CARNIVAL FASCINATION & OLD SAN JUAN CRUISE PORT

Our last Caribbean cruise sailed out of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since we had never cruised from there before, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

As it turned out, sailing from San Juan was a wonderful experience.

There is something especially exciting about beginning a Caribbean cruise surrounded by the colorful streets, historic forts, and tropical atmosphere of Puerto Rico. Unlike cruising from a mainland port, San Juan already feels like part of the vacation before you ever step foot on the ship.

While every cruise port has changed over the years, one of the things I loved most about sailing from San Juan was how easy it was to combine a cruise with time exploring Old San Juan.

EXPLORING SAN JUAN BEFORE A CRUISE

If you plan to stay in San Juan before a cruise, stay in Old San Juan and not in some hotel near the airport. You will just need to pay for a taxi from the airport to Old San Juan and then you won't have to worry about transportation again until your cruise is over.

Staying in Old San Juan makes exploring the town easier.  You can leave your luggage in your room until it's time to check out.  When it's time to check out, carry your luggage to the ship, drop it off, and the go back out and explore until your ship leaves. 

You can read about our stay at the Casablanca Hotel in Old San Juan HERE.

OUR STAY AT THE CASABLANCA HOTEL ~ SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

This quaint Old San Juan Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico on famous Calle Fortaleza. It is near shops, restaurants, and close to the historic Forts of Puerto Rico.  It is also near the Old San Juan Cruise Ship terminal which is why we chose to stay there.

When I was searching for a place to stay the night before our cruise, I was looking for some place affordable.  The night before a cruise, hotel prices are much higher.  The room we stayed in is around $107 except on cruise weekends.  We paid around $179.