Top Destinations On Cruises From San Juan
ABC Islands
The Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are collectively known as the ABC islands. From luxurious white sand beaches and turquoise seas to spectacular diving sites and exotic animal encounters, the ABC islands offer something for every vacationer. Enjoy a guided horseback ride along the north coast in Aruba. Explore Bonaires renowned marine life from a glass-bottom kayak, or enjoy a two-tank scuba dive in the Caribbeans top-ranked dive location. Take part in a hands-on cooking class with a local chef and learn how Caribbean ingredients impart an island flavor to dishes in Curaçao.
Old San Juan Piers & Terminals
The Old San Juan Cruise Ship Piers are the most convenient for cruisers, at arrival all visitors have to do is cross the street to begin exploring the treasures of Old San Juan.
- Pier 1 Modern passenger terminal used by various cruise lines
- Pier 3 Reconstructed pier for transit ships only , managed by Royal Caribbean
- Pier 4 Modern passenger terminal used & managed by Carnival for arrivals & departures
- Pier 6 Wharf at Bahia Urbana only used on heavy cruise traffic days
As soon as you get off your ship, you can easily walk the 7 blocks magical city of Old San Juan and enjoy the top attractions on foot. Cruisers also have the option to use the free trolley making it more convenient for visitors with limited mobility to enjoy the main attractions the city has to offer. The most convenient hotel to stay at near the cruise terminals is the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, just across the street from the piers.
Cruise Ships In Ponce
In a recent move to expand cruise options to the island, the southern city of Ponce now receives the Serenade of the Seas and Celebrity Cruise four times per year. If you choose to make this town your port of call, you can enjoy historical sites such as El Parque de Bombas an iconic fire station-turned museum and other landmarks. Or, enjoy a day at La Guancha boardwalk, where there are plenty of seafood restaurants, fritter carts, live music, and other activities.
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Is There Parking Available At The San Juan Port Cruise Terminals
There are numerous, safe overnight parking garages in Old San Juan around the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, which is across from the Old San Juan cruise piers. The Covadonga Parking Garage offers cruisers special parking rates, is nice, safe, and conveniently located across from pier 4 behind the bus terminal and police station. Call them at 722-2337 or 721-6911 for special rates and reservations. For the Pan American Pier, there is overnight parking available at the nearby Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino parking garage for $16 per day and a limited number of outdoor lot spaces available at the Isla Grande Airport for $8 per day.
Park & Cruise with Estaciona y Vuela offers transport services and low long-term parking rates.
Royal Caribbean Modifies Protocols For Cruises Departing Puerto Rico
Royal Caribbean informs guests that protocols update have been updated for cruise departures from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After new health regulations have come into play for Puerto Rico, Royal Caribbean has been forced to implement strict entry, testing, and quarantine requirements for cruises sailing out of San Juan. The new regulations include entry guidelines, a stricter testing regime before cruises, and testing before the vessel returns to Puerto Rico.
Those impacted the most by the new guidelines will be families with unvaccinated children and unvaccinated residents. The country is implementing a 7-day quarantine period for those remaining in Puerto Rico post-cruise.
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Are There Car Rentals Near The San Juan Cruise Port Terminals
Yes Hertz has a rental location inside the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel which is across from the Old San Juan cruise piers. For the Pan American cruise pier, Hertz and Enterprise have car rental locations at the Isla Grande Airport nearby and Avis has a rental location in the nearby Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino. Port transfer services. More about car rentals near cruise terminals. Or click here for a Map.
The Piers At The Port Of San Juan Puerto Rico
The San Juan Cruise Port is the largest and busiest cruise port in the Caribbean. There are 4 cruise ship piers and 2 modern terminals along the southern shores of historic Old San Juan with a total capacity to accommodate 7 ships at once. The strategic locations of these piers give tourists easy walking access to Old San Juan and its many attractions. In addition, just 1 mile southeast, across the San Antonio Canal, are 2 more large modern cruise ship terminals at the Pan American Pier, which can hold 2 more cruise ships.
