One of my favorite spots to visit in the Caribbean is San Juan, Puerto Rico, and that’s where we’re spending the day today on this 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess.
There’s so much to see and do in Puerto Rico that I often wish cruises spent an overnight here so you could explore more of the history and culture. Plus, who wouldn’t want extra time to enjoy the nightlife?
Things to do in San Juan
A visit to Old San Juan is like stepping back in time. This 465-year-old neighborhood is packed with charm, from its iconic blue cobblestone streets to its beautifully restored Spanish-colonial buildings. Wander through the streets, pop into a few shops, and soak up the atmosphere that mixes history with modern island life.
No trip to San Juan is complete without exploring its historic fortresses. Start with Fort San Cristóbal, the massive Spanish-built fort designed to protect the city from land invaders. It’s the largest fortification Spain ever built in the New World and offers incredible views of the city. Then, head over to El Morro, a six-level fortress perched above the bay. With its maze of tunnels, dungeons, and outposts, it’s easy to imagine the battles fought here centuries ago. It’s also one of the first things you see as the ship begins its approach, so be sure to get up early to enjoy the view!
If history isn’t your thing but liquor is, visit Casa Bacardi, the world’s largest rum distillery. Here, you’ll learn about the history of Puerto Rican rum, take a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process, and, of course, sip on a freshly made cocktail.
Nature lovers won’t want to miss El Yunque National Rainforest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Its lush landscapes, waterfalls, and famous coquí frogs make it a magical experience.
Of course, if you’re looking for a beach—and who isn’t—you can take an excursion or grab a taxi to Condado Beach.
Ships dock directly in Old San Juan, and you’re just steps away from so many different things to do without ever venturing too far. I always recommend that first-timers do some DIY sightseeing right near the port by walking to the two forts (you’ll get plenty of steps in for sure) and exploring the narrow streets, checking out the dozens of shops that sell just about anything you can imagine.
Plus, there are tons of places to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a cocktail. I always mention that right across from where the ship docks is a Walgreens, so if you need to pick up some deodorant, toothpaste, or something else you may have forgotten to pack or run out of, you’re covered!
Expect to pay around the same as you would for things in the United States when visiting San Juan, and of course, the currency here is the US dollar.
Enchanted Princess arrived at 10 a.m., and we were joined in port by Viking Cruise Line’s Viking Sea and Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, both of them smaller in size. I was thinking to myself, “Great, it’s not going to be too crowded around town today.”
Wrong!
While cruise passengers made up the majority of visitors, there were a lot of people spending the holiday in hotels in the city, making for a bustling scene downtown. As usual, local merchants selling trinkets lined the sidewalk just outside the terminal, and over on the walkway to El Morro, more merchants were lined up selling things. This area isn’t usually set up this way, but it was to capture those extra holiday gift purchases.
The Sanctuary Cabanas on Enchanted Princess
After spending a few hours walking around downtown and exploring, I headed back to the ship, where I got a nice surprise from Princess Cruises. I was provided a complimentary private cabana in the Sanctuary for the duration of the cruise.
Located on deck 18 forward, the Sanctuary on Enchanted Princess is a serene, adults-only retreat designed for those who want a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the ship. It offers plush lounge chairs, private cabanas, and attentive service from the Sanctuary Stewards who attend to your every need. It’s the perfect place to relax with a good book, enjoy stunning ocean views from the highest point on the ship, or simply unwind in a peaceful, upscale setting. One deck below the Sanctuary is an adults-only pool and bar should you want to go for a dip.
The private cabanas in the Sanctuary take relaxation to the next level. These cabanas are a personal hideaway, complete with lounge chairs, comfy seating, shade, a television, and a mini-fridge. Lunch is served from a special menu starting at 11 a.m., and afternoon tea is served at 3 p.m. with finger sandwiches, scones, and delicious desserts.
Cabanas are available to rent by day or for the entire length of the cruise and are perfect for a sea day when the pool areas and outer decks get crowded. They make for the perfect escape from the crowds. For pricing or more information on whether cabanas are available on your cruise and/or ship, you can ask Guest Services or visit the reception desk at the Sanctuary. From past experience on other cruise lines, be sure to book a cabana EARLY if you want to have one on a sea day, as they go quickly!
