Hmmm - that sounds like the time that i got into port. I just got back from a cruise on celebrity's century last week (May 12 2001). I have posted an extensive review of the ship & all ports. Here is an excerpt of my review of san juan. if you are interested in my entire review, look for it on most cruise review websites. if you do not find it, then email me & i will forward it to you. FYI - walking to the areas described below is mainly uphill - the 15 year old should have no problem, but maybe the 9 year old will not enjoy as much walking.
San Juan – you are supposed to get in this port at 4:30 p.m. Even if you immediately take a taxi or an excursion that goes to El Morro (one of the two forts in old San Juan) do not expect to actually get inside the fort because they close it at 5pm and kick people out at 4:50. However, it is a nice place to get some pictures (and there is an adjacent cemetery that is pretty neat). The 19th century cemetery is called Cementario San Juan and has elaborate tombstones and a circular neoclassical chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalen. Actually, you can see the top of the chapel as you walk up the path towards El Morro (it will be on your right with an orange top). This view reminded me of the rooftops in Santarini, Greece. On your walk from El Morro (back towards the shopping district (and the ship)) you will come to Plaza del Quinto Centenario (Quincentennial Square) which has a neat totemic monument that symbolizes the island’s 500-year-old history. When you walk around town, you will walk on neat blue-colored cobblestone streets.
If you decide to walk from the ship – the main shopping district (which is mainly on a street called Calle Fortaleza) is a 10-minute walk (if you dock in one of the first 4 berths). Otherwise if you dock in berths 5-10 then you will have to take a taxi to get to old San Juan. Be warned, the walk from the ship to the shopping area is up hill (but the walk back to the ship is down hill!). Pretty much since several of the shops close at 6 p.m., you probably want to make a bee line to them first and then head up to El Morro (also up-hill). Even if you don’t want to buy anything, there is a neat store/gallery called Butterfly People & they have a bunch of butterfly stuff (I know this sounds weird, but it is pretty neat) – essentially it is a bunch of dead butterflies that are mounted in such a manner that it looks like they are flying. This butterfly place is only open until about 6, so go there first and then head up to El Morro. After getting some pictures around El Morro & the cemetery, walk back to the shopping area and hit the rest of the shops that are open until 9pm. If you walk from El Morro to Calle Fortaleza street, make sure to take a look at Plaza de Armas (old San Juan’s main square)-, which is just off of Calle San Jose. This 16th-century plaza was originally the grounds for training troops and later became the city’s principal social gathering place. There are 4 statues, over 100-years old, which represent the 4 seasons.
I priced rum (Don Q and Bacardi) and actually found it to be cheaper in both St. Thomas and in St. Maarten than what was available in San Juan! However, there was one place that advertised Bacardi for $6.50 right when you get off the ship – but when I went to that store (Barrachinas) – which was recommended by Celebrity – the Bacardi was $8.95. Regardless, the Bacardi on St. Thomas and St. Maarten can be found at several locations for under $7.
The Shopping advice from Celebrity said that a store in San Juan called Touch of Gold had great prices and a big selection. Well, don’t expect much here! There was an average selection and the prices were pretty much what you would pay in the states. My wife had priced a few specific pieces (bracelets and a gold Omega necklace) in the states and found them to be about the same price at Touch of Gold in San Juan. Specifically, a 16 inch 3mm Omega necklace in the US costs about $600. At Touch of Gold in San Juan I got them down to $590 (FYI – several shops in St. Thomas sold them from $200- 250).
So, the bottom line is don’t expect too much from San Juan. Because this ship comes in so late in the day, you really can’t go to the beaches or to the rain forest, so expect average shopping or a historical tour when you are in San Juan. Even if you don’t get the excursion through Celebrity, there are about 30 taxi drivers and tour guides waiting for you right where you get off the ship.
FYI – on the walk back to the ship I stopped in a drug store and got a 2 liter of Pepsi for 69 cents and brought it right on the ship in my backpack. I saw several people in front of me carrying on several 6 packs of beer in white plastic shopping bags – no problem. This is a good way to minimize your bar bill.
Right around the docks there are some telephones. Since San Juan is under the American Flag, you can just use your normal calling card and expect the typical rates.
San Juan with kids
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