See For Yourself The Beauty Of Bioluminescent Bays
Puerto Rico is a country that has three bioluminescent bays, Mosquito Bay, La Parguera, and La Laguna Grande. Bioluminescence is the production and radiation of light by living organisms.
Youll be mesmerized visiting any of the bioluminescent bays, so prepare yourself for an unforgettable experience of your lifetime. The majority of travellers who get here often think they are hallucinating, while some believe they see some kind of spectacular effect. This uncommon occurrence occurs at night and becomes brighter when there is no moon.
Cruise Ships Canceling Calls To San Juan
According to El Nuevo Dia, Royal Caribbean is canceling 90 calls to San Juan, Puerto Rico for the 2020 and 2021 season. The news was released by Fermin Fontanez, the director of the Authority for Public-Private Partnerships that these cancellations would happen.
However, the cruise line has apparently confirmed to the site that no itineraries have been changed and they are still standing on the same full itineraries.
The reason for the cancellations is the privatization of the cruise docks in San Juan due to much-needed maintenance that is needed. Around $250 million investment is needed to make sure cruise ships can continue to dock there in the years to come. There is an urge for governer Wanda Vazquez to not go ahead with the privatization so this news is fluid.
We will have to see how this works out as the port authorities and Royal Caribbean usually have an open dialogue and it has come as a surprise with the cancellations.
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The 90 canceled visits to the eastern Caribbean island would mean 360,000 fewer tourists and in turn, would have an economic impact of $44 million. Authorities have also stated that an additional 30 departures from San Juan are being canceled and that apparently includes Freedom of the Seas which is operated by Royal Caribbean.
Cruise Hive will keep an eye on developments and keep readers updated.
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.
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Old San Juan Attractions
Old San Juan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with famous historical landmarks such as the Fuerte San Felipe del Morro , the Castillo de San Cristóbal or the Fortaleza. Both “El Morro” and San Cristóbal are part of the San Juan National Historic Site and can be visited with the same entrance ticket . Visit the Official National Park Website: www.nps.gov
El Morro in San Juan
The San Juan Cathedral is undoubtedly the most famous religious site to visit. The San Jose Church is temporary closed for renovation but a must see – keep an eye on our updates. Visit the Official San Jose Church Website: www.iglesiasanjosepr.org
Cruise passengers interested in museums will find that, unfortunately, the Museum of San Juan is currently closed. The Museo de las Américas, Americas’ Museum, located on the restored Ballajá Infantry Barracks Building displays an ethnographic panorama of the history and culture of the Americas. Visit the Official Museum Website www.museolasamericas.org
Ballajá Barracks in San Juan
Meandering the streets of Old San Juan, the cruise traveler will have the opportunity to contemplate historical buildings of unique beauty, especially in Calle Fortaleza and Calle San Francisco . Among many landmarks, the City Hall stands out on Plaza de Armas, whilst on Plaza Colón there are a few interesting buildings like the Old Casino, the Teatro Tapia and Castillo de San Cristóbal close by.
San Juan Is Just The First Stop
Leave your passport at home and go to the Caribbean for year-round sunshine, pia Coladas, and a situational caught in the rain. Its all part of the excitement of being in the tropics.
San Juan is renowned for its plethora of locations to disconnect, relax, and discover new things. The place is full of hidden gems from coastal coves and pristine seas to tree swings with panoramic mountain views. But, of course, its also a place you can dine, drink, and have a good time.
If youre planning to experience Puerto Rico beyond the San Juan cruise port, renting a car or hiring a tour guide to reach hidden gems/lesser-known attractions are viable options. Here are several of the finest places to visit and exciting things to do.
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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.
Highlights Of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has more than 500 years of history, as San Juan was one of the first European settlements in the New World. Visitors can explore military barracks and fortifications, as well as old churches such as the San Jose Church, Cristo Chapel and San Juan Cathedral. Wander San Juans cobblestone streets and enjoy its pretty courtyards, galleries and shops. Puerto Rico has a lot to offer in the natural world, too, including the natural swimming pool of Baño Grande, the Palo Colorado Forest and the Piñones Reserve. Spain is a strong influence on the cuisine, so look for tapas and sangria amongst Caribbean specialties like mofongo, made of fried plantains.
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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.
For more detailed information see Parking Guide Tourist Districts in San Juan.
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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Enjoy The Countryside Views At Cueva Ventana
The Cueva Ventana is a frequently visited destination in Puerto Rico. This place is perfect for adventurous tourists to visit. Here youll be surrounded by natural wilderness and find peace and tranquillity.
The Cueva Ventana is located in Humacao, Puerto Rico, and consists of a cave with beautiful scenery. Youll be able to take an adventurous 3-5 hour walk deep inside an enormous karstic window formed naturally from rainwater over centuries. This have carved giant circular patterns into the rocks which are estimated at being more than 5 million years old.
