Table Of Content
The first stop is Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for snorkeling with sea turtles, surfing, and touring rum and cigar factories. The ship then arrives at Oranjestad, Aruba, for a tour of Dutch colonial buildings, a submarine ride, a Land Rover safari, or a trip to an aloe farm. The next port is Willemstad, Curacao, where guests can tour the island's candy-colored architecture, swim with dolphins, or visit the limestone Hato Caves. On day four, the ship arrives at St. John's, Antigua, for a day of scenic drives, deep-sea fishing, or relaxing at the beach. Cruises to and from Puerto Rico will reveal the island’s natural beauty, too.
Find Cruises to Puerto Rico's San Juan Port
Royal Caribbean International is putting a new beach club experience on the map. Its location in the northeastern Caribbean near the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands gives it a mix of Caribbean, American, and European influences. Since Puerto Rico is an American territory, the currency there is the U.S. dollar. ATMs are widely available throughout Old San Juan and in tourist beach resort areas, and credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and attractions.
Transportation in Ponce
Behind the scenes, however, you’ll find one of the most robust economies in the Caribbean, which is largely influenced by the industries of service and manufacturing. Agriculture also plays a role in Puerto Rico’s economy, though not as much as it once did. Puerto Rico's history, culture, food, and sunny shores have made the island a favorite travel destination for many years. Home to the oldest city in the United States, San Juan is a popular cruise port for visitors who want to experience the city, and many return to spend more time there and venture to other parts of the island as well.
Amazing experiences coming soon.
Ponce is the second-largest city in Puerto Rico and has some cosmopolitan flair, but it is also defined by its long history in agriculture and produce that continues to this day. The area around Ponce is where you’ll find coffee fields and rum distilleries that produce two important exports for the island. Two more days at sea on the way to Gustavia in St. Barts give guests an opportunity to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities. In St. Barts, options include a sunset Champagne cruise, a self-guided rental car tour, a catamaran trip with snorkeling, and an excursion aboard a semi-submersible to look for green turtles and fish among the coral reefs.
Fly and stay the Virgin Way
From veteran cruise-goers to newbies, our innovative take on cruising got rave reviews from just about everyone. This boardwalk that runs along the water is a great place for a leisurely stroll or people-watching during your cruise to Ponce. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices.
For voyagers aged 3 to 17, there's the Kids Club, featuring supervised games, sports, arts and crafts, and themed parties. Puerto Rico has often been called one of the best Caribbean islands for foodies, and the focal point of all that delicious cuisine is San Juan. Try some tapas at a local cafe, or go all out with a waterfront dining experience at a fine restaurant.
Cruises to San Juan
Strong and beautiful, this fort has helped guard the shore for nearly five centuries while overlooking some of the island’s best scenery. Explore it via spiral staircases between levels, and grab a photo at one of the iconic garita sentry boxes that line the outer walls. Puerto Rico's currency is the U.S. dollar, and U.S. citizens do not need a passport to visit. But brush up on your Spanish to make conversing with the locals easier. National Forest System and just a short one-hour drive from San Juan, El Yunque rainforest is replete with waterfalls and hiking trails.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Puerto Rico Cruises Insider
Head to the main old town, the always-vivid Old San Juan, and walk the cobblestoned streets where Conquistadors once marched. The first of the Royal Beach Club Collection will take shape in the coming months ahead of its opening in 2025, and at the heart of the experience will be the island nation of The Bahamas. Cruises that call in San Juan for a day conveniently pull into port right in the heart of Old San Juan. The Old San Juan Cruise Pier has a trolley stop, taxi ranks, and many places to shop and dine just steps away.
9 Best Beaches in Puerto Rico for Cruisers - Cruise Critic
9 Best Beaches in Puerto Rico for Cruisers.
Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Next to Guánica, in the neighboring town of Lajas, there’s another natural phenomenon. La Parguera is home to one of the three bioluminescent bays of Puerto Rico. Because of overpopulation, it’s not as bright as in Vieques, but it’s still worth a trip if you’re in the area. Ponce is also considered the birthplace of plena music, one of the traditional sounds of Puerto Rico.
Deeply infused with African beats, plena tells the story of the Puerto Rican people from the early 1900s. You can learn more about plena and other Puerto Rican music like bomba and danza at the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña, a small museum in the city center. After walking through the city center, go for cocktails along Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano, named after the pioneering salsa singer José Feliciano. At El Marlin 107, William Collazo, a big name in Puerto Rico’s cocktail community, mixes drinks with tropical infusions like coconut water, guava and mangoes. On the weekends, expect live music along the street where you can test your salsa skills. For dinner, head to Chef’s Creations, where you catch chef Jorge Rivera cooking over a wood-fired grill in his restaurant’s patio.
San Juan, Puerto Rico is where the old world meets the new — and you can enjoy them both when you choose one of our cruises from San Juan. The two-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis has it all—a rich history, lush rainforests, soft sand beaches, and even a majestic volcano. Hike a beautiful rainforest to reach the crater of a dormant volcano and be rewarded with breathtaking views on a rugged island tour.
Built in 2023, the Norwegian Viva offers guests onboard activities like 10-story slides, a three-level go-kart race track, and an immersive art gallery. There's a variety of dining spots, lounges, a whiskey bar, a cigar lounge, a spa, and a Starbucks. Old San Juan has a plethora of souvenir shops located throughout the town. For a fun souvenir from San Juan, pick up one of the tourist-favorite Panama hats. Plaza Las Americas, the largest mall in the Caribbean, has many popular brand name stores. Walking around the downtown area of Ponce is a great way to get in touch with the city’s culture and ambiance.
Taste local foods that inspire the palate, like traditional roasted pork lechon and crispy fried plantains, or the classic rice and beans. Trek to mystical waterfalls in El Yunque National Forest before setting sail to St. Maarten and St. Kitts and Nevis on this unforgettable luxury cruise from Celebrity. Ponce is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, who was the great-grandfather of the city’s founder, Loíza Ponce de Leon, who founded the city in 1692. Though most visit the capital city of San Juan, a cruise to Ponce, Puerto Rico gives travelers the chance to experience a different side of the island not often seen by tourists.
From refined dining to relaxed casual, all of our 20+ eateries featuring menus curated by Michelin star chefs are yours to enjoy. From beach bonfires to private cabanas and floaty pool parties — all in a resort-like experience where you can actually let your salty hair down. Immersive experiences, game shows, Greek mythology — critics say we’re light-years ahead in entertainment.
This building is impossible to miss thanks to its red-and-black checkered exterior. Parque de Bombas is a historic firehouse that also houses a museum, where you can learn more about Ponce’s past. Its name translates to January 25 Street, a name that reflects the day when Ponce nearly burned to the ground in 1899. The buildings along this street are bright red with black trim and were built as a thank you to the firefighters who saved the city on that fateful day.
You don’t have to go far inland to find roasted pork at Camino Los Charros. Rosado also recommends La Catumba Lechonera among the many restaurants that specialize in pork. Ranging east to west from the town of Yabucoa to Cabo Rojo, the southern coast of Puerto Rico is rich in culture, food, beaches and nature. But beyond all the tangible attractions, locals say the spirit of hospitality makes the place unique. “Our greatest asset is the people, who make people feel at home,” says Milexys Rosado Romero, the owner of Hacienda Tres Casitas, a farm stay in Cabo Rojo.
No comments:
Post a Comment