JLMoran Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 So I have what I think is our final itinerary as far as arrival and departure times. Our day in San Juan will be the shortest by far – We arrive at 7 AM and depart at 2 PM. We were already planning to just make that day a day for walking around Old San Juan, seeing the forts, and just finding what we find as we make our way back to the ship. But with such a short amount of time in port, does it make sense in this case to just scoot to the Windjammer for a very quick breakfast, get off the ship by 8:30, and then see maybe just El Morro and have a leisurely walk back to the port, with a stop for street food or maybe a restaurant lunch if time permits? I'm assuming all aboard will be 1:30 or even 1:00, which means if we got off the ship at 8:30 we'd have 4 1/2, maybe 5 hours for exploration. Is El Morro really big? Would there be enough time to also see San Cristobal, or would that be pushing it given the amount of walking required and distance between the forts? (keeping in mind that I'm mobility limited and can't really manage more than a few miles in a day before pain gets pretty bad) Any recommendations on what / where to eat that could work in this time frame? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 So - I haven't been, but based on my (obsessive) research I can share what I've found. You can get between El Morro and San Cristobal within like, a 10 minute walk. I'd imagine both are doable, and entry is only $5. Get off the ship early and go explore! Also, there is lots of good eating in that area - if time permits, head towards lunch in that area. Barrachina restaruant & bar is the restaurant that supposedly created the original Pina Colada, and also boasts a menu of local Puerto Rican dishes. Also, there is a popsicle shop called Senior Paleta that I've heard is delightful! I'm sure others more experienced could share better insight, but I hope this helps! The whole area of Old San Juan is pretty walk able within like, 10 minutes to any end from what I've seen. Get off early and make a day of it, and hop back on board for happy hour and relaxing at the pool before dinner! Once I'm there next week, I'll share better insight. accio7 and JLMoran 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjac Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 From what I remember about old San Juan, it's pretty hilly, something you may want to consider Joe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Just now, rjac said: From what I remember about old San Juan, it's pretty hilly, something you may want to consider Joe. There is also a free hop on/hop off trolley that can get you around the island - Uber also came highly recommended from our AirBnB host! Ray, accio7 and Suzanne 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melski94 Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 I’m on harmony with the same shortened time. Based on my research, San Juan is an hour ahead of EST, so that 8:30 breakfast is 9:30 local...assuming ship doesn’t change time. The forts open at 9:30. I’ve read the walk there is all uphill but there is a trolley. It’s a very heavy walking day. I think I’m going to plan on starting at farthest fort and see how it goes. If we get tired, we’ll Uber back. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted February 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 Thanks, all! I do recall the trolley to get up the hill to (I think) El Morro, and @Matt saying on a podcast that the plan in general was to do that, see the fort, then meander downhill back to the port, taking in the sights along the way. Hopefully that meander doesn’t have to become a trot! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 18, 2018 Report Share Posted February 18, 2018 5 hours ago, KLAconQueso said: Barrachina restaruant & bar is the restaurant that supposedly created the original Pina Colada, and also boasts a menu of local Puerto Rican dishes. http://www.barrachina.com/ Says on there website that if you download their App you get a free Pina Colada WAAAYTOOO and accio7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pipedream Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 The developer of the Barrachina app needs to update it to work with iOS 11 - I'll try again before we leave on our cruise in 3 weeks. I want that free pina colada :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 On 2/17/2018 at 10:42 PM, JLMoran said: then meander downhill back to the port, taking in the sights along the way There is a walking path that goes on the outside of the fort wall all the way down to the port, @twangster highlighted it in his recent visit to San Juan, fairly flat once you get out of the fort, very pretty walk. Couple of Pics on the walk back... JLMoran, accio7 and Ray 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 On 2/18/2018 at 3:58 AM, Ray said: http://www.barrachina.com/ Says on there website that if you download their App you get a free Pina Colada Barrachina's has an awesome menu also! A must for me every visit to OSJ! JLMoran and Ray 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 19 hours ago, PRC said: Barrachina's has an awesome menu also! A must for me every visit to OSJ! good to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 I thought el morro was more interesting than the other fort (which is smaller). The views from el Morro are amazing. Definitely consider the trolley... there might be a wait but it will take you to both forts as well as stops in old sam Juan... which you should try and walk down a couple streets in. There are hills everywhere...be careful with your knee. We embarked from San Juan so had more time to explore but I would do these 2 things. Matt had recommended an amazing little restaurant before in old San Juan that I can't remember the name of... it was wonderful. That was pre hurricane though. Love San Juan...get off and spend any time you can and spend lots to bolster the economy. Jane accio7, JLMoran, Ray and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 17 hours ago, mom2mybugs said: I thought el morro was more interesting than the other fort (which is smaller). Agreed JLMoran, accio7 and mom2mybugs 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Woody Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 We are going San Juan also. Such a short stay like 7am - 2pm. I have booked RCCL shore excursion because of safe..