First, my photo links are given here. You will be surprised how attractive these ports are.  Click on this link (or copy and paste it in your browser if necessary):

https://picasaweb.google.com/efschlenk/TACruise412Album?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOnrerv9O-wUA#

Thumbnail photos will then appear (if you get a "stack overload" alert due to the number of photos, just click on the alert till it closes).  Then click on the "slideshow" option in the upper left.  Wiggle your mouse to access the control panel to set speed, pause, or go back.  

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO:  Our cruise began in San Juan.  

San Juan hotels are overpriced, especially near cruise departure days, so I stayed in a basic and  inexpensive (less than the cab fare from the airport) posada in old San Juan (Posada San Francisco, on Plaza Colon).  There I met several others going on my cruise, and we shared a taxi to the RCI cruise terminal in the morning.

Old San Juan is a pleasure for strolling. Make sure you leave enough time to enjoy it, especially the two historic forts run by the National Park Service (El Morro and San Cristobal).  For free entry to both, remember to bring your national park pass (Golden Eagle, etc.) from home.

The RCI cruise terminal is across the bay from old San Juan.  There is no bus service nearby and you will need to hire a taxi to get there.  Taxis from the airport to old San Juan are regulated and cost about $24 (for the entire cab), but taxis from old San Juan to the cruise terminal may take some negotiating (always agree on the price in advance, since most taxis are not metered).

Boarding begins around noon.  Getting there earlier means you will simply have to wait in line (outside) longer.

I hope you find the above information useful.  Enjoy my photos and your next cruise.  Bon voyage!

San Juan

ST. THOMAS, USVI:  I regret to say that this is my least favorite port in the Caribbean.  It is usually overwhelmed with cruise ships, even though the locals try very hard to accommodate them.

In years past we used to take the small ferry to Water Island to escape the cruise crowds (this is most convenient if your ship docks at the yacht harbor in Crown Bay).  Unfortunately, local tour operators now bring party barges and catamarans into the Water Island beach every mid-day, so it is no longer quiet or pleasant.

Magens Bay beach is probably the best alternative (pay for a taxi to the north shore, then pay for beach entry).  We may simply stay onboard and enjoy the empty ship when our itineraries take us to St. Thomas in the future.

St. Thomas

ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN (DUTCH/FRENCH): I am a francophile and a francophone, but I must admit that the Dutch half of this island (where the cruise ships dock) is much nicer than the French side.  The French beaches (including the famous but unpleasant Orient Beach) are on the windward side, with rough surf, no free shade, and seaweed and plastic debris in the water and on the beach.

A much better alternative is to walk from the ship into Phillipsburg along the nice pedestrian walkway.  A few blocks inland from the town waterfront you will find mini-vans heading west to Mullet Bay Beach (a scenic 20 minute ride for 2 USD).  Look for the Mullet Bay sign in the mini-van window, and remember to greet the driver and other passengers when you enter.  The driver will drop you a short walk from the beach.

Along the way you will pass the infamous Maho Beach, where jets land and take off just overhead.  This is an awesome event, especially the late morning arrival of the KLM 747 from Europe (check flight schedules if you are interested in being blasted by awesome jet noise).

Mullet Bay Beach is far enough beyond Maho Beach that it is not bothered by the jets.  It offers a long strip of pristine white sand and crystal clear water straight out of a travel poster.  On week day mornings it is almost empty and absolutely glorious.  There is shade, but no changing room, so wear your suit if you do not want to change under your towel. Vendors there rent chairs and umbrellas, and they sell snacks and drinks.

St. Maarten

First, my photo links are given here.  You will be surprised how attractive these ports are.

Click on this link (or copy and paste it in your browser if necessary):

https://picasaweb.google.com/efschlenk/TACruise412Album?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOnrerv9O-wUA#


SANTA CRUZ, TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS (SPANISH): The first of the two Canary Islands on our cruise, Tenerife Island is well-developed and tourist friendly.  Most of its tourists arrive by air from Europe.  Most of the beaches are on the south coast, but the best sightseeing is to the north and west of the Santa Cruz cruise port.

