Where to stay the night before, Miami?

[rentayenta]

Just wondering where to stay the night before the cruise? Do I have to get myself back to the airport to use DCL's transportation the next day? Is that as big of a pain as it sounds? I know through Disney they can book the JW Marriott or Eden Roc but what if I book one of those myself, can I still use Disney transportation? They're charging a ridiculous $400-$500 a night.

My thinking was we'd fly in the night before because they're just aren't any reasonable flights with good times or non stop from SLC to Miami.

If its as painful as it sounds to shuttle to the hotel back and forth, we do have friends that could pick us up from the airport, we could stay with them in Coconut Grove (how far is that?), and then have them drop us the next day at the port.

We could Disney's transportation from the port to airport after the cruise.



and I promise to take a hiatus from starting threads but I couldn't find anything when I searched.

 

[neg58]

Coconut Grove is about 10 miles from the port. I was told a $15 taxi ride.

A taxi from the airport to the port is $25 flat fee. Some hotels have shuttles for $10/each.

Nancy

 

[Meghatron]

Comfort Suites Miami Airport North. We got a AAA rate for $110 a night (4 people to the room; you and just DS may be less) and the place is a new remodel, free hot breakfast, free wireless, free shuttle to/from the airport AND the port, plus a pool.

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[rentayenta]

Coconut Grove is about 10 miles from the port. I was told a $15 taxi ride.

A taxi from the airport to the port is $25 flat fee. Some hotels have shuttles for $10/each.

Nancy

Thank you again Nancy. I didn't realize Coconut Grove was so close to the port.

Comfort Suites Miami Airport North. We got a AAA rate for $110 a night (4 people to the room; you and just DS may be less) and the place is a new remodel, free hot breakfast, free wireless, free shuttle to/from the airport AND the port, plus a pool.

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Wow! Just checked the site and I don't see anything about transfers to the port but that's a phenomenal price. I see the free airport shuttle though.

 

[Meghatron]

Wow! Just checked the site and I don't see anything about transfers to the port but that's a phenomenal price. I see the free airport shuttle though.

From the front page of http://www.comfortsuitesmiamiairport.com/ :

"A premier option among Miami suite hotels, the brand new Comfort Suites® Miami Airport North is just 5 minutes from Miami International Airport and offers free transportation to both the airport and the Port of Miami."

Free transportation for both airport and port is also on the list of hotel amenities here: http://www.comfortsuitesmiamiairport.com/hotel-amenities.html

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[rentayenta]

From the front page of http://www.comfortsuitesmiamiairport.com/ :

"A premier option among Miami suite hotels, the brand new Comfort Suites® Miami Airport North is just 5 minutes from Miami International Airport and offers free transportation to both the airport and the Port of Miami."

Free transportation for both airport and port is also on the list of hotel amenities here: http://www.comfortsuitesmiamiairport.com/hotel-amenities.html

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May have helped if I was on the right site. Thank you, this looks like a very viable option.

 

[Meghatron]

May have helped if I was on the right site. Thank you, this looks like a very viable option.

You're quite welcome. I did a 2-nighter on DCL instead of a bachelorette party so I think your son's idea to cruise instead of his bar mitzvah is a sign of excellent taste.

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[rentayenta]

You're quite welcome. I did a 2-nighter on DCL instead of a bachelorette party so I think your son's idea to cruise instead of his bar mitzvah is a sign of excellent taste.

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Love it! Where did you go? That would be a blast.

The price is $169 but it's a much less stress free option than trying to schlep all the way back to the airport on cruise day to catch Disney's transportation to the port.

He's still doing his bar mitzvah service. This is his gift in leu of a huge party. He's elated because although his sisters have been to Mexico, they haven't been to Castaway Cay. He's always looking for something to hang over their heads. They're actually all really close. It's amazing I'm not getting any grief for just taking him. He was trying to decide between this 5 night cruise and 5 days at Disneyland with all 5 of us. My DH has zero interest in cruising and my daughters don't do we'll when they miss school so this seemed like the perfect trip. The bonus is I'll get a tiny break from Utah in January along with some quality time with Joshua.

I've been pouring through any bit of info I can.

 

[Meghatron]

Love it! Where did you go? That would be a blast.

The price is $169 but it's a much less stress free option than trying to schlep all the way back to the airport on cruise day to catch Disney's transportation.

