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Beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, historic sites, culinary experiences, and outdoor adventures—discover the many sides of Puerto Rico on a cruise from San Juan. The 100-mile long island is packed with a diverse array of experiences, from spirited salsa music to serene coral reefs, 16th century UNESCO World Heritage structures, and pastel buildings lining cobblestone streets. From the moment you arrive, you’ll find that San Juan, Puerto Rico is bursting at the seams with unforgettable cultural discoveries. Every alleyway in Old San Juan offers a glimpse into a vibrant past that stretches back centuries, while monuments like the UNESCO World Heritage site Castillo San Felipe del Morro will make you feel as though you’ve wandered back in time. Dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, the beloved Paseo de La Princesa in the city’s historic center is a great place to experience Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage up close.
A tapestry of culture and sun
Watch: Coast Guard airlifts pregnant woman from Disney cruise ship in Atlantic Ocean - Fox Weather
Watch: Coast Guard airlifts pregnant woman from Disney cruise ship in Atlantic Ocean.
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On a Caribbean cruise from San Juan, you’ll explore other enticing tropical destinations aboard one of our award-winning cruise ships. Experience Bonaire’s famed dive sites and Curaçao’s historic Willemstad. A short taxi drive from Old San Juan there’s more to see and do. The Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are collectively known as the ABC islands.
Cruise Port Guides

There is a large CVS store/pharmacy which has a large variety of food, drinks, and other necessities directly across from Old San Juan piers 1 & 2 and only 1/4 mile west of piers 3 and 4. There are numerous, safe overnight parking garages in Old San Juan around the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, which is across from the Old San Juan cruise piers. Expect to tip what you’re used to in the U.S., which is typically 15% to 20% of the total bill. Throughout your journey, savor delicious dishes from menus crafted by our Michelin-starred chef. Enjoy revolutionary entertainment unlike anything else at sea.
Top Rated Hotels Near Pan American Cruise Port – San Juan
If your cruise begins in San Juan, we encourage you to extend your stay by at least 2 nights, we are confident that once you get a little taste of what Puerto Rico has to offer, you’ll regret not having stayed a few more nights. If your situation does not allow it, we hope that when you visit, you feel a warm welcome and come back to visit again. Be sure to leave time in your schedule to wander around Old San Juan, an area filled with colorful buildings, pretty plazas, and small parks situated alongside cobblestoned streets. It’s also home to some of San Juan’s most beloved sites, including two separate forts, cathedrals, and iconic statues. Yes – there are a number of beaches within a mile or so of the cruise piers. Spanish is the main language spoken by locals, but most speak English as well.
CASTILLO DE SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO
The cruise terminal has a parking lot, taxi rank, and an air-conditioned lounge inside. If you’re heading straight to the airport after your cruise ends in San Juan, expect a 20-minute cab or shuttle ride between the cruise terminal and San Juan airport. Visit one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the Caribbean—Harrison’s Cave. Descend deep into the cavern on a tram, where you’ll see incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations, bubbling streams, tumbling cascades, plunging waterfalls, and emerald pools.
Amazing experiences coming soon.
There are so many things to see and do in San Juan, Puerto Rico, you’d never guess it had to bounce back from a hurricane. Not only is it a must-visit destination all on its own, its central location also makes it the best jumping off point for you to explore the exotic shores of the Southern Caribbean. From Aruba’s pastel colonial promenades and Curaçao’s ancient rugged caves, to Antigua’s colorful reefs and Barbados’s golden-sand beaches — Cruises from San Juan unlock the most beautiful shores on the south side. Old San Juan has a plethora of souvenir shops located throughout the town.
With 7, 8, 10, and 11-night voyages to choose from, every moment in San Juan is an invitation to explore.
You’ll find typical souvenirs mixed in with locally made handicrafts. 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. Today, you’ll find a city with a focus on the future while still striving to preserve its own unique culture of dance, music, cuisine, and folklore. Travelers on cruises from San Juan or visiting San Juan as a port of call will find that tourism is a big part of the economy and will be charmed by its residents, who are known for their warm hospitality to visitors. 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.
