The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is well known for its beautiful weather, stunning beaches, historic buildings, as well as fantastic food and welcoming people. All of these factors combine to make Puerto Rico a great destination for travelers, families, honeymooners, and more. There truly is something there for everyone.
Cruises, in particular, are a great way to experience Puerto Rico. It’s easy to pack light because so many amenities that you might need while on vacation will be readily available right there on your cruise ship. Taking a cruise with the family is an easy way to include activities that both kids and adults will love. Let’s dive in and take a look at a few of the routes to Puerto Rico that families can take.
Barbados to San Juan
Cruising to San Juan from Barbados usually takes around a week, which allows you to experience the Caribbean up close and personal. Depending upon the length of your cruise, there’s also plenty of time to stop off on other islands along the way, and most of the cruise lines equip their ships with pools, arcades, movie theaters, and more to make sure that the kids will never get bored while you’re out at sea.
Miami to San Juan
If you’re on the East Coast of the United States, then your best bet is probably to set sail from Florida. Miami is an obvious pick, but you can also find regular cruises from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, all dropping you off in the Puerto Rican capital city of San Juan.
New York to San Juan
Another option if you’re on the East Coast is to travel from the city that never sleeps. Traveling to San Juan from New York allows you to take in all of the sights of the Big Apple before cruising south for a couple of weeks with several stops along the way. Just be warned that a longer cruise will also cost more money, so if your family is traveling on a budget and you’re based in New York, it may be cheaper to fly to Miami and to sail from there.
Southampton to San Juan
Of course, not everyone travels to Puerto Rico from America, and some people also combine a cruise with additional travel plans to see as much of the world as possible. If you’re traveling via the UK, your two main choices are Southampton and Portsmouth, although as a general rule, it’s Southampton that seems to have more choice when it comes to routes and a range of cruise providers. After all, just because you’re international doesn’t mean you should knock Puerto Rico off your family bucket list!
When You Arrive
The adventure isn’t over once you arrive in San Juan, so be sure to plan a few days in the Puerto Rican capital. There’s plenty for the entire family to do and see, from food tours and art museums to historic sites like Old San Juan, the Plaza de Colon and a monument honoring the Puerto Rican police. If that’s not enough to keep you busy, there are also some great snorkeling spots and plenty of water sports, as well as some of the best Caribbean restaurants you’ll ever eat at, where you can get the kids to try fried plantains (called tostones), regional delicacy mofongo, and a cold drink called coquito for the grownups. What’s not to love?
