San Juan for the day: What to do while your cruise is in port

Table Of Content

• Farewell Voyage Set for Carnival-Owned Cruise Ship After 15-Year Career
• Search Cruises
• San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Guide – 2024 Old San Juan, Pan American Pier, Transfer Services, FAQ’s, Map and more…
• CHECK OUT THE CARIBBEAN
• Hotels

There is no long-term parking for cruise guests at the Old San Juan Terminal, but there are a few unofficial parking options available within Old San Juan. There is parking available at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino as well, which is located across from the Old San Juan Piers. Many of Puerto Rico's best beaches are found on the island's eastern and western edges, beyond the San Juan proper. It’s a small island, but Grand Turk should definitely be on your list of where to go in the Caribbean. Featuring famous landmarks and attractions, as well as charming historic towns, serene beaches and stunning scenery, the island definitely doesn’t disappoint.

Farewell Voyage Set for Carnival-Owned Cruise Ship After 15-Year Career

After two days at sea enjoying Seabourn Sojourn's salon, restaurants, bars, and small-ship amenities, the ship returns to Miami. Next, the ship heads to Carambola Beach, Saint Kitts and Nevis, home to luxurious beach clubs and restaurants. Guests can journey around the island on the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, tour the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brimstone Hill Fortress, or embark on a snorkeling adventure. If you’re ready for an escape, take the opportunity to head to Vivo Beach Club for the day.

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Bridgetown, Barbados, next on the itinerary, is home to colonial buildings, open-air markets, and pink-sand beaches. Guests can journey in a solar-powered tram into Harrison's Cave, where they'll see waterfalls, pools, and stalactite formations, or they can explore the Barbados Wildlife Reserve in a 4x4 vehicle. San Juan is one of the Caribbean’s hottest and most beloved cruise stops, welcoming visitors to explore one of the best-preserved Spanish Colonial historic cities. We are celebrating five centuries of history in our beautiful Old San Juan, we invite you to celebrate with us. Five centuries ago, our capital city was walled and protected by fortifications, keeping outsiders out. We are proud of the fact that in modern days, San Juan is often referred to as one of the happiest and most welcoming places on earth.

San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Guide – 2024 Old San Juan, Pan American Pier, Transfer Services, FAQ’s, Map and more…

Leave jewelry and expensive electronic devices in your hotel safe if possible. As with any city, avoid dark alleyways and poor neighborhoods after dark and take a taxi back to your hotel. Apart from that, you can relax and enjoy exploring Old San Juan without worrying about your safety.

San Juan, PR

Activities here include bicycling through the rainforest, snorkeling, and kayaking in the bright blue ocean waters. The ship arrives in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, for a day of snorkeling, diving, fishing, or kayaking. Then it's on to San Juan, Puerto Rico, the next day for an afternoon and evening visit.

If your ship docks at an Old San Juan pier, you can walk just a few blocks into Old San Juan streets of San Francisco, Calle del Cristo, and Fortaleza where you can also find a number of great restaurants and cafes. Yes – there are a number of beaches within a mile or so of the cruise piers. Like all Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with warm sunny temperatures throughout the year.

US: Pregnant woman evacuated from Disney cruise ship off Puerto Rico coast - Sky News

US: Pregnant woman evacuated from Disney cruise ship off Puerto Rico coast.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:53:45 GMT [source]

This seven-day cruise aboard Norwegian Viva embarks from San Juan, where guests can explore Puerto Rico before or after their sailing. Built in 2023, the Norwegian Viva offers guests onboard activities like 10-story slides, a three-level go-kart race track, and an immersive art gallery. There's a variety of dining spots, lounges, a whiskey bar, a cigar lounge, a spa, and a Starbucks. You will have to take a taxi or book a tour in order to visit the historic Old San Juan and other tourist districts in San Juan. The only thing within reasonable walking distance is the regional Isla Grande Airport, Puerto Rico Convention Center, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, and the Hyatt House Hotel.

Air-conditioned bus tours of San Juan encompass the primary highlights of the new and Old San Juan districts. The tour passes Condado Beach's luxury hotels and condominiums and the Window of the Sea coastal outcropping. Continuing into Old San Juan, the tour passes the Capitol City Building and San Cristobal Fort. The outing ends at iconic El Morro Castle, the majestic 16th-century fortification. Other tour highlights include San Jose Church, the Western Hemisphere's second-oldest church, and Paseo de la Princesa, which offers sweeping views and a grand fountain overlooking the sea. El Yunque National Forest is one of several natural attractions found across the greater San Juan region, and cultural attractions include rum distilleries offering tours and tastings.

In St. George's, Bermuda, the next two days, guests can tour the historic Old Town on foot or by van. San Juan is one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the Caribbean; known for its diverse architecture featuring a clear Spanish influence with plenty of bright and vivid colors. The city, which is the capital of Puerto Rico, has been a popular tourist destination for decades and is home to wonderful hotels, museums, historical attractions, beaches, shops and more. If you’re planning a cruise to San Juan with Carnival, there are plenty of activities that you can fit into your trip to ensure you make the most of your vacation!

