It’s easy while walking the streets of Lisbon to think you have somehow slipped back in time. The port of call of Lisbon really seems to live in the past. Quant cobblestoned streets lead to plazas bordered by palaces, churches and castles. Attractive small cafes and restaurants abound and shops and galleries invite at every turn. Streetcars that look like they really belong in another time, glide down narrow streets. Even much of this cities graffiti rises to the level of fine art. Portugal seems to have deliberately let the world speed on by, having discovered a comfortable place to sit back and watch everyone else frantically race on to – not sure where.
Where Your Ship Docks
There is a stretch along Lisbon’s central waterfront where cruise ships dock. There are two terminals not far apart, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Lisboa and Terminal de Cruzeiros de Santa Apolonia. Both feature good access to ships and town and have free public facilities. Much of central Lisbon is within a mile of the cruise piers.
Transportation
Lisbon features a good public transport network, both underground and surface with buses and trams and can also add the Transtejo (river connection). Lisbon Metro is one of the most cost efficient and flexible ways of traveling around the city.
There are 24 and 48 hour passes available and the funicular system can also be used.
1 Day ticket (24h)
Carris/Metro 6.40€ -Valid for unlimited journeys on Carris and Metro, networks during 24 hours following the first validation.
Carris/Metro/Transtejo (Cacilhas) 9.50€ – Valid for unlimited journeys on Carris, Metro and Transtejo (river connection), during 24 hours following the first validation.
Ticket Offices are open every day 7:45 a.m – 7:45 p.m at the following Metro stations:
Marquês de Pombal, Campo Grande, Colégio Militar/Lu, Jardim Zoológico, Marquês de Pombal
Rossio, Baixa-Chiado, Cais do Sodré, Oriente Aeroporto. There are also vending machines at every station.
There is also a visitor’s card called the Lisboa Card where you get unlimited travel for 24 hours for just €20 that also includes free access to Lisbon’s best museums and attractions like the Torre de Belem, Jeronimos Monastery and the Santa Justa Elevator and more. You can buy the card online HERE.
Currency
The currency of Portugal is the Euro and major credit cards are welcome almost everywhere.
Attractions
Castles, museums, churches and palaces all within a mile or so from the cruise ship.
Castelo de S. Jorge at R. de Santa Cruz do Castelo. Hilltop Moorish castle & palace ruins
Jerónimos Monastery at Praça do Império 1400-206 Lisboa. World heritage listed Gothic monastery
Oceanário de Lisboa at Esplanada Dom Carlos I. Waterside aquarium with ocean ecosystems
Museu Nacional do Azulejo at R. Me. Deus 4. Ceramic collections located in a church
Belém Tower at Av. Brasília. Medieval defensive tower
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Padrão dos Descobrimentos at Av. Brasília. Concrete monument to maritime explorers
Santa Justa Lift at R. do Ouro. Elevator linking city levels from 1902
Carmo Convent at Largo do Carmo. Medieval ruins & archaeology museum
Basílica da Estrela at Praça da Estrela. Baroque church with twin bell towers
Ajuda National Palace at Largo Ajuda 1349-021. 19th-century royal palace and museum
Arco da Rua Augusta at R. Augusta 2. Triumphal arch with a viewing platform
Miradouro da Nossa Senhora do Monte. Popular destination for city views
Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga at R. das Janelas Verdes. Historical art collection in old palace
Palácio dos Marqueses da Fronteira at Largo São Domingos de Benfica 1 Grand palace
Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen at Calçada da Graça, Terrace park featuring sweeping city views
Museu de Marinhaat Praça do Império Maritime museum in sixteenth century monastery
A favorite port for three and four day cruises out of Florida as well as returning longer cruises, Nassau has a lot to offer.
Where You’re Ship Docks
Cruise ships dock at Prince George Wharf, sometimes as many as five are there at once. The wharf is located right in downtown Nassau with a large number of good restaurants and plenty of “duty free” shopping. The island is also famous for it numerous great beaches as well as coral reefs, sport fishing and boating.
