kimlet Posted September 11, 2023 #1 Share Posted September 11, 2023 I would like to try Symphony of the Seas, but is having trouble deciding on itineraries. I haven't been to any of the places except Coco Cay. Would love some opinions. Thank you 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day Coco Cay, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St.Maarten 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day Coco Cay, Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas and Philipsburg, St.Maarten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ourusualbeach Posted September 11, 2023 #2 Share Posted September 11, 2023 8 minutes ago, kimlet said: I would like to try Symphony of the Seas, but is having trouble deciding on itineraries. I haven't been to any of the places except Coco Cay. Would love some opinions. Thank you 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day Coco Cay, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St.Maarten 7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day Coco Cay, Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas and Philipsburg, St.Maarten Depends on how long you are in San Juan. Most of the stops are horrible not arriving until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsai3s Posted September 11, 2023 #3 Share Posted September 11, 2023 So it looks like St. Thomas vs San Juan... Our choice...San Juan, PR. * You will dock in Old Port San Juan and most of the sights, restaurants, and shops are within walking distance. It is hilly, but there's usually a free tram on cruise days. You can also easily use Uber to to go to the beach like Isla Verde. Happy sailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsai3s Posted September 11, 2023 #4 Share Posted September 11, 2023 3 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said: Depends on how long you are in San Juan. Most of the stops are horrible not arriving until 1 or 2 in the afternoon. I was typing (1 finger) when you responded ...hope you and your family are well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OCSC Mike Posted September 11, 2023 #5 Share Posted September 11, 2023 It's going to be a personal preference thing. I would figure out what I would do in San Juan and what I would do in St. Thomas and whichever was more appealing, choose that itinerary. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George C Posted September 11, 2023 #6 Share Posted September 11, 2023 We love St Thomas , I normally stay on the ship in San Juan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ourusualbeach Posted September 11, 2023 #7 Share Posted September 11, 2023 11 minutes ago, bonsai3s said: I was typing (1 finger) when you responded ...hope you and your family are well. Doing well here thanks, the only thing that would make it better would be to be sailing more. I see you have been busy with a few sails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vswan Posted September 11, 2023 #8 Share Posted September 11, 2023 Since it's San Juan versus St. Thomas, you can either have a beach day or historical day - of course your could do neither at either stop. Both have shopping and sight seeing. I agree, check to see what your port times would be. Some stops are very short. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missusdubbya Posted September 11, 2023 #9 Share Posted September 11, 2023 I love Magen’s Bay so would choose the St Thomas itinerary (San Juan is amazing though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starry Eyes Posted September 11, 2023 #10 Share Posted September 11, 2023 (edited) If you plan to continue cruising regularly, you are apt to see both St Thomas and San Juan on future cruises as they both make frequent appearances. For my first few cruises I spent a disproportionate amount of time think about specific Caribbean port stops. An itinerary change or a missed port could be disappointing. Then I realized we were addicted to cruising and without special planning we would soon know all usual Caribbean ports (and plenty of less common ones, too) So if you foresee many cruises in your future, pick either one for any reason. Both ports have their charms. You might even be swayed by other considerations (more convenient week, flights, hotels, price, cabin availability, whatever). Edited September 11, 2023 by Starry Eyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norwich Cruiser Posted September 11, 2023 #11 Share Posted September 11, 2023 We’ve always enjoyed San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted September 11, 2023 #12 Share Posted September 11, 2023 We enjoy sailing from San Juan but not as a short port stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimlet Posted September 12, 2023 Author #13 Share Posted September 12, 2023 3 hours ago, Starry Eyes said: If you plan to continue cruising regularly, you are apt to see both St Thomas and San Juan on future cruises as they both make frequent appearances. For my first few cruises I spent a disproportionate amount of time think about specific Caribbean port stops. An itinerary change or a missed port could be disappointing. Then I realized we were addicted to cruising and without special planning we would soon know all usual Caribbean ports (and plenty of less common ones, too) So if you foresee many cruises in your future, pick either one for any reason. Both ports have their charms. You might even be swayed by other considerations (more convenient week, flights, hotels, price, cabin availability, whatever). |Thanks, we do enjoy cruising so yes can do the other port another time too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlbecker1 Posted September 12, 2023 #14 Share Posted September 12, 2023 We enjoy both. I think it should depend on where you want to go. Love both places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted September 12, 2023 #15 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Thomas is my man as he lives very near my buddy John. I’m going to John’s personal Island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 12, 2023 #16 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Flip a coin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volk904 Posted September 12, 2023 #17 Share Posted September 12, 2023 I would choose St Martaan & St Thomas unless you really want to see PR. Really depends on what you want to do. OF you want to see the old Fort and explore old San Juan the city is ok. If you are more in to beach on water stuff St Thomas is much better in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARandomTraveler Posted September 12, 2023 #18 Share Posted September 12, 2023 I love sailing from San Juan, mostly because the ports you can get to on the southern route are some of my favorites (Aruba, St Lucia, Antigua, Barbados). San Juan would be an ok port stop if you have enough time to visit the forts. Their beaches aren't my favorite, they're a little more rough and not as crystal clear as other Caribbean islands, unless you go to the other side of the island, in which case, you need a long day there, plus a rental car. If it's one of those routes where the port stop is short in San Juan, I wouldn't pick it, I'd do the St Thomas route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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