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 Aruba’s pastel colonial promenades and Curaçao’s ancient rugged caves, to Antigua’s colorful reefs and Barbados’s golden-sand beaches — Cruises from San Juan unlock the most beautiful shores on the south side. You could sail round-trip from either Fort Lauderdale or Miami, or join a Panama Canal cruise between San Diego and San Juan. Some voyages also start and finish in San Juan, visiting Southern Caribbean ports including St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados. Itineraries last from six to 15 nights, with the majority seven or eight nights in duration.
Things To Do in San Juan
The photo opportunities are endless and the history is just a bonus. We were even able to spot a Carnival cruise ship from the top of Castillo de San Cristobal but it wasn't our ship, our ship would be arriving the next morning after this one departed. As you can see, there are so many things to do in the Caribbean no matter which ports of call you visit on your cruise from San Juan. And don’t forget, there’s lots to do on the cruise ship as well. From exciting shows and entertainment to amazing food served day and night, refreshing pools and activities for all ages, the fun never stops. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site.
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Join a starlit kayaking tour to marvel at Mosquito Bay, one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world. Cruises to and from Puerto Rico will reveal the island’s natural beauty, too. The dense rainforest and tumbling waterfalls of El Yunque National Park are an easy drive from San Juan, while at the Escambrón Marine Park, you can swim among sea turtles and colorful fish.
Night Repo - TransatlanticDetails
San Juan is the second-oldest capital (after Santo Domingo Dominicana) that the Europeans/Spaniards established in the Caribbean. While guests may not like these changes, there is little they can do about it. Cruise lines reserve the right to make changes to their itineraries for any variety of reasons without having to clarify these or give compensation for lost ports. “In essence, the reason expressed by Carnival is of a financial nature, related to the cost of fuel, and others that they have been explaining to their shareholders, clients, and suppliers,” Pizá said.
Common San Juan Cruise questions
In 2016, on Pier 3 (port's 3rd cruise dock) started construction works for a new, 2-story terminal building housing restaurants, galleries, entertainment venues, a large duty-free shopping complex. The USD 8 million project was an investment by Duty Free Americas (US travel retail stores chain with over 180 shops). RCI / Royal Caribbean also participated in the project, which completion was scheduled for 2018. For FY2018, Puerto Rico estimated that ~1,7 million cruise ship tourists will arrive on the scheduled 540 ship calls, generating around USD 250M for the local economy. The tourism industry represents ~7% of the country's economy. 2018 ended with handled nearly 1,8 million cruisers via 517 ship calls (21% increase over 2017).
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San Juan cruise port schedule has booked ships operating mainly on Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries leaving roundtrip from Florida USA ports. San Juan is also homeport to several major cruise companies operating roundtrips out of Puerto Rico. Cruises from San Juan draw thousands of visitors to the island every year. The Old Town can be crowded in peak cruise season from November to April.
The trolleys run daily from 7am to 6pm (9am to 7pm on weekends) and they offer a hop-on, hop-off service. Check the destination of the trolley before boarding to make sure it is going to your required destination. Before you decide to book one of the Caribbean cruises from San Juan, check out our informative pros and cons. While here, take a scenic boat ride along the coast and go snorkeling, take an off road ATV adventure or take part in an unusual and exciting stingray encounter. 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. There are no port parking facilities at either pier, but there is public parking in the area surrounding the port.
Founded in 1521, San Juan's picturesque cobblestone streets, plazas and chapels reflect its Spanish heritage. But the second oldest city in the Americas also boasts fine beaches, lush rainforests, verdant mountainsides, imposing forts and a lovely tropical climate. However, a devastating hurricane such as Maria can leave the island amenities and the cruise port badly damaged and without power.
There are beaches for sun-lovers and beaches for surfers, as well as hiking, kayaking, and zip-lining for the adventurous. Explore this enchanting island on a Caribbean cruise with Celebrity. San Juan cruise port is very popular for Southern Caribbean cruises. The trolley stop outside the port is always busy when cruise ships are in port. Instead, walk a short distance to the forts or La Casita where most passengers disembark and you can hop aboard the trolley without having to wait. Check the routes and print out the free trolley map on the website.
Some might recall that San Juan recently entered into a service agreement with Global Ports Holdings. The company will be the port’s exclusive service provider and will also build a new dock. We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox. Puerto Rico is generally considered to be a safe, politically stable country. However, in extreme circumstances there has been some unrest and protests. These were triggered when the islanders felt that the government and the USA were failing to provide essential disaster relief following devastating natural disasters.
If you’re more of a land-loving explorer, head to Washington Slagbaii National Park, which encompasses more than a fifth of the island. You’ll find all kinds of landscapes here, from sweeping sepia-toned deserts to thick mangroves and placid lagoons. You’re about to discover just what awaits you on a Carnival cruise. Start by exploring the incredible ports we visit… and the fun things to do, both on the ship and ashore. Getting to San Juan from the US is super simple, it is a domestic flight, which makes sense but not something that I had really thought about in the past.
Join a rum distillery tour to learn how rum is matured in barrels, followed by a tasting. The island is an unincorporated territory of the USA and consequently you will see many familiar US brands such as Walgreens Pharmacy, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco and Marshalls stores. It makes it very easy to shop for extra clothing, forgotten toiletries and pharmaceuticals before boarding the cruise ship.
