We arrived in San Juan and stayed 4 days at the Sheraton Old San Juan: this is a wonderful hotel. The hotel is an excellent location within walking distance of major attractions and across the pier from Carnival Cruise Line. You can take a taxi from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the ship for approx $25. There is no need to take RC transportation. The Sheraton is within walking distance to a CVS so you can get your case of water prior to getting on the ship. There is nothing at the RC pier.
We arrived at the ship at 11am and there was a long line of people waiting to get in. If you are a Crown member you do have express check in. We had to wait until 12noon for them to open the doors to allow you onto the ship.
The ship itself is clean. We had a balcony room that was small compared to other ships. The bed was comfortable. The linens were threadbare and old and worn. The runner at the bottom of the bed had fecal appearing material on it (which was there for days). The cabin steward was worthless and the worst we ever had.