23 days and counting until my first cruise!

I'm starting to count down the days until our Caribbean Princess
Puerto Rico cruise - especially over the past few days, when it got down
to 9 degrees here! (and our furnace wasn't working properly)

I noticed that somewhere it said to avoid a long wait, it would be
best to board the cruise ship later, instead of right at 3 in the
afternoon, when they start boarding. It wasn't an issue, since our
flight didn't get in until 3, and I figured it would probably take us an
hour to get there from the airport.

However, we just got notice from Airtran that our flight is going to
depart and arrive at San Juan an hour earlier. This means we would
probably get to the ship right about 3 - when there will evidently be
long lines & such.

I've never been on a cruise before, so I was wondering - would we be
better off doing something else for a bit, instead of going right to the
cruise ship and standing in line to board?

Can anyone recommend something worth doing for an hour or two that is
within a short walk to the Caribbean Princess boarding area?

Hi Ohioguy

If your ship is sailing from the Pan American terminal, there's nothing
really close to it (within walking distance with luggage). If the ship
docks in Old San Juan, there is a casino, and other stuff right across from
the terminal. The Pan American terminal is likely a $15 to $20 taxi ride
from Old San Juan.

Have fun, whatever you decide.

Tobieon an Island in the Pacific

"Ohioguy" wrote in message
...
I'm starting to count down the days until our Caribbean Princess
Puerto Rico cruise - especially over the past few days, when it got down
to 9 degrees here! (and our furnace wasn't working properly)

I noticed that somewhere it said to avoid a long wait, it would be
best to board the cruise ship later, instead of right at 3 in the
afternoon, when they start boarding. It wasn't an issue, since our
flight didn't get in until 3, and I figured it would probably take us an
hour to get there from the airport.

However, we just got notice from Airtran that our flight is going to
depart and arrive at San Juan an hour earlier. This means we would
probably get to the ship right about 3 - when there will evidently be
long lines & such.

I've never been on a cruise before, so I was wondering - would we be
better off doing something else for a bit, instead of going right to the
cruise ship and standing in line to board?

Can anyone recommend something worth doing for an hour or two that is
within a short walk to the Caribbean Princess boarding area?

In article , Ohioguy
wrote:

I've never been on a cruise before, so I was wondering - would we be
better off doing something else for a bit, instead of going right to the
cruise ship and standing in line to board?

It is not better to board later and the cruise lines start boarding
before the times they publish.

Most people will have boarded already by 3. Boarding will start around
11:30 am. You are arriving relatively late. Peak time is between 1 and
2 as many want to have lunch onboard. Before and after that peak time
there usually are not long lines. I try to board between 11 am and
11:30 am. You should not delay your boarding.

--
Charles

On 12/17/10 8:27 PM, Charles wrote:
In , Ohioguy
wrote:

I've never been on a cruise before, so I was wondering - would we be
better off doing something else for a bit, instead of going right to the
cruise ship and standing in line to board?

It is not better to board later and the cruise lines start boarding
before the times they publish.

Most people will have boarded already by 3. Boarding will start around
11:30 am. You are arriving relatively late. Peak time is between 1 and
2 as many want to have lunch onboard. Before and after that peak time
there usually are not long lines. I try to board between 11 am and
11:30 am. You should not delay your boarding.


I think that ship leaves at 11:00 pm. Given that, it makes sense to me
that they board immediately, and then have the afternoon and evening to
wander Old San Juan.

They could hit the 2 forts (El Moro and San Cristobal), and just wander
the old streets.

--Tom

In article , Island Grampa
wrote:

If your ship is sailing from the Pan American terminal, there's nothing
really close to it (within walking distance with luggage). If the ship
docks in Old San Juan, there is a casino, and other stuff right across from
the terminal. The Pan American terminal is likely a $15 to $20 taxi ride
from Old San Juan.

The Caribbean Princess has been using the Pan American Terminal. As you
mention there is nothing within walking distance from there.

--
Charles

On 12/17/10 1:02 PM, Ohioguy wrote:
I'm starting to count down the days until our Caribbean Princess
Puerto Rico cruise - especially over the past few days, when it got down
to 9 degrees here! (and our furnace wasn't working properly)

I noticed that somewhere it said to avoid a long wait, it would be
best to board the cruise ship later, instead of right at 3 in the
afternoon, when they start boarding. It wasn't an issue, since our
flight didn't get in until 3, and I figured it would probably take us an
hour to get there from the airport.