Quick Facts for Cruise Visitors
San Juan is one of the Caribbean’s hottest and most beloved cruise stops, welcoming visitors to explore one of the best-preserved Spanish Colonial historic cities. We are celebrating five centuries of history in our beautiful Old San Juan, we invite you to celebrate with us. Five centuries ago, our capital city was walled and protected by fortifications, keeping outsiders out. We are proud of the fact that in modern days, San Juan is often referred to as one of the happiest and most welcoming places on earth. 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.
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9 New Resilient Lady San Juan 2024-2025 Cruises.
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Is there parking available at the San Juan Port Cruise Terminals?
Cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico offer a magical blend of natural island charm and man-made wonders. Historic San Juan, once nothing more than cobblestone streets and the distinctive architecture of the Spanish who founded it, is now a modern world capital. And, as you’ll see on Carnival’s cruises from Puerto Rico, it’s kept these classical features! 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 San Juan Cruise Port is one of the largest and busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean. There are 4 cruise ship piers and 2 modern terminals along the southern shores of historic Old San Juan with a total capacity to accommodate 7 ships at once. The strategic locations of these piers give tourists easy walking access to Old San Juan and its many attractions. In addition, just 1-mile southeast, across the San Antonio Canal, are 2 more large modern cruise ship terminals at the Pan American Pier, which can hold 2 more cruise ships.
Transit ships are those docking for a day or two originating from another homeport. The San Juan Cruise Port is host to an estimated 500 cruise ships (approx. 18 different cruise lines), and nearly 2 million passengers travel to Puerto Rico through this port – every year. Most Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises include a stop in San Juan offering travelers an opportunity to experience a little bit of the magic of this extraordinary city.
From luxurious white sand beaches and turquoise seas to spectacular diving sites and exotic animal encounters, the ABC islands offer something for every vacationer. Explore Bonaire’s renowned marine life from a glass-bottom kayak, or enjoy a two-tank scuba dive in the Caribbean’s top-ranked dive location. Take part in a hands-on cooking class with a local chef and learn how Caribbean ingredients impart an island flavor to dishes in Curaçao. Home Port cruise lines (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Princess) often use San Juan as their departure port, thus cruises embark from San Juan.
Immersive experiences, game shows, Greek mythology — critics say we’re light-years ahead in entertainment. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #sanjuan — you may see them right here.
The lawns provide a gorgeous base to the stately standing fort at the top of the gently sloping hill, with the ocean sparkling all around it. Explore the fort’s old sleeping quarters, dungeons, and ramparts. Informational signs spread out around the fort will enlighten you about the history of El Morro and how it played a strategic military role for many centuries. If your ship docks at an Old San Juan pier, you can walk just a few blocks into Old San Juan streets of San Francisco, Calle del Cristo, and Fortaleza where you can also find a number of great restaurants and cafes.
Explore the vibrant city of San Juan on a cruise to Puerto Rico with Holland America Line. Take a stroll along and then past the old city walls and explore the colorful cobblestone streets of old San Juan – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Site within the U.S. Taste your way through the city’s extraordinary culinary scene, immerse yourself in its colorful history, or just pull up at a beach and grab a local rum cocktail. On a cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico explore one of many cruise excursions like El Yungue National Rainforest. Or a drive to Old San Juan where you can enjoy the architecture, historic buildings, and shopping. The Pan American Pier has two modern two-tiered passenger terminals (I & II), located in Isla Grande, next to the Isla Grande Airport and near the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
The beach ambiance you’ll encounter differs quite a bit depending on what beach you visit since some are laid back while others have more of a party vibe. The popular beaches of Isla Verde and Condado offer both relaxation and fun in the sun, with spots where you can rent lounge chairs and water sports equipment, and even get an oceanfront massage. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and individuals born on the island are U.S. citizens. You do not need a passport if flying from the U.S. to Puerto Rico or vice versa.