The San Juan Cruise Port (Old San Juan Piers) is the busiest cruise ship port in the Caribbean and the gateway to Puerto Rico for those arriving by sea. Most cruise ships dock here, making it an easy base for exploring Old San Juan and beyond.
The San Juan Cruise Port has three piers: Pier 1, Pier 3, and Pier 4. Pier 1 handles smaller ships, including those operated by Azamara, Windstar, Silversea, and Seabourn. Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships use Pier 3, while Pier 4 serves Royal Caribbean, MSC, Celebrity, Norwegian, Carnival, Holland America, and more. Piers 3 and 4 share a terminal, while Pier 1 has its own.
The highlights of Old San Juan—including its cobblestoned streets, shady plazas, restaurants, museums, and two forts—are just a short stroll away. If you’ve booked a shore excursion, your guide will likely pick you up at the port.
Old San Juan Piers is a handy port of call for those who wish to explore Puerto Rico.
Note that San Juan has two ports. The second is the Pan American Terminal, close to the airport, and serves a few Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Disney ships.
Make arrangements in advance if you require wheelchair services.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the port.
Find a porter curbside if you need assistance with your luggage.
From Old San Juan, the port is an approximately 5-minute walk away. It takes about 15 minutes to drive to the port from Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, Condado, or Isla Verde. Almost all taxis have fixed fares for rides to the ports and airport.
Ships travel to San Juan year-round—the high season runs from November through March. It is best to arrive around two hours before the ship's departure time. For those arriving in San Juan via cruise, sightseeing excursions are typically timed to cruise ships’ schedules.
A 20-minute walk from the port is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Castillo San Felipe del Morro. This 16th-century fortress is a must-see in San Juan and is often included on bus, boat, and Segway sightseeing tours. The citadel occupies a particularly scenic and strategic spot, ideally positioned to watch over the Atlantic and protect Old San Juan from invaders.
