Today’s stop on this 9-day cruise aboard the Norwegian Sky is one of my all-time favorites, San Juan, Puerto Rico. My love affair with this charming city began back in 1994 during my first visit on Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas. The charm of Old San Juan captivated me then and continues to enchant me today.
The day began with a bit of excitement. As the ship entered the channel, a sudden gust of wind caused the vessel to list, creating a minor commotion in the dining rooms during breakfast as plates and glasses fell to the floor. Fortunately, the crew quickly righted everything, and soon we were securely docked, ready for guests to disembark.
The morning greeted us with showers and gusty winds from nearby thunderstorms, setting a gray tone for the start of our day. However, the weather improved as the day progressed, and the storms stayed away for the remainder of our time ashore.
Today’s visit to San Juan was pleasantly laid back, as we were the only ship in port. This rare occurrence meant fewer street vendors and a quieter downtown. The usually bustling side streets were nearly empty, allowing for a peaceful exploration of the city. Even the popular Walgreens, a frequent stop for both passengers and crew to grab snacks and essentials, was uncharacteristically calm. I was able to grab a “bottled in Puerto Rico” Pepsi and check out without any wait, a stark contrast to the usual half-hour lines.
In San Juan, I typically spend several hours walking around, revisiting the centuries-old fort, El Morro, and discovering new sights in the downtown area. During this visit, I stumbled upon something I had never noticed before despite my many visits—a cemetery.
Nestled right next to El Morro and perched on the edge of the sea is the Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi Cemetery. The cemetery, completed in 1863 but in use since 1814, is the first to be located outside the walls of Old San Juan. It is named after Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi (1566-1607), a Spanish Carmelite who advocated for the renewal of the church.
The cemetery has approximately 2,173 tombs, 32 niches at the base of the chapel, and 464 niches in the Columbarium.
Walking through the cemetery, it was clear that many of the graves had been there for a long time. The grave markers were weather-worn, with some carvings no longer visible. At the same time, newer graves were scattered throughout, some only a few years old. The Columbarium, a structure housing niches for cinerary urns, was in a state of disrepair, with many niches damaged and open. The whole building was fenced off, and piles of bricks from years of decay were visible inside.
The overall condition of the cemetery was one of neglect. Many markers were toppled or destroyed, and some graves were open pits, their contents removed or covered over with worn sheets of plywood. It was a sobering and fascinating place to explore.
Tour the Santa Maria Magdalena Cemetery in San Juan
Before delving into the rest of the evening, I must mention the onboard Internet service. The package I was booked under included 150 minutes of basic Internet, which did not allow for streaming. As I mentioned in an earlier report, it’s unusual for cruise lines to place a time limit on Internet packages. Most offer unlimited basic and unlimited with streaming. Needing video meetings throughout the week, I upgraded to the unlimited with streaming package on the first day for $259.91, with a $100 discount as part of the upgrade, making the cost about $29 per day.
Only one device can be used at a time, but you can log in and out of different devices. The ship is equipped with Starlink, which is common among most cruise lines these days. While uploading files such as photos or videos takes a long time, video calls and streaming have been pretty reliable, with only a few interruptions.
Speaking of technology, the NCL app deserves a mention. Once installed, you can view the daily program in PDF form or as a list of activities broken down by morning, afternoon, and evening. Shore excursions and dining reservations can be made through the app, but unfortunately, you can’t view the daily main dining room menu, requiring you to check the menu posted at the entrance of the restaurant each day. You can also view your onboard account, and for an additional $4.95, use in-app messaging to chat with other guests or family or call them via in-app voice calls.
The app also provides information about onboard activities, including entertainment shows, fitness classes, and special events, helping you plan your day efficiently. It includes a deck map to help you navigate the ship, especially useful if you’re new to cruising or unfamiliar with the ship’s layout. Another handy feature is the ability to set reminders for activities and reservations, ensuring you don’t miss any planned events.
When dinner time came, finding a place to eat proved challenging. I initially considered the sushi restaurant but changed my mind after seeing the bright lighting and lack of ambiance. I then wandered around, checking menus in the main dining room and the buffet. Eventually, I decided on The Local, the ship’s pub that serves hamburgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, and other bar food.
I ordered a beer and asked the bartender to get a server for my food order. Despite multiple requests to two different bartenders, no server ever came. I asked both bartenders, “Why can’t you just take my order?” They both said that on this ship, they are not allowed to take food orders, just drinks. However, on other ships, they can take food orders. After 20 minutes of waiting, I gave up and left. By then, it was after 9:30 PM, and the buffet and main dining rooms were closed. I expressed my disappointment to one of the food and beverage managers, who promised to send food to my room, but it never arrived. This was a frustrating experience, highlighting how certain policies can hinder guest satisfaction.
This is an example of where a crazy policy can get in the way of customer/guest satisfaction.
Although, I really wanted some of those chicken wings!
Despite this, I won’t let one negative experience overshadow an otherwise enjoyable cruise. We’re now sailing towards our final port of call, Norwegian’s private island in the Caribbean, Great Stirrup Cay. I visited the island several years ago when NCL was renting it to MSC Cruises. So while it’s my first Norwegian cruise, it’s not my first visit to Great Stirrup Cay.
Tomorrow, we’ll spend a full day at sea before enjoying our last day on the island.
Norwegian Sky Daily Programs
The daily programs can be viewed or downloaded in PDF format by clicking on each below.