommendations for hotel?
   

 

1) I was on the Serenade of the Seas, which left around 10pm. Boarding began around 11:45am.

 

2) I would always recommend flying in the day before, even though I didn't. I was on a nonstop red eye from Los Angeles to San Juan. I figured even if the plane was four hours late, I would still easily make it. However, the lack of sleep that night caused me to be tired the rest of the cruise until the last day, which was a day at sea.

 

Since you can board beginning around noon, storing your luggage will not be a problem. You just hand it to the porters when you check in. You can put your carryon in your cabin.