kmsu2000

We just came off the Dawn and stopped in HC on Tuesday. We were off the ship quickly and were so excited (!!!) to find 9 chairs in a row between the beach and pool to accommodate all of us.

 

Then, the rain came. We were thankful for the sturdy umbrellas, as we all stayed dry as we waited for it to pass. Which it did after 20 minutes. For about an hour.

 

That hour or so gave us time to explore HC from end-to-end. Oh, how we wish we had more time!!!! We loved the Wildlife encounter, the bathrooms were IMMACULATE!!!!! the pool was beautiful, we loved watching the zip-liners, the sand was rough, but pretty. PLENTY PLENTY PLENTY of chairs. Friendly staff. We did not purchase food or beverages.

 

Then, the storms came and never relented. We stuck it out for a long time, giggling while huddled under our umbrellas. We tried going in the pool, but we were all too cold at that point. Bit by bit, our group made a run for it back to the Dawn. I stuck it out (alone) as long as I could, hoping for brighter skies. I ended up heading back and curled up with a book and an orange in the Thermal Spa instead.

 

Here are some photos:

Don't let my pictures fool you, I was there the same raining day. I think we on the same ship on NCL Dawn. I remember the guy with the red shirt in your pictures :)

Drinking water now provide outside the restaurant by the pool and beach area , anything else you need to pay. Was there on Dec-26-16.

When we were there, we only saw 2 water stations having 2-3 gallons of water for 1000s of people. They ran out after about 15-20 people and then it took them about a half hour to come back with more. No water fountains. If you wanted water, you had to buy water from the bars. Water is a necessary life sustaining fluid in 90 degree humid weather. To me, it was offensive to not provide water or if you don't have the setup on the island for water, then hand out bottles as people leave the ship or inform passengers that they need to bring water. I was okay with not being able to go to the mainland, but not providing enough water can be dangerous

 

 

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I always bring my own water bottles from the ship :)

Looks like it open yesterday :D

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7351

 

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=38417

Thanks for the update.

This is your choice

Isla Verda

Popular beach and over rated. Water is not that clear. Easy access by bus from cruise port.

Condado beach

On Hilton Condado Palaza Hotel, Only 15 minutes from old San Juan by bus, samll beach but super calm and crystal clear water. Chair rental is $5, umbrella is $10 but you don't need one. The hotel building will provide shade most of the day.

Luquillo beach.

You need a rental car to get here. Water is blue but not that clean. Some session wave can be very strong

Condado plaza Hilton. nice little beach with crystal clear and calm water.

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/the-condado-plaza-hilton-SJUCOHH/index.html

Your subject is "San Juan On your own, on the cheap".

1. take bus number 21 to Condado beach 75 cent one way. main bus terminal is step away from cruise terminal in old San Juan and bus stop right in front Condado beach. The ride is less than 20 minutes. taxi is $15 one way.

Condado beach beach chair rental is $5 each, a lady sale fresh coconut right on the beach for $3 :) ($6 in Miami) :mad:

2. Walk around odl San Juan is free, old San Juan Trolly also free at less back in 2007, did not take it last month.

I've been told this link works, so I'm giving it a whirl... hope it works for you too. I'm still working on my review, but here are the pictures with some captions for you.

 

Please feel free to ask questions.

 

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/resstation/library/

Thanks for posting pictures. The foods section seem to be improved a lots with more selection compare to MSC Poesia. I saw Mediterranean corner , children and Ethnic Corner. I took MSC Poesia backup in 2010, will try Divina in Christmas 2014.

Just wonder what type of food it offer daily at Ethnic Corner? Chinese, Indian or noodles?

I just booked MSC Dvina two days ago sailing from Miami on Christmas week. Kids under 11 free but have to pay port fee and tax $49 + $287 = $336 per kid (5 and 8) :D, adult pay $779 + 287 = $1066. I have balcony state room on 8th floor. Total cost for 4 of us is $2800. Not a bad price for sailing on Christmas week. i comapred to other ship, 4 people sail on Christmas holiday will cost at least $4000 for balcony state room.

This is 9th cruises but 2nd time with MSC. If you ask me how I like MSC ? honestly say, if I have to pay for the kids, I will not choose MSC. My 1st cruise with MSC was back in 2010 have mix experience. Ship was beautiful, Shows was good, food just so so. Biggest complain was not allow to fill water using you own water bottle :mad:. I think rule has change a little the past few years. MSC work hard and make it more like American ship. I still have 7 months to change my mind :confused:

I was ther last month, no charge for 6 year old.

I was there one month ago. Paid $2.60 for the round trip bus from cruise port to Radisson hotel. The trip takes arbout 15 minutes. The bus stop right outside the hotel (see pics below). check-in and paid $18 per adult and kids free (I have a 6 and 3 yrs old).

You can use any chair in the pool area, however, the beach chairs and umbrellas are pre-assigned by the hotel. So when you pick up the beach towels ask which beach chairs you can use.

Bus Terminal

Bus stop right outside the hotel

Radisson Beach chairs

Radisson Pool area

from the pool over looking the beach area

Just got this from Radisson today.

**********************************************************

Our day pool pass per day per person is $18 and we don’t charge for children.

You can use our Hotel facilities the pool, get towels, chairs and a hut.

You can purchase the pool pass the front desk.

Hope to inform you accordingly,

Rosita Meurs | Asst. Front Office Manager

P: (297) 526-6509

F: (297) 586-0210

E: rosita.meurs@radisson.com

W: www.radisson.com/palm-beach-hotel-aw/aruaruba

W: www.larimarspaaruba.com/

Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81, Aruba