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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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.
How To Get Around Puerto Rico
There are multiple ways you can experience Puerto Rico so understanding how youre getting around and explore will be a key part of your trip.
If youre planning to stay near San Juan, then transportation is relatively easy. Youll be able to choose from several choices. Unless visitors wish to extend their adventure beyond the town, they wont need a car because Taxis and Uber are very convenient.
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Cruises To Puerto Rico From Florida
Aerial view of San Juan harbor
Several cruise lines depart from Florida and stop to visit Puerto Rico, generally in the capital, San Juan. Cruises are easy vacations, with no need to unpack every time you arrive at a new destination or repack when you move on. A Puerto Rico cruise is perfect when you’re short on energy or if you want to save it to ride the world’s longest zipline, in Puerto Rico’s Toro Verde Adventure Park.
Tip
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Hurricane Maria hit several Caribbean islands in autumn 2017, severely affecting Puerto Rico’s people, infrastructure and the tourism industry. While some areas of the territory were running almost as normal within a month of the hurricane, others will take years to recover. Visiting Puerto Rico, eating at local restaurants and spending money directly in the U.S. island territory significantly helps the rebuilding process. Be sure to check current updates on specific destinations and facilities when vacation planning.
Puerto Rico Cruise Port
The cruise port for Puerto Rico is San Juan, which is also the islands capital city and home to many of its top attractions and historic sites. San Juan also serves as the embarkation port for cruises from Puerto Rico these itineraries often sail to other islands in the Southern Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean.
San Juan
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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.
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.
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Walk At The Charco El Mango
The Charco El Mango is a beautiful lake filled with crystal clear water that offers an excellent opportunity for visitors to relax and enjoy thoroughly. Youll be able to walk around the lake, sunbathe, or even picnic at your leisure. T
here are waterfalls, too, making the place more tranquil and calming. If exploring the island terrain is something you are up to do, this place is a free attraction that youll be able to witness the mountainous and rugged route of Puerto Ricos natural sights that are simply gorgeous to take in.
Puerto Rico Gov’t Puts On Hold P3 Project For San Juan Cruise Port
As negotiations ensue, public-private partnership with Global Holdings Corp. reportedly on hold
“Certain companies have expressed their opposition to that negotiation due to differences around one of the pre-selected bidders, although they operate in partnership with this bidder in other ports. It should be noted that the p3 process stems from the urgent need for capital investment in our docks that guarantees the viability of the industry in Puerto Rico,” Campos asserted.
Representatives of the Tourism Alliance claim that the contract with GPH could lead cruise lines to cancel the arrival of their ships in San Juan, which would endanger roughly 70,000 jobs in the tourism industry.
Campos informed that the PRTC will hold various meetings within the following weeks with key representatives of these cruise lines at the latter’s offices.
“We understand that business decisions such as these are complex, but our expectation is that cruise lines can weigh the multiplier effect of this type of decisions on their own business on the island in the future, and mainly on the people who have extended our unconditional support to encourage its growth to date, even in times of economic tightness,” Campos said.
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Helpful Tips Before You Go
Dance and music is an important part of life on Puerto Rico. One of the most popular dance styles on the island is salsa. Learn the art of salsa dancing in a city that takes it to a thrilling art form. While in Puerto Rico, you can enjoy some tapas at a restaurant with live music or even head to a local dance club to try some salsa dancing.
Another part of the culture that is a focal point for visitors in Puerto Rico is the cuisine, which focuses on seafood and hearty tapas. You also wont want to miss out on trying the mofongo, a popular dish in Puerto Rico that is based around a fried plantain mixed together with chicken or seafood and other local spices.
Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean so expect tropical weather when you go meaning pack lots of light clothing and have a light rain jacket or poncho to keep in you daypack in case you get caught in a tropical rain shower luckily, theyre usually quite short and soon the sun is out again.
Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, U.S Dollars are accepted. Credit cards are also widely accepted.
Cruise Ship Visits To San Juan Puerto Rico Are Being Canceled
UPDATE:
In response to the reports of Royal Caribbean canceling more than 90 calls to San Juan, Puerto Rico weve received the following statement:
Royal Caribbean reviews and adjusts itineraries and deployments every year.
The rumors regarding cancellations of sailings departing between April 2020 March 2021 from San Juan are incorrect. We have not cancelled any of our ships visiting or homeporting in San Juan.
Though we have not yet announced our full 2021-2022 deployments, we do expect fewer calls from San Juan for the 2021-2022 season and we will be able to provide more details once we have announced our itineraries. No decisions regarding deployment beyond those dates have yet been made.
PREVIOUSLY:
Cruise ship visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico are being canceled for the 2020-21 season due to the privatization of the cruise port.
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