We sailed on the Victory out of San Juan on November 9, 2008. We arrived a day early and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express which is a great location (Condado) and reasonably priced. (There was me and DH, no children. We were meeting friends who lived in another state on the ship)
EMBARKATION: This was not the best part of our cruise. It was a literal zoo. We were at the port located in Old San Juan. Last year (on Serenade of the Seas) we cruised out of the terminal (can't remember name) that is not in Old San Juan and it was a breeze. This was confusing and lines were long. Don't think they have their act together yet as those cruisers who boarded in Barbados were not allowed off the ship in the morning. I don't know when they were finally able to get off. I would have been quite put out if I were them.
DINING: Food was average. Some items excellent; some poor. Our dining experience was not helped by our having the worst waiter we have had in our six cruises. This is first time we didn't tip our waiter an additional amount above the prepaid gratuity.
Great cabin. Location made it quiet. Balcony was the best.