Nonsense. Old San Juan is best at night. I was there over Christmas and we went to Old San Juan around 11PM and didn't come home until 5AM. We even got out of the main section and hung in some fairly seedy pubs that the average tourist doesn't get to. My wife is from there and we go about every year for a week or two. We have friends with an apartment down there as well. Just pay attention to your surroundings and don't act like an idiot.

Your ship comes in the evening and leaves by 10PM right? You can spend the entire time on foot in Old San Juan. The place transforms a bit to cater to the cruises. It's not like they are dropping you off for a tijauna mule show. They know what they are doing.

The PR cigars are mostly clint eastwood type sticks often infused. Actually for what they are they can be fun in between shops or pubs. There is a nice cigar store (actually a couple) that sell everything you would normally get stateside. No big deal but the store I am thinking of (mental block on the name but it will come) has a really nice lounge area with drinks. And the local conversation can be very interesting. I was in a long conversation about statehood vs. territory vs. independance with a dude that looked sort of like che guivera and kept calling me gringo LOL. It was good natured (yet laced with truth).

Old San Juan in the context you will be there is set up for tourists. San Juan itself is a different story. I have been all over it at odd times of night (my wifes family is spread throughout the area) and there are parts there I would definitely avoid.

REMEMBERED - The Cigar House

Christmas????? It is not as big there as 3 Kings day(Jan 5th).

We celebrate 3 kings every year.

We left right before though. We spent Christmas Eve bouncing between relatives houses. They are crazy. Every last house was drinking, dancing, cranking music and often playing various instruments. (Download some El Gran Combo prior to the cruise to get in the mood) I love El Gran Combo.

Christmas Day was fun too. It took us over an hour to get from Isla Verde to OSJ. There were huge concerts in the carolina area and the streets of OSJ were absolutely packed. It started to clear a bit by 1 or 2 but there were still folks partying at 5.

I love PR but I have to say this is the first time I came back a little disappointed. It may be the economy, but....

They seem less friendly and downright cranky at times. Service really sucked. At many places they acted as if you were lucky they were serving you at all. Even my Father in law was shocked at the change in just the last couple years.

At one place I never did get my meal. I ordered Mofongo with pork (as did most my table) the others came out. Mine did not. When I asked where it was they told me not to worry about it, it would be out when it is out. Ten minutes later I asked again and they said it was not my issue. He then brough it out without the pork. My father in law asked where the pork was (by this time it was all in spanish) and the waiter said it would come out later because it was too heavy and he would bring the pork later LOL. He had just carried out 5 plates of the same thing with the pork but one plate was too heavy.

5 minutes later I gave him the plain dish back and told him I was no longer hungry. He said I couldn't do that. I smiled and told him I just did. I'm glossing over it but it was weird.

That said, I still love the place..... even that resteraunte

And drunk too LOL. It is fun to be in a little town when the party rolls through. Big arse speakers, music, booze.... I think they actually stopped selling booze on election day or during the hours etc.... not sure. But the parties leading up are great fun.

NO PORK FOR YOU..!! 🤐 🤐 🤐 🤐

one of the funniest i have read in a lon ime

Glad to be of service to ya Old Timer..................

Ron

and get some gasolina.... cheap rockgut drinks in a juice bag with a pucture straw... awful stuff but it looks just like capri sun.

Is he on the ship yet ?

If so, I will now say this...

Cruises have become nothing but glorified Greyhond Buses full of peasants,especially Carnival Cruises. I hope he isn't disappointed

just saying...

wheel,

LOL! I go next week 🙂

Worst case scenario, my wifey and I will do the hokey pokey for seven days and take in room service and I'll smoke my personal sticks on the balcony ... what could go wrong? I'll be in a great position to identify the pirates or rocks if we're getting too close, too!

I'll see how much cigar shopping the wifey will let me do. I'm saving up for the good ones, but I'll probably pass if I don't find what I'm lookin' for.