Sailing Virgin Voyages from San Juan
San Juan is Virgin's second-busiest homeport after Miami, with Valiant Lady and then Scarlet Lady sailing the Southern Caribbean. Here's how I'd plan embarkation day, plus every sailing open for booking.
The short answer
- You need a passport book for every Virgin sailing from San Juan. Passport cards are not accepted on these itineraries.
- Virgin uses Pier 4 in Old San Juan or the Pan American (PanAM) East Terminal across the bay. Check your boarding documents for yours.
- Fly into San Juan’s airport (SJU) the day before and stay in Old San Juan or Condado.
First: bring a passport book
This catches people out, because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. Virgin requires a passport book for all sailings from San Juan, because the itineraries call at places like Cartagena, Colombia and the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Passport cards will not be accepted.
Which pier, and how to get there
| Terminal | Address | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pier 4 | Paseo Concepcion de Garcia, Old San Juan, PR 00901 | Right on the Old San Juan waterfront. You can walk into the old city. |
| PanAM East Terminal | Muelle Panamericano #1 East, Calle Muelle, San Juan, PR 00901 | Across the bay from Old San Juan. Take a taxi or Uber rather than walking. |
Your terminal is shown in your boarding documents and in the app, and it can vary by sailing. Travel bloggers who sailed from the PanAM terminal reported an Uber from Old San Juan ran them about $10.
How check-in works
- Finish "Ready to Sail" in the Virgin Voyages app for everyone in your cabin. You can only do it for sailors in your own cabin.
- Pick a Terminal Arrival Time in the app. Boarding generally starts around 2:15 pm, and arriving early does not get you on earlier.
- Arrive at your time with your passport and the credit card for your onboard account. Drop your tagged bags with the porters.
- Get your Band (the wristband that opens your cabin and pays for things) and walk on.
RockStar and Mega RockStar sailors get priority check-in. Sailors with Deep Blue Extras can arrive as early as 1:45 pm for priority boarding.
Embarkation day in San Juan
Where I would stay the night before
- Old San Juan for history, restaurants and walking. It is close to Pier 4. The streets are steep and the blue cobblestones get slippery when wet, so wear real shoes.
- Condado for a beach hotel close to the city.
- Near the PanAM terminal, in the T-Mobile District by the convention center, if you want the shortest possible ride on sailing day.
If you book your pre-cruise hotel with me, I check whether it is in the Fora or Virtuoso programs, which can add perks like breakfast, a room upgrade when available or a property perk. See my hotel perks page. Already working with me? Browse and book San Juan hotels in my Fora portal.
A typical pre-cruise day: El Morro in the morning, lunch on Calle Fortaleza, then a short ride to the pier at your arrival time.
Every Virgin sailing from San Juan
Valiant Lady sails from San Juan through spring 2027. Scarlet Lady takes over from November 2027 through April 2028.
