I just booked a cruise!!! And I'm so excited!! My DL AP is about to expire, and I'm totally OK with that because now I have a cruise to plan!

[scrapperkimmydee]

We haven't been on a cruise since 2019. This time, we're cruising in May from San Juan on the Magic - we've only ever been on the Wonder. I've got a new ship to learn, and a new area to learn about.

Who has been to San Juan? I think we may fly in a couple days early to see that area before the cruise.

 

[CamColt]

How Exciting!

Those 2 ships are very similar so you shouldn't have trouble navigating it. As for San Juan, we got diverted there once. We found out we were going right before the sail away party so I had pretty much no time to do any research and I knew nothing going into it. We ended up just walking to the forts and exploring them. We learned a lot, and it was a neat experience, but I think if you even just search things to do in San Juan you will get much better answers than mine.

 

[insureman]

Of all the ships the Magic is our favorite as a matter of fact we are less than to weeks from bring her back from Europe on the west bound transatlantic. Great choice of ships!

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

How Exciting!

Those 2 ships are very similar so you shouldn't have trouble navigating it. As for San Juan, we got diverted there once. We found out we were going right before the sail away party so I had pretty much no time to do any research and I knew nothing going into it. We ended up just walking to the forts and exploring them. We learned a lot, and it was a net experience, but I think if you even just search things to do in San Juan you will get much better answers than mine.

I love walking tours, so we may just look for one of those.

I’ve forgotten how booking port day excursions work. Do I have to wait until I’ve paid for the cruise in full before I have access to excursion options?

Although, we’ve been thinking about spending more time on the ship while everyone else is gone and having quieter pool times, and such. But I still want to see what the options are.

 

[Lillebelle]

I haven't been to San Juan myself but my cousin has done that cruise and loved it - San Juan is on my 'someday' list!

I also just wanted to react to your title about the Disneyland AP expiring...ours will be expiring next month and I'm really wrestling with whether or not to renew because we've been enjoying cruising much more than the parks since the pandemic reopening.

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

I haven't been to San Juan myself but my cousin has done that cruise and loved it - San Juan is on my 'someday' list!

I also just wanted to react to your title about the Disneyland AP expiring...ours will be expiring next month and I'm really wrestling with whether or not to renew because we've been enjoying cruising much more than the parks since the pandemic reopening.

Things just aren't the same as it used to be. It costs so much more with more work to have the same great experience we used to have. We decided to spend our Disney $$ on cruises and visits to parks in other countries instead. Now that this cruse is booked, I’m super excited!

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

We haven't been on a cruise since 2019. This time, we're cruising in May from San Juan on the Magic - we've only ever been on the Wonder. I've got a new ship to learn, and a new area to learn about.

Who has been to San Juan? I think we may fly in a couple days early to see that area before the cruise.

We have done two San Juan to Miami Cruises on the Magic (2018 and 2019).

Are you doing the 7 night southern or the repositioning?

Puerto Rico is still my favorite place to sail out of. Make sure to leave yourself at least a day if you haven't been before. I would say two days are a good starter for the island (Casual warning, you will most likely want to go back, hence why we sailed out of San Juan twice!) Lots of good options to visit including the Bacardi Factory and Old Fort. The people are wonderful and so excited to have visitors.

I often recommend the Caribe Hilton to folks as it is right by the port but also a short uber away from Old Town San Juan. Uber is usually the most efficient way to get around and most cost effective. I wouldn't want to rent my own car or drive there but that's all personal opinion.

Any other questions you have?

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

Things just aren't the same as it used to be. It costs so much more with more work to have the same great experience we used to have. We decided to spend our Disney $$ on cruises and visits to parks in other countries instead. Now that this cruse is booked, I’m super excited!

Same for us. We let our Disneyland passes expire and are opting for cruises. We love the cruises and decided if we go to Disneyland a few times using single day tickets, rather than annual passes, then that will work for us.

 

[CamColt]

I love walking tours, so we may just look for one of those.

I’ve forgotten how booking port day excursions work. Do I have to wait until I’ve paid for the cruise in full before I have access to excursion options?

Although, we’ve been thinking about spending more time on the ship while everyone else is gone and having quieter pool times, and such. But I still want to see what the options are.

Booking excursions can be booked when you are paid in full and you have entered your booking window.

• First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
• Silver Castaway Club Members: 90 days prior to sail date
• Gold Castaway Club Members: 105 days prior to sail date
• Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members: 120 days prior to sail date

You can however view what excursions are offered at each port on DCL's site, at any time.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/overview/

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

Booking excursions can be booked when you are paid in full and you have entered your booking window.

• First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
• Silver Castaway Club Members: 90 days prior to sail date
• Gold Castaway Club Members: 105 days prior to sail date
• Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members: 120 days prior to sail date

You can however view what excursions are offered at each port on DCL's site, at any time.
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/overview/

Thank you!!

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

We have done two San Juan to Miami Cruises on the Magic (2018 and 2019).

Are you doing the 7 night southern or the repositioning?

Puerto Rico is still my favorite place to sail out of. Make sure to leave yourself at least a day if you haven't been before. I would say two days are a good starter for the island (Casual warning, you will most likely want to go back, hence why we sailed out of San Juan twice!) Lots of good options to visit including the Bacardi Factory and Old Fort. The people are wonderful and so excited to have visitors.

I often recommend the Caribe Hilton to folks as it is right by the port but also a short uber away from Old Town San Juan. Uber is usually the most efficient way to get around and most cost effective. I wouldn't want to rent my own car or drive there but that's all personal opinion.

Any other questions you have?

Thank you! That is very helpful!!

We’re doing the 7 night.

 

[scrapperkimmydee]

Same for us. We let our Disneyland passes expire and are opting for cruises. We love the cruises and decided if we go to Disneyland a few times using single day tickets, rather than annual passes, then that will work for us.

Exactly! And we can go any day we want!

 

[DCLCruiseFan09]

Thank you! That is very helpful!!

We’re doing the 7 night.

My Pleasure!

The Southern Caribbean itineraries are always fun. I would encourage you, look at the Disney excursions AND private/separate excursion options as well. Often times you can avoid Disney upcharges for tours this way. I have found in the past that some of the Port adventures are about the same price as booking independently, but with the transportation included, it is more cost effective.

For example: We did a port adventure in St Kitts (Rainforest Zip Line, I highly recommend it) that was $105 per person. If you looked up the same zip line experience on your own, it was the same $105 as Disney was charging HOWEVER you were on your own to get to and from the zip lines (which would have easily been 60 - 75 bucks round trip) so we went with the Disney excursion.

We were looking at this same sailing, but I think we are going to go for the Dream in November instead since we've already done 2 sailings out of San Juan on the magic. (That and the time of year is better for us too.)