As I'd only ever cruised once before, I found information on Cruise Critic invaluable when planning this trip. I decided I would write my own review and tips from our trip as an aide to those who could benefit as I did from the advice of others.
Flight: we live in Nova Scotia, Canada...flight options aren't plentiful but we went with American Airlines, via JFK. No complaints about the airline other than the extra luggage costs for our 2 checked pcs...that was not anticipated as we had purchased full fare tickets a year prior to flying..oh well. However, JFK has got to be one of the filthiest airports I've ever flown thru.....I saw cleaning carts for the washrooms...but never saw an attendant...hmm, perhaps they were just a ruse to make you think the bathrooms were being cleaned: the state of the stalls was horrendous. I shudder still at the memory.
San Juan Airport: not a long wait for our luggage upon arrival, but we flew in the day before sailing as we were meeting the other members of our group who had flown in from other parts of Canada. Note: keep handy your baggage claim checks as there were airport personnel checking your tags against the luggage ones.