I’m looking forward to spending a lot of time in the cabana this cruise, so thanks to Princess for this surprise—it’s truly appreciated!
Evening Departure from San Juan
One of the highlights of visiting San Juan on a cruise is the arrival and departure into the harbor and the scenery along the way. This is especially true at night when the lights of the city brighten up the dark sky and El Morro is lit up as the ship passes one last time before heading out to sea.
I made my way up to deck 17 to grab a prime viewing spot to take some pictures as we sailed out of the harbor. I say it every time: “It never gets old.” The views at night are simply stunning and provide that perfect ending to a great day ashore.
Evening Entertainment
Around the ship, there was plenty of entertainment being offered, including three stand-up comedy shows featuring Ken Boyd and two new shows by magician Nathan Coe Marsh, who performed on night one of the cruise.
I mentioned in the Day 1 report that Marsh’s show was, well… boring and dragged out. I was planning on going to the 9:30 p.m. show but heard several people who had just left the 7:30 p.m. one talking about how it is “skip-worthy.”
Let’s be honest, none of us are on a cruise specifically for the evening shows. We’re on for good food, good drinks, live music, fun, relaxation, and those shows are just a little extra dessert thrown in for good measure. Nobody is going in expecting to see a Broadway-caliber musical, Jerry Seinfeld doing stand-up, or David Copperfield making the ship disappear. I use these evening shows to fill in time before or after dinner and to give me something to do. Fly-in acts like comedians, magicians, or guest vocalists are hired by the cruise lines to “fly in” for a few days, do their shows, and leave, unlike the ship’s cast of musicians, dancers, and singers used in production shows.
These fly-ins can be hit or miss. I’ve seen some great magicians like Craig Diamond and fantastic singers like Mark Preston. I’ve also sat through my fair share of really, really bad magicians and singers!
What is important is feedback. When that guest survey comes, be sure to make a note about shows you liked and ones you didn’t, just like you do with other aspects of your cruise. Those surveys do get read and are very important, so don’t ignore them!
Dinner in the Reserve Collection Dining Room
For dinner this evening, the ship’s maître d’, Nicolai, invited me to the dining room, which is reserved for those staying in Princess Cruises’ Reserve Collection suites. This is a premium experience with enhanced accommodations and perks. Found on select Princess ships, including the Enchanted Princess, it features upgraded staterooms and suites in prime locations, typically near exclusive amenities or with the best views onboard.
Reserve Collection suites come with upgraded bedding, luxury bath products, and extra space to relax. Guests staying in the Reserve Collection also enjoy perks like reserved dining in exclusive areas of the main dining room and priority embarkation. The added touches are designed to give you a more luxurious, personalized cruise experience without having to splurge on a full suite-level package.
Located in a special area in one of the ship’s three main dining rooms, Capri, the Reserve Collection dining area features the same menu as the rest of the restaurant but with additional menu options. This concept is very similar to Holland America Line’s Club Orange upgrade, where you have a special area of the restaurant to dine in or, on some ships, a completely separate restaurant.
I decided to take advantage of the special additions to the Reserve Collection menu and started off with Baked Oysters Rockefeller. Now, I’m not an oyster guy—mussels and clams, yes—but oysters were never my thing. However… when in Rome! They turned out to be absolutely delicious!
Next up, I went with the pasta course, which was penne with a vodka sauce. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the sauce was rich and very flavorful.
For the main course, I went with Veal Cannelloni, which was a layered pasta dish much like lasagna despite its name. Ground veal, layers of pasta, and a very flavorful sauce made for a delightful Italian dish.
For dessert, I went very plain and simple with an ice cream sundae.
Having now experienced the main dining room and the Reserve Collection dining area, I can say that the main dining room experience on Princess is equal to that of Holland America in terms of service and food quality—and that’s a good thing!
After dinner, I headed over to Crooner’s Bar for a nightcap, took in some of the music in the atrium, and donated more cash to the casino, but I still haven’t broken even there yet. That’s to be expected!
We’re currently sailing toward our next port of call, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, where we’ll be spending Christmas Eve. I have what is considered the most incredible dining experience reserved for dinner, so stay tuned! As always, thanks for following along!
Princess Patter for Day 4:
