Frequent cruisers will know that there are solely so many locations one can go to when embarking on an island tour nearer to the U.S. — within the Caribbean, a few of the commonest ports are Nassau within the Bahamas, Cozumel in Mexico and CocoCay, the non-public island owned by Royal Caribbean (RCL) .
Whereas some city ports would make for an ideal cruise cease, ships might not cease there for any variety of causes. Typically it comes all the way down to native legal guidelines or agreements with cruise ship firms whereas as within the case with the latest political violence in Haiti, itineraries are rerouted on the final minute.
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The capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is a cease on many Caribbean itineraries for Royal Caribbean and Superstar. However Carnival (CCL) -owned Princess Cruises pulled out of this port in 2015 with a view to prioritize different locations — this week, the cruise firm introduced that will probably be returning to Puerto Rico for the primary time in 10 years with a seven-day route aboard the Grand Princess beginning in October 2025.
Princess Cruises desires again in on this ‘fast-growing vacation spot’
“Puerto Rico stays one of many fastest-growing locations within the Caribbean and continues to draw new airlift from supply markets throughout the U.S. in addition to markets in Europe and South America, which makes it an important match for Princess,” Princess Cruises Chief Business Officer Terry Thornton mentioned in an announcement. “Plus, there are lots of excellent choices to select from for an important pre- or post-cruise keep.”
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Each of the brand new routes, which can alternate one after the opposite all through the season, will start in San Juan and proceed on deeper into the Caribbean — the primary route will make stops in Tortola, St. Kitts, Dominica, Grenada, and Barbados whereas the second will cease in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Vincent, and Barbados.
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The Grand Princess goes to Puerto Rico as a substitute of Australia and New Zealand
The Grand Princess is a 2,600-passenger ship whose facilities embrace 4 swimming pools, an adults-only sanctuary overlooking the ocean, a big leisure theatre and a placing inexperienced. In line with Princess Cruises, tickets for the brand new routes might be accessible for buy as of Might 18 whereas the season for the brand new routes will run from October 12, 2025 to March 29, 2026.
Initially, it was imagined to sail from Sydney and Brisbane for a tour of Australia and New Zealand however was reassigned to the Caribbean route departing from San Juan because the nearer routes are more likely to have extra site visitors from U.S.-based markets. Puerto Rico, specifically, has been seeing sturdy curiosity in the previous couple of years.
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“We’re excited to welcome Princess Cruises again house to the Port of San Juan,” Carlos Mercado Santiago, govt director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Firm, mentioned in an announcement. “This announcement underscores our dedication to cement San Juan because the main homeport within the area, the place friends can sail all through the fantastic ports of the Jap and Southern Caribbean. Moreover, the sailings will assist drive financial improvement for each Puerto Rico and our regional companions.”
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