Cruising out of San Juan...

[naylenk]

We are sailing on the AOS on January 2nd. We arrive in San Juan on December 30th so we'll have lots of time to check things out. We're wondering what is the best time to be at the port to board? Does anyone know if they always start boarding at 1:30? Is everything open when you board even though you don't set sail until 10:30 at night? What time can you get into your room? Is the dining room open for supper on the first night? Any info that you can provide me with would be great!

 

Thanks

Kristin

[Honey's Gal]

There is no set time to board on any ship, as it is dictated by the time the prior cruise passengers disembark. I would think that most times you can start boarding between 11:30 am and noonish.

 

If your cabin is not ready, you can drop off your carryons and head on out to explore. The Windjammer is open for lunch and you may find a bar or two open also.

 

Dinner will be served in the dining room that 1st night. The muster will most likely be done approx one hour to a 1/2 prior to sailing.

 

We just left San Juan on Sunday, we spent an extra day there at the end of our cruise. I wish I were back on the ship.....

 

Enjoy

[NoVa Mimi]

You'll just love your cruise on AOS!! I can't wait to go on her again next July! We arrived at the ship a little before 11:00am. They started boarding a bit after 12:00. There are cookies and cold water available for everyone while they wait. The lines do get long, so it's a good idea to get there early, or wait until later in the afternoon to bypass some of the lines. We were allowed in our cabin at 1:00 or 2:00, sorry I can't remember which. The dining room is open the first night. The Winjammer is serving lunch as well, when you board. The bars, and pools are open as well. The stores and casino are not opened until you leave port, however. Which route are you on?

[J&SLowery]

We got to the pier around 3:00pm and were checked-in and on board by 3:30. I spoke to people who got there early who complained of having to wait in very long lines. They further indicated though, that once boarding began, they moved right through....there was just a lot of people.

Most bars are open upon boarding.

The Windjammer will be open for lunch.

You should be able to get into your room by 2:00pm I would think.

The dining room is open the first night. The muster is held between seatings.

 

Jay

[redhead621]

Hello Honeys Gal. We sailed together on the 10/31 Grandeur. We met at the Cruise Critic party. Hope that you had a great time on the Serenade. We are sailing again in Jan on the Jewel. Nice to see familiar names.

[cruzincanuck]

We were on the AOS January 4th this year and we got to the pier by 11:30 (there was already a lot of people) however it went smoothly and were on board by 12:15. We got our luggage about 1:30 later.

 

Have yourself a great cruise

[naylenk]

Thanks for all the replies. Nova Mimi, our route takes us to Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas and St. Martin. We are really excited! Are there planned activities going on in the afternoon on that first day or is it just a great time to explore the ship?

[elaineb]

Since you are on the Aruba route, it boards later than the Barbados route. That's because the Barbados route has to clear customs when debarking in PR. The Aruba route clears in St. Thomas so are all set to get off in PR and the next group can get on real early (as early as 11:00 am). That being said, there's really nothing going on until dinner. The pools/hot tubs are open, though as well as some of the bars. Make sure to put your swimsuit in your carryon. We took the time to tour the ship and get to know the layout. We had a great time taking irreverant poises with all of the various statues! I'm glad we got there early - there were some areas that we never got back to during the week. Enjoy the ship - it's a beautiful one.

[Host Jacquelyn]

We got there early (around noon), checked in, had a bit of lunch and then left the ship to tour Old San Juan. There is no problem leaving the ship once you checked in. If you get there early, you can settle in, and then spend the rest of the day sight-seeing.

[drarill]

Stores in San Juan (old and new) open from 11:00Am-5:00PM.

[megr1125]

You will love the ship. We just did that same route a couple weeks ago.

 

We arrived at the pier at about 11:30. We began boarding around 1:15 due to a slow time clearing the ship.

 

We dropped our stuff and off we went.

 

I just posted a review, you may want to read it. It is long.....fell free to email me with any questions. Hey, I love Canada and my grandmom was French Canadian! In fact, I am heading to Montreal while you are on the ship!

