San Antonio to San Juan

Our Southern Caribbean Cruise marks our first trip of 2026, and Day 1 was all about getting from Texas to the tropics.
We left San Antonio in the early morning hours and flew to Charlotte, where we had a five‑and‑a‑half‑hour layover. Thankfully, access to the Admirals Club made the wait far more comfortable and relaxing. From there, we continued on to San Juan, Puerto Rico, arriving around 9:00 p.m.
Fortunately, we were able to upgrade all of our flights to first class using points, which made a long travel day much more enjoyable. The extra space and quieter cabin were especially appreciated after hours in the air.
All of the travel was worth it the moment we stepped out onto the balcony of our room at the Courtyard Isla Verde Beach Resort. Even at night, the view and sounds of the Atlantic Ocean were the perfect introduction to Puerto Rico and a welcome reminder that vacation had officially begun.
Tomorrow we’ll have a full day to explore Puerto Rico before boarding the Grand Princess on Sunday, when our Southern Caribbean Cruise adventure truly begins.

🎥 Day 1 Video