We just returned from our cruise on Carnival Destiny this past weekend! I have to say it was my favorite cruise ever!!!

We flew into San Juan on the Saturday before the cruise and stayed at the Sheraton Old San Juan right across from the pier. We paid $160 a night for the hotel. It is the nice comfortable hotel and you can not beat the location near the port. My advice is to book the hotel as soon as possible and then keep checking the website to see if the price drops, you may get lucky!

Embarkation: We checked out of the hotel and went right to the pier. They allowed us to drop off our luggage and check in with the ship. There was a very small line and we waited 15 minutes at the most to get help. They let us do all of your sign and sail stuff and told us we couldn't get on the ship until 1pm and not into our cabin until 2:30. We were planning on site seeing in San Juan anyway, so we left to tour the town. Once we were done with the town we came back to board the ship. Make sure you stop by the duty free liquor store and save room in your carry on luggage. They don't take the liquor and you can save a ton of money making drinks in your room. By the time we had lunch and went to the cabin our luggage has arrive (1 piece was missing). Since the one bag hadn't arrived I asked our cabin steward where it might be, he took my down to the purser's office and low and behold there was my bag! My one tip is to make sure that your deck tags are securely fastened to your luggage and that you have a name tag that can be easily checked so that if it is misplaced they can find you. Sail away was wonderful. Read more