However, we just got notice from Airtran that our flight is going to
depart and arrive at San Juan an hour earlier. This means we would
probably get to the ship right about 3 - when there will evidently be
long lines & such.

I've never been on a cruise before, so I was wondering - would we be
better off doing something else for a bit, instead of going right to the
cruise ship and standing in line to board?

Can anyone recommend something worth doing for an hour or two that is
within a short walk to the Caribbean Princess boarding area?

After you check in on the ship and get rid of your luggage, you can get
off and take a taxi to Old San Juan for the afternoon and early evening.

The ship is only about a 10 minute taxi ride from the airport. It's not
anything like an hour.

--Tom

On 12/17/2010 8:15 PM, Island Grampa wrote:
Hi Ohioguy

If your ship is sailing from the Pan American terminal, there's nothing
really close to it (within walking distance with luggage). If the ship
docks in Old San Juan, there is a casino, and other stuff right across from
the terminal. The Pan American terminal is likely a $15 to $20 taxi ride
from Old San Juan.

I think he's already been told this several times and either forgets or
ignores it. And why anyone would want to kill an hour with their
carry-on luggage instead of waiting to just get on the ship and unload
it in their cabin is beyond me.

Bill

On 12/17/2010 10:15 PM, Bill wrote:
On 12/17/2010 8:15 PM, Island Grampa wrote:
Hi Ohioguy

If your ship is sailing from the Pan American terminal, there's nothing
really close to it (within walking distance with luggage). If the ship
docks in Old San Juan, there is a casino, and other stuff right across
from
the terminal. The Pan American terminal is likely a $15 to $20 taxi ride
from Old San Juan.

I think he's already been told this several times and either forgets or
ignores it. And why anyone would want to kill an hour with their
carry-on luggage instead of waiting to just get on the ship and unload
it in their cabin is beyond me.

We always like to get on the ship as early as possible and spend time
exploring it. For us it starts the cruise vacation a little earlier.

sue

I think he's already been told this several times and either forgets or
ignores it.

I was told that the ship was using Pan Am pier. However, until the
flight change, would not have had 1-3 hours to kill that afternoon, and
had no interest in spending time before departure doing anything.



And why anyone would want to kill an hour with their
carry-on luggage instead of waiting to just get on the ship and unload
it in their cabin is beyond me.

I hadn't really thought about the carry-on luggage bit. I typically
travel with a briefcase size suitcase that has enough for 3 or 4 days in
it. However, I can pretty much guarantee that my wife won't be doing that.

"Ohioguy" wrote in message
...
I'm starting to count down the days until our Caribbean Princess
Puerto Rico cruise - especially over the past few days, when it got down
to 9 degrees here! (and our furnace wasn't working properly)

I noticed that somewhere it said to avoid a long wait, it would be
best to board the cruise ship later, instead of right at 3 in the
afternoon, when they start boarding. It wasn't an issue, since our
flight didn't get in until 3, and I figured it would probably take us an
hour to get there from the airport.

However, we just got notice from Airtran that our flight is going to
depart and arrive at San Juan an hour earlier. This means we would
probably get to the ship right about 3 - when there will evidently be
long lines & such.

I've never been on a cruise before, so I was wondering - would we be
better off doing something else for a bit, instead of going right to the
cruise ship and standing in line to board?

Can anyone recommend something worth doing for an hour or two that is
within a short walk to the Caribbean Princess boarding area?

Just back from 2 weeks on the Caribbean Princess. Really nice cruise and
plenty of smiling crew just waiting to help and pamper you. Get on the ship
just as soon as you can. There is nothing within walking distance of the
port as it borders an airport on one side and water on the other. You can
not get into the airport (small county type) except from the other side
which is a cab ride away.

