7 night southern questions

[prodis5]

1. I am looking at the details on our Jan. 2018 southern Caribbean cruise ( departing from San Juan) and noticed the onboard time is 5:00 pm. Is this typically the case? What would the earliest PAT arrival time be? I am trying to decide how many days before the cruise to fly in to San Juan and tour. With embarkation so late, I guess we would have more time on that day for activities.

2. We have 3 children so always book a Deluxe Family Oceanview with verandah. Our stateroom on this cruise is 8040. Having only sailed on the Dream class ships, I did not realize that deck 8 is the highest for staterooms on the Wonder. Will this cabin be super loud with the pool, etc right above? Does anyone know if there are staterooms that are the same class (4A) elsewhere on the ship?

Thanks!

 

[mandylovesdisney]

The Jan 28th sailing?

 

[prodis5]

The Jan 28th sailing?

The 21st sailing.

 

[mandylovesdisney]

Ah. We are on the one right after you We are flying in that Friday night so we will have all day Saturday to play in San Juan.

 

[jrabbit]

The all aboard time in Port Canaveral is 3:30 or 4:00pm so 5 is not that much later. I think that the reason for the later departure is that St. Kitts is not that far away - will be an easy cruise.

A few years ago we did the Southern out of San Juan and our first stop was Antigua. All aboard was 9pm. Then a sea day, then to Antigua. We were barely moving - not much over 10knts, probably slower. St. Kitts and Antigua are pretty close together. So we will probably be traveling closer to normal speed to make St. Kitts the first morning.

Back to San Juan. We spent a day in San Juan in January and it was 85 degrees. Not too hot, but a lot warmer than at home. Carry water bottles! Bring Sunscreen.

Don't know the ages of your kids, but we love Old San Juan. There are the two Fortresses. They are both part of the National Parks Service. I think that the price of Admission is $5 per person, good for 5 days, and covers both locations. You can spend some time in those.

There is a paved walkway at the foot of El Moro (one of the fortresses) at sea level (well 3 or 4 feet above sea level). Fun walk, get to see the feral cats and the iguanas. It's a nice walk with the sea breeze.

A few years ago we did a food walking tour of OSJ which was a great overview of the area and tasty too. There are other guided tours of OSJ. I would suggest booking one of them for your first day there to get that overview of the area, and some history.

We went kayaking at the bio bay in Fajarado one night - really cool - the water lights up as you paddle through it. Booked this through our hotel along with transportation.

We spent a day at the rain forest. Again booked the tour through our hotel. There are many different tour groups you can book through. Was very interesting. I think that I would stick with a tour rather than renting a car and driving. Not much if any signage, thought we might be doing some off roading, etc. I think our driver knew a "shortcut" in and out of the rainforst.

If you go the car rental route I would suggest getting the rental car company's Physical Damage Insurance / Waiver. There's a high probability that it would come in handy (but I have been to places where they drive way crazier).

I hope that we are able to come into San Juan a few days early again - I really like OSJ, and I didn't know that Rice and Red Beans could taste that good. Will probably get out of the city and go further afield next year.

and yes, I'm booked on the same cruise as you are.

 

[prodis5]

Wow, this is so helpful! Sounds like there are a lot of things to do in San Juan. We are really excited about the itinerary of the cruise as well.

The all aboard time in Port Canaveral is 3:30 or 4:00pm so 5 is not that much later. I think that the reason for the later departure is that St. Kitts is not that far away - will be an easy cruise.

A few years ago we did the Southern out of San Juan and our first stop was Antigua. All aboard was 9pm. Then a sea day, then to Antigua. We were barely moving - not much over 10knts, probably slower. St. Kitts and Antigua are pretty close together. So we will probably be traveling closer to normal speed to make St. Kitts the first morning.

Back to San Juan. We spent a day in San Juan in January and it was 85 degrees. Not too hot, but a lot warmer than at home. Carry water bottles! Bring Sunscreen.

Don't know the ages of your kids, but we love Old San Juan. There are the two Fortresses. They are both part of the National Parks Service. I think that the price of Admission is $5 per person, good for 5 days, and covers both locations. You can spend some time in those.

There is a paved walkway at the foot of El Moro (one of the fortresses) at sea level (well 3 or 4 feet above sea level). Fun walk, get to see the feral cats and the iguanas. It's a nice walk with the sea breeze.

A few years ago we did a food walking tour of OSJ which was a great overview of the area and tasty too. There are other guided tours of OSJ. I would suggest booking one of them for your first day there to get that overview of the area, and some history.

We went kayaking at the bio bay in Fajarado one night - really cool - the water lights up as you paddle through it. Booked this through our hotel along with transportation.

We spent a day at the rain forest. Again booked the tour through our hotel. There are many different tour groups you can book through. Was very interesting. I think that I would stick with a tour rather than renting a car and driving. Not much if any signage, thought we might be doing some off roading, etc. I think our driver knew a "shortcut" in and out of the rainforst.

If you go the car rental route I would suggest getting the rental car company's Physical Damage Insurance / Waiver. There's a high probability that it would come in handy (but I have been to places where they drive way crazier).

I hope that we are able to come into San Juan a few days early again - I really like OSJ, and I didn't know that Rice and Red Beans could taste that good. Will probably get out of the city and go further afield next year.

and yes, I'm booked on the same cruise as you are.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

The Jan 28th sailing?

I think I'm about to book the Jan 28 San Juan sailing!

 

[mandylovesdisney]

I think I'm about to book the Jan 28 San Juan sailing!

Do it!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

We are on that cruise. So excited for Bonaire.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

We are on that cruise. So excited for Bonaire.

I know, right?! Bonaire is the port that sold me on that particular sailing.

 

[mandylovesdisney]

I know, right?! Bonaire is the port that sold me on that particular sailing.

That's why we are doing this one. Bonaire and Aruba. The rest can be sea days LOL

 

[1Winston]

We are on that cruise. So excited for Bonaire.

What about Bonaire is it that you are excited about? Just curious. Thanks.

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

First time for DCL going for one. And friends go there for land vacations and love it so much. We can't wait to check it out.

 

[1Winston]

First time for DCL going for one. And friends go there for land vacations and love it so much. We can't wait to check it out.

That's good to hear. I wasn't keen on it initially but I'd been to Curaçao so this seemed like the better choice of the two. Anxious for dcl to release their excursion options.