Downtown Nassau, The Bahamas
Crossing a bridge in downtown Nassau gets you to Paradise Island, home of Atlantis and other resorts. It is a two mile walk from the cruise piers over to Paradise Island across a connecting bridge.
Transportation
Harbour Entrance
If you just want to walk around and see the town it is only a short stroll into the main downtown area. You can rent cars and scooters right at the wharf as well as book land and water tours. Taxis are readily available but you need negotiate price before heading out. If you are going to rent a car and especially a scooter pay special attention as the Bahamas drive on the left.
Currency
The countries currency is the Bahama Dollar which is on par with the U.S. Dollar but there is no need to change currency as the U.S. Dollar is readily accepted. Most major credit cards and many debit cards are welcome.
Cruise ships in port
Attractions
Because it is the nearest foreign country to the Eastern United States, Nassau takes full advantage of its duty free status. Downtown Nassau offers a number of opportunities for saving on duty free goods but know the U.S. duty free limits before you start shopping.
Traveling three miles east along the north shore out of Nassau you’ll find the exclusive Cable Beach area, a resort beach with great beaches and a number of good restaurants and spectacular resort hotels. Nearer to town there is also Paradise Island featuring the Atlantis resort (most cruise ships offer day tours over to Atlantis to visit the water park, beaches and exhibits).
Atlantis
Atlantis on Paradise Island A destination all its own. Features aater park, aquariums, beaches, restaurants and more. Requires admission (day passes) unless you are a resort guest.
Fort Fincastle 1793 stone fort & former lighthouse
Ardastra Gardens Zoo, gardens & conservation center
Prince George Wharf The cruise ship dock with local crafts and tour vendors
Clifton Heritage Park Nature trails, historic ruins & beaches
The port of Dunmore East is located very near the city of Waterford and while Dunmore East has a small harbor it is not an industrial port. The larger ships visiting are primarily cruise ships. The town itself is a quant seaside village with galleries, gift shops and restaurants and some nice walking trails along the shore. The villages charm and natural surroundings are well worth spending some time ashore. It is a bit isolated however and transportation options are few. It is also a tender port as there are no docks capable of handling large ships.
Where Your Ship Docks
Large ships cannot dock at Dunmore East and will anchor offshore. Tenders will bring you into an enclosed harbor that serves small commercial boats. The harbor is adjacent to the village proper and there are a number of shops and trails along the shore line.
Transportation – Because of the distance and lack of available transportation this is a port where booking tours thru the cruise ship might be a better option, especially if you want to visit Waterford. The trip into Waterford is about twelve miles and often cruise ships will offer a shuttle service to Waterford. The quickest way to get from Dunmore East to Waterford is a taxi which costs about $35 and takes about twenty minutes. The only other option is a direct bus service departing from Dunmore East and arriving at Lombard Street in downtown Waterford. Buses depart every four hours, and operate Monday to Saturday. Again the journey takes about 20 min.
Money – Ireland (the Republic) uses the Euro and generally do not accept the British Pound. Northern Ireland is separate from the Irish Republic, is part of the United Kingdom and uses the Pound.
Dunmore East is located on the River Suir and as your ship sails in or departs you should get a good view of the Hook Lighthouse on the opposite shore. The area around the Suir and Waterford is home to a number of notable castles with some dating back to the twelfth century and the Viking era.
Attractions – Other than the scenery and the atmosphere of a quant seaside resort village most of the points of interest are located in the nearby city of Waterford.
Waterford itself was once one of Ireland’s most important cities, It was historically a place of great wealth due to its role as a seaport and trading center. Much of this wealth was used to build the city’s public buildings in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the most attractive and opulent of these is the Bishop’s Palace. A beautiful architectural treasure over 250 years old. It is now a museum with the ground and first floors furnished as a very elegant 18th century townhouse.
