Day 5 from onboard MSC Seaside and there are only two more left of this eastern Caribbean cruise. The fifth day of sailing around the Caribbean found us making a stop in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico – a port I happen to enjoy visiting.
The weather was great as we pulled into San Juan Bay around 7am and made our way to the dock. Since “all aboard” is at 3:30pm today, we decided to leave the ship early so we could have plenty of time to walk around, sightsee and find a cigar shop.
MSC Seaside wasn’t the only ship in port today, we were joined by the Carnival Breeze which was berthed next to us – two large ships meant thousands of people wandering around.
We left the ship around 9:45am, and made our way through the couple dozen local craftspeople selling their wares from folding tables along the main street that lines the port. They, panhandlers, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and taxi drivers offering the “best rate” around town, served as our welcoming party.
After escaping the initial rush of people selling bracelets, religion, rides, and who knows what else, we were off to El Morro – a national historical site I visit each cruise. The fort still stands guard at the entrance of San Juan Bay as it has for over a century.
There is some repair work underway following last year’s hurricane which left a path of devastation throughout Puerto Rico. The feral cats that call the fort home are still there and wander around the walking path we took around the fort.
Following the winding path around the fort, to the mouth of the bay, and along the shoreline, we made our way around the site and back up top in the business district where narrow streets were home to shops selling just about anything and everything.
There’s also a plethora of name-brand stores such as Polo, Marshalls, CVS, Walgreens, Guess, Coach, and more that generate a good deal of money from passengers looking to spend money ashore – because they didn’t spend enough onboard!
We stopped in at the previously mentioned Coach store, which was a factory outlet, and found the prices to be the same as an outlet store back in the states – so much for that.
The search was then on for the cigar shop I visit each time I’m in San Juan. I knew approximately where it was from the ship and after a bit of wandering, found it. Again, prices were exactly the same for a cigar here that I would pay back home.
I asked whether or not they had Cuban cigars and the answer was no, due to Puerto Rico being a part of the United States… oh well, I bought some Cubans on the ship and will stock up with some more before the cruise is over.
After meandering around a bit longer, the heat of the day started to catch up with us so we searched for a bar to go grab a drink. Like any good tourist, we wandered into the chain famous for being in the world’s largest tourist traps where they serve booze to customers until they puke, pass out, and have to be carried back to the ship by the members of their party who are still standing – Senior Frogs.
Since it was still early in the day, the party didn’t get started yet and we were only a handful of people in the bar. After a few cold beers, $6 tortillas, and $9 mozzarella sticks, we left taking note of the sticky floor and wondering just how much beer, margaritas, and who knows what else the soles of our shoes were encountering.
Crossing the street back to the ship, we encountered the same people still trying to save our souls, sell us a trinket, or give us a ride. Avoiding them was like passing through a gauntlet, but up ahead was the security checkpoint – the place where once through you don’t have to keep saying, “no thanks, no thanks, no thanks” to everyone you pass.
Once up the gangway, it was time to pass the ship’s security. With my phone and GoPro in the plastic bin, I went to take my hat off and as I did, my ship ID card and United States Passport Card fell out of my hand and down into a space between the ramp and the floor below.
“Oh, shit!”
Yep, replacing the room card was no big deal, but there goes my Passport Card. The woman working security saw what happened and told me to go to guest services.
“But, my passport!”
The first stop was the concierge desk in the Yacht Club to let them know exactly where the Passport Card fell and to see if someone can check to see if they can find it. Since it fell inside the ship, there should be a way to get it, but it’s now been over 24 hours since I lost it and it hasn’t been found.
Thankfully, I have my paper Passport with me, but getting this reported as lost than replaced is going to be a pain.
For the next few hours, we wandered around the ship, watched as we sailed away from San Juan, and grabbed some wings in the Sports Bar and a cocktail or two before returning to our suite to get ready for the evening.
The evening’s show was one that wasn’t a favorite – it was very odd, the singing wasn’t all that great, and was perhaps the worst show of the cruise. It was called “Timeless” and like the other shows onboard, features fantasy-based theatrics paired with music and Cirque-style performances. The same roller-skating, hula-hooping, drop-from-the-ceiling-aerialists performed their schtick while singers and dancers did their thing.
Following the show, we headed up to have dinner in the second of the three Asian restaurants on board, under the direction of Chef Roy Yamaguchi. We were to have the sushi experience tonight, but changed our mind at the last minute and went with the Asian Fusion experience instead – the same we had a few nights earlier.
We both started off with the Pork Belly Bao Buns again which were delicious.
Next up, filet mignon and steamed Mahi Mahi. The filet was cooked to perfection and was seasoned well. The Mahi was not a favorite – I like fish cooked well done, and asked for it this way, but it was still a little undercooked for me. I prefer my fish dry rather than moist, but since the dish was steamed, there was little to avoid this. If you like steamed fish, you will probably enjoy it – but it wasn’t a favorite of mine.
We also ordered Fried Noodles with chicken, shrimp, and pork which was delicious and was a great fill-in for the fish which I didn’t finish.
Fresh fruit and some lemon sorbet rounded out the meal.
Overall, the food was very good, I just made the wrong choice with my entrée.
Following dinner, we meandered around the ship to see what was going on with “White Night.” Most of the public areas were packed with people dressed in their best white attire drinking and dancing the night away.
We decided to head up to the Top Sail Lounge in the Yacht Club to enjoy a cocktail before calling it an early night.
Thursday finds us at sea en route to our next port of call, the toilet of the Bahamas – Nassau. We have a private cabana on the pool deck booked for the final two days of the cruise where we can just relax, enjoy the little bit of vacation that’s left and just chill out before returning to reality.
Tonight we are having dinner in the ship’s steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, once again. We were originally going to give the Yacht Club Restaurant another shot, but fool me once, fool me twice, not going to fool me a third time was the decision.
When making the reservation with the concierge, she said, “but Thursday is Lobster Night!” I’d rather have a good meal over a lousy lobster, so steakhouse it is!
That’s all for today as we sail towards Nassau on a calm sea with plenty of sunshine and little wind! More tomorrow from the MSC Seaside.
Personal Day-By-Day MSC Seaside Cruise Review:
Photo Tour of MSC Seaside
My Photo Tour of MSC Seaside will showcase the ship’s stunning design, innovative features, and world-class amenities. We’ll take you through the ship’s impressive atrium, with its sparkling Swarovski crystal staircase, to the lush greenery of the outdoor promenade. You’ll get an up-close look at the MSC Seaside’s thrilling water park, chic lounge areas, and luxurious spa facilities. And of course, the ship’s many dining options, from casual beachside bites to elegant specialty restaurants.