This ship normally starts to board at around 12:00 noon even though the
documentation states much later. When we got to the terminal (Pan Am pier
and the taxi ride from our hotel (Embassy Suites) was long due to one lane
in and one out from the pier area) you drop off your baggage (keep your
carry-ons with meds etc.) to a porter (tip is expected from $2-4 per bag) so
you don't have to lug them through the terminal. You will then get a short
form to fill out for each person about any possible sickness and be directed
to a waiting area (chairs provided.) Rows of people will be called to
check-in at the counters so actual standing is really at a minimum. There
you will give the person your Passport (or other ID you are using,) your
credit card for onboard charges and the signed boarding pass that you should
download for each passenger from the Princess.com web site. (Your printable
luggage tags are on the same site so you should print them and attach them
before giving them to the porter but not before getting to San Juan.)

You will receive your cruise card and a folded card with a small floor plan
of the ship (and your passport and credit card back.) Once getting these you
are directed to board the ship (do not take any pictures until you are ON
THE SHIP as the terminal is a secure area and photos are not allowed.) Up
the escalator and gangway, you will provide your cruise card to the
embarkation area and they will put it into their machine and you will look
down to have your picture taken for ID purposes. There will be people all
around the ship to help you find your cabin. (Deck numbers are from
4(Gala), 5(Plaza), 6(Fiesta), 7(Promenade), 8(Emerald), 9(Dolphin),
10(Caribe), 11(Baha), 12(Aloha), 14(Rivera), 15(Lido), 16(Sun), 17(Sports),
18(Star) & 19(Sky)) Don't know what deck you will enter the ship but we
entered on deck 7.

Food is available as soon as you get on the ship on deck 15(Lido) at either
the Pizza shop, Hamburger stand or in the Horizon (buffet) court or Deck 5
at the International Cafe.

A couple of hints to help you get around the ship and have fun:
1. If you are on a passenger deck and don't know which side your cabin is
on, the carpet in the hallways will help you find which side you are on.
The border of the carpet on the odd numbered staterooms and starboard (right
side of the ship) is blue and the even numbered and port (left) is almost a
pink color. You can see both from the elevator lobby so you can see which
side to walk to get in your hallway to your cabin. When you get to the
hallway there is a plate on the wall showing which way to go for which
stateroom numbers. Lower numbers are closer to the bow (front) and high
numbers are toward the stern (rear.)

2. You will have to participate in the emergency drill which takes place
about 6 PM. You will have plenty of time to explore the ship from the time
you board until you have to go to the drill, just be sure that you do go to
the drill as they are really particular about people not showing up. Early
seating for dinner the first night in the formal dining room starts as soon
as the emergency drill is over so if you are on first sitting drop the life
preservers back in the cabin and eat again.

3. If you drink soft drinks a lot, invest in the soft drink program. Any
bar or server will set it up for you. Unlimited soft drinks (and a nice
insulated glass with top) for a week (meals, shows, casino, bars, pool,
etc.) for $34.21 tip included. Otherwise each 12 oz can of soda is (IIRC)
$2.50 + 15% tip. You don't need to carry the container around that they
provide as each bar will give you a fresh glass each time (you will have a
sticker applied to the cruise card) so just ask for a soda of choice and
present the sticker on the cruise card. (At the outside bars you will be
given a plastic cup so ask for a large. Inside you will be given a real
glass. (There is also a coffee program for the expensive coffees.)

4. On deck 5(Plaza) there is the International Café. One of the least used
but best features of the ship. The food is free (coffee bar next to it is
not.) A great place to get snacks anytime they are open which is normally
from 6 am to 11 pm.

5. If you have the Palm dining room you have to go down the rear most
elevators or stairs (only the two outside elevators of the 4 present
(therefore two sets of buttons) go to deck 6 or above deck 15.) If you are
on floors 5 or 6 mid-ship you need to go to at least deck 7 to get to the
rear to go down to the restaurant. The Island and Coral dining rooms are
located off of the atrium lobby mid-ship, port side entrance.

6. Don't leave the cabin without your "Princess Patter." More are available
at the Customer Service Desk, Deck 6 right side of counter.) It has the
times and locations of everything happening on the ship. Also when you go
on shore it has the contact information for the port agent to assist you
should something happen while ashore.


I'll be going back to the ship on Feb. 13th. for the 4th week on this ship
since October (New York, New England, Canada trip) so it can't be bad. If
you need any further information, just ask away.