| Voyage | Ports | Dates | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Caribbean Halloween Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Willemstad, Oranjestad, Fort-de-France, Basseterre | Oct 31, 2026 | $903 per person | See Oct 31, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Philipsburg, Bridgetown, Castries, Fort-de-France, Basseterre | Nov 7, 2026, Dec 12, 2026, Jan 16, 2027 | $903 per person | See Nov 7, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 6 nights · Valiant Lady | Tortola, St. John's, Castries, Basseterre | Nov 14, 2026 | $774 per person | See Nov 14, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 8 nights · Valiant Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Willemstad, Oranjestad, Basseterre, Philipsburg | Nov 20, 2026 | $952 per person | See Nov 20, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Tortola, Basseterre, St. John's, Philipsburg | Nov 28, 2026 | $763 per person | See Nov 28, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Oranjestad, Willemstad, Fort-de-France, Basseterre | Dec 5, 2026, Jan 9, 2027, Feb 27, 2027 +1 more | $763 per person | See Dec 5, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean Holiday Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Basseterre, Fort-de-France, Oranjestad, Willemstad | Dec 19, 2026 | $903 per person | See Dec 19, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean New Year's Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Philipsburg, Fort-de-France, Bridgetown, Castries, St. John's | Dec 26, 2026 | $1,533 per person | See Dec 26, 2026 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Tortola, Bridgetown, Castries, St. John's, Philipsburg | Jan 2, 2027 | $1,043 per person | See Jan 2, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 6 nights · Valiant Lady | Tortola, Basseterre, St. John's, Castries | Jan 23, 2027, Mar 13, 2027 | $834 per person | See Jan 23, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights 8 nights · Valiant Lady | Oranjestad, Willemstad, Kralendijk, Fort-de-France, Philipsburg | Jan 29, 2027 | $1,352 per person | See Jan 29, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights 7 nights · Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady | Oranjestad, Willemstad, St. John's, Philipsburg | Feb 6, 2027, Nov 20, 2027, Dec 4, 2027 +5 more | $763 per person | See Feb 6, 2027 |
| Sisters at Sea: Valiant Lady 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Samaná, Grand Turk, Cabo Rojo | Feb 13, 2027 | $1,393 per person | See Feb 13, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Tortola, Castries, Bridgetown, Roseau, Philipsburg | Feb 20, 2027 | $1,043 per person | See Feb 20, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Valiant Lady | Philipsburg, Bridgetown, Castries, St. John's, Tortola | Mar 6, 2027 | $1,043 per person | See Mar 6, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 8 nights · Valiant Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Bridgetown, Kingstown, Roseau, Philipsburg | Mar 19, 2027 | $952 per person | See Mar 19, 2027 |
| San Juan to Miami: Grand Turk & Bimini 5 nights · Valiant Lady | Grand Turk, The Beach Club at Bimini | Apr 10, 2027 | $795 per person | See Apr 10, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 8 nights · Scarlet Lady | Tortola, Basseterre, Bridgetown, Castries, Roseau, Philipsburg | Nov 12, 2027 | $1,112 per person | See Nov 12, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Tortola, Bridgetown, Castries, Roseau, Philipsburg | Nov 27, 2027, Apr 8, 2028 | $903 per person | See Nov 27, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Philipsburg, St. John's, Castries, Oranjestad | Dec 11, 2027 | $833 per person | See Dec 11, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean & Aruban Holidays 8 nights · Scarlet Lady | Philipsburg, St. John's, Roseau, Oranjestad, Willemstad | Dec 18, 2027 | $1,112 per person | See Dec 18, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise New Year’s 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Philipsburg, Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, St. John's, Charlotte Amalie | Dec 26, 2027 | $1,673 per person | See Dec 26, 2027 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 6 nights · Scarlet Lady | Kingstown, Bridgetown, Roseau, Philipsburg | Jan 2, 2028 | $654 per person | See Jan 2, 2028 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Bridgetown, Kingstown, St. John's, Philipsburg | Jan 15, 2028 | $763 per person | See Jan 15, 2028 |
| Southern Caribbean & Aruban Nights 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Oranjestad, Castries, St. John's, Philipsburg | Jan 22, 2028, Mar 18, 2028 | $763 per person | See Jan 22, 2028 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Philipsburg, Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, Basseterre, Charlotte Amalie | Jan 29, 2028, Feb 26, 2028, Mar 25, 2028 | $763 per person | See Jan 29, 2028 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Bridgetown, Castries, St. John's, Philipsburg | Feb 12, 2028 | $833 per person | See Feb 12, 2028 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, Roseau, Philipsburg | Mar 11, 2028 | $903 per person | See Mar 11, 2028 |
| Southern Caribbean Cruise 7 nights · Scarlet Lady | Charlotte Amalie, Basseterre, Castries, St. John's, Philipsburg | Apr 15, 2028 | $973 per person | See Apr 15, 2028 |
| San Juan to Spain Transatlantic 12 nights · Scarlet Lady | Philipsburg, Funchal, Tangier | Apr 22, 2028 | $1,308 per person | See Apr 22, 2028 |
Starting cabin fare per person, based on two sharing, before taxes, fees and gratuities, as of October 20, 2026. Fares change daily. The book buttons use my First Mate link, so I am attached to your reservation.