Waterford was originally established by Vikings and was a major Viking settlement for hundreds of years. In 914, the great Viking adventurer and pirate, Regnall, established a base here and built a Longphort or ships haven. In 918, Regnall took a fleet of ships and left Waterford sailing for York and he became the first Norse ruler with the title ‘King of Waterford and York’. The name Waterford is derived from its Viking name Vadrarjfordr meaning “haven from the windswept sea”. The City was captured by the Anglo Normans in 1170 and the Vikings were expelled. After that Waterford was raised to the status of Royal City owing allegiance to the Anglo Norman King of England, Henry II.
When visiting Waterford be sure and spend time visiting the Viking Triangle, a cultural and heritage area. The Viking Triangle is surrounded by 1000-year-old Viking walls. It is the ‘old town’ of Waterford and is just a short walk from the city’s shopping mall area. The Viking Triangle is an interesting place, with narrow streets and alleys to explore. Inside are a number of attractions of Ireland’s past, including the House of Waterford Crystal, the award winning Medieval Museum, Bishop’s Palace and Reginald’s Tower.
Waterford glass blower
The House of Waterford Crystal provides a fascinating glimpse into the workings behind the famed glassworks that put the city on the international map. Consisting of a manufacturing facility and visitor center, it’s now one of the top attractions in Waterford and is best viewed as part of a guided tour that provides a close-up view of the process behind the finished pieces of cut glass.
Christ Church Cathedral, also referred to as the Cathedral of The Holy Trinity. This church is Waterford’s principal Protestant place of worship. Constructed in 1779 on a site known for a cathedral dating back to 1096, the Cathedral is a centerpiece of Waterford. It was on this spot in 1170, where the legendary Norman king, Strongbow, married Aoife, daughter of Diarmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster, thereby forming a great alliance.
Reginald’s Tower is a historic round stronghold tower in Waterford. It is located at the eastern end of the city quay. The tower has been in use for different purposes for centuries and is an important landmark in Waterford and an important remnant of its medieval urban defense. It is the oldest civic building in Ireland and it is the only urban monument in Ireland to retain a Norse Viking name. Just outside, to the right of the tower entrance, is a 40 foot Viking Long Boat with a red sail named Vadrarfjordr – the Viking name for Waterford. This accurate Viking Longboat was built by a group of Waterford men. The keel and planks of the longboat are of Irish oak, mostly sourced from a mill in Carlow, and the sailcloth is a canvas weave. The Vadrarfjordr longboat is modeled on famous Viking ships found at Roskilde, in Denmark.
The Viking Triangle has lots craft studios, cafes and great places to eat and a real sense of history. Waterford’s motto is ‘Urbs Intacta Manet’, which means The Untaken City.
We have returned to Rome a number of times usually staying a few days with each visit. On a Mediterranean cruise a few years ago it was our sons first trip to Europe. The cruise originated and ended in Barcelona and the ship docked for one day in Civitavecchia the port servicing Rome. With the trip to Rome by bus takes an hour plus each way* that left about seven hours to actually see the city.
Rome is one of the world’s great cities. It is packed full of thousands of years of historic sites. It is home to one of the world’s major religions (yes, I know the Vatican is actually a different city/country). In addition Rome has some of the best food and shopping in Europe and then there are the concerts and opera…
So the challenge is what to do with seven hours in Rome? Since this day is focused on a first timer who probably isn’t real keen on shopping and the symphony and opera are out, that leaves historical highlights. Our seven hours in Rome started and finished at Vatican City where the bus stopped.
Throwing coins in Trevi
The first time hurdle you will have to deal with in visiting the major sites in Rome, particularly in the summer, are the crowds. As hard as it is to believe, even the outdoor Fountain of Trevi, in the summer, has huge crowds you need to navigate thru. Many of other sites need tickets or hours waiting in line or both.
