MEDIA

06 Aug 2025

San Juan Cruise Port Welcomes Return of Oasis-Class Ship Following $10M Pier 3 Upgrade

San Juan Cruise Port (SJCP) today celebrated a landmark moment with the return of Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, marking the first Oasis-class ship to dock in the capital since completion of a $10 million upgrade to Pier 3.

The investment—funded and led by SJCP—restores San Juan’s ability to host the world’s largest cruise vessels and positions the port to welcome Icon-class ships for the first time. These enhancements are expected to accelerate Puerto Rico’s cruise industry growth, delivering substantial economic benefits to Old San Juan and strengthening the island’s tourism sector.

A Strategic Global Investment
As part of the Global Ports Holding network—the world’s largest cruise port operator—SJCP leveraged unmatched technical expertise and operational experience to deliver this critical infrastructure project. The upgrades are a core component of its long-term commitment to modernize San Juan’s cruise facilities, increase passenger volumes, and future-proof the port for decades to come.

Pier 3 Transformation
The project included:

• Structural assessments to confirm load-bearing capacity for mega ships
• Dredging operations to achieve the required depth and draft
• Upgraded bollards for increased mooring demands
• Repaired and replaced mooring dolphins to enhance docking stability
• A newly constructed platform specifically engineered for berthing Icon-class vessels

All works were completed in close coordination with federal and local authorities, ensuring full compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Economic Impact in Motion
Today’s visit from the Wonder of the Seas brought more than 6,500 passengers and crew, generating an estimated $700,000 in local economic activity in a single day. From August to December 2025, SJCP expects approximately 15 calls from mega cruise ships, creating valuable opportunities for local merchants, tour operators, restaurants, and transportation providers.

“The arrival of Wonder of the Seas is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to strengthening San Juan’s position as a premier cruise destination,” said Clarivette Díaz, General Manager of SJCP. “With the Pier upgrades—part of a $52 million infrastructure program underway this year—we’ve enhanced capacity, efficiency, and readiness to welcome the next generation of cruise ships, bringing even greater benefits to Old San Juan and the wider Puerto Rican tourism industry.”