Official Miami Port Information Thread-5/1 update

[Tinked]

Thanks for the help. Maybe bumping this up will get more info.

[fredgirls]

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