Hello there, my name is Maurice and Im from Lakewood, Ohio. My concern is that Im thinking about coming down to Puerto rico on the 8th to save on the hassels of traveling on the 9th. I would like to know if anyone could reccomend a nice inexpensive, yet clean hotel to stay at. Also the Victory will not set sail until 10pm, so with many of the hotels in the area checkout times are generally at noon. What will you do with your luggage for that time from noon until you aboard your ship. Im just trying to plan everything accordingly. I cruised with Carnival back in Nov of 06 but I didn't have to worry because I left out of Miami, and I didn't have to worry about staying over in a hotel. Can anyone help?

Thanks,

 Maurice.

Maurice we are also flying down to San Juan on the 8th. After much searching around I found lodging at the Holiday Inn San Juan. It's .3 from the pier and I have been told that they will hold your luggage for you after checkout and prior to embarkation.

Looking forward to the cruise!

Mavis

Hi,

We'll be on the Victory out of SanJuan in Jan.  I've been checking out hotels on Travelocity.com   They are rather expensive in SanJuan, but that is where the ship leaves from.  I've been doing some research on Puerto Rico and the other places are so far out.  I looked at Maps and read up on the distances aprt.  So, I'll bite the bullet and pay the extra to stay the niht in SanJuan.  You'll be able to read reviews of what others though about the hotels as well as see travelocity ratings.  You can also see pictures of the rooms and hotel.

I'm flying down the day before.  You can acutally board the ship at 1:00.  I've read others input on tis website and they've boarded their ships as early as 12:30.  In SanJuan you can board, eat, get settled in your room and be back on later in the evening.  I'm going to do the Bioluminecent excursion carnival offers before we leave the port of SanJuan.  Have Fun.  Talk to you later.

Judy 

We left out of San Juan before and came in the night before and stayed at the hotel right across the street from the pier.  It used to be called the Wydham but I think it's now the Sheraton.  You can walk right across the street to the pier.  They also have a luggage hold when you check out or request a late check-out.  I'm a travel agent and would be happy to book a hotel for you.  Please e-mail me if you need any help....Monique 

Hello, We will also be on the same cruise.  We are to fly in the same day, the curse departs.  I do have some concerns, my flight has changed twice now I've had to call the airlines and change it because the time of the flight wouldn't work with the cruise departure times.  Would you recommend if my flight changes again that i arrive the day before.  I have cruised twice in the past and everything worked out ok, but now with the current situation I am starting to worry about my departure and arrival times.  Any suggestions from experienced cruisers would be welcomed. 

Thanks

With the way the airlines are now days I would recommend flying in the day before.  It's better to be safe than sorry.  Pay the extra money for the hotel and enjoy San Juan. 

Reese, I stayed in San Juan 1 day after my cruise last year.  I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Isla Verde Beach Resort.   It was a very nice hotel, I mean  absolutly beautiful.  At that time, I paid $140.00 for the night.  They will also allow you to keep your luggage in there storage area and they will call you a cab to take you where you need to go.  I went to Old San Juan, it was about a 10-15 minute ride from the Hotel to town (Old San Juan).  I think the cab ride was $20.00. 

Oh I almost forgot, the buffett a the hotel is very good, I think the name of the place was Salsa.  It seemed to share a space with another resturant.  I think the Buffett was $19.99  They also gave me free tickets for the Casino.  I'm not a gambler so I never used them

  Now, I'm not sure if you are interested, but, I was headed for the Dooney & Burke and the Coach Outlet stores. Wow, good good prices there.  These stores are located close

to the embarkation terminal.  Only I'm not sure if you can walk there because a highway seperates Old San Juan from the terminal, but don't worry, I see a lot of people walking, ask around somebody should know how to get areound that highway.  Also, there are lots of cab driver standing around at the terninal also.  (only a stones throw away)

Hi!  We are also flying into San Juan in Dec for our cruise.  We booked through our TA, and chose to book our flights through the fly aweigh option.  So far, they have not booked our flight.  I would think, since the ship doesn't leave till 10:00 pm, that you would have plenty of time to get to the terminal and still have some time to check out some of San Juan. Don't know, haven't been on a cruise since 2001, but input would be helpful.  Would it be better to come in the night before and would it be better to book it on your own or let the cruise line do it for you with their pre-vacation deal?  A little concerned that they haven't booked the flight yet, should I worry about that? 

Hi Courtney,  tried to post but kept getting kicked off last night.  We fly out of Richmond, Va.  and we cruise Dec. 21, 08.  This is a celebration for us, not just Christmas, but we are celebrating our 10th annviersary this year, and this cruise is our gift to each other.  We will be renewing our wedding vows when we get to St. Thomas, at one of the Episcopal churches on the island.  We are very excited and can't wait to go!  Might have to check in to the day before thing, might be worth the extra $$$.  Thanks for the input, and hope to chat with you more.

Hi, Krista here.  Are you on the Dec 7th cruise out of San Juan on the Victory?  We are on that cruise, and can't wait.  We are flying out of Charlotte, NC into San Juan on dec 6th and getting on the ship on the 7th.  We purchased our flights, cruise, and pre-cruise night package with Mann Travel.  The first time we did the fly-aweigh program, but this time they booked it seperate.  I booked ours back in March so we got a good deal on the flights and the hotel stay.  Wanted to stay at the Wyndam but it was full so we are staying at the Condado.

K-

Yes, we are going on Dec 7th sailing with the Victory.  We are flying out of Orlando on the 5th.  We made all arrangements on our own, including our 2 nights prior and 1 night after the curise.  We booked our air also, since we found it much less expensive to book on our own.  We are very much looking forward to this 10 day vacation. 

Hi

 There are several options for luggage storage from leaving it at your hotel, dropping it off at the cruise ship or using storage facilities in Old San Juan - this article has more info http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/2008/05/puerto-rico-cruise-luggage-options/

 Depending on where your ship departs / docks (there are two pier locations: Old San Juan or Pan Am) you can either walk into OSJ or you are better off taking a taxi (from teh Pan Am Pier). This map should help with locations http://tinyurl.com/san-juan-cruiseship-piers

If you have chance try to check out Old San Juan, the city is not that big and is fairly easy to walk around (although there is some up hill walking - but there is also a free trolley too) http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/2008/07/self-guided-walking-tour-of-old-san-juan-part-1/

 There is more info cruise visitors here http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/cruise-ship-visitors/

 as for hotels: those in the Isla Verde / Condado area will be a short taxi ride away from teh OSJ piers and the Pan Am piers - taxi rates in the tourist areas are fixed based on starting zone and ending zone - http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/2008/07/san-juan-taxi-rates/

 Hope this helps