Visitors will find just walking about is a great way to spend time in the city.

The quarter features imposing city walls, massive forts, cobblestone streets and terraced mansions. San Juan became a Spanish colonial settlement in the 16th century, and today’s cruise visitors primarily disembark in what is one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved historic districts, known as San Juan Viejo, or Old San Juan.

Limited beach access in the Old San Juan/Condado core districts.

High prices, as restaurant meals tend to be expensive.

Luxury operators Crystal Cruises and SeaDream Yacht Club will also feature San Juan among their 2021Caribbean port calls.įor more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. San Juan is also found on Caribbean itineraries from premium lines including Celebrity Cruises, Viking and Windstar Cruises. Several Royal Caribbean ships will target San Juan as both a home port - a city from which voyages depart round-trip - and as a port of call in 2021. Its numerous attractions make arriving a day or two early a rewarding option for travelers whose ship home-ports in the city.Ĭarnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC Cruises and other lines all have scheduled multiple San Juan calls for 2021. San Juan is also a modern metropolis with upscale dining and shopping.

San Juan attracts ships from across cruising’s various categories, due in large part to its rich colonial history and fascinating combination of African, Caribbean and European cultures that are expressed in cuisine, the arts and music. In fact, it's a staple on Eastern and Southern Caribbean departures sailing round-trip from Florida ports such as PortMiami, Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades and Port Canaveral near Orlando. Other amenities included tennis courts, a bowling alley, a barbershop and a beauty salon.Colonial history, splendid natural beauty and trendy nightlife make San Juan a must-visit Caribbean port of call. The hotel had its own dock and boats so that guests could explore the Condado Lagoon. Upon opening its doors, the Vanderbilt quickly became the destination of choice for generations of heads of state, captains of industry and Hollywood royalty - creating a rarified atmosphere of sophistication, elegance and grace. Vanderbilt selected Warren & Wetmore - one of the foremost architectural firms of the time, having designed Grand Central Station and the Biltmore Hotel - to draw up blueprints for what he would go on to name 'The Condado Vanderbilt Hotel.' Frederick William Vanderbilt, scion of one of the wealthiest families in America - and among the most influential men in the country - had previously acquired oceanfront land on the site, and set out to build the finest destination in the Caribbean. Condado Vanderbilt's history can be traced back to its grand opening on October 16th, 1919.

Map of san juan port in puerto rico