The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel – direct purchase tickets thru the Vatican are 17 Euros and it will still require a fair amount of time in line. You can get Skip-the-Line Tickets to the Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel thru an agency for about 30 Euros but it requires doing this in advance. Without being aware of this Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel are out.
St. Peters Basilica
Getting into St. Peters is free but the lines usually will take up to an hour or more. Since the lines were already long we decided to try later when we returned to the Vatican.
Interior of the Pantheon
From Vatican City we took a taxi over to the Pantheon, which is the oldest intact domed structure in the world and really deserves a look. Unfortunately even the Pantheon now requires admission tickets, instituted to primarily to better control the crowds.
For the next stop it is important to have a really good sense of direction and a map or the use of the GPS on your smart phone because the next stop is only a modest walk away. Everyone has to put in an appearance at the Fountain of Trevi. Remember Anita Ekberg’s famous Trevi Fountain bathing scene from “La Dolce Vita,” and the tradition of throwing coins into the Trevi from “Three Coins in the Fountain”? Stand with your back to the fountain and throw a coin over your right shoulder and you will always return to Rome.
The Fountain of Trevi
The Spanish Steps
From Trevi still walking, head for the Spanish Steps another must do iconic site. While I’ve been there dozens of times I’ve never been sure what you’re supposed to do. Walk up and down? Sit and play an instrument (many do)? At least take a selfie that proves you were there.
From the Steps another fifteen or twenty minutes walking will get you to the Via Veneto where, if you’re not into shopping at least sit at a café, have lunch or drink an espresso and watch the people passing by.
Via Veneto
An option from the Steps is to head off in the opposite direction thru the Piazza Spagna. This is also a great area for strolling and lunch or perhaps a cappuccino as you take in the sights around the piazza.
If you are on the Via Veneto and enjoy walking you can walk the dozen blocks over to the Piazza Republica and head down the Via Nazionale toward the Roman Forum. You can also catch the Metro at the nearby Barberini Metro Station and exit at the Piazza Republica.
Piazza Republica
If you are at the Piazza Spanga you can walk to the Roman Forum in about a half hour or catch a metro at the Spanga/Trevi station and take the A line and get off at the Piazza Republica station. From there you can walk or take a bus down the Via Nazionale to the area of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum.
Of course you can take taxis between the various locations. You should expect to pay 15 to 20 Euros per ride between the locations discussed. A better option is rapid transit but in Rome it is somewhat fragmented. The fare system is totally integrated though, so you can pay and use the Metro trains and buses on the same ticket. A minimum fare is a BIT Standard ticket for one ride and costs about $2 per person. Our recommendation is a 24 hour pass for about $9. There are ticket machines at all Metro stations and they accept most major credit cards.
The Roman Forum
Once in the area of the Roman Forum you can walk thru the Forum, visit the Colisseum and Palitine Hill. The Colisseum requires admission tickets and you can expect the line to take up to an hour in Summer.
The Colosseum
Getting from the area of the Forum back to Vatican City by walking or by bus will take about an hour. A faster option is to pick up the Metro B Line at the Colosseo station, change to the A Line at the Termini stop and get off at Ottaviano – San Pietro station.The Metro trip will take well over 40 minutes so this is where we would suggest taking a taxi (about 20 minutes and $25).
Highlights:
St. Peters Basilica
Vatican Museum– A collection amassed by Popes throughout the centuries including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art.
Sistine Chapel – A large papal chapel built within the Vatican between 1477 and 1480 by Pope Sixtus IV, for whom the chapel is named. The ceiling along with a large fresco The Last Judgment on the sanctuary wall were painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
St. Peters Basilica – Is an Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City, the papal enclave within the city of Rome. It was designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter’s is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and the largest Christian church in the world.
Pantheon Exterior
Pantheon – meaning “[temple] of every god”) is a former Roman temple, now a church, on a site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD). The present building was completed by the emperor Hadrian in 126 AD. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome and one of the worlds oldest complete structures.