If you have time in San Juan
Virgin Shore Things first
I always look at Virgin’s own tours first. You book them in the Virgin Voyages app, and the charge goes on your onboard account.
- Mixology Tour at Ron del Barrilito, a mixology class with the island's oldest rum (3 hours, about $200 per person)
- Visit New & Old San Juan Tour, tour both sides of the vibrant Caribbean city (4 hours, about $95 per person)
- At Twilight: Canopy Tour Zip Line Adventure, soar through the night sky on 5 zip lines (4.5 hours, about $155 per person)
- Canopy Tour Zip-line Adventure, soar on 5 zip-lines at Hacienda Campo Rico (4.5 hours, about $145 per person)
Nothing strike your fancy? Explore other partners
- San Juan Guided Turtle Snorkel Tour and Complimentary Videos on Viator, rated 4.9 by 19,086 travelers, 1 hour, from $39
- Culebra Snorkeling and Beach Tour with lunch on GetYourGuide, rated 4.7 by 1,751 travelers, 6 hours, from $185
- San Juan Old and New Tour on Shore Excursions Group, 2 Hours, from $68.99
- Old San Juan Private Tour on Tours by Locals, rated 4.9 by 201 travelers, 4 hours, from $440 / group
- ATV Tour in San Juan: Single Rider, Puerto Rico on Viator, rated 4.8 by 2,683 travelers, 2 hours, from $149
With an independent tour, getting back before all-aboard is on you, so leave a big buffer.
What I do for San Juan clients
What I do for my clients
- I check every passport book against the six-month rule before we book.
- I confirm whether your sailing uses Pier 4 or Pan Am East, and plan your hotel around it.
- I book the hotel the night before, with Fora or Virtuoso perks when available.
- I book Shore Things for Cartagena and the French islands the day they open, 120 days out.
Quick answers
Do I need a passport to sail Virgin Voyages from San Juan?
Yes. Virgin requires a passport book for all San Juan sailings because the itineraries visit places like Cartagena, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Passport cards are not accepted.
Which pier does Virgin Voyages use in San Juan?
Virgin uses Pier 4 in Old San Juan or the PanAM East Terminal at Muelle Panamericano. Your boarding documents and the Virgin Voyages app show which one.
What time does Virgin Voyages boarding start in San Juan?
Boarding generally begins around 2:15 pm. You arrive at the Terminal Arrival Time you choose in the app.
Which Virgin ship sails from San Juan?
Valiant Lady sails Southern Caribbean voyages from San Juan through spring 2027, and Scarlet Lady sails from San Juan from November 2027 to April 2028.
Should I fly into San Juan the day before my cruise?
Yes. I recommend arriving the day before. A delayed flight on sailing day is the easiest way to miss the ship.
Sources I checked
Policies change. I checked these on October 20, 2026, and you should confirm anything time-sensitive with me before you rely on it.
- Virgin Voyages FAQ: Travel requirements (passports and ID)
- Virgin Voyages FAQ: Port information (terminals, arrival times)
- Passport Nomads: Virgin Voyages San Juan embarkation guide
- Virgin Voyages: Caribbean cruises from San Juan
- Virgin Voyages FAQ: Port information
- Virgin Voyages FAQ: Travel requirements
- Virgin Voyages: Embarkation guide
Sailing from San Juan? Let me set it up.
I'll match you to the right Southern Caribbean sailing, line up a hotel in Old San Juan, and time your Shore Things so you are not rushing back to the pier. I take the stress. You take the photos.
Derek Gebelhardt, At Ease Travel Co. · derek@ateasetravel.co · 202-802-0990. Sailor Loot through Virtuoso is $50 per cabin on 4–5 night voyages, $100 on 6–8 nights and $200 on 9+ nights, for eligible bookings made at least 121 days before sailing; promotions and eligibility can change, so I confirm yours in writing before you pay.