He's still doing his bar mitzvah service. This is his gift in leu of a huge party. He's elated because although his sisters have been to Mexico, they haven't been to Castaway Cay. He's always looking for something to hang over their heads. They're actually all really close. It's amazing I'm not getting any grief for just taking him. He was trying to decide between this 5 night cruise and 5 days at Disneyland with all 5 of us. My DH has zero interest in cruising and my daughters don't do we'll when they miss school so this seemed like the perfect trip. The bonus is I'll get a tiny break from Utah in January along with some quality time with Joshua.

I've been pouring through any bit of info I can.

I did mean bar mitzvah party, ha. I've been to a few in my lifetime, so I totally get how the cruise would be cheaper. It was a Cruise to Nowhere they squeezed in between the WBPC and the first MR. We got back onboard a week later (for the Wonder's second MR) without DD for our honeymoon. We actually planned our wedding date around the Wonder's arrival in Los Angeles and available dates at our church so we wouldn't have to fly in order to get on the ship.

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[rentayenta]

I did mean bar mitzvah party, ha. I've been to a few in my lifetime, so I totally get how the cruise would be cheaper. It was a Cruise to Nowhere they squeezed in between the WBPC and the first MR. We got back onboard a week later (for the Wonder's second MR) without DD for our honeymoon. We actually planned our wedding date around the Wonder's arrival in Los Angeles and available dates at our church so we wouldn't have to fly in order to get on the ship.

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Cruise to Nowhere? WBPC? MR? I'm a Disney Cruise infant and haven't a clue what any of that means. And you cruised for your honeymoon? How romantic. Smart planning too. Where did you cruise to on your honeymoon?

 

[Meghatron]

Cruise to Nowhere? WBPC? MR? I'm a Disney Cruise infant and haven't a clue what any of that means. And you cruised for your honeymoon? How romantic. Smart planning too. Where did you cruise to on your honeymoon?

Sorry! WBPC: West-Bound Panama Canal. MR: Mexican Riviera. Cruise to Nowhere: a super-short cruise that just goes out to sea and doesn't stop in a port; severely restricted in terms of time because of maritime law.

We did the Mexican Riviera for our honeymoon (I just wanted to get on the ship as cheaply as possible, so I didn't care where it went as long as we could drive and not fly), then rebooked onboard for the MR again last spring for our spring break and DD's 3rd birthday. Doing the WBPC this year because of the 50% off VGT rate, only needing one-way flights, and my in-laws' 40th anniversary. We will rebook a dummy onboard to keep until we can afford to cruise again (hopefully by DS's 3rd birthday). With no more ship in LA we have to consider the price of flights or the amount of frequent flyer miles we have saved up.

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[su_A_ve]

Hampton inn blue lagoon (by the airport) has decent reviews. They do have a cruise special.

Another option is the Hampton inn downtown - rated no1 in Miami by trip advisor...

 

[KarenP99]

We flew into FLL. Walked outside the baggage claim and grabbed a cab. We arrived at http://www.icmiamihotel.com/ within an hour of landing in FLL (I booked it on Last Minute Travel for less than $200).

We LOVED this hotel, although I will say it is very "fancy" for our tastes. Two blocks away into downtown was a CVS (we walked). There is also a great green space with a playground, fountains, chairs overlooking the bay right outside the hotel. It was a great place to spend the afternoon. You can see and easily walk to http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/ (within 5 minutes) it is all very open and felt very safe.

In the morning we grabbed a cab at the hotel and it was about $4 and less than 5 minutes and the porters were taking our luggage at the cruise terminal!

I was very skeptical about kicking off a cruise in a port other than Cape Canaveral...but it was great and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[rentayenta]

Sorry! WBPC: West-Bound Panama Canal. MR: Mexican Riviera. Cruise to Nowhere: a super-short cruise that just goes out to sea and doesn't stop in a port; severely restricted in terms of time because of maritime law.

That's cool so you stay on the ship the entire time? That sounds really fun.

We did the Mexican Riviera for our honeymoon (I just wanted to get on the ship as cheaply as possible, so I didn't care where it went as long as we could drive and not fly), then rebooked onboard for the MR again last spring for our spring break and DD's 3rd birthday. Doing the WBPC this year because of the 50% off VGT rate, only needing one-way flights, and my in-laws' 40th anniversary. We will rebook a dummy onboard to keep until we can afford to cruise again (hopefully by DS's 3rd birthday). With no more ship in LA we have to consider the price of flights or the amount of frequent flyer miles we have saved up.

