Cruises From San Juan
San Juan, the capital and most populous city of Puerto Rico, is the oldest city on US territory. It is the Caribbean commercial hub, best known for its beautifully restored historic district of Old San Juan. It is situated on a rocky peninsula girded by thick walls jutting into the crashing Atlantic surf. With its 400 restored buildings from the 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial period, this area is steeped in history. Read more
Add to this the expansive stretches of smooth clean beaches, boutiques, and pleasant restaurants, and one understands why this port is the heart of the islands tourism.
Cruise From San Juan Puerto Rico
When it comes to Caribbean vacations, Puerto Rico is both a departure point and a destination. For the former, San Juan is one of the busiest Caribbean cruise ports. Four piers located along the San Antonio Canal serve ships from the largest cruise lines, with more than 1 million travelers passing through yearly.
While the San Juan area makes for a fun and exciting pre- or post-cruise trip, the citys port is the start of a great southern Caribbean vacation. Because of this, nearly all well-known lines stop in the city, either to begin a southern Caribbean trip or as part of a repositioning cruise with a unique and expansive itinerary. Departing cruise lines include Azamara, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Silversea. San Juan, in fact, may see as many as 10 cruise ships at once.
Southern Caribbean trips from San Juan give travelers a taste and sight of each islands unique character. A trip, in fact, may take passengers to Aruba, Barbados, Dominica, the Virgin Islands, Curacao, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and other locations.
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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Traveling To The San Juan Cruise Terminal
San Juan Luis Muñoz MarÃn International Airport services the island of Puerto Rico. It is the islands main international gateway, and its main connection to the mainland United States. The Airport is located approximately 10 miles from the Pan American Pier and 11 miles from the OSJ Piers . It usually takes about 15-25 minutes in a taxi for the trip, dependent upon traffic.
The Tourism Taxi Program, recently instituted by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, has simplified the fare structure between the airport and several major tourism zones, including the piers. When coming out of the airport, go to the taxi stand and theyll give you a slip with your set rate on it. The rates are per taxi and many are vans or minivans, which can accommodate up to 6 or 7 people. There are additional charges for baggage.
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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Pan American Pier & Cruise Terminals
The Pan American Pier has two modern two-tiered passenger terminals and is located on Isla Grande, besides the Isla Grande Airport and near the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Two mega-ships can dock at the Pan American Pier terminals. Depending on your cruise line and cruise ship traffic, your ship may arrive and dock here for the day and will most likely embark from here if San Juan is the home departure port. The only thing within reasonable walking distance is the Isla Grande Airport, Puerto Rico Convention Center, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, and the Hyatt House Hotel. You will have to take a taxi or book a tour in order to visit the historic Old San Juan or New San Juan. It is a 10-15 minute ride into Old San Juan and will cost you $10 if your cruise line does not pay for it. The most convenient hotels to stay at near the Pan American Pier terminals are the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino and Hyatt House Hotel.
What Are Recommended Hotels Near The San Juan Cruise Port
If your cruise is embarking from an Old San Juan pier, we recommend the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino or the Cervantees Hotel in Old San Juan. If your cruise is departing from the Pan American Pier, we recommend staying at the nearby Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino or the Hyatt House San Juan. See map of hotels near cruise piers.
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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.
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.
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Cruise Ships In San Juan
San Juan has two cruise terminals, one in San Juan Bay and the other at the Pan American terminal across from the bay. Between them, the ports host around 500 cruise ships per year. Many of the cruises that make a voyage through the Caribbean make a port call in Puerto Rico, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Costa, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar, Norwegian Cruise Line, AIDA, Seabourn, Silbersea, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and even Disney Cruises.
The San Juan Bay terminal has a capacity to receive up to seven ships at once. The location of the piers gives visitors easy access to explore the historic city of Old San Juan. This may be the most convenient port of call for people only spending a day on island because many attractions, restaurants, bars, and landmarks are within walking distance.
The Pan American terminal has a pier that accommodates two cruise ships. It is located near Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande, next to the Puerto Rico Convention Center, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino, and the Hyatt House Hotel. Getting in and out of the city requires either a taxi or rideshare, and if San Juan is your point of departure, your cruise ship will likely embark from there.
Cruise ships at the fast-growing Ponce Cruise Port.
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.
For more detailed information see Parking Guide Tourist Districts in San Juan.
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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.
What Pier Will My Cruise Ship Dock At Or Embark From In San Juan
In general, arriving transit ships that are day-docking for one afternoon/ evening in San Juan usually dock at the Old San Juan Piers , so you can walk right out into Old San Juan and avoid taking a taxi. We believe an exception to this rule to be Celebrity Cruises which typically day-dock at the Pan American Pier. Cruises that start in San Juan usually leave from the Pan American Pier Terminals I or II. However, Carnival cruises embark from the Old San Juan Pier 4 terminal if San Juan is the home departure port. Again, be sure to contact your cruise line or call the San Juan Cruise Port at 787-723-2260 to verify the arrival or departure pier location.
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Soak In The Island Vibes
The sunny island has a long and storied history that encompasses hundreds of years, and you can take a glimpse into its past through its food, colonial towns and even souvenirs and attraction. Witness the cultural heritage come alive with your cruise to Puerto Rico.
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.
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Do I Need A Passport For A Cruise To / From San Juan Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and its residents are U.S. citizens. You do not need a passport if flying from the U.S. to Puerto Rico or vice versa. You only need a government issued photo ID, like a drivers license. If you are a U.S. citizen, and you board a cruise ship at a U.S. port , and travel only within the Western Hemisphere, and return to the same U.S. port on the same ship, you will most likely NOT need a passport unless you enter a foreign country as part of the cruise itinerary. A U.S. or Puerto Rico drivers license should suffice. For children under 16, a birth certificate is typically required. However, check with your cruise line to be absolutely sure what documentation is needed.
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.
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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.
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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Pre And Post Cruise Options In San Juan
Cruising from San Juan, Puerto Rico is your gateway to the ports of the Southern Caribbean. With miles upon miles of white sand beaches, plus an unbelievable rainforest and warm tropical temperatures, it is also a wonderful place to spend a few days pre or post cruise. Here are my tips on attractions worth visiting.
Old San Juan: A leisurely walk through Old San Juan is one of the most pleasant experiences anyone could have here in Puerto Rico. The colonial architecture of hanging balconies and cobble stone streets make you feel like you have gone back in time. You can also take advantage of thefree trolleys. The one marked City Hall concentrates on the streets of Old Town while El Morro Fort takes a very scenic route by the sea up Calle Norzagaray, past the museums and eventually to the Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
El Yunque: Forty minutes outside of the city, this national rainforest which is protected and maintained by the US Forest Service, is definitely worth the visit! Inside its misty, dense vegetation youll find rare Puerto Rican parrots, hear the constant cheep of the tiny coqui frog and come across small waterfalls with picturesque pools to take a dip in. Theres a road to the top of the mountain so you can drive in, or you can park below and try to hike up. The visitors center about mid-way up the mountain has useful information on the rainforests plant and animal life, plus maps, restrooms and a cafeteria.
