Official Miami Port Information Thread-5/1 update

Hi there,
Just curious. Did you use a particular site to book the marriott? The best I can get for next March is $529 :eek:
That's more than I paid for Marriott Times Square!
I know people often use other sites, but I'm not familiar with that, so wondered if you did, you might share? :goodvibes
Thanks

We're Marriott Rewards members (DH has Gold status from work travel) as well as AAA. The rate was $367, still expensive but the best rate I saw prior was $599. I booked directly on the Marriott website and it was a special Rewards Member rate. Even if you don't travel frequently, we've had great luck using Rewards rates over the last year or two -- saving more than the AAA rate.

I jumped at the rate because we're on the 3/30 Easter cruise and I knew hotels would be expensive that weekend. We'd prefer to stay downtown vs by the airport, so that increases the price as well.

My DH & I were planning a trip this summer to celebrate our 40th b'days and 10th anniversary, and then my brother got engaged & is getting married in September, so I understand your predicament! I hope you get to take both the cruise & enjoy the wedding :wizard:

Where are you in Canada? I'm in Detroit and flights are the exact same price for us on Delta for FLL or MIA for our week. If you're in Ontario, might be worth the drive over the bridge?
 
We're Marriott Rewards members (DH has Gold status from work travel) as well as AAA. The rate was $367, still expensive but the best rate I saw prior was $599. I booked directly on the Marriott website and it was a special Rewards Member rate. Even if you don't travel frequently, we've had great luck using Rewards rates over the last year or two -- saving more than the AAA rate.

I jumped at the rate because we're on the 3/30 Easter cruise and I knew hotels would be expensive that weekend. We'd prefer to stay downtown vs by the airport, so that increases the price as well.

My DH & I were planning a trip this summer to celebrate our 40th b'days and 10th anniversary, and then my brother got engaged & is getting married in September, so I understand your predicament! I hope you get to take both the cruise & enjoy the wedding :wizard:

Where are you in Canada? I'm in Detroit and flights are the exact same price for us on Delta for FLL or MIA for our week. If you're in Ontario, might be worth the drive over the bridge?

Hi There,
Thanks for your reply.
I've just booked the comfort suites at the airport that Dawn suggested. With only a 24hr before cancellation I thought I'd just do it and then lock in today's price ;)
This trip is a surprise for the girls. I would like to have been near the port so we can point out that morning where we're going from the hotel room window! But we'll see. At this point I'll be glad to just make it on the trip!

All these family members getting married! Didn't they think to check with all our already booked plans?!!:rotfl:

We're eastern Canada. We always cross the border to fly. Much better prices. You're right, Delta is the same price to MIA and FLL for us too, but from either Bangor or Portland or Boston we have to make a connection. And it's pretty pricey. I'm hoping for some good jet blue prices, although people have been muttering that they're not that cheap anymore. We got this years flights for $97 each way. Not sure we'll see that again!

Thanks again for your info.
Anita
 
We live in ft lauderdale and there are some decent lodgings around the ft lauderdale airport. The hyatt place and cambria suites are newly constructed. There is a hilton, Sheraton, holiday inn, courtyard. Stay away from the days inn as it is old and dingy looking. January to April is the height of "the season" as we call it down here when all the snowbirds come down for the warm weather. You need to book early to get a good rate and they are typically higher than any other time of the year except holidays. Hollywood beach is a nice place to stay the night as it has a Broadwalk right on the beach for a stroll or bike ride with shops and restaurants to eat at. It is well patrolled and safe. It is mostly small properties but many are well kept. There is a designation called superior small lodgings that these small properties are awarded based on certain criteria. I do not go to Miami enough to comment on where to stay that is reasonable as south beach is expensive that time of year. Ft lauderdale is a great airport and easier to navigate than MIA and for us is usually cheaper to fly out of. It's about 1/2 hour ride to the port of Miami.


Thanks for the inside info. We are flying into FLL early the day before so I like your idea of Hollywood beach. Trying to figure out how much it is going to cost me to transfer 6 people from the airport to the hotel and then the hotel to the port. I'm thinking a car service might be cheaper than two cabs. Any ideas? Also my husband is a Hilton Rewards guy so any Hilton suggesstions are appreciated.
 
Hmm, I was looking for a cruise package, like I had at Port Canaveral this Feb. at the CountryInn and suites.. loved it, loved being able to park the car right there for no etra charge.. BUT these rates at Miami for the hotel are killing me... maybe it'll be better to sleep in Fort Lauderdale and park by the boat for the 4 nights? I didn't think I'd have this problem when I first booked it... I like things easy... and this isn't, lol!:goodvibes
 


So, with SW releasing a few more dates I was looking at their flights to FLL.

We haven't used SW before though. I know a few of you have mentioned them. On reviews it sounds like the seat-yourself option is crazy, especially with kids. Stories of children being separated from parents! Can anyone reassure me?!

I'd like to fly into FLL I think as it sounds less crazy than MIA! Just worried about using SW.
 
Does anyone have any recommendations for off site parking we will be driving down the morning of the cruise and wondered if there were any good optional site to park other then the Port for $20/day. We have found a great one for Port Canaveral but this will be our first time out of Miami
 


So, with SW releasing a few more dates I was looking at their flights to FLL.