In order to plan your stay or day in San Juan, be sure to inquire about which pier your ship will be docking at or departing from. Although we provide some information below on piers used by certain cruise lines, be sure to contact your booked cruise line or call the San Juan Cruise Port at 787-723-2260, Pier 4, in Old San Juan in order to verify the arrival or departure pier location. By being informed you can prepare for whether youll need transportation , find a nearby hotel, and plan adequate travel time for getting to or from the ship.
Home Port cruise lines often use San Juan as their departure port, thus cruises embark from San Juan. Transit ships are those docking for a day or two originating from another homeport. See the map below for pier locations.
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Are There Places To Store Luggage In San Juan Before Or After A Cruise
Yes
1) If youre staying at a hotel in Old San Juan or the Puerto Rico Convention Center District , they will typically hold your luggage before check-in or after check-out for a few hours. See map of hotels near cruise port.
2) You can book a sightseeing tour and they will gladly hold your luggage. Check with your cruise line as well about pre and post-cruise excursions they may offer.
3) In addition, there are 2 restaurants in Old San Juan that will store your luggage.
Barrachina Restaurant 104 Calle Fortaleza, Old San Juan. Storage is free | Storage hours: 9am 5pm, 7 days/week. ph. 725-7912. Note: It is a 1/2 mile uphill walk from Old San Juan Pier 4, and 1/4 mile walk from Pier 1.
Aloha Old San Juan directly across the street from Old San Juan Pier 4. Rates: $3 per piece | Storage hours: Tue. Thu. 11am 4pm, Fri. Sun. 11am 9pm. Receive a 20% discount on your meals when your luggage is stored at Aloha Old San Juan. ph. 289-5626.
4) The San Juan International Airport offers luggage storage daily from 7am to 10pm on the 2nd level of Terminal D. For more information call 791-3371 or email: lacooperativaicr@yahoo.com. They do not have storage lockers.
What Is There To Do In San Juan Puerto Rico
There are many fun and exciting things to do,attractions to see and great places to eat. Tours of the San Juan National Historic Site and the Bacardi Rum Distillery Tour are just two examples. Also see our attractions map. San Juan Happy Tours, 237-7727, is dedicated to, and specializes in providing tours or transfers to cruise ship passengers upon arrival to the San Juan Cruise Port. Look for their uniformed shirts and vehicles waiting at the terminal. They come highly recommended especially for tours of El Yunque Rainforest.
You can also contact nearby beachfront resorts ahead of time to arrange for a day pass which allows you to access their resort facilities for a fee.
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New Order Increases Covid Requirements For Food Industry In Puerto Rico
Restaurant industry employees must be vaccinated online vaccination ID available
Moreover, the PRTC, Ports Authority and local Health Department informed last month that all cruise passengers must be fully inoculated against COVID-19 to be able to go ashore. Even then, those who can walk around San Juan must wear face masks and carry their proof of vaccinations to visit restaurants and bars.
As part of the conversations we have had and the agreement we have reached with Carnival as a result of the conditional order to sail issued by the , Ports, Health and Tourism have implemented safeguards to allow the entry of cruise ships in the safest way possible, said Ports Executive Director Joel Pizá Batiz. Before docking, the cruise ship must send a statement to certify the percentage of people vaccinated inside the ship, as well as a manifest of the unvaccinated. Those ships that do not comply will not be able to dock at our ports.
At least 95 percent of cruise passengers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are expected to venture â and spend â on the island when their ships dock in Old San Juan.
Perhaps at the beginning, the negotiations and requirements sound drastic, but the reality is that it is done with the intention of having commitments and guarantees that work is being done in a responsible and diligent manner, the executive director added.
Maiden Voyage for the Mardi Gras
Add San Juanto Your Bucket List
Centuries of history. Rich culture. Stunning landscapes, and famously friendly people. There are so many things to see and do in San Juan, Puerto Rico, youd never guess it had to bounce back from a hurricane. Not only is it a must-visit destination all on its own, its central location also makes it the best jumping off point for you to explore the exotic shores of the Southern Caribbean. From Arubas pastel colonial promenades and Curaçaos ancient rugged caves, to Antiguas colorful reefs and Barbadoss golden-sand beaches Cruises from San Juan unlock the most beautiful shores on the south side.
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Cruises In Puerto Rico
Miami is the cruise capital of the world, but San Juan is second. Unless you have never visited Miami and would like to include it as part of your extended Caribbean itinerary, there is justification in flying directly to San Juan by plane and beginning your cruise here. It puts you immediately in the Caribbean, which means you save a 2-day ocean voyage just to get here. Instead of sailing from Florida, you can spend the time getting to know Puerto Rico.
Consult a good travel agent for the latest offerings. Some of the most likely contenders include the following: Ambassador Tours, 50 First St., Suite 610, San Francisco, CA 94104 Cruises One, 1415 NW 62 St., Suite 205, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Cruises of Distinction, 4557 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 Cruises Only, 1011 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32808 Kelly Cruises, 1315 W. 22nd St., Suite 105, Oak Brook, IL 60521 and Hartford Holidays Travel, 129 Hillside Ave., Williston Park, NY 11596 . Any of these providers stay tuned to last-minute price wars brewing among such megacarriers as Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America, as well as such low-budget contenders as Premier.
Vacations to Go, 1502 Augusta Dr., Suite 415, Houston, TX 77057 , provides catalogs and information on discount cruises through the Caribbean, as well as the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
The Cruise Lines
What Time Is It In San Juan Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is on Atlantic Standard Time and does NOT recognize daylight savings as in the U.S. If youre traveling from the U.S., here are the time zone conversions:
During U.S. Daylight Savings time months :
Eastern Daylight Time is the same as Puerto Rico time
Central Daylight Time + 1 hr. = Puerto Rico time
Mountain Daylight Time + 2 hrs. = Puerto Rico time
Pacific Daylight Time + 3 hrs. = Puerto Rico time
During U.S. Standard Time months :
Eastern Standard Time + 1 hr. = Puerto Rico time
Central Standard Time + 2 hrs. = Puerto Rico time
Mountain Standard Time + 3 hrs. = Puerto Rico time
Pacific Standard Time + 4 hrs. = Puerto Rico time
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What Is The Closest Airport To The San Juan Cruise Port
Isla Grande Airport is officially the closest airport, but its a fairly small, single-runway airport with primarily regional flights. Read more about Isla Grande Airport. The closest major airport is the San Juan International Airport, which is 8 miles east of the Old San Juan piers and 7 miles east of the Pan American pier. A taxi ride will cost you approximately $23 with luggage and take about 20 minutes.
Puerto Rico Cruise Highlights
Natural Beauty
Puerto Rico is endowed with exceptional natural beauty, from endless white sand beaches to rugged mountains and rainforest. Visit El Yunque National Park, the only tropical forest in the U.S., where jungle trails reveal massive tree roots, giant ferns, tumbling waterfalls, and cool rock pools. The coast is fringed with mangroves teeming with life, a dream for birdwatching enthusiasts. Join a starlit kayaking tour to marvel at Mosquito Bay, one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world.
Old San Juan
Partly encircled by 16th-century walls, Old San Juan is an enchanting and walkable neighborhood. Brightly colored houses with painted balconies and flower-filled patios line the cobblestone streets, which lead to leafy plazas and 16th-century churches. Art galleries sit side-by-side with cool, boho boutiques, while inviting bars and cafés serve fresh-ground coffee and ice-cold daiquiris.
Creative Cuisine
Youll find a lively culinary scene all over Puerto Rico. Try local specialties, which include fresh fish, seafood paella, mofongo , and lechón asado, slow-roasted pork. Do as the locals do and have a quesito with your coffeea puff pastry tube stuffed with sweetened cheese and drizzled with honey or chocolate. Join a rum distillery tour to learn how rum is matured in barrels, followed by a tasting.