The mountains, rainforest, white-sand beaches, friendly people, and vibrant atmosphere are a few of Puerto Rico's features that attract cruise fans. The opportunity to explore the popular port with the convenience and luxury of a cruise ship keeps San Juan on a variety of itineraries. The trolley stop outside the port is always busy when cruise ships are in port.

Guests also visit an interpretative station at Coca Waterfall, once believed to be the legendary fountain of youth. Pier 3 mainly serves Royal Caribbean and its Oasis-class ships, the cruise industry's largest. The terminal features a two-story complex that houses restaurants, galleries and a duty-free shopping center.

While relatively small and at times a bit crowded, Condado Beach extends for several miles east of downtown and is a short taxi ride from Old San Juan. The entrance to this public beach is tucked between high-rise resorts. The beach offers the added convenience of proximity to the nearby Condado shopping and entertainment district. White sand beaches with crystal clear waters, authentic island dishes, colorful marine life, an expansive, scenic countryside and the remarkable Pitons are just some of what St. Lucia has to offer. Go on a zip line adventure, see St. Lucia by catamaran, or take a tour of some of the island’s 10 most exciting attractions. On my recent Carnival cruise, one of our destinations was San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Colonial history, splendid natural beauty and trendy nightlife make San Juan a must-visit Caribbean port of call. In fact, it's a staple on Eastern and Southern Caribbean departures sailing round-trip from Florida ports such as PortMiami, Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades and Port Canaveral near Orlando. The captivating island of St. Lucia offers both plenty of action while on your family cruise from San Juan, and also some passion if you are on a romantic trip with your partner. Sail on a catamaran and snorkel nearby the shoreline, go helmet diving, visit historical areas and forts or go horseback riding. There’s no shortage of unique and memorable activities on this island. The next port is Castries, St. Lucia, an island capital with banana farms, rugged green peaks, and a charming marketplace.

Cruises from San Juan are usually the same price per night as from Florida. Cruises from San Juan require passengers to first fly to Puerto Rico and this cost is not included in the cruise price. You should also allow for extra expenses such as spending a night in a hotel in San Juan before and/or after your cruise. You may also need to pay for taxi transfers between the airport and the cruise terminal before and after the cruise. The San Juan cruise port is located 8 miles west of the airport and is easy to reach by taxi.

Many other cruise lines use San Juan as a port of call, particularly for refueling and loading fresh supplies as part of a Transatlantic cruise. Regardless of whether you're sailing from the Old San Juan or the Pan American Terminal, taxis and cruise line shuttles are pretty much the only way to get to your cruise ship from the airport. The pina colada originated in San Juan and innovative refreshing drinks continue to be a city hallmark. There are numerous hip, trendy bars and classic bars and restaurants in Old San Juan, as well as across the Condado and Isla Verde districts. Dining out in San Juan encompasses everything from white-tablecloth fine dining to local food trucks serving delicious indigenous cuisine.

Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Castillos Fortifications is an open-air trolley that covers all the forts in San Juan and the Capitol building.

Carnival Celebration: What guests need to know about the new ship

Table Of Content

• New bars
• Fellow Passengers
• Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member
• Cruise Spotlight
• Carnival Celebration: What we loved and what needs work on Carnival's newest, biggest ship
• Forget About Star of the Seas, Save Thousands by Sailing These Ships Instead

Carnival’s accessible price-point and high-quality entertainment also works in favor of multigenerational travel. It’s a cruise that almost everyone can afford, and cruising aboard Carnival Celebration with family and friends is a treat indeed. For some, it may very well be their first introduction to the world of cruise travel. These spaces are certainly unique, but almost all are under-sized for a vessel carrying this many passengers. And while that attempt keeps things small – human, even – it creates problems as the ship’s most popular spaces fill up early and stay that way.

New bars

Carnival Celebration Cruise Ship Review First-hand Expert Review - Cruise Critic

Carnival Celebration Cruise Ship Review First-hand Expert Review.

Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:14:03 GMT [source]

“They need to make sure that their destination is driving awareness,” Stein answered, “so that people want to go there. Once ports develop awareness and interest, they have to make sure they deliver experiences that resonate with guests, so they’ll want to come back. Carnival Celebration will also celebrate the line's history by integrating pieces from former Carnival ships into its decor.

Fellow Passengers

They're known for their six-distinct zones, all with a different theme, that make the ship easier to navigate and breaks up the large crowds. The Celebration is very similar to its sister-ships; Mardi Gras and Jubilee, although each ship may have some differences. Bathrooms -Well let’s just say for women not enough for us, the waiting game to see if ten people in-line for two- three stalls ???

Second Icon-Class Ship Will Have a Furry Family Member

Carnival also offers a list of non-stop, dawn-to-dusk activities are designed for cruisers of all ages. Maybe wacky pool games are your thing, or trivia sessions on such wide-ranging topics as Star Wars, Company Slogans, or Weird Laws. Available on the Carnival FunHUB App or via the printed FunTimes Daily Program delivered onboard, there’s something to suit every age, taste and interest. The water park has three different slides to suit all tastes plus a splash park, and the mini-golf course is a fun time and actually tricky.

