Cruise on Adventure out of San Juan

[shaggyofwv]

Considering a cruise out of San Juan on Adventure in April, 2015.

Here is the itinerary:

San Juan, Puerto Rico; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

How is the embarkation and debarkation process in San Juan?

 

Also, has Adventure had all the recent fleet upgrades? If not, will she have them by 2015?

[dudaze11]

I believe it is going into dry dock in late spring on 2014, maybe April of 2014. As far as the port experience in San Juan, embarkation and debarkation, we have only had positive experiences. I would encourage you to go the day before and enjoy the city as well as minimize stress at the possibility of missing a flight

[shaggyofwv]

I believe it is going into dry dock in late spring on 2014, maybe April of 2014. As far as the port experience in San Juan, embarkation and debarkation, we have only had positive experiences. I would encourage you to go the day before and enjoy the city as well as minimize stress at the possibility of missing a flight

 

Thanks for the info. We have been to San Juan twice on cruises, but we have never been able to actually spend a night in the city. I was thinking of flying in 2 days early just to have some extra time there.

[Hoopster95]

I believe it is going into dry dock in late spring on 2014, maybe April of 2014. As far as the port experience in San Juan, embarkation and debarkation, we have only had positive experiences. I would encourage you to go the day before and enjoy the city as well as minimize stress at the possibility of missing a flight

 

100% agreement with dudaze11 on the above comments. Easy enough embarkation/debarkation, easy taxi rides to and from, and definitely San Juan itself is a destination to visit for the day, as good as any other port you are visiting while on the cruise.

 

When you arrive the before I suggest you stay as close to the Old Town as possible. It is beautiful walking in the evening down by the pier and by some of the sites when lit up, great photos. It's also very easy to walk Old-Town the morning of your cruise, tour the forts, be back at your hotel at noon to pick up your luggage, and be on the ship by 1pm.

[ezma]

100% agreement with dudaze11 on the above comments. Easy enough embarkation/debarkation, easy taxi rides to and from, and definitely San Juan itself is a destination to visit for the day, as good as any other port you are visiting while on the cruise.

 

When you arrive the before I suggest you stay as close to the Old Town as possible. It is beautiful walking in the evening down by the pier and by some of the sites when lit up, great photos. It's also very easy to walk Old-Town the morning of your cruise, tour the forts, be back at your hotel at noon to pick up your luggage, and be on the ship by 1pm.

 

Dear Hoopster95...We are also sailing out of San J. and staying 2 nights before the cruise. We would like to stay in the town but we are not sure which hotel. Could you please recommend one . It can be some what high dollar or not so high dollar. To many to pick from...thank you, Marla

[RN4Nsy]

We took that cruise in 2010 and loved the ship. We flew in a few days early. Embarkation was hot and long but it's ok cos we're on vacation! (Even with priority boarding the areas seem to not matter) Debarkation was slow as well. It did not detract from a great Ship a fun itinerary and a great city to explore.

[karena1]

Considering a cruise out of San Juan on Adventure in April, 2015.

Here is the itinerary:

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

How is the embarkation and debarkation process in San Juan?

 

Also, has Adventure had all the recent fleet upgrades? If not, will she have them by 2015?

 

We are doing that same itin on Adventure in Apr 2015. Southern Caribbean is by far our favorite and San Juan is our favorite port to cruise from. Just a great experience all around. And yes, Adventure will have gone through the upgrades by that time. We cannot wait. Have been on other Royal ships out of SJ many times, but never Adventure so really looking forward to sailing on her.

[Yorkshire Voyagers]

We are doing that same itin on Adventure in Apr 2015. Southern Caribbean is by far our favorite and San Juan is our favorite port to cruise from. Just a great experience all around. And yes, Adventure will have gone through the upgrades by that time. We cannot wait. Have been on other Royal ships out of SJ many times, but never Adventure so really looking forward to sailing on her.

 

We love Adventure and will be sailing on her again in January but please be aware that only minor upgrades will be done in the 9 day dry dock from

30 March. The major refit had been changed to 2016

[shaggyofwv]

We love Adventure and will be sailing on her again in January but please be aware that only minor upgrades will be done in the 9 day dry dock from

30 March. The major refit had been changed to 2016

 

 

That is good to know. Will she be getting the digital signage and flat screen tvs in 2014?

[Clarea]

That is good to know. Will she be getting the digital signage and flat screen tvs in 2014?

Royal has not released the details, but every ship that has been updated has received the digital signage and flat screens.

[Lorey2007]

That is good to know. Will she be getting the digital signage and flat screen tvs in 2014?

 

We had a flat screen in our JS in 2011 & 2012. We arrived 2 days early, one day we spent in Old Town and visiting one of the forts the other day we took a rainforest tour that was arranged through the hotel. AOS out of San Juan are by far our favorite cruises.

[Kcjarvis]

Considering a cruise out of San Juan on Adventure in April, 2015.

Here is the itinerary:

San Juan, Puerto Rico; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

How is the embarkation and debarkation process in San Juan?

 

Also, has Adventure had all the recent fleet upgrades? If not, will she have them by 2015?