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Are There Places To Shop And Eat Within Walking Distance Of The San Juan Cruise Port Terminals
If your ship docks at an Old San Juan pier, yes you can walk just a few blocks into Old San Juan or hop on the free trolley to San Francisco and Fortaleza Streets, or walk to Calle del Cristo and Calle San Sebastian filled with shopping and dining establishments. Tip: there is a large CVS store/pharmacy which has a large variety of food, drinks, and other necessities directly across from Old San Juan piers 1 & 2 and only 1/4 mile west of piers 3 and 4.
If your ship docks at the Pan American Pier: Shopping? no youll have to take a taxi into Old San Juan for $10, or to the Condado fashion shopping strip on Ashford Avenue for $12 where the best stores are across from Ventana el Mar Park. You can also take a taxi for $14 to the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Americas, located in nearby Hato Rey, San Juan. Places to Eat? yes there is a Sizzler close-by at the San Juan Bay Marina and restaurants in and around the nearby Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Convention Center.
Changes To Entry And Testing Requirements For Cruises
Guests booked on cruises aboard Explorer of the Seas from San Juan will need to pay attention to many entry, testing, and quarantine regulations that the Puerto Rico government has required Royal Caribbean to comply with. There have been some notable changes since the . Below are the requirements as they are as of January 9, 2022.
The entry requirements have remained relatively similar to what they were before. Guests entering the country from abroad will need to complete the TravelSafe Declaration Form and upload their vaccination status, while locals will need to complete this form after sailing.
Guests two years and older must provide a negative result from a PCR or antigen test for COVID-19 taken within 48 hours before entering Puerto Rico this is whether you have been fully vaccinated or not. Guests traveling from anywhere outside the United States must provide a negative result from a PCR or antigen test for COVID-19 taken within 24 hours before flying to Puerto Rico.
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The above tests are different than what you will need to board the vessel, although in some cases, they can be used provided you time it right. Vaccinated guests must have a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than two days before boarding day and proof of vaccination.
Kids that have not yet been fully vaccinated will need to show a negative test result for a PCR test only, taken no more than three days before boarding day.
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American Stores And Brands
The island is an unincorporated territory of the USA and consequently you will see many familiar US brands such as Walgreens Pharmacy, Walmart, Samâs Club, Costco and Marshalls stores. It makes it very easy to shop for extra clothing, forgotten toiletries and pharmaceuticals before boarding the cruise ship.
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Port Of Departure San Juan Puerto Rico
San Juan, capital of Puerto Rico, The Isle of EnchantmentSan Juan is the capital of and the largest city of Puerto Rico. Located on the north coast of the island, it is the second-oldest capital established by Europeans in the Caribbean . The Spanish originally called the seaport Ciudad de Puerto Rico and the whole island San Juan. Over time, everyday usage has swapped over one with the other. Today San Juan is the major seaport for Puerto Rico, and also serves as the countryâs center for tourism, finance, culture and manufacturing.The old city of San Juan offers an authentic Old World feel with over 400 renovated Spanish 16th and 17th century buildings, and many historic sights. The area also is home to many shops, casinos and restaurants for the enjoyment of tourists and Puerto Ricans alike.
San Juan Cruise Ship TerminalsThere are three major pier areas used by cruises from San Juan. Old San Juan piers 1 through 6, the Pan American pier, and Navy Frontier pier. Normally cruise ships visiting San Juan dock at the Old San Juan Piers, so passengers have easy access to Old San Juan. Cruise ships originating from San Juan will dock at the Pan American Pier or Navy Frontier piers, both about a 15 minute cab ride from Old San Juan.
Things To Do Near San Juan Cruise PortEl Morro FortSan Cristobal FortLa FortalezaCathedral de San JuanPaseo de la Muralla and Paseo de la PrincesaEscambron BeachShoppingCruise Port Map
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