Rhapsody of the Seas - November 2, 2025 (6 Nights)

The capital and largest city in Puerto Rico, San Juan is an exciting mix of old and new. This modern metropolis is a favorite cruise destination for those exploring the Caribbean, and visitors delight in the historical buildings and attractions in the Old San Juan district. The city is the second oldest European-established community in the Americas and is famous as both a tourist destination and a bustling international port. Visitors to this region will have their hands full deciding what to do next, as the city offers a great number of walking tours, fine shops and restaurants, street markets and nearby beach getaways.

Cruise vessels arriving in San Juan will dock either in the harbor directly in front of the Old City district or across the bay; taxi service will be available at either location. For those disembarking in the Old City, most of the downtown area attractions are within walking distance, as are many of the major hotels, banks and internet cafes. San Juan has a number of city bus tours and these usually depart from the cruise dock in Old San Juan.

Old San Juan, located on the small island known as Isleta de San Juan, is the historical center of the city and is connected to the mainland by both bridge and causeway. It was the center of town during Spanish colonial times and the historical buildings found in this part of the city are a must see. Of particular interest is the Fort San Felipe del Morro and Fort San Cristobal, as well as La Fortaleza, another historical fort that now serves as the governor's mansion. This entire district is filled with interesting shops that offer everything from clothing and memorabilia to fine-crafted items. Visitors can take a ferry to Catano and visit the famous Bacardi Rum factory, or hop a taxi and explore one of the white sand beaches at Condado and Isla Verde.

San Juan and in particular the Old City district is full of interesting restaurant establishments, serving everything from the usual hot dogs and burgers to international gourmet dining along Recinto Sur near the waterfront. European dinner menu items are quite common but there is also plenty of seafood, sushi and vegetarian courses available. Most cruise ships do not depart San Juan until late at night so it is popular for visitors to take their evening meal in the town. Old Town is full of bar and grill restaurants for those who wish to eat a bit and sample the local cocktails.

Old San Juan is within walking distance of the cruise docks, unless the arrival is on the mainland. Taxi service is plentiful and drivers know every destination in the city. The local omnibus vehicles travel all of the main avenues and can be hailed with a wave at any street corner. Rental car agencies are located in nearby Condado, which is also easily reached by taxi.

San Juan is a United States territory. As such, the currency is the US dollar. Spanish and English are the most common languages, although English is spoken more frequently in the areas where tourists frequent. It is important to wear comfortable walking shoes when visiting the city as many of the streets are made of blue cobblestone and the terrain is rather hilly.

Cayman Islands consists of 3 islands, of which the Grand Cayman is the largest. Grand Cayman island also hosts George Town, which is the capital of Cayman Islands. Seven Mile Beach, located on the west coast of George Town, is regarded as one of the best beaches in the world. George Town is a beautiful and alluring area of the Cayman Islands with much to offer to travelers from all around the world. Most travelers find George Town an exciting port of call when cruising the Caribbean.

Cruise ships usually anchor in the harbor; after that the passengers are transferred to either Northern or Southern cruise ship dock of George Town port. It's very convenient because both of these docks are located right in the center of George Town and you can start enjoying all that this beautiful island has to offer right away.

George Town offers a fascinating plethora of activities and attractions, including three within immediate walking distance from the port - the Cayman Islands National Museum, the Cayman Maritime Treasure Museum and the remains of Fort George, a fortress built in 1790 to protect the harbor. Those who enjoy multimedia shows may also wish to consider a visit to the Pedro Saint James Castle, which is a stone structure created in 1780, much of which was preserved in its natural state and is now host to hourly multimedia displays. Another place you may want to visit is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. There is much to observe in these famous gardens and it is not uncommon to come face to face with endemic blue iguanas when walking one of the many nature trails of this 1900s Cayman sand garden and farmhouse. You should also stop by Seven Mile Beach - an amazing beach that is perhaps the most popular spot of cruise travelers.