(never been there). “ Old & New San Juan City Tour” 2.5 hrs. $27pp Have any one experience this tour ?? is this worth ? or recommend just go our selves? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted March 3, 2018 Report Share Posted March 3, 2018 1 hour ago, J. Woody said: Have any one experience this tour ?? is this worth ? or recommend just go our selves? Thank you The value is what you perceive the value to be, but IMO, you do not have to worry about safety, it's like any other moderately big city you go to, be cautious, the pier in right in the heart of old San Juan, if you are in reasonable good shape, everything is walkable, as stated above El Morrow fort is amazing, so again IMO, I would not pay for the tour, but I like to walk around and be adventuresome, you could always find one of those downloadable tour guides that load to your smart phone that would tell you all the history that a tour guide might add. accio7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accio7 Posted March 8, 2018 Report Share Posted March 8, 2018 Not to hijack @JLMoran's great thread, but my December cruise on Adventure is scheduled for a late (1 pm) port arrival and departure (9 pm). I'm really excited to explore this great city on foot on my own, but I'm wondering how this will impact my early seating dinner in the MDR. What do people usually do? Do they skip MDR and eat dinner in San Juan? Thanks ahead in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted March 8, 2018 Report Share Posted March 8, 2018 2 minutes ago, accio7 said: Not to hijack @JLMoran's great thread, but my December cruise on Adventure is scheduled for a late (1 pm) port arrival and departure (9 pm). I'm really excited to explore this great city on foot on my own, but I'm wondering how this will impact my early seating dinner in the MDR. What do people usually do? Do they skip MDR and eat dinner in San Juan? Thanks ahead in advance! Sounds like you'd have the option of either one! Some good places we ate in San Juan as ideas: - Greengo's - Mexican food, great happy hour from 4 - 7 PM ($2.50 Corona/Corona Light & Tequila Shots, $5 Margs) - Barrachina - Puerto Rican food, creator of the Pina Colada - soo good! - Vaca Brava - Puerto Rican food, lots of seating for large groups accio7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accio7 Posted March 8, 2018 Report Share Posted March 8, 2018 1 minute ago, KLAconQueso said: Sounds like you'd have the option of either one! Some good places we ate in San Juan as ideas: - Greengo's - Mexican food, great happy hour from 4 - 7 PM ($2.50 Corona/Corona Light & Tequila Shots, $5 Margs) - Barrachina - Puerto Rican food, creator of the Pina Colada - soo good! - Vaca Brava - Puerto Rican food, lots of seating for large groups Thank you, Kayla! I'm probably going to play it by ear that day, and may or may not return to the ship for dinner. I'm cruising solo for both of my next cruises, so I'll have the advantage of my own itinerary :) I really want to maximize my time in San Juan, as this is my first ever port visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abm234 Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Following. Hoping it will be easy to figure out which trolley to take from the port to el morro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 On 3/8/2018 at 11:57 AM, KLAconQueso said: Sounds like you'd have the option of either one! Some good places we ate in San Juan as ideas: - Greengo's - Mexican food, great happy hour from 4 - 7 PM ($2.50 Corona/Corona Light & Tequila Shots, $5 Margs) - Barrachina - Puerto Rican food, creator of the Pina Colada - soo good! - Vaca Brava - Puerto Rican food, lots of seating for large groups I'd also suggest Parrot Club, and the last time I was there we stopped at Cafe Puerto Rico and were blown away with the quality of the food and reasonable (IMHO) prices. Have a meal on the island. It's not like you get the opportunity to do that every day. KLA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted March 13, 2018 Report Share Posted March 13, 2018 On 3/8/2018 at 10:42 PM, abm234 said: Following. Hoping it will be easy to figure out which trolley to take from the port to el morro. http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/free-trolley-old-san-juan/ has a map with route numbers, etc. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LetsTryThisPlace Posted March 26, 2018 Report Share Posted March 26, 2018 We were on our window cave for most of the morning so we only had maybe an hour to run around old San Juan and look for our shot glass lol and grab a bottle of Don Q white and take a few photos. It really sucks that this port is so rushed, I hate being rushed. The good thing is in 2020 we can take our time and explore before the cruise. JLMoran 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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