Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day

Kennedy Space Center

A full Saturn V rocket laid horizontal for inspection — 363 feet of the hardware that put people on the moon. The Apollo/Saturn V Center, Rocket Garden, and bus tours to historic Launch Complex 39 are all on one ticket. Plan four hours minimum.

🕒 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (hours vary; check ahead — closed some launch days)

Space Shuttle Atlantis

Thirty-three missions, now suspended at the angle it held in orbit with payload bay doors open for good. Inside KSC on the same ticket — and yes, people cry in there.

🕒 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (included with KSC Visitor Complex admission)

Cocoa Beach

Atlantic beach about 15 minutes south of the port, with the famous Ron Jon Surf Shop — a two-story surf emporium worth walking through even if you've never touched a board. Easy half-day.

United States Astronaut Hall of Fame

Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo artifacts alongside the biography of every inductee — it's inside KSC now on the same ticket. If you've ever wanted to see what John Glenn looked like at 20, this is the building.

🕒 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (included with KSC Visitor Complex admission)

Space Mirror Memorial

A 42-foot polished black granite mirror reflecting the Florida sky, inscribed with the names of astronauts who died in service. Not the loudest thing at KSC — and probably the one you'll think about on the ship.

🕒 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (accessible during KSC Visitor Complex hours)

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Six levels of fortifications, 140-foot cliffs, and one lighthouse watching for enemies since 1539. The kite-flyers showed up instead.

🕒 Daily 9am–6pm

Castillo San Cristóbal

The largest Spanish colonial fort in the Americas. Closest major sight to the cruise pier, and shares a ticket with El Morro.

🕒 Daily 9am–6pm

Paseo de la Princesa

A promenade along the old city walls — fountain, vendors, and the Atlantic at the end of every vista. Free, flat, and reliably breezy.

La Fortaleza

The oldest executive mansion in the Western Hemisphere still in continuous use. Tours Mon–Fri; plan accordingly if you arrive on the weekend.

🕒 Mon–Fri, guided tours 9am–4pm

San Juan Gate

The last original city gate of Old San Juan, cut through the 400-year-old walls. Stand in it long enough and someone will take your photo.

Cathedral of San Juan Bautista

Ponce de León is buried inside, which means this cathedral has been on the sightseeing circuit since 1521.

🕒 Mon–Sat 8:30am–4pm, Sun 9am–noon

Casa Blanca

Built for Ponce de León in 1521 — he never actually lived here, but his family managed the place for 250 years. Now a museum.

🕒 Wed–Sun 8am–noon & 1–4pm

Capilla del Cristo

A tiny chapel at the end of Calle del Cristo, built after a horse and rider allegedly fell off the city wall. The horse did not survive.

🕒 Tue–Sat 9am–noon

San José Church

The second-oldest Catholic church in the Americas, restored after decades of closure. The Gothic vaulting hasn't changed since 1532.

🕒 Tue–Sat 9am–4pm

Casa Bacardí

A $2 ferry hop to Cataño, then the world's largest rum distillery. Tours from $40; samples are included — do the math yourself.

🕒 Mon–Sat 9am–4:30pm

Puerto Rico Museum of Art

More than 1,000 years of Puerto Rican art in a converted hospital in Santurce. The colonial courtyard alone is worth the cab ride.

🕒 Wed–Sun 10am–5pm (Thu until 8pm)

Condado Beach

The closest decent beach to Old San Juan — hotels line the strip, but the water doesn't ask for a room key.