Equinox itinerary - strange port times?

[Travelbugs2.2]

Hi

We were planning on cruising on the Equinox dep September 2nd, but 2 of the port times seem very strange?

San Juan - arrive 4pm depart 11pm

Puerto Plata - arrive midday depart 6.30pm

 

Is this likely to be a mistake, or is there any reason why there would be such late arrival times in these ports?

 

I’ve never noticed or experienced such late arrival times from any vessel prior - so seemed very strange!

 

Seems like quite a waste of San Juan to arrive so late, and whilst I love Puerto Plata port - I’m conscious if other ships are in the same day, our late arrival may impact availability of beds somewhat.

 

Has anyone any experience of these times?

 

thanks

 

[helen haywood]

Well, as for San Juan, it takes that long to get there.

[hrhdhd]

San Juan, if the first port, usually has a 3-4 pm arrival. It isn't ideal. Not sure about PP, but it's probably correct as listed.

[thon]

Our upcoming Equinox cruise is scheduled to arrive in Bonaire at 10 a.m. which I think is a little unusual.

[helen haywood]

14 minutes ago, thon said:

Our upcoming Equinox cruise is scheduled to arrive in Bonaire at 10 a.m. which I think is a little unusual.

What is the previous port of call?  If it’s Curaçao…take a look at a map…practically within rowing distance.  😜

[CHEZMARYLOU]

We are on this cruise and the port times are correct. San Juan is always a late arrival and later departure.

[NutsAboutGolf]

It's most likely not a mistake.  Make the best out of it, google what time the sun sets on the day you're there, explore things that interest you like the forts, have a nice dinner while watching the sunset

[Travelbugs2.2]

5 hours ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

We are on this cruise and the port times are correct. San Juan is always a late arrival and later departure.

Thank you.  I can’t recall San Juan ever being one of our stops before - we’ve just sailed out of SJ previously.

Bit concerned this would feel like another sea day - which can be crowded in the pool areas on Equinox?

 

Also - does this mean the casino won’t open till 11:30pm on the San Juan stop day?

 

[deliver42]

No, the casino will not be open in port.

[Georgia_Peaches]

7 hours ago, Travelbugs2.2 said:

Thank you.  I can’t recall San Juan ever being one of our stops before - we’ve just sailed out of SJ previously.

Bit concerned this would feel like another sea day - which can be crowded in the pool areas on Equinox?

 

Also - does this mean the casino won’t open till 11:30pm on the San Juan stop day?

 

We are not fans of that arrival/departure time for SJ either. We usually skip itineraries that have us there that late bc I feel like we miss a night on the ship with closed shops and casino. We prefer SJ during the day though I’m sure there are some great things to do at night. Just not for us. 

[Travelbugs2.2]

8 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

We are not fans of that arrival/departure time for SJ either. We usually skip itineraries that have us there that late bc I feel like we miss a night on the ship with closed shops and casino. We prefer SJ during the day though I’m sure there are some great things to do at night. Just not for us. 

Unfortunately I think we may give this one a miss - simply due to these port times.   Shame!

[C4HCG]

We are on that cruise and the opposite of you, love those times. To experience a sail in at San Juan will be great for us, as novices at cruising a rarity. And we have been to San Juan before but not on an evening, intend to find somewhere nice there to dine if anyone has any suggestions. Excited by the timing.

[phoenix_dream]

All San Juan first stops are that late.  Personally I hate that arrival time.  Wish they would decide to stay overnight or something as most of what I like to do is closing by then. For me it's basically a day at sea, although as mentioned the sail in is beautiful.   As to Puerto Plata, it is not all that unusual to have a mid-day arrival, although most other Caribbean ports usually arrive between 7 am and 10 am or so.

[TeeRick]

This is all quite related to where the ship is coming from and going to next.  For example, last week we arrived in Curacao at 1:30PM because it took a day and a half to get there from Grand Cayman (going at 20+ knots).  But we stayed until 11:30 PM because the next port was Bonaire (7AM)  just a short sail to get there.  But then it was 2 1/2 days sailing back to FLL.

[jwitt2]

On 2/4/2023 at 4:50 PM, C4HCG said:

We are on that cruise and the opposite of you, love those times. To experience a sail in at San Juan will be great for us, as novices at cruising a rarity. And we have been to San Juan before but not on an evening, intend to find somewhere nice there to dine if anyone has any suggestions. Excited by the timing.

We have always gotten to SJ in the afternoon and left around 11 p.m. so were disappointed when our Oceania cruise in December arrived in the morning and left about 6:30 p.m. or so. We like to go to a restaurant called Raices at 315 C. del Recinto Sur. It is within walking distance of the ship. There are other restaurants on that street. It was recommended to us by an SJ native and then another SJ native confirmed that she always goes to the sister restaurant up the hills. It serves mofongo and local cuisine. The staff dresses in local costumes and I think there were musicians strolling through, but not sure since it has been several years. You should Google it to find out more. It is definitely worth the visit. We always go to Barrachina Restaurant, 104 C. de la Fortaleza, birthplace and home of the pina colada, after a quick walk to the old fort El Morro which closes late afternoon, so the 3 p.m arrival doesn't give you much time to walk up there. The traffic down by the ship was heavy and the buses and cabs were not moving very fast so we were glad to walk up there. Have a great visit.

[volk904]

Late day into the night stops at San Juan are not uncommon. They usually just squeeze it in instead of another full sea day.  You have time to explore Old San Juan a bit.