Are Cruise Ships Stopping In San Juan?

Puerto Rican officials are working with cruise lines to offer only cruises that originate in San Juan using the Pan Am pier, while cruises stopping for a port call use the downtown pier. Royal Caribbean has chosen not to stop in Puerto Rico due to the 48-hour Covid test, but Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines will continue to sail to St. Maarten. The San Juan Cruise Port is the largest and busiest cruise port in the Caribbean, with up to nine ships berthing in a single day at two terminals.

Due to temporary government restrictions on cruise ships, Emerald Princess will no longer call to San Juan. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines will not sail the previously planned Sept. 27 Adventure of the Seas sailing out of San Juan. The changes are due to dock damage.

San Juan is among the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean and one of the largest home-based cruise ports in the region with a total capacity to accommodate up to 5,000 passengers. Royal Caribbean and Carnival transit ships dock at Old San Juan Piers. The El Yunque National rainforest is open with restrictions where to stop. To find competing cruise quotes, click on a cruise ship itinerary sailing from San Juan and select a sail date.

Can you walk from cruise port in San Juan?

The Old San Juan Port is just steps away from the cobblestone streets of Puerto Rico’s oldest and most historic city.

Better yet, Old San Juan is safe, walkable, and full of attractions and experiences – from history and art to food and beaches – making it an ideal destination for in-port excursions.

We know you will only have a few hours to explore — unless you plan to extend your stay, of course! — so we’ve rounded up some of the best things to see, do, and eat within walking distance of the cruise port in San Juan.

El Morro, located 20 minutes from the port, is one of San Juan’s most iconic and historic landmarks.

Do any cruise ships go to Puerto Rico?

Many of the cruises that make a voyage through the Caribbean make a port call in Puerto Rico, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Costa, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar, Norwegian Cruise Line, AIDA, Seabourn, Silbersea, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and even Disney Cruises.

If Puerto Rico hasn’t been part of your cruise itineraries, you’re missing out. The San Juan Cruise Port is ranked among the top ports in the world, and other ports around the Island offer easy access to sightseeing, dining, local culture, and more.

Cruise Port in San Juan. San Juanhas two cruise terminals, one in San Juan Bay and the other at the Pan American terminal across from the bay. Between them, the ports host around 500 cruise ships per year.Manyof the cruises that make a voyage through the Caribbean make a port call in Puerto Rico, includingCarnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Costa, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar, Norwegian Cruise Line, AIDA, Seabourn, Silbersea, MSC Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and even Disney Cruises.

The San Juan Bay terminal has a capacity to receive up to seven ships at once. This may be the most convenient port of call for people only spending a day on the Island because many of Old San Juan’s top attractions, restaurants, bars, and landmarks are within walking distance. The Pan American terminal, located near Fernando Luis Ribas DominicciAirport and thePuerto Rico Convention Center, can accommodate two cruise ships.

Can you travel by ship to Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is a popular stop for voyagers looking to explore the best of the region on a cruise. Lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, and Holland America typically include at least one stop on the island in their southern Caribbean itineraries. The island has two main passenger ports.

Whether you’re arriving by air or by sea, the only thing easier than getting there is being there.

You’ll find convenient travel options to Puerto Rico, including a variety of daily air service from cities throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Domestic vs. International. Puerto Rico is a United States territory. If you’re visiting from any part of the U.S., you don’t have to exchange your currency, update your cell phone plan for international service, or go through customs or immigration. An unforgettable Caribbean getaway is within easy reach — no passport required.

Is San Juan safe to visit?

Is Puerto Rico safe?. Puerto Rico is generally safe for tourists, with a crime rate lower than many mainland U.S. cities. But like any popular destination, there are certain precautions one should take. The local police presence in tourist areas and along Puerto Rico’s beaches helps keep things orderly; however, petty crime does exist as it would anywhere else.

Natural disasters such as hurricanes and risks associated with diseases like dengue fever or Zika virus also pose potential concerns but being aware of weather warnings and taking preventive health measures can significantly mitigate these risks.

To explore this beautiful island confidently, learn more about how you can stay safe while traveling in Puerto Rico.

Does Royal Caribbean stop at Puerto Rico?

Experience Warm And Salty Breezes With The Best Puerto Rico Cruises. A cruise to Puerto Rico is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover Puerto Rico onboard the Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships.

Did Carnival stop sailing out of Puerto Rico?

But Carnival (CCL) -owned Princess Cruises pulled out of this port in 2015 in order to prioritize other destinations — this week, the cruise company announced that it will be returning to Puerto Rico for the first time in 10 years with a seven-day route aboard the Grand Princess starting in October 2025.

Is San Juan a safe cruise port?

You may be wondering about safety in San Juan, following Hurricane Maria. It’s been two years since the hurricane made landfall, and the island has bounced back. In most places, the buildings and roads are restored, and San Juan is generally regarded as a safe destination for tourism. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, subject to U.S. laws. Officer presence is noticeable, especiallyin the walking historic district of Old San Juan.