Cruise Spotlight

Carnival Celebration boasts five swimming pools and five hot tubs. These range from the main pool to quieter pool areas. Space Cruisers is a brand-new program offered in partnership with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Eventually, it’ll roll out to other Carnival ships but, for now, you can only find it here, on Carnival Celebration. The WaterWorks part of the Ultimate Playground could be a day of fun all on its own. The water park features three large slides, two racing slides and more.

Carnival's Celebration Key: All you need to know - The Points Guy

Carnival's Celebration Key: All you need to know.

Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Carnival Celebration: What we loved and what needs work on Carnival's newest, biggest ship

We’re at home anywhere we sail… but you can only have one hometown, and for Carnival that is unmistakably Miami. So it’s not hard at all to locate the inspiration for 820 Biscayne on Carnival Celebration. If you’re wondering about the nameplate, that’s the address where it all got started — but nobody has to wonder where all the fun, flavor and good looks you’ll find in this zone were sourced.

Carnival Adding 5th Excel-Class Ship in 2028

While the heart of Emeril’s Bistro 1397™ is in the same delicious place — his hometown Creole dishes from New Orleans — the new restaurant also keeps its passport at the ready, collecting extra flavor inspiration from every corner of the world. Then it serves up international dishes… all with Emeril’s signature culinary flair! From one day to the next you’ll find new stuff on the menu — so make sure to come back and see what surprising specialties are ready to delight you for breakfast, lunch or dinner. However, the area lacks seating with full sightlines of both the stagebound singers and the aerialists. My family arrived at a show 40 minutes early and only by luck found close-up seats with obstructed views. At another show I attended solo, I found a lone seat in the stadium-style section of banquettes between decks 7 and 8.

Forget About Star of the Seas, Save Thousands by Sailing These Ships Instead

Staterooms aboard Carnival Celebration are more modern in appearance than the line’s ships of the past, with a palette of light blues and sea foam greens mixed with crisp white linens and furnishings. The patience passengers will need aboard Carnival Celebration extends to the passenger elevators, which never seem to arrive in a timely manner, and are nearly always packed to the brim with people. Named after the line’s original Celebration of 1987, Carnival Celebration pays homage to Carnival’s past while also continuing to add new and exciting features that are sure to please guests of all ages. These comfy rooms with a view let you take in the scenery as you sail toward your beautiful destinations. Nowhere on land will you find anything like ‘em. But the views aren’t all that matters here — Ocean View staterooms on Carnival Celebration® are a little bit bigger than Interior rooms and most feature a supremely loungeable couch for those times when neither lying nor standing will do.

This central hub, located in Celebration Central, is one of six distinct zones on the ship. The Best Pool Belongs to Havana RoomsThere are a number of pools around Celebration, from the Serenity deck (adults only) to the main pool in the middle of the ship. But the best pool in our opinion is one that sits in the exclusive Havana area. Not everyone can access this area — it’s reserved for passengers staying in Havana rooms.

Celebration Central (midship location on decks 6-7-8) is an expanded Atrium concept combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with a bar lounge (overlooking the ship's starboard side) with 3-decks high floor-ceiling windows. The ship has 82 accessible staterooms with bathrooms with roll-in showers, wider doors and, where needed, ramps, in numerous categories. Corridors are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters and there are 22 lifts providing vertical access between Decks 3 (for the medical center and disembarkation) and 18.

I was bummed that I never got to hear the band that played here after-hours because the setting is perfect for kicking back with a drink and listening to live music. Other specialty room options include the Family Harbor staterooms and suites, which are designed specifically with family needs in mind. If you book a Family Harbor stateroom or suite, you’ll get access to the Family Harbor Lounge, which provides snacks, board games, family movies, video games and more, all day long. Guests in these suites likewise get extra free amenities such as babysitting services and free dining for kids. For free eats, Carnival’s Lido Marketplace buffet on Deck 16 and its two main dining rooms – Festivale on Deck 6 and 7 aft, and Carnivale on Deck 6 midship – offer all the classic foods cruisers have come to expect.

The Gateway has a large digital map showing the current location of all CCL ships in real-time. The boat has 18 decks, of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 11 with cabins. The XL-Class is similar as design and facilities to HELIOS-Class ships produced for Carnival Corporation's brands Costa and AIDA (all by Meyer Werft in Papenburg Germany).

And we have so many choices to fit you just right. TPG was on board Carnival Celebration's second sailing and the first from its Miami home port to the Caribbean. Here, I'll outline what's new, what we loved and what could use some tweaks. Cruise Coloring and Activity Books for KidsGet your kids ready for their cruise or keep them entertained while on board with our custom made coloring and activity books. These are the Carnival editions with featuring places Pizza Pirate and mini-golf.

Carnival Celebration, the second vessel in the line's Excel class, will sail its inaugural voyage from the U.S. on Monday. The debut of the 17-deck ship, which bears the same name as an earlier Carnival vessel launched in the late 1980s, marks the culmination of the line's 50th anniversary celebration this year. Carnival has filled the ship with different restaurants ranging from easy grab-and-go items (Street Eats, Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken, etc.) all the way to high-end dining (Rudi’s Seagrill, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse).