Well I have to say that we really needed this get away after a very difficult year. We decided as usual to depart a day prior to the cruise. We left Chicago the day after Thanksgiving and flew down to San Juan on American Airlines, flight left on time and arrived on time. We of course were delayed waiting for our luggage which was unloaded after a flight that arrived after ours did. Oh well, such is life! Got our bags an queued up for a taxi to the Sheraton Old San Juan and off we went! Of course it was lightly raining as it always seems to be when we fly to San Juan! I handed the taxi slip to my husband and got in line to check in. The girl checking us in was new and said we didn't have a reservation, even after I showed her the confirmation. Long story short, they found us 2 rooms and honored the price. Unfortunately, while that was happening the cab driver increased the price for us by an additional $10 from the quote on the paper, not a great start to the trip but I was NOT going to let that get to us. We were told we were getting a city view room but when I opened the shutters we looked out into the parking garage across from us. It was only one night and would be dark soon anyway so off we went for dinner. My husband is disabled so we asked the bellman for a local restaurant close by. We were send up 3 flights of stairs to the street above us because the food was exceptional. Ok, long story short again, it was horrible. Waited 30 minutes between drink order and food order. Waited 55 minutes for appetizer and then another 45 minutes for main entrees due to short staff in kitchen. Ordered 2nd drinks for the happy hour special but charged full price on bill, response was the usual oh sorry didn't understand what you wanted". After a $150 bill for 5 people we left and went back to hotel to lick our wounds. Not the best day. I took my Mom (74) with for a walk down the waterfront and found a restaurant less than a block from the hotel that we were not told about with no steps.

Saturday morning came and I couldn't wait to go up and check out the pool and the ship, it was so nice to get up early when the city is quiet and see the Crown sitting there just waiting for us!! The pool there is small but adequate. Went with my 17 year old son for a walk to satisfy his craving for a fast food breakfast and walked up to the fort and then hit the BK and a drug store for some last minute items (bottled water, ginger ale, etc.) and then back to the hotel to pack up and go down around noonish to board the ship. Because of the heat and humidity I was concerned about long lines for my husband so I went up to one of the women at the security point and she called for a wheelchair for my husband, while my kids and Mom stayed in line for fairness to other people in line. The nice part was that by the time they brought a chair the rest of the family was already caught up with us and we all checked in together still. Obviously I'm pleased with the speed of checkin even with long lines. We chose to skip the pre-boarding pictures as they never work for us and we breezed through security and boarded the ship. We knew that the scooter rental for my husband would come later so we opted for the usual slow walk for the buffet lunch and then spa tour etc. Kids abandoned us as soon as we dropped items in our cabins.

Mini-Suites: We had a wheelchair accessible MS on Dolphin deck and were pleased with most of the layout. Our cabin steward was wonderful and took care of all our requests immediately. We loved the new bedding on the ship as well. Read more