It had been 10 years since we took a cruise! We thoroughly enjoyed this trip! 8 days is kinda long and we really didn't like having 2 sea days in the beginning but we still enjoyed it. Serenity Deck is always full. We finally got one of the covered chairs the last day and yes! I hogged it! I only left for 20 minutes to run grab food and come back. I do not think they watch the lounge chairs as close as they say they do. I saw chairs empty for hours at a time and nobody did anything. I know you can vacate them for 40 minutes and they are supposed to pull you things if you are back by that time frame but I never saw that happen! This ship is sold so you won't get many chances to enjoy it! Get it while you can!! The decor doesn't really flow but I don't use a ship because of it's decorations. It is very "pink" lol. Pink pearls are everywhere with black tiles and lime green grout. Also the halls are decked out in Dick Tracey kind of scenes. Decoration really doesn't flow, match or seem to have any rhyme or reason. I highly recommend these ports and this boat! Plenty to do and keep you busy!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Children's Programs
This did not apply to us since we had teenagers (15 and 18 yr olds)
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The one bad thing I found about this ship is Guest Services was outside the Atrium Bar. This was a lively spot at all times during the day. It is hard to understand and hear what the person at Guest Services is telling you. Guest Services should be moved up on the deck with Pixels or by the gift shop.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
It was on Deck 1 mid ship. We loved our location. We felt some movement but not like on other cruises. Our room had 2 twin beds put together for a king, a pullman berth and the twin sofa bed. Our room connected with our friends next door and I liked that.Only two plugs in the cabin so definitely take a surge protector for more outlets. YOu had to play with the bathroom plug to make it work. It would not work with my hairdryer. Yes, I took my own hairdryer because those small motel ones eat my long hair. Plenty of drawer space and closet space for 4 people. Suitcases store under the bed nicely. Safe is in the cabinet at the foot of the bed.
Ship tip
I don't go the bars on any ship, but I must say the atrium on the Splendor is the happening place! We watched a few games with the CD and one night during the 90's Music Trivia Night, all three levels were filled shoulder to shoulder with people watching! It was awesome!
We did not do any excursions here because we drove in. The port traffic can be a little crazy with taxes and vans dropping off/picking up. Drop your luggage off with a porter on the sidewalk and continue down the front of the building to get into the terminal. Show them your boarding pass and they will funnel you in. Lines moved at a good pace.
Nice port area. Full of businesses and taxi drivers wanting to take you somewhere. We did not do an excursion here, we just walked the town, did some shopping and then went to the beach. People are constantly walking up to you wanting you to purchase bags, sarongs, chairs, umbrellas, etc. We got 4 chairs, umbrellas and drinks for $25. It was supposed to include wifi but we couldn't get close enough to that without going to a restaurant there but we didn't want that. Water is beauitful and calm. We took the water taxi for $7 per person across to the beach. It was advertised on Pinterest that it made multiple stops at different points but the one we took did not. It took you from the port to the beach.
We loved San Juan and would love to go back to spend more time. There is a free trolley that picks up at the port and takes you to various stops. It is hop on/ hop off. We took it to the middle of town and got off because it was crowded. We walked to the fort near the cemetary and explored it. A beautiful area! Huge grassy lawn out front with families flying kites. Both forts are close together, probably a mile or two apart. We walked to the other one but didn't have enough time to go through it. We enjoyed a cold treat from Starbucks before we got back on the ship.
OUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! We rented a golf cart from Karib Auto Rentals. $45 deposit to hold it, $45 day of rental ($90). When we got off the boat we found out our golf cart wouldn't start so they rented us a small car for same price - similar to a Honda Fit here. Boogie gave us his number and a map and off we went. The town pond smells but the lighthouse is a great place to visit. There are donkeys there that just roam the island as well as horses. You can feed the donkeys at the lighthouse but do so with an open hand. A woman was bitten because she was feeding one like you would a normal animal, with a cupped hand. We found the row of hotels and parked. We used their beach access and snorkled. Very beautiful navy/turquoise water!!
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