Fountain of Trevi – Is a fountain in the Trevi district. Commisioned in 1629 by Pope Urban VIII. Designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
Spanish Steps – This monumental staircase of 135 steps was built with 20,000 scudi bequeathed by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s in 1723–1725, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy, and the Trinità dei Monti church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France to the Holy See in Palazzo Monaldeschi.
Piazza Spanga – Is one of the most famous squares in Rome. It owes its name to the Palazzo di Spagna, seat of the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See. Nearby is the famed Column of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Via Veneto – Is one of the most famous, elegant, and expensive streets in Rome.
The Arch of Titus c. AD 82 near The Forum
The Roman Forum – A rectangular plaza containing the ruins of several important ancient government buildings. Originally a marketplace, the Forum became the center of the Roman Republics government and was the heart of ancient Rome.
Colosseum – Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater it is an oval amphitheater in the centre of the city. Built of travertine and brick-faced concrete, it is the largest amphitheater ever built. commissioned in A.D. 71 by Emperor Vespasian as a gift to the Roman people. In A.D. 80, Vespasian’s son Titus officially opened the Colosseum
Click map to download a pdf printable copy
*If you have come to Rome on a cruise you’ll be docked in Civitavecchia and almost all cruise tours use tour buses to get into the city with St. Peters being the primary Rome drop-off point. That’s a minimum ride of an hour and a quarter. Our recommendation is to take a taxi or the shuttle bus from the port to the Civitavecchia train station and catch a train. Trains run every 20 to 40 minutes, cost only 9€, and the express trains take just 50 mins.
Buenos Aries, Argentina – Gateway To Cape Horn And Antarctica
Arriving in Buenos Aries
Buenos Aires has several airports but the two you are likely to use are the major international airport, referred to as Ezeiza and the-in city Jorge Newbery Airport. Most inbound international flights will come in to Ezeiza while many regional flights use Jorge Newbery.
Ezeiza, its official name is Ministro Pistrani International Airport, is located about 15 miles southwest of Buenos Aires. It is the largest and busiest airport in the region.
Jorge Newbery Airport is actually an international airport too located just to the northeast of downtown Buenos Aires and serves as the main hub for a majority of domestic flights.
The travel time from Ezeiza to city center by taxi is at least 30 minutes or up to 40-60 minutes depending on traffic. Options include official taxis, Remis or organized private cars, or public bus. Uber may be an option but they seem to be in a constant process of being shut down by the government. There are also online car service booking sights which we prefer for a couple of reasons.
After arriving at Ezeiza you may need to get cash for a bus or a taxi. DO NOT change money at the changing booths in the airport. They’re famous for bad rates of exchange and charge additional service fees. If you really need local currency use an ATM in the arrivals area of the airport in front of the McDonalds. Because of financial problems in Argentina and erratic inflation you may discover that many drivers actually prefer Euros and Dollars so get in the habit of asking. Keep track of exchange rates – recently 1 US$ = 135 Argentine Peso (ARS).
Authorized Taxis – The taxi stands operated outside the airport are not the most trustworthy option so ask what the rate is and if they will accept Dollars and do a bit of comparison shopping before accepting.
Remis Service – In Argentina the ” remis (or remises) ” are a very popular option. A remis is a sort of taxi service, but the difference is that you just hire a driver with his/her own personal car. Actually they are considered the safest option for a ride from EZE. They can be booked online or paid in advance at an airport kiosk or booths inside of the airport. By all means avoid the rogue taxis outside the airport. By booking online you can have a driver waiting for you with a sign at the exit of baggage inspection. The drivers are mostly bilingual and Whatsap is usually the preferred method of communication.
Public Bus – Line 86 of the local bus system is the only public transport that runs regularly from the airport. The bus will only cost about US$3-5 but will take about two hours. During rush hours there may not be much room for suitcases.
