We flew to the US one week before our cruise, and actually arrived in SJ two days before, staying at the Caribe Hilton. Nice hotel and the closest to the pier (Adventure docks at the Pam American Pier, not in old SJ).

We spent embarkation morning by the pool in the hotel, and checked out at 1pm. A short taxi ride later we were handing over our suitcases and in line to enter the terminal. Having printed out our Set Sail passes, it took no more than 30 minutes to check in and get to our cabin.

At 3.30 we were up in the Sky bar, meeting some of our fellow critics for the first time. Then time to explore the ship....it is so big we only found Johnny Rockets on the last day! Booked Portofino for sail away, and then chased our bags since they seemed a long time in arriving. Read more