There was a good deal of construction along the Santa Cruz waterfront (it is being upgraded), but signs will direct you along a 10 minute walk to the main waterfront boulevard, where you can catch a local bus (you will need a few euros for buses, drivers make change) westbound to the large main bus station ("Estacion" on the front of the bus, or ask the driver).  

From there, you can catch a bus (there are several per hour, I believe #15) to La Laguna, an inland town about 20 minutes northwest, with a UNESCO World Heritage preserved historic center.  Old La Laguna is wonderful for strolling and is just a 10 minute walk from the local bus station (or take the modern tram those few blocks).  The local tourism board in the center provides free guided walks on most days around noon.

There is an old tower in the town center with nice views (it does not open till 10am), and there is a nice farmers and florists market a few blocks northeast of the old town.

Remember that clean and free public restrooms are available in the La Laguna bus station and in the farmers market building.

If you have time and interest, there are frequent buses from La Laguna to Puerto de la Cruz on the northwest coast, an additional 20 minute ride on the freeway.  This is an attractive tourist enclave with a nice parks and a waterfront walk.  The local tourism board has good maps for self-guided walking tours, and their historic office on the waterfront  has a nice gift shop with local crafts, including handmade lace.

There is no bus station building in Puerto de la Cruz.  Instead the buses all line up along one street located a few blocks above the waterfront, with street signs giving the destinations and schedules.  There are frequent buses back to Santa Cruz, about a 30 minute ride on the non-stop (I believe #103) bus.

With your remaining time in Santa Cruz (the cruise port) I suggest you walk around the Calatrava-designed Auditorium of Tenerife, which is near the main bus station.  It is similar to his famously  winged Milwaukee art museum in the U.S.A.  Make sure you look at the painted rocks along the waterfront near the auditorium.  The portraits will surprise you.  See how many you can recognize.

From the auditorium it is a 15 minute walk back toward the center of town to the modern TEA public library and contemporary art museum.  The former is the most beautiful library I have seen anywhere  (and it has free internet).  The latter has temporary exhibitions, some of which are very enjoyable if you are an art lover, and are relatively inexpensive. There is a coffee shop between the library and museum, with a separate entry.

Next door to the TEA is the anthropology and natural history museum, which some recommended but I did not have time to see.  From there it is a 20 minute walk back to the ship.

There is usually a shuttle from the ship to the town center for a few USD, but it was not operating early enough for me, and the public bus stop is close to the ship anyway.  You will be surprised how enjoyable Tenerife and La Laguna can be.

Tenerife

First, my photo links are given here.  You will be surprised how attractive these ports are.

Click on this link (or copy and paste it in your browser if necessary):

https://picasaweb.google.com/efschlenk/TACruise412Album?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOnrerv9O-wUA#

Thumbnail photos will then appear (if you get a "stack overload" alert due to the number of photos, just click on the alert till it closes).  Then click on the "slideshow" option in the upper left.  Wiggle your mouse to access the control panel to set speed, pause, or go back.  


ARRECIFE, LANZAROTE, CANARY ISLANDS (SPANISH):

Lanzarote Island is famous for its barren volcanic landscape, which has been used in some science fiction movies as an alien planet.  Incongruously, one of the most popular ship tours is a camel ride in the remote volcanic national park.  There are also many things you can do on your own at a fraction of the cost.

Cruise ships dock about 2 miles (3 km) east of Arrecife town.  There is a small beach at the port  (too cold to swim, but adequate for sunning on a warm day).  Just follow the pedestrian walkway signs.  One can continue on foot to Arrecife, but it is too far and uninteresting to be worthwhile.

Instead of the walkway to Arrecife, walk 10 minutes straight out of the cruise port to the main highway (follow the trucks and buses, and use caution because there is no sidewalk toward the end).  On the highway traffic circle is the Estrella restaurant.  

On the side of the highway next to the Estrella restaurant you can flag the local bus (I believe #3) eastbound to Costa Teguise.  It departs every 20 minutes, takes about 15 minutes, and costs about 1.50 euros (drivers make change).  At the end of the line, there is a condo area with shops and several pleasant beaches (walk through the mall to get to the beach promenade).

Alternately, across the highway from the Estrella restaurant is the westbound bus (I believe #3) into Arrecife (10 minutes, about 1.50 euros) and beyond to Playa del Carmen on the south coast (about 30 minutes more, although I did not go there).  