Just like any destination you visit, it’s always a good idea to take typical precautions like securing valuables in your hotel safe, being wary of isolated streets or of walking alone at night, and locking your rental car.

Why isn t Carnival going to San Juan?

According to the local authorities, the changes have been made as a cost-saving exercise. Instead of sailing to San Juan, Carnival has opted for ports nearer to the cruise ship’s homeport, Port Canaveral, Nassau in the Bahamas.

Port Authority Clarifies Mardi Gras Itinerary Changes. Many guests who booked a cruise onboard Mardi Gras between the end of December 2022 and April 2024 got a disappointing surprise this week. Carnival Cruise Line announced it had removed San Juan, Puerto Rico, from the itineraries during this period.

While it’s not uncommon for a cruise line to make changes to an itinerary, removing one port for as many as 21 cruises was certainly unexpected. The cruise line did not give any reason for the changes, saying only the following:

What country banned cruise ships?

Venice—The Italian city banned cruise liners in 2021 to protect the environment and its heritage, Reuters first reported. Ships that weigh more than 25,000 tons are no longer allowed down the Giudecca Canal, which passes the Palazzo Giustinian Recanati, several famous churches and the Dogana da Mar art gallery. At the time, Venice was in danger of being classified as “world heritage in danger” by the United Nations, meaning overtourism was threatening the architecture and environment that put the historic center of Venice on the World Heritage List in 2001.

The MSC Orchestra cruise ship sails across the basin as it leaves Venice on June 05, 2021. Photo by… (+) Miguel Medina.

Dublin—Brexit was the reason cited for a limit to cruise liner traffic starting in 2019 at Dublin Port. At the time, 160 cruise ships’ calls were already booked for 2019, with 140 bookings set for 2020, the Irish Times reported, and in 2021 the number of allowed cruises was cut to 80. Officials said port capacity was needed for increased container traffic after the U.K. left the European Union.

Is Nicaragua accepting cruise ships?

Some ports remain closed and are likely to do so. Beijing and Shanghai are not currently open to cruise ships. Although it’s not a major cruise destination, Nicaragua, too, has just closed to cruise ships.

Having said this, cruise lines are launching ambitious itineraries for 2023 and beyond; both Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, for example, have recently announced lavish world voyages as far off as 2025. Pent-up demand and passengers with money to spend after two years of going nowhere continue to fuel a booking boom.

Will I have to wear a mask on my cruise?. Rules about mask-wearing vary according to the country in which the ship is sailing. In some destinations, such as Canada, you’ll have to wear a mask during check-in if you embark there, as you’re in a government facility, but can remove it once you’re on board.

In Australia, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean International have both brought back rules about mask-wearing, following a couple of big Covid outbreaks on cruises. Generally, you’d only be asked to wear a mask when walking around the ship. You don’t have to keep it on when sitting at the bar or in a restaurant, or by the pool. Rules in Australia vary from state to state.

Why are cruise ships not stopping in Nicaragua?

In an exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital (CND), Anasha Campbell, the Minister of Tourism for Nicaragua was asked about cruise ships returning to Nicaragua.

Campbell confirmed that “As a preventative measure against the (Covid 19) pandemic, Nicaragua was not open to the arrival of cruise ships”. She added; “Since the virus arrived, we have not received any cruise ships. We hope to see how this sector progresses in the future, but we do not have a definite date to receive them again”.

Veronica de Santiago from CND asked Campbell about a cruise ship company that had recently announced that they were “ending all Covid measures, including the request for vaccines”. The INTUR head observed that this would contradict the measures that some countries have in place regarding entry requirements.

Campbell pointed out that to enter Nicaragua you need to present your vaccination passport (or have a PCR test) and that is why the issue of cruise ships returning to Nicaragua has been complicated. She added “In the same way, if the airlines withdraw this request, they also contradict our measure”.

Which cruise lines stop in San Juan?

While the San Juan area makes for a fun and exciting pre- or post-cruise trip, the city’s port is the start of a great southern Caribbean vacation. Because of this, nearly all well-known lines stop in the city, either to begin a southern Caribbean trip or as part of a repositioning cruise with a unique and expansive itinerary. Departing cruise lines include Azamara, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and Silversea. San Juan, in fact, may see as many as 10 cruise ships at once.

Southern Caribbean trips from San Juan give travelers a taste and sight of each island’s unique character. A trip, in fact, may take passengers to Aruba, Barbados, Dominica, the Virgin Islands, Curacao, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and other locations.

Traveling to the San Juan Cruise Terminal. San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) services the island of Puerto Rico. It is the island’s main international gateway, and its main connection to the mainland United States.The Airport is located approximately 10 miles from the Pan American Pier (for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises) and 11 miles from the OSJ Piers (for Carnival cruises). It usually takes about 15-25 minutes in a taxi for the trip, dependent upon traffic.