[hersh]

We're sailing on AOS next June with family and friends are so looking forward to it. We are spending a couple days precruise in SJ. Is Old San Juan walking distance from the pier?

Any other good advice for excursions or things on board not to miss?

Thanks for your help!

[cruiseman_tx]

hersh...pier where the AOS docks is NOT walking distance from Old San Juan. You'll need a taxi.

[naylenk]

How far is the pier from Old San Juan? Has anyone heard of or stayed at The Coral Princess Inn hotel in San Juan? What do you recommend doing while we're in SJ? Thanks Again!!!

[cbryteach]

We are on the Serenade on 11/27 our flight gets in at 3:15, so I am assuming that there won't be time to do anything in San Juan.

 

When we depart, or flight leaves at 4:15. What can we do with our luggage and what do you suggest to do on a Saturday...if we have time.

 

Would it be wise to book an excursion at the end?

[Honey's Gal]

Yes, I remember you. It is nice to hear from people you have met on cruises. The M&M makes this just one more perk to cruising. There are a lot of others from that Grandeur cruise from time to time that post here.

 

I would love to hear about your Jewel cruise, we have booked her for next September out of Boston. Love it when we do not have to fly, that just take more time.

[pltag]

We got to the pier around 3:00pm and were checked-in and on board by 3:30. I spoke to people who got there early who complained of having to wait in very long lines. They further indicated though, that once boarding began, they moved right through....there was just a lot of people.

Most bars are open upon boarding.

The Windjammer will be open for lunch.

You should be able to get into your room by 2:00pm I would think.

The dining room is open the first night. The muster is held between seatings.

 

Jay

Finally.....A voice of reason!!! :) :) I've never understood the "I need to be first on the ship, and am willing to stand in lines to do so" mentality!

 

We've sailed twice out of San Juan and are returning for the 1/30/05 AOS sailing. Here's our plan: get up Sunday have a little breakfast......go to the pool / beach......check w/ front desk for late checkout......take a nap.....wake up, start drinkin' :D.....sometime around 2:00 or so, grab our luggage, grab a cab......be on the ship by the pool before current beverage has time to get warm!

 

How's this plan sound?? :) :)

[Scottee25]

How far is the pier from Old San Juan? Has anyone heard of or stayed at The Coral Princess Inn hotel in San Juan? What do you recommend doing while we're in SJ? Thanks Again!!!

 

naylenk,

 

My wife and I will be sailing on the Serenade on Jan 2, 2005 and will be spending a few nights in San Juan prior to sailing as well. We will be arriving on Dec 31st in the early afternoon. Our plans are as such:

 

Friday Dec 31st: Arrive in San Juan and get checked into our hotel (We are staying at the Park Plaza Normandie). Get in contact with my wife's family (those of whom live in Puerto Rico and will be driving up from Ponce to visit) so we can all get together. Perhaps see some sights around Old San Juan, mainly El Morro, get something to eat and prepare for the New Years Eve evening.

 

Saturday Jan 1st: My wife's father will be driving up this day to meet with us so as to what we will be doing is somewhat up in the air. Do plan to fit in some quality time at some hotel bar to have a few cold ones and watch some Bowl games. Since it will be New Years Day, much of everything else will more than likely be closed so it will be just a day of relaxation and meeting with the family.

 

Sunday Jan 2nd: Pick up rental car and drive West to the Camuy Caverns. Explore for a while and then head to the Arecibo Observatory. Spend some time there before heading back into San Juan and onto the ship for boarding. Due to the times the two sites we want to see are open, the 2nd was the only day that would work for us and since they close in the early afternoon, we have to see them BEFORE boarding the ship. Since the ship doesn't leave until 10pm(or thereabouts) we have plenty of time to see what we want before boarding and since we have no plans to do an upgrade at the pier, we don't feel we need to be the first people in line:)

 

Once we have boarded, we will have to see how things play out. Chances are my wife's family will all be back in Ponce by then so there may not be much for us to do off the ship at that point.

 

Being that you will be in Puerto Rico for a few days, you may also want to consider sites outside of San Juan. I know the El Yunque rainforest tends to be popular with the tourists and there are groups that do leave out of San Juan for this.