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Fascination -San Juan

scaper

By scaper,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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scaper

scaper

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We are booked on the Fascination from San Juan in May 2018. I have read conflicting notes on which pier they leave and return to. Is it the pier in old San Juan or the Pan American pier?

 

Are they close to each other - still looking for a hotel to book for the night before

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mikeinjersey

mikeinjersey

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You will be docked on the Old San Juan side. Carnival's port info here: https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2725/~/san-juan-cruise-ship-terminal-directions-and-parking

 

I'll be going out of the Pan American port on my Royal Caribbean cruise next May and doing a precruise stay at the Sheraton in Old San Juan. It seems to be the only chain/non-boutique hotel in OSJ. I would definitely go with that one for your cruise since you'll be able to walk right to the port from the hotel. It's pretty nice looking hotel, not too expensive and walking distance to lots of great places to eat/drink. I'll be skipping the hotel breakfast and going to Cafe Manolin or the Casa Cortes ChocoBar.

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  • 1 month later...
salty dingo

salty dingo

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The dock is in a very convenient location. The Sheraton is very close... even if you are not staying there, I believe there is a public casino (at least there was years ago when I last visited.)

 

We always flew in the same day. The late departure time gives you a lot of buffer for any flight delays.

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jsglow

jsglow

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Can anyone tell me how far it is from the airport to the pier? Any transfer suggestions--Carnival, taxi, etc?

 

It's probably about 15 miles or so. Taxi to Old San Juan was $25 plus tip. There's a typical 'starters stand' just outside the doors by the luggage carousel. That's how we got to Old San Juan a few weeks back. Do note that we were approached INSIDE the airport by an unscrupulous driver who had skipped the taxi line and offered us a ride. While I'm sure we would have been fine, I knew it wasn't appropriate and said thank you, no.

 

But the big news down there is that Uber now exists in San Juan. I hadn't figured that out when we arrived so I don't know the airport pick-up spot but we did take Uber back to the airport from the exact cruise pier you'll be using and paid under $10. FYI, don't exit the pier and look left to the standard taxi stand. Just walk the opposite direction (east) to get away from all the longshoremen and taxi drivers 'helping' you (no offense, they really are and they are really nice but they are offering the standard, historic service). We just sat down on the oceanfront bench and had our Uber in less than 5 minutes.

 

We LOVE San Juan. The people are friendly, happy as heck that you're there, and frankly need your support as fellow Americans. Enjoy.

Edited by jsglow
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georgiacat Great Review Rare

georgiacat

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Keep in mind that hurricane Maria (or whichever one it was) may have changed the docking situation this year. Last year 2017 we took the Fascination from San Juan and it was docked at the Pan American pier. The year before, 2016 we stopped in San Juan on the Magic and it was at the Old San Juan pier.

 

It seemed everywhere we went in a taxi last year it was close to $20 (ie from airport to cruise port). Of course Uber or such may be cheaper. San Juan does have a very good regulated taxi system.

 

If you are interested in organized tours, we used Island Marketing both years and had a great time. Highly recommend them. We stayed in a hotel for a couple of days prior (and one after). They picked us up from hotel, toured us and took us to ship. All included in the price. Luggage stayed with us in the van.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Ours was wonderful.

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jsglow

jsglow

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Keep in mind that hurricane Maria (or whichever one it was) may have changed the docking situation this year. Last year 2017 we took the Fascination from San Juan and it was docked at the Pan American pier. The year before, 2016 we stopped in San Juan on the Magic and it was at the Old San Juan pier.

 

It seemed everywhere we went in a taxi last year it was close to $20 (ie from airport to cruise port). Of course Uber or such may be cheaper. San Juan does have a very good regulated taxi system.

 

If you are interested in organized tours, we used Island Marketing both years and had a great time. Highly recommend them. We stayed in a hotel for a couple of days prior (and one after). They picked us up from hotel, toured us and took us to ship. All included in the price. Luggage stayed with us in the van.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Ours was wonderful.

 

Historic Old San Juan pier I believe. Yes, there's some damage to the skylight windows and it looks like Maria blasted all the paint off the roof but the traditional Carnival pier (I believe it's technically #4) is fully operational. Our Windstar ship used the non-Carnival side of #4 in January. If I recall correctly, when we disembarked a Viking Ocean was using the other side of #4 (the traditional Fascination spot) and a HAL boat was using #3. In Old San Juan you'll have to look pretty hard and know what you're looking for to see storm damage at this point. Celebrity was certainly using the Pan American pier where's she's traditionally docked. That's maybe a mile away.

Edited by jsglow
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salty dingo

salty dingo

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Another post-cruise option, if you have a group, is to hire a tour operator to take you on a tour and drop you off at the airport afterward. We had a mini-bus and they kept the luggage on that while we saw the sights and hit the beach for a bit. As I recall, the per-person amount for the tour was not much different than what a taxi would have cost for one.

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csj092809

csj092809

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I'm may 6th as well! My husband and I!:D:D

 

I am anxiously waiting for this first cruise to be over so someone will post a review on the upgrades, lol. Wondering if they stopped people from smoking by the pool bar now that it will be receiving a lot more traffic as a food venue. Also hope that Mama Maria is still in the YTD room. She is my favorite. I know Jay Jay is on another ship now, so really hoping the Entertainment director is good. Jay Jay and Mama Maria made our last cruise on Fascination.

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carnivaladdix120

carnivaladdix120

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I am anxiously waiting for this first cruise to be over so someone will post a review on the upgrades, lol. Wondering if they stopped people from smoking by the pool bar now that it will be receiving a lot more traffic as a food venue. Also hope that Mama Maria is still in the YTD room. She is my favorite. I know Jay Jay is on another ship now, so really hoping the Entertainment director is good. Jay Jay and Mama Maria made our last cruise on Fascination.

 

I'm anxious to hear how the first sailing is as well! We sail on 3/18 and we are so ready!

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