There are a number of outdoor cafes and restaurants located directly on the shore, many of which can be seen when pulling into port. In addition, local eateries such as the Sunset House and Breezes by the Bay are located in downtown George Town. Those who enjoy contemporary international fare may wish to visit the Bacchus Restaurant and Wine Bar where the menu changes on a daily basis. For an alternative experience, one may visit the Sapphire Lounge, the island's only authentic martini lounge. One can choose from an impressive 225 different cocktails and over 125 unique martini creations. For those who find the cozy atmosphere of a genuine Irish Pub enjoyable, Fidel Murphy's Irish Pub is the perfect choice. Vacationers who prefer a sports bar will not want to miss a trip to Legendz, the busiest and most popular sports bar on the island.

Although many walkable shopping and dining areas lie throughout the George Town harbor, areas such as Seven Mile Beach and many of the bars and lounges are not within walking distance. However, getting around George Town is not difficult as taxis are readily available at the cruise docks and at every resort. In addition, bus transportation is available and the Grand Cayman public bus system is an excellent way to transverse the island for a nominal fee. Buses are easily identified by blue license plates and daily service typically starts at 6am.

The Cayman Islands has its own currency named Cayman Island Dollar. A US dollar is worth about 80 cents in Cayman dollars. You can, however, use US dollars for pretty much all your shopping and meals. The official language is English. Should you need to use the internet, you can easily find cafes and shops in George Town center that offer wifi service.

Once nothing more than a sleepy retirement community for east coasters, the Tampa Bay area is now a bustling, modern metropolis that offers a wide range of entertainment opportunities for both vacationers and locals. It is an important cruise departure/arrival port for tourists heading to the Western Caribbean and Panama Canal, and those who choose to spend a couple of days in the region before or after their cruise will delight in the wonderful mix of Old and New World charm, the beautiful beaches and the myriad of fine shops and restaurants.

Cruises depart from the Port of Tampa Cruise Terminal, a modern facility located just a few minutes from the central business district. The terminal is adjacent to the Channelside Complex which is full of gift shops, movie cinemas and restaurants. There are several bank branches and a number of ATMs at the terminal, and visitors can take a waterfront cruise via catamaran for free. Taxis and public buses can be hailed at the terminal facility, which includes a full-service parking garage.

One of the biggest tourist draws in the region is the Busch Gardens, located off of Busch Blvd. Perfect for families, this amusement park has every conceivable kind of ride, offers an off-road safari and the complex holds the largest zoo in all of Florida. Right beside the cruise terminal one finds the Florida Aquarium, home to more than 5,000 animal and plant species. At 1 Dali Blvd is another of Tampa Bay's marvels - the extraordinary Salvador Dali Museum. The largest collections of works by the famous artist can be seen here daily. And just a short taxi ride away is St. Petersburg, with its beautiful 19th century architecture and the famous Central Avenue that is chock full of antique shops. Beach enthusiasts should head north to Clearwater, where the North American equivalent to Rio's Ipanema is found. Some of the best surfing, plenty of volleyball and the finest white sand in Florida awaits here. And don't forget the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League, who play their home games at Tropicana Field.

Over 2,000 restaurants are found in the Tampa Bay area, many of them specializing in Cajun, West Indian and Southern U.S. cuisine. Near the cruise terminal at 615 Channelside Drive is the popular Tinatapa's Restaurant, serving up a variety of shrimp dishes, gazpacho and soups, bread and salads. The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City district is one of the oldest eateries in the state, and besides the great food, visitors will love the live performances by flamenco dancers. In St. Petersburg the place to be is Skyway Jack's, popular with the locals and featuring breakfast anytime. The French toast, crepes and the renowned creamed chipped beef are the best in town.

Aside from the taxis, which can be called for at the cruise terminal and from any major hotel, the airport shuttles will take passengers from the Tampa International Airport to downtown, the waterfront and also to St. Petersburg. Rental cars can be reserved and can be picked up or dropped off both at the airport and the cruise terminal. Public buses and trolleys are operated by HART, and its TECO line streetcar operates between all the major waterfront destinations and the central business district.

The weather in Tampa can change in an instant, and the high humidity means a lot of freshening up in the restrooms. Bring light raingear when visiting this part of Western Florida, and be ready for slick roads and possible splash from vehicle tires. Near the cruise terminal and at most major hotels there are Internet cafes for those wanting to use their laptops. But above all, be ready for extremely friendly natives, excellent public transportation and plenty of fun and adventure before or after the cruise.