We haven't used SW before though. I know a few of you have mentioned them. On reviews it sounds like the seat-yourself option is crazy, especially with kids. Stories of children being separated from parents! Can anyone reassure me?!

I'd like to fly into FLL I think as it sounds less crazy than MIA! Just worried about using SW.

I have never been separated from my DS. A couple things you can do...one pay for one of your tickets to be upgraded I think for 10.00 to get on with group A and save seats for rest. I set an alarm to remind myself to log in at 24 HR mark and have always gotten group A or beginning of group B. Depending on age of children they do offer family boarding after group A once again you would find seats to sit together. We love SW!
 
I have never been separated from my DS. A couple things you can do...one pay for one of your tickets to be upgraded I think for 10.00 to get on with group A and save seats for rest. I set an alarm to remind myself to log in at 24 HR mark and have always gotten group A or beginning of group B. Depending on age of children they do offer family boarding after group A once again you would find seats to sit together. We love SW!

Thank you so much! I really want to try them as Manchester also looks a much more relaxed airport experience than Boston! And cheaper to park. All good. :thumbsup2 May just do it! Thanks for alleviating my nerves! We always sit 2 & 2 anyway, so I'm sure it'll be fine. :goodvibes All fun new experiences!
 
Thank you so much! I really want to try them as Manchester also looks a much more relaxed airport experience than Boston! And cheaper to park. All good. :thumbsup2 May just do it! Thanks for alleviating my nerves! We always sit 2 & 2 anyway, so I'm sure it'll be fine. :goodvibes All fun new experiences!

Yes, we avoid Boston if at all possible. I have flown out of Manchester before too very nice small airport.
 
Re: Southwest We have always flown SWA and never had a problem. If kids are 4 (or 6?) and under, you board after group A and can get seats together. If you want to get a family of 4 together, that is harder, but you can at least have one parent with each child. I have seen families board late and they always make an announcement and ask people to move to help the family sit together.

But, best to do as PPs suggested....either pay the $10 to get priority boarding, or make sure you log on right at the 24 hour mark to check in, or take advantage of family boarding if your kids are very young. Mostly, just know the system, and BE ON TIME!

To the PP about FLL: I am not a local, but wanted to share this cool place. We are flying out of FLL and have a very long wait from disembarkation to our flight time. We plan to take our kids to Funderdome, about 10 mins from FLL, to run off some steam before the flight home. It's probably rare for others to need it, but you never know.
 
Does anyone have any recommendations for off site parking we will be driving down the morning of the cruise and wondered if there were any good optional site to park other then the Port for $20/day. We have found a great one for Port Canaveral but this will be our first time out of Miami

Try looking over on www.cruisecritic.com for this info.
 
fredgirls said:
Thank you so much! I really want to try them as Manchester also looks a much more relaxed airport experience than Boston! And cheaper to park. All good. :thumbsup2 May just do it! Thanks for alleviating my nerves! We always sit 2 & 2 anyway, so I'm sure it'll be fine. :goodvibes All fun new experiences!

Hi! We are from NH and always fly out of Manchester! It is quick, easy security line (nice people too) and parking is much less expensive than Boston. But if we fly Southwest, I always pay the $10 extra check in fee, because I NEVER remember to check in for our flight home at the 24 hour mark. It is $10 pp EACH way though, but no luggage fees, so it usually balances out. Enjoy!
 
Hi! We are from NH and always fly out of Manchester! It is quick, easy security line (nice people too) and parking is much less expensive than Boston. But if we fly Southwest, I always pay the $10 extra check in fee, because I NEVER remember to check in for our flight home at the 24 hour mark. It is $10 pp EACH way though, but no luggage fees, so it usually balances out. Enjoy!

Thank you so much everyone for your reassurances! :goodvibes
 
OK assuming this all works out according to my pre-conceived notions about sailing with Disney based on my trips out of Port Canaveral ... I usually get off the boat at 9 am - want to squeeze every last drop of life out of it until we meet again.... so what's it like at the Port of Miami --- I know the routine in PC ... has anyone sailed on a different cruise line .... just curious ... trying to book our return to NY and will probably fly out of Fort Lauderdale ... wondering if 1 pm flight is good --- :surfweb:
 
Mouse Mom said:
OK assuming this all works out according to my pre-conceived notions about sailing with Disney based on my trips out of Port Canaveral ... I usually get off the boat at 9 am - want to squeeze every last drop of life out of it until we meet again.... so what's it like at the Port of Miami --- I know the routine in PC ... has anyone sailed on a different cruise line .... just curious ... trying to book our return to NY and will probably fly out of Fort Lauderdale ... wondering if 1 pm flight is good --- :surfweb:

You should be fine with a 1pm out of FLL. When are you sailing?
 
Hi,
Just realized I kind of got off topic for this Miami thread when asking about flights. Sorry. :flower3:

As an apology here's something some of you might find fun. And it's kind of relevant! As Miami will host the Wonder, here's the link to a Wonder scavenger hunt thread someone started. Some might find it fun. :goodvibes
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2919691
I think I'll use it as an alternative to the detective agency game my girls loved.
 
Thanks for starting this thread. We are leaving from Miami on the Wonder 03-25-13. It is likely we will spend our extra vacation says in this lovely city.
 

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