Instead, I changed buses in Arrecife (at the main bus station inland or at the large outdoor Intercambiador bus stop near the waterfront) and took the #60 bus for a 60 minute long, 4 euro ride along the center of the island past the volcanic national park (no access by public bus) to Playa Blanca on the west coast.  

This route gives a scenic view of most of the island, and the beach walk at Playa Blanca is very pleasant.  The #60 bus runs only once every hour (near the top of the hour) so plan your return to the ship accordingly.

Lanzarote

First, my photo links are given here.  You will be surprised how attractive these ports are.

Click on this link (or copy and paste it in your browser if necessary):

https://picasaweb.google.com/efschlenk/TACruise412Album?authkey=Gv1sRgCNOnrerv9O-wUA#

Thumbnail photos will then appear (if you get a "stack overload" alert due to the number of photos, just click on the alert till it closes).  Then click on the "slideshow" option in the upper left.  Wiggle your mouse to access the control panel to set speed, pause, or go back.  

FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLAND (PORTUGUESE):  Madeira Island has a local bus system, but most of it is thinly scheduled, for locals going to and from work.  

However, there is good bus service (#20 or #21, I believe) up the mountain behind Funchal to the beautiful vistas and street sled rides of El Monte.

Funchal itself is a beautiful town with wonderful gardens.  A ride up and down from El Monte followed by a walk through Funchal with visits to the farmers market and several churches and museums will easily fill your day.  

At the cruise port pick up a free map of Funchal.  From the cruise ship it is a scenic 15 minute walk along the yacht harbor and waterfront to the Praca de Autonomia (Plaza of Autonomy).  

On the west side of the plaza, heading uphill along the (usually dry) riverbed is the bus stop for El Monte.  It is a scenic 15 minute ride up (about 2 euros) to the church (igreja) of El Monte (ask the driver where to get off).  From the church front  you can look down over Funchal and the cruise port.  

Right below the church is the starting point for the famous street (basket) sled rides part way downhill.  The bus ride back down was thrilling enough for me, but just watching the sleds take off is fun.  Near the church is a large public garden, but the entry is 10 euros, and the gardens in town are free.

On the east side of the Praca de Autonomia downtown is the indoor farmers, fishmen, and florists market.  There you will find colorful photo ops, especially since the florists still wear the island's traditional red costumes and caps.

Walking along the pedestrian zone west from the market and the Praca de Autonomia you will come to the historic town center along Avenida Arriaga.  There you will find many cafes, free wi-fi, beautiful blue (in spring) jacaranda trees, and a wonderful public flower garden.

If you head uphill from that flower garden, you will come to Santa Clara street, which leads up to two fine museums, a beautiful church (San Pedro) and a nice old convent (Santa Clara).

Near the top of the street is the Museu Quinta das Cruzes, a fine old mansion where the last Austrian emperor was exiled after the war.  It is now a museum of decorative arts.  In the museum garden is a nice orchid display.

A few blocks below this, also on Santa Clara street is the Museu Freitas.  Half is a modern building with a good collection of the famous old tiles (azulejos) which one sees in churches and homes.  The other half is the former mansion of Dr. Freitas.  The mansion is particularly impressive because its valuable art objects are in situ, and not behind glass.

To see the Santa Clara convent you will have to ring the bell next to the gate.  If it is answered, a nun (or employee) will include you in one of their tours.  San Pedro church is near the convent on your way back down to the town center.

For those who are unable to walk well, I believe Funchal has a hop on/off bus tour that leaves from the waterfront, but I do not know the schedule or prices.

Madeira (Funchal)

There was a good deal of construction along the Santa Cruz waterfront (it is being upgraded), but signs will direct you along a 10 minute walk to the main waterfront boulevard, where you can catch a local bus (you will need a few euros for buses, drivers make change) westbound to the large main bus station ("Estacion" on the front of the bus, or ask the driver).Instead, I changed buses in Arrecife (at the main bus station inland or at the large outdoor Intercambiador bus stop near the waterfront) and took the #60 bus for a 60 minute long, 4 euro ride along the center of the island past the volcanic national park (no access by public bus) to Playa Blanca on the west coast.

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