By
Alex Smith |
San Juan Cruise Port (SJCP) has welcomed Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, marking the first visit by an Oasis-class ship since the completion of a $10 million upgrade to Pier 3.
The investment, funded and led by SJCP, has restored the port’s capacity to host the world’s largest cruise ships and will enable it to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class vessels for the first time. The enhancements form part of a $52 million infrastructure programme taking place in 2025, designed to futureproof facilities and support growth in Puerto Rico’s cruise sector.
The project at Pier 3 included structural assessments to confirm the load-bearing capacity for large ships, dredging to achieve the necessary depth, upgrading bollards for increased mooring demands, repairing and replacing mooring dolphins to improve docking stability, and constructing a new platform specifically engineered for berthing Icon-class vessels. All works were carried out in coordination with federal and local authorities to ensure full compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Executives of San Juan Cruise Port, Global Ports Holding, and Royal Caribbean welcome Captain Trym Selvag and the bridge team of Wonder of the Seas
The call by Wonder of the Seas brought more than 6,500 passengers and crew to San Juan, generating an estimated $700,000 in local economic activity. Between August and December 2025, SJCP expects approximately 15 calls from large cruise ships.
“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 3 upgrades – part of a $52 million infrastructure programme underway this year – we’ve enhanced capacity, efficiency and readiness to welcome the next generation of cruise ships.”