View of the port area
One of South America’s busiest cruise ports, Buenos Aries is one of the largest cities in South America with a lot to see and do. Famous for the Tango and great steaks it is also a treasure trove of history and packed full of interesting sights. Most cruises are using Buenos Aries as a embarkation or disembarkation port but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked as a destination in its own right. You will discover that hotels are moderately priced and good restaurants are plentiful and inexpensive.
Where the Ship Docks
Port buses and terminal
Buenos Aries does not have a very convenient port facility and it has been that way for a number of years. It doesn’t look as if they are in any hurry to upgrade. While it does have a cruise terminal it is located so far from most piers that they use buses to get passengers to the ships after check-in. Be aware that you are boarding the ship from the pier and they us an erector set structure of steep ramps to access the ship. It is very unfriendly for peole traveling in wheel chairs. You also cannot walk in or out of the port from the ship. The terminal facility is located only a couple of miles from the downtown area but it is not easy to reach on foot and the only easily available transportation are taxis (more on taxi under transportation).
Cruise port boarding ramps
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This is a working industrial port without a cruise ship pier. Disembarking usually uses open air structures and can vary by the individual ships gangway design. Expect a steep ramp or even stairs. Walking out of the port not an option so taking a bus to the distant terminal building further complicates going ashore or boarding the ship.
City Characteristics – This port has a poor wheelchair infrastructure. Main street sidewalks are in fairly good condition but crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles. Side streets and shopping area sidewalks are often paved with large squares that often aren’t level or at he same height with other blocks. Overall the city has few hills or steep inclines.
Transportation
If you are going to or coming from the cruise terminal you are pretty much going to be getting a taxi or hiring a Remis. While you can walk out from the terminal, it is almost a mile walk to the nearest metro station located near the Sheraton hotel and that’s along heavily trafficked roads. It’s an additional half mile to the nearest shopping mall.
Taxis are supposed to be metered in Buenos Aries but there are a number of exceptions and add-on fees which are difficult to understanding. Because of that, taxis can be very inexpensive so be prepared to often be surprised. For us a taxi from the Odalisque area to the in-town airport was 400 pesos while a ride the other way the next evening cost 700 pesos.
Buenos Aries has an excellent and modern subway system (Subte) with two hurdles to overcome for foreign visitors. First, like much of the city there is very little signage in anything but Spanish and few locals speak anything but Spanish. Second you need a SUBE card to ride which is available at subte stations, or at eight Tourist Assistance Centers around the city. We did not see any information regarding a one or two day visitor card either. OFFICIAL METRO SITE IN ENGLISH
Taking a taxi to the port is pretty straight forward but we would recommend flagging a cab on the street and traveling on the meter. Several times we paid much higher fares by having our hotel call a taxi for us. Traveling from the Odalisque to the port on a meter should run 300 to 350 Pesos (tipping is not customary in Argentina).
Leaving the port area is another story. There seems to be a system in place to extract significantly higher fares from passengers. Upon exiting we were told that all taxis are on a fixed fare (no meters) from the port and a ride to the Odalisque would be US$15 or 600 Pesos or almost double a recent fare from our hotel to the port (that conversion rate made the dollar quote much cheaper though?). We also had similar experiences getting taxi quotes to and from the in-town as well as the international airport.
The International Airport is a good distance out of town with a taxi ride from the port recently quoted at US$40. We took a metered taxi from our hotel near the Odalisque for less than US$25 in Pesos. Many taxis actually prefer to be paid in US$. When we originally arrived at the International airport we had booked a car online at a fixed price and by texting we located the driver right outside the terminal.
Currency
At this writing the exchange rate is about 38 Argentine Pesos to one US Dollar. Because of inflation rates over the past several years buying Pesos before leaving the United States is almost impossible. It is also very difficult to use American Dollars in Argentina except in high tourist locations. Money Exchange locations are sparse and at high traffic places, like the airport, the rates aren’t very good. In town you can get better rates buying Pesos mostly because there is speculation among changers against the Peso. We eventually used a shop advertising Western Union and got more than fair rate.