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VGT? I see all kinds of codes that mean jibberish to me. Where in Mexico did you go? I love Mexico. If Disney didn't do away with their Mexico cruises that's probably where DS and I would be going. So much cheaper to get to from SLC. Where does the WBPC go to exactly? That'll be fun to have all of those celebrations- what a party! I'm learning all about this dummy booking thing. It's really smart.

Hampton inn blue lagoon (by the airport) has decent reviews. They do have a cruise special.

Another option is the Hampton inn downtown - rated no1 in Miami by trip advisor...

Thank you! I like the cruise specials. Because this is all 100% new I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. In a good way.

We flew into FLL. Walked outside the baggage claim and grabbed a cab. We arrived at http://www.icmiamihotel.com/ within an hour of landing in FLL (I booked it on Last Minute Travel for less than $200).

We LOVED this hotel, although I will say it is very "fancy" for our tastes. Two blocks away into downtown was a CVS (we walked). There is also a great green space with a playground, fountains, chairs overlooking the bay right outside the hotel. It was a great place to spend the afternoon. You can see and easily walk to http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/ (within 5 minutes) it is all very open and felt very safe.

In the morning we grabbed a cab at the hotel and it was about $4 and less than 5 minutes and the porters were taking our luggage at the cruise terminal!

I was very skeptical about kicking off a cruise in a port other than Cape Canaveral...but it was great and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

You can fly into FLL (Fort Lauderdale?) instead of Miami? Its cheaper too I believe. I can't find a one way or anything reasonable from SLC to Miami. My dates are far off but I'm using dummy dates and their insane. FLL might be the way to go. Your hotel was in Miami though right? How far is it, 30 minutes from FLL?

Since you didn't use Disney transportation did you have to grab your bags at the airport and then take them back after the cruise? Or could you push them through still? I'm guessing you'd have to grab them since you were in FLL. Was it that big of a deal. It doesn't seem like it would be but it would be one less thing to try and navigate.

Thank you for the links.

 

[Jareds_mommy]

I just booked this one for our pre-cruise it was $89

http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/prop...do?propId=4040
Amenities & Services
• Free Bright Side Breakfast®

• Free Wireless High-Speed Internet Access

• Free Local Calls

• Free Parking

• Meeting Facilities Available

• Guest Laundry Facilities

• Outdoor Swimming Pool

• Airport Shuttle Available

• Airport Shuttle Notes: 5am-11pm Daily Free One-way Port of Miami shuttle

• Pets Welcome

Free Parking (up to 7 days)


Free Bright Side Breakfast®
•Waffles
•Hot and cold cereal
•Bread and muffins
•Fresh fruit
•All-you-can-drink coffee and juice

Additional Breakfast Items:
•Yogurt
•Bagels

 

[Meghatron]

That's cool so you stay on the ship the entire time? That sounds really fun.

Well, it's only two days. They can't go any longer than that or they violate maritime law. So you basically get one full day on the boat, at sea, and then you get off again.

VGT? I see all kinds of codes that mean jibberish to me.

VGT (along with OGT and IGT) are highly restricted rates released after the Paid-In-Full (PIF) date for the cruise. They are non-refundable, with no changes whatsoever (not even name changes), and once they assign your room (usually less than two weeks out) you are not allowed to change your room number. The first letter (V, O, or I) specifies which type of room you are guaranteed to get (verandah, outside, inside) but no other category guarantees are made. That's what makes them different from GTY reservations, which are just like normal, refundable, changable reservations except the room number isn't assigned and you are guaranteed that specific category (5A, for example) or higher.

Where in Mexico did you go? I love Mexico. If Disney didn't do away with their Mexico cruises that's probably where DS and I would be going. So much cheaper to get to from SLC. Where does the WBPC go to exactly?

On our two MRs we went to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. In the WBPC we're doing those two ports again plus Cartagena and Castaway Cay. It will be our first time on Disney's island so I am SUPER excited.

 

[rentayenta]

Well, it's only two days. They can't go any longer than that or they violate maritime law. So you basically get one full day on the boat, at sea, and then you get off again.

So a floating hotel but 100x better! Sounds like a lot of fun.

VGT (along with OGT and IGT) are highly restricted rates released after the Paid-In-Full (PIF) date for the cruise. They are non-refundable, with no changes whatsoever (not even name changes), and once they assign your room (usually less than two weeks out) you are not allowed to change your room number. The first letter (V, O, or I) specifies which type of room you are guaranteed to get (verandah, outside, inside) but no other category guarantees are made. That's what makes them different from GTY reservations, which are just like normal, refundable, changable reservations except the room number isn't assigned and you are guaranteed that specific category (5A, for example) or higher.

