Ah, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The mere mention of the name conjures images of cobblestone streets, pirates, and rum flowing freely (well, maybe not that freely, but you get the idea). Today, we find the Carnival Celebration docked in this historic city on the 4th day of this 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise. Buckle up, mateys, because we’re about to embark on a day filled with adventure, delicious (almost) fine dining, and enough cigar smoke to make even the most seasoned pirate cough.
But before I dive into the heart of this colorful adventure, let me share a secret: the views upon arriving and departing San Juan are so breathtaking, they’re worth setting an alarm for. Trust me, witnessing the city awaken at dawn or bask in the golden hues of sunset is something nobody should miss.
The day began with a sight that would make even Blackbeard himself raise an eyebrow (or maybe two, depending on how badly that last fight went). El Morro, a 16th-century behemoth of a castle, stands guard over the entrance to San Juan Bay. It’s like a real-life Disney castle, but way cooler because it’s actually been in battles and stuff. Imagine repelling French and British invaders from these very ramparts! You could practically hear the cannons roar and smell the gunpowder in the air. And speaking of Disney, El Morro was actually Walt’s inspiration for… you guessed it, Pirates of the Caribbean – the ride, as the movies came way later.
The Carnival Celebration, made its entrance just after dawn, accompanied by the Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas and, ahem, the unique (fugly) Norwegian EPIC. After conquering a few meetings and resisting the call of work emails, I set out on my usual exploration. The journey to El Morro, with its legion of local vendors and the occasional food truck serving up authentic Puerto Rican delights, is a mini-adventure in itself.
Now, getting to El Morro involves a bit of a walk from the port. But hey, think of it as a chance to burn off that extra bacon from breakfast. The trek is worth it for the panoramic views alone. You can see the entire city sprawled out before you, a mix of Spanish colonial architecture and sparkling turquoise water.
Once inside the fortress, prepare yourself for a history lesson. Explore the labyrinthine passageways, climb the watchtowers – just be careful of those treacherous steps, and imagine the soldiers who once manned these walls. You might even stumble upon a hidden cannon or two – perfect for snapping a picture that’ll make all your friends back home jealous.
After conquering El Morro, it’s time to lose ourselves in the heart of San Juan. Wandering through Old San Juan is like stepping into a living, breathing postcard. The cobblestone streets, vibrant buildings, and the best part? You don’t need a treasure map or a guided tour to explore this treasure trove. Just make sure you’ve got your most comfortable shoes on because this city is best experienced on foot. The streets are narrow and bustling, a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and smells. Vendors hawk everything from hand-painted coqui frogs (the official mascot of Puerto Rico) to straw hats so big you could practically use them as a beach umbrella.
No trip to San Juan would be complete without a visit to Cigar House. This place has a humidor the size of a small island and a staff who can tell you the difference between a Dominican Republic Robusto and a Honduran Corona (which is a very important distinction, according to the gentleman who walked me around the humidor). Just don’t ask for Cubans – like the mainland, they can’t be sold here either.
If you’re hungry from all that walking around, don’t worry, San Juan has got your back. There are countless restaurants serving up everything from fresh ceviche to steaming bowls of mofongo – a delicious mashed plantain dish that’s a Puerto Rican staple.
All aboard time was 6:30 pm with sailaway scheduled for 7:00 pm – a must see every single time! As the Carnival Celebration gently pulled away from the dock, I grabbed a spot on the outer deck to take in the amazing scenery. The city lights slowly started to fade as we made our way into the bay as El Morro stood proudly illuminated, a silent guardian watching over the harbor. It was like a scene straight out of that Disney pirate movie, epic and unforgettable.
Once San Juan was behind us, it was time for dinner. Tonight, I chose Rudi’s Seagrill, the signature restaurant bearing the name of celebrity chef Rudi Sodaman. You can find an incarnation of Rudi’s on board several Carnival ships and some of their other brands, such as Holland America, as well.
I started with the tuna – fresh seafood perched atop a bed of thinly sliced watermelon – delicious.
Next came the Cioppino, a seafood stew packed with white fish, shrimp, clams, mussels, a lobster claw and a savory tomato broth that was absolutely fantastic.
The only blip on the radar was the stuffed lobster tail. The stuffing was mostly breading with just a few small bites of crab meat, and the tail itself was skimpy – probably weighing in at less than 6oz and with very little meat.
Thankfully, the warm bread pudding with chocolate chips for dessert was like a sugary treasure chest, making up for the disappointing lobster.
After dinner, I walked over to the ship’s three-story atrium to see what the evening’s entertainment was going to be. Unfortunately, for this cruise, several shows were replaced or modified due to the performance space’s massive video wall being out of service. These three story LED screens provide much of the visual storytelling for the production shows, and without them the show cannot be put on. Such was the case for tonight. The show was swapped out for Motown singer Marcus Anthony. He didn’t have a band, so his music was pre-recorded. While he didn’t attract a large crowd, those who stopped by were entertained.
A quick run through the casino and then I called it a night. Or next port of call is St. Thomas, thanks for following along.
FunTimes for February 28, 2024:
The FunTimes for February 28, 2024, is also available as a PDF.