 

Check out my review

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1960479

[Hoopster95]

Dear Hoopster95...We are also sailing out of San J. and staying 2 nights before the cruise. We would like to stay in the town but we are not sure which hotel. Could you please recommend one . It can be some what high dollar or not so high dollar. To many to pick from...thank you, Marla

 

Hello Maria,

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=40891745#post40891745

my post #17

[krev]

We've sailed out of SJ twice, the most recent was in January and we had two weeks on Adventure. We loved it so much we've booked a 16 night Med cruise in Sept, even booked the same cabin. We arrived 5 days early this time and drove to Rincon, a fun little surfing town. If only staying in SJ I can highly recommend the Condado area, good hotels and great restaurants. We found the hotels to be quite pricey, we've stayed at the Radisson Ambasador and Marriott Stellaris, I highly recommend the Marriott. It's about a $20 taxi ride to the cruise ship terminal and only about 10 minutes away.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Loves_Dogs]

That itinerary you are looking at is awesome. Southern cruises are hands down my absolute favorite.

 

I have cruised out of San Juan twice. Once on each Carnival and RCI. Embarkation and debarkation were no different than any other that I noticed. LOVE cruising out of SJ, its like getting another port and your weather is wonderful for the entire cruise.

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

Edited December 29, 2013 by Loves_Dogs

[BettyPC]

Everyone has answered your questions - we also loved Adventure from PR. We are going in Feb. on Jewel. She sails from PR - we are going a day early and doing a walking Dinner Tour and are staying at Hotel Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan.

 

We did a lunch excursion when we stopped at PR for the day - on a Carnival Ship and liked it so much - we wanted to do the Dinner version!

 

The only thing about PR is the airport and the LINES for security. I've never seen anything like it :eek:

 

Enjoy!

[Loves_Dogs]

Everyone has answered your questions - we also loved Adventure from PR. We are going in Feb. on Jewel. She sails from PR - we are going a day early and doing a walking Dinner Tour and are staying at Hotel Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan.

 

We did a lunch excursion when we stopped at PR for the day - on a Carnival Ship and liked it so much - we wanted to do the Dinner version!

 

The only thing about PR is the airport and the LINES for security. I've never seen anything like it :eek:

 

Enjoy!

 

I can only speak from my own experience but I too found the airport in San Juan to be a crowded mess on both of my cruises and for that reason I would not book a flight before 1:00. Others have posted that they have not encountered the crowding, good for them, but that was not my experience either time. However, I love San Juan and those Southern ports, so dealing with the airport is a small price to pay for a wonderful vacation.

[skiiergirl]

We love going in/out of SJU. As far as the ship, it is scheduled for revitalization this spring. However, according to the list of items to be added it won't really be that different after the revitalization is done.....unless they do things that aren't listed. Tht being said, we just spent 3 weeks on AD and thought the ship was fine and we love the itineraries. The crew is great also.

[cabarr]

Love the port !!!! have sailed Feb 2012/2013 on Adventurer and Brillance and visited on the Explorer Thanksgiving cruise.....(hit great buys Black Friday )

Always give ourselves 2 full days to relax in San Juan have stayed by airport and Condado (my favorite) at the La Concha hotel (a Renaissance/ Marriott property also an option thru RCI) beach and area is beautiful,walkable and very safe with great shopping,restaurants and casinos. From your balcony you can see your ship and have easy access to Old San Juan. We always hit the local Walgreens and buy our wine before we board. If you want to tour and have the time go east to the rainforest or west towards Rincon (surfer's paradise) driving is easy on well paved roads! Enjoy!

[CRUISEFAN0001]

We've taken Adventure of the Seas on that itinerary twice now - 4 years apart.

 

We enjoyed it just as much the 2nd time around.

 

Great ship, great ports, great service. Recommend a balcony cabin.

 

Enjoy.

[gordito]

Dear Hoopster95...We are also sailing out of San J. and staying 2 nights before the cruise. We would like to stay in the town but we are not sure which hotel. Could you please recommend one . It can be some what high dollar or not so high dollar. To many to pick from...thank you, Marla

 

Strongly recommend HOTEL EL CONVENTO in old San Juan. In the middle of everything and an old colonial atmosphere with modern facilities.

 

Enjoy!!!!

 

Herb :confused:

[shaggyofwv]

We've taken Adventure of the Seas on that itinerary twice now - 4 years apart.

 

We enjoyed it just as much the 2nd time around.

 

Great ship, great ports, great service. Recommend a balcony cabin.

 

Enjoy.

 

I never consider anything BUT balcony cabins.. LOL.

[Caribbeancruzin]

You're going to LOVE Adventure!!! And San Juan! It is by far our favorite! We love the city!

 

I would recommend to anyone to come in a day early at least and if possible stay a day after unless you can come 2 days early. We feel so at home there. it is lovely and romantic to stroll down the streets of Old San Juan.

 

We've stayed at the Milano in the old city and Marriott and the Conrad in Condado area.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!!!!

[ezma]

Hello Maria,

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=40891745#post40891745

my post #17

 

Thank you so much for your help. That looks like a great choice. :)

 

Marla

[griffy116]

Loved AOS, loved San Juan. You'll have a wonderful time.