Ponce, Puerto Rico

[boxer2]

Will be on the Maasdam 12/28/09 New Years cruise. One of our stops is Ponce, Puerto Rico. Has any one been there before? Is this a new port for HAL? HAL does not have any excursions listed on their website. Can't find any information under ports of call listings either.
Any information would be helpful. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[tbrein]

Will be on the Maasdam 12/28/09 New Years cruise. One of our stops is Ponce, Puerto Rico. Has any one been there before? Is this a new port for HAL? HAL does not have any excursions listed on their website. Can't find any information under ports of call listings either.
Any information would be helpful. Thanks for any help you can give me.
I studied in Ponce and have spent a lot of time in PR due to my work. Ponce is a very nice city with a beautiful town square and shops. There is a lovely Cathedral, the back of which is attached to the Firehouse (Parque de Bombas". It is now a museum to firefighting and very interesting.
A shore excursion that may be offered is a trip to Phosphorescent Bay. Will you be there at night? That is awesome on a moonless night when the fish glow in the water.
You can also choose to spend your day at the Hilton Resort. It is lovely. Don't know if they offer a day pass or anything. Stopped there last year for lunch driving from San Juan to the southeast coast of PR.
If you have more questions, I will try to help.
Terri

[jasl]

Terri......I was going to reply to the OP, but you covered it all and it brought back so many good memories. We were there on the Prinsendam quite a few years ago and just fell in love with the place. The marble sidewalks were so unique and the people extremely helpful. Phosphorescent Bay sounds wonderful and I truly hope that someday we'll be back there again. So much to see..........so little time
Boxer2........Enjoy your cruise............................................ ............

[boxer2]

:DThanks for the replys. We are only there from 8-5 so would not be able to see Phosphorecense Bay but it sounds really incredible. My question is, can you walk into town from the cruise dock? I see that there is a trolly in town that will take you on a tour, but not sure how far it is from the dock. Thanks again. Can't wait to go on this cruise. What a way to spend New Years!

[Modern_Viking]

I visited Ponce on the Prinsendam in 2004. Everyone had to take a cab or book a tour to get to downtown; it is many miles away (and not a typical tourist port).

There were a couple hotels that sent representatives to the dock selling day passes to their resorts, with hotel shuttles available. I do not remember the cost for the passes.

There was a free tram tour in downtown. The locals really went the extra mile since they get few cruise ships. Although, I think Ponce is the second biggest city on the island.

There is also mansion with gardens available for tours (at a cost). It was/is owned by one of the rum making families on the island.

[drtee]

I was in Ponce many years ago, though not on a cruise. It has a nice little art museum which houses the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings outside the Tate in London (which has the largest collection). For some of us that was a big draw. For many it wouldn't mean anything.

[tbrein]

If there is a day pass available for the Hilton, by all means take it. The grounds are beautiful and I think there is a golf course too (if that's your thing). Their buffet lunch in Jan. 2008 was $15.00 and wonderful. They have a beach and pools. From the Hilton you can then take a taxi to the city center and then one back to the ship.
The rum factory is Don Q and I remember visiting it many years ago. There is an elegant mansion there and it was fun.
I never felt unsafe there.
I think it is the kind of place you could enjoy on your own.
Have fun.
Terri

[Boytjie]

:DThanks for the replys. We are only there from 8-5 so would not be able to see Phosphorecense Bay but it sounds really incredible. My question is, can you walk into town from the cruise dock? I see that there is a trolly in town that will take you on a tour, but not sure how far it is from the dock. Thanks again. Can't wait to go on this cruise. What a way to spend New Years!

We were in Ponce a few years ago and stayed in a hotel accross from square where Parque de Bombas, the historic fire house, is. We took the trolley from the square for a tour of the city. I think it is quite a distance from where the ship may be. There is an ice cream shop accross from Parque de Bombas where they make their own; the first time I had corn ice cream!

[RMLincoln]

Consider renting a car? I drove to Ponce from San Juan as a day trip. The island isn't all that big really and there is a very good highway across. Stopped along the way at the rain forest, later a beach and wished I had stopped at the large radio astronomy research center, Arricibo (sp?). People were very helpful, especially in Ponce when my rental car had a mechanical problem. Everybody was great and the problem was resolved:) Still, I'd recommend renting from a national chain ...maybe from one of the hotels mentioned. PR is a beautiful island with a lot of diversity due to the high elevation of the center of the island.