San Juan prior to boarding

We are sailing the Adventure out of San Juan and our flight arrives at 6am the day we set sail. Wondering what to do before heading to the port, since we will have our luggage with us? Need somewhere to go to kill a few hours before we can check our luggage in. Suggestions?

Not much will be open that time of day. And, the airport is small, so it shouldn't take you that long to get out of there.

I would suggest taking a cab to old san juan for a leisurely breakfast somewhere. Perhaps at a hotel where they will store your luggage. Most nice hotels have restaurants that will sell to guests not staying. Jus pay cash instead of charging it to your room.

There is a free trolley that will take you around old san juan. it starts running at 7am weekdays and 9am weekends.

There are 2 historical forts to tour and they will open at 9am.

There is a highly recommended restaurant Barrachina that will store your luggage, but they will not be open until 11am.

You should head to the Pan American Port around 11am eventhough RCI says 2:30. It will require a $10 cab ride from Old San Juan.

So here's my suggestion.

6:00 Arrive @ Airport

6:30 Get bags and off to cab $19 to OSJ

7:00 Arrive at an OSJ hotel from airport - have them store your luggage

7:00-8:30 leisurely breakfast at hotel and walk around city

9:00 hop on free shuttle / take the entire loop and note spots you may want

to hop off and see 2nd go round

10:00 tour the forts, shop, coffee and wifi break, etc.

11:00 Retrieve luggage from breakfast hotel & head to port $10 cab ride- or,

continue to sight see. The ship doesn't leave until 8pm, so there's really

no rush to get on there. Going to check into the ship will require

another round trip cab ride to OSJ if you want to continue to sightsee.

Honestly, I'd hang out in OSJ a few more hours and avoid the morning check in rush at the cruise port.

From my understanding there's not much in walking distance to the RCI

port.

I'm also sailing Adventure April 16! Can't wait!

Hopefully someone can advise you on a hotel that serves a remarkable breakfast in OSJ area, close to the trolley line.

Thanks, that sounds like a good plan. Now to find where to go. Wondering if there is somewhere by the convention center instead of OSJ?

Trying to avoid traipsing around dragging our luggage with us. If it were up to the husband, we would sit at the airport for three hours and then head over to the port where we would stand for another two hours... Ugh! We can't be the only people cruising that day arriving at 6am.

Thanks, that sounds like a good plan. Now to find where to go. Wondering if there is somewhere by the convention center instead of OSJ?

 

Trying to avoid traipsing around dragging our luggage with us. If it were up to the husband, we would sit at the airport for three hours and then head over to the port where we would stand for another two hours... Ugh! We can't be the only people cruising that day arriving at 6am.

There is a Sheraton near the convention center, but not much of interest within walking distance. You would need to take a taxi to OSJ.

Need ideas (specific names) on where to ask our taxi driver to take us?

Preferably somewhere we could have breakfast that wouldn't mind us having all our luggage with us, OR somewhere we could store our luggage for a couple of hours.

We used a travel agent this time and so far has not been any help at all. Had I known there was nothing at the Pan Am Pier, not even a place to go sit, I would have insisted on flying in a day early and staying at a hotel.

I don't require much: a place to sit in the shade (that is not the airport!), and a public restroom in the area. If I don't come up with a plan, husband will make us sit at the airport. Not looking forward to that, considering we will be flying all night long.

Need ideas (specific names) on where to ask our taxi driver to take us?....

You may also want to post your question on the San Juan forum:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=131

Actually according to Barrachina's website, they offer luggage storage from 9-5

http://www.barrachina.com/index.html

Thanks, that sounds like a good plan. Now to find where to go. Wondering if there is somewhere by the convention center instead of OSJ?

 

Trying to avoid traipsing around dragging our luggage with us. If it were up to the husband, we would sit at the airport for three hours and then head over to the port where we would stand for another two hours... Ugh! We can't be the only people cruising that day arriving at 6am.

There really isn't much interesting in that airport, so I would avoid that option.

Have you considered an early morning island tour or purchasing a day pass at a hotel, so you can enjoy the pools and beaches.

Flying a day early is always a good idea, especially for SJU. Too many mishaps can happen with flights and weather.

May I inquire, what date are you cruising?

This looks fun! A beachfront resort with casino, restaurants, shopping. hould be plenty to keep you busy. You may even get a little tanning in before you had to the ship!

http://www.elsanjuanhotel.com/resort/amenities-services :D

El San Juan Resort and Hotel. I can't imagine them not storing your luggage for you.

•Stop #9 – Calle San Jose – Howard Johnson Hotel

•Stop #15 – Calle Forteleza – Hotel Milano,

beginning of SoFo restaurants, Museum of the Family, Pharmacy Museum

These 2 hotels are on the free trolley line in OSJ. It would be a convenient and affordable way to tour the city a couple of hours while you are waiting to board the ship.

Actually according to Barrachina's website, they offer luggage storage from 9-5

 

http://www.barrachina.com/index.html

That's good info!

You can also rent a car at the airport for a few hours and tour PR at your leisure. I rented from Avis for my April 16 cruise for only $13 for 24hours through Costco. It's about $20 with taxes and fees. Drive around, explore the countryside and rainforest, walk on the beach, go to Walmart. LOL. (I always end up at Walmart no matter where I am in the world):confused: ...... Just turn the car back in when you are ready to head to the ship.

You can hire a tour guide who can drive you around to some of the sites.

There really are a lot of options. SJU is like any other major US city, same stores, restaurants, hotels, etc. It's very tourist friendly. And SOOOOO much to do. You will want to stay overnight before your next cruise from there. ;)

Thank you so much for your help! I've emailed a couple places about a day-rate room.

We've also thought about going to the Sheraton at the convention center and hanging out in the casino. We're not really gamblers, but it's something. They wouldn't turn us away if we plugged a few coins in the machines?

Usually we fly in a day early and stay at a hotel before our cruise, but hubby decided we should save $ this go-round. Ugh. We're sailing the Adventure on Feb 20th.

Hi cohomemaker,

How did it work for you? We have a similar situation, arriving at 8:00 am on cruise day, so we are still wondering what to do. We should be out of the airport by 9:00 am, depending on how long it takes to clear immigration, get our bags, and clear customs.