Attractions
Buenos Aries is a large metropolitan area and like most it covers a wide range of environments. You will find everything from grand residences, and upscale neighborhoods to large slums. The city is criss-crossed by wide boulevards running through upscale shopping districts attached to mazes of side streets with incredible cafes, coffee shops and restaurants It is home to the Tango that is a national obsession. You can experience the Tango in restaurants or large stage show productions, small dance clubs and on the streets of the barrios (neighborhoods) where the people come out and dance in the evenings. Because of the exchange rate there are great restaurants and cafes where prices are hard to believe. The national dish is steak and the Argentines really know their way around an open fire grill. It is also the nations capital and you will numerous museums, galleries and historic buildings. If you are cruising out of Buenos Aries do yourself a favor and spend a few days seeing this lively and interesting city.
One strong suggestion we would make is try and plan a trip out to Iguassu Falls. It requires a plane ride and probably two days to see but it is one of the world’s true natural wonders and an easy add-on to a visit to Buenos Aries. MORE HERE
In the Caribbean there are a couple of cruise departure locations but the Caribbean’s busiest cruise port is San Juan Puerto Rico. This port provides a large natural harbor and perhaps the largest international airport in the region. San Juan is a big metropolitan area with beaches, resort hotels and casinos but the focus for most visitors is Old San Juan. Located just a short walk uphill from the cruise ship piers, it is a great destination to spend some time exploring
Puerto Rico is an American possession and while there have been a number of movements for independence the Puerto Ricans seem to be happy with the status quo. Unfortunately in the last couple of years this island has been seriously impacted by a devastating category 5 hurricane and more recently a series of earthquakes. We’ve been in and out of San Juan a couple of times since and the signs of rebuilding and repairing are everywhere.
Where Your Ship Docks – Cruise ships usually dock at one of three piers along a strip on the harbor side of historic Old San Juan. The three piers have passenger terminals with a number of shops, cafes and restaurants across the street on the waterfront. There are no issues with walking in and out of your cruises terminal and taxis are readily available.
Transportation – San Juan provides a free trolly that goes to the Old San Juan city center. If you are going to be spending a day or two in San Juan and want to see the countryside a rental car is probably your best choice. Rates range from $30 to $50 a day. Taxis are readily available and a trip to the airport from the cruise piers should run about $25 – $30.
Currency – They use the U.S. Dollar and major credit and debit cards are welcome. ATMs are also plentiful.
Attractions – The old city is the big attraction – use the free trolly to spend time visiting Old San Juan’s incredible fortifications and the historic town itself. There’s plenty of interesting shops to explore along with bars, cafes and restaurants. There are also a couple of Puerto Rican rum distilleries that provide visitor tours as well.
History – San Juan is one of the most fortified ports in the Caribbean dating as far back as the early sixteenth century. In 1508, Ponce de León founded the original settlement, Caparra on the island. In 1521, the settlement was abandoned and moved to a site which was called at the time “Puerto Rico” (meaning “rich port”). Constructed in 1521, Casa Blanca served as the first fortification of the new settlement and was residence of Ponce de León descendants. La Fortaleza was built in 1533, followed by the construction of a battery at “the Morro” overlooking the protected harbor. Plans for the castle portion of San Felipe del Morro were made in 1584. Extensions to the Morro, plus construction of El Cañuelo, and El Boquerón, were begun in 1599 and the complete fortification of the city began in 1630 and was concluded by 1641. The addition San Cristobal fort was completed by 1771.
Old San Juan National Historic Site was established in 1949 to preserve historic fortifications in Old San Juan. The historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and La Fortaleza along with the San Juan National Historic Site were then declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Thanks to a number of groups working to preserve the Old Town, today it represents one of the largest examples of Spanish colonial towns anywhere in the New World today.
What to expect on your port days in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the heart of the Caribbean. Where your ship docks, getting around, historic forts, Spanish colonial architecture, food and culture.
Attractions
The Intentional Travelers 