Celebrity Summit Disembarkation in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Celebrity Summit Disembarkation in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Cruising the Southern Caribbean on Celebrity Summit
By Jeannette and Dan Dudek
Celebrity Summit Disembarkation Preparation – Things to Consider:
Celebrity Summit Disembarkation in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Casino Chips
You must cash in all your chips prior to the Fortunes Casino closing on the night before you reach your disembarking location; chips cannot be redeemed for cash after you leave the ship.
DVDs and Pictures
International law stipulates that any DVDs or pictures made by the crew can only be purchased by guests while on the ship, thus you will not be able to purchase such items once you depart the ship.
Disembarkation
You might want to consider just carrying off ALL your luggage when you are ready to depart the ship; the alternative (and recommendation) is placing your larger luggage in the hall the night before you depart at the stipulated time (typically about 11 p.m.); and have the crew pick up and deliver your luggage to a pickup point on shore in the Security Area.
(Note: we find it much easier to let the crew take our heavy bags; it is easier for us and our bags have always been waiting for us in the Security Area.) By the way, you have to be out of your stateroom by 8:00 a.m. on the day of departure (unless you are staying in the same stateroom for the next cruise, e.g. a Back-to-Back).
Back-to-Back Information
We did two, 1-week cruises on the Summit. Different ports were visited each week; and the ship returned to San Juan at the end of the first cruise to start the second. If you are doing a Back-to-Back, you will be invited to attend a briefing the last night of the first cruise; for us, this briefing was held in the Conference Room on Deck 3. We strongly recommend you attend this meeting. Even after attending the briefing, we had some questions. When we asked some of the staff, we got conflicting answers.
Information For Passengers Taking Back-to-Back Cruises:
SeaPass Card
An envelope containing your SeaPass Card for the next cruise and a Transit Pass will be delivered to your stateroom the last night of your first cruise. If you are staying in the same stateroom for the next cruise you do not have to vacate your room by 8:00 a.m. on the departure day.
However, if you are still on the ship by 10:30 a.m. you must meet with others doing the Back-to-Back (we met in the Conference Room on Deck 3) at 10:40 a.m. A Summit officer will escort you off the ship. You do a quick check-in at Customs – get your picture taken and then re-board the ship using your new SeaPass Card.
Since your stateroom will have already been cleaned by the time you return to the ship, you may return to your stateroom if you so desire. You are free to depart the ship at any time. When you wish to return use your Transit Pass to by-pass the check-in and custom lines and proceed directly to the ship.
Alcohol
You are allowed to bring on board two bottles of wine per stateroom as this will be a new cruise initial departure day (Note: Check with your cruise line for current limits). If you have a different stateroom for the next cruise you must have all your personal items packed (or at least put on a rolling carrier) and vacate your original stateroom by 8:00 a.m.; and have your items placed in your new stateroom. In this case, you will not be allowed to enter your new stateroom until the announcement is made that the rooms are ready – this can be as late as 2:30 p.m. Otherwise the process is the same as described above.
U.S. Customs
Prior to going through U.S. Customs at the end of your cruise – be sure to complete your Customs Declaration Form. Check the current allowances for alcohol, tobacco and other items, and be sure to declare everything.
San Juan Airport
When you book your cruise you can select Celebrity’s transportation service to the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) for $15 per person. An alternative option is a van service for $22 per couple, plus $1 a bag.
Read More of Jeannette and Dan Dudek’s Celebrity Summit Review:
Overview | Pre-Cruise Documentation | San Juan Airports & Embarkation | Sunset Balcony Staterooms | Dining Options | Normandie Specialty Restaurant | Qsine Specialty Restaurant | Excursions | Production Shows | Bridge & Engine Room Operation | Senior Officer Interviews | General Info | Disembarkation in San Juan |
If You Go:
Bio
Jeannette and Dan Dudek travel extensively domestically and internationally; visited over 30 countries; and have been to most U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Jeannette’s career has included teaching elementary school classes; as well as English classes for middle school students; she also as has been a business manager and accountant for several firms. Jeannette’s passion is gourmet cooking and hosting special gatherings for friends and family.
Dan spent his career as an international consultant; assisting large firms implement computerized project and portfolio management systems. Besides international travel, Jeannette and Dan enjoy traveling North America in their RV, as well as handgun competitions, sailing, hunting, hiking, biking and other outdoor sports.