Thank you, thank you for spelling this out for me, literally. Its like learning a new language. So are these cabins that didn't get booked and/or canceled? I bet you can get a screaming good deal.

On our two MRs we went to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. In the WBPC we're doing those two ports again plus Cartagena and Castaway Cay. It will be our first time on Disney's island so I am SUPER excited.

I love Cabo and Cartagena. I visited my uncle in Colombia, who lived in Cartagena, in my early 20's and it was by far one of the neatest places I've ever been. The beaches were beautiful. That was 20 years ago though. How exciting!

Castaway Cay looks amazing. I have yet to read a bad word about it. I bet your kids will love it. Are you planning any excursions? In Cabo, if you don't do an excursion there is a restaurant in town with the best guacamole I've ever had. Its called Desperados. I did a report about our week in Cabo in the DVC section called Playa Grande. We traded our DVC points into RCI and it was fantastic. There's a pic of me and the owner making snow angels on the floor. I love Cabo but I am not a fan of the port shopping area. Its magic just a few blocks in.

I started a cruise pre trip report if you're interested in coming over. We're a chatty bunch but fun.

I just booked this one for our pre-cruise it was $89

http://www.lq.com/lq/properties/prop...do?propId=4040
Amenities & Services
• Free Bright Side Breakfast®

• Free Wireless High-Speed Internet Access

• Free Local Calls

• Free Parking

• Meeting Facilities Available

• Guest Laundry Facilities

• Outdoor Swimming Pool

• Airport Shuttle Available

• Airport Shuttle Notes: 5am-11pm Daily Free One-way Port of Miami shuttle

• Pets Welcome

Free Parking (up to 7 days)


Free Bright Side Breakfast®
•Waffles
•Hot and cold cereal
•Bread and muffins
•Fresh fruit
•All-you-can-drink coffee and juice

Additional Breakfast Items:
•Yogurt
•Bagels

Wow- thats a great deal! Thank you for the link.

 

[KarenP99]

You can fly into FLL (Fort Lauderdale?) instead of Miami? Its cheaper too I believe. I can't find a one way or anything reasonable from SLC to Miami. My dates are far off but I'm using dummy dates and their insane. FLL might be the way to go. Your hotel was in Miami though right? How far is it, 30 minutes from FLL?

Since you didn't use Disney transportation did you have to grab your bags at the airport and then take them back after the cruise? Or could you push them through still? I'm guessing you'd have to grab them since you were in FLL. Was it that big of a deal. It doesn't seem like it would be but it would be one less thing to try and navigate.

Thank you for the links.

Yes! I had a free ticket from Southwest, so I opted to fly into FLL. Our hotel was in Miami, it was just about 40 minutes by cab. We did get our own bags at the airport.

On our departure date, our flight was at 11:00 a.m. out of FLL, so we did the "walk off" from the ship and just took our bags off ourselves as soon as the ship was cleared (around 7:20 or so). Cabs were ready and waiting, so we grabbed the first one and were back at FLL within 45 minutes of leaving the ship.

 

[rentayenta]

Yes! I had a free ticket from Southwest, so I opted to fly into FLL. Our hotel was in Miami, it was just about 40 minutes by cab. We did get our own bags at the airport.

On our departure date, our flight was at 11:00 a.m. out of FLL, so we did the "walk off" from the ship and just took our bags off ourselves as soon as the ship was cleared (around 7:20 or so). Cabs were ready and waiting, so we grabbed the first one and were back at FLL within 45 minutes of leaving the ship.

That's great, thank you. I've noticed flights on SW into Fort Lauderdale are less expensive too. Great info, thank you so much.

 

[Four Swampers]

From the front page of http://www.comfortsuitesmiamiairport.com/ :

"A premier option among Miami suite hotels, the brand new Comfort Suites® Miami Airport North is just 5 minutes from Miami International Airport and offers free transportation to both the airport and the Port of Miami."

Free transportation for both airport and port is also on the list of hotel amenities here: http://www.comfortsuitesmiamiairport.com/hotel-amenities.html

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My wife and her nine girlfriends stayed here last night. Free shuttle from airport. Free shuttle to port; that shuttle stops at several area hotels, so not a direct shuttle.

She said the mattress was great. Her roommate prefers very high end hotels and even she slept fine. Room was clean with a nice sitting area and a "large television." I don't know what my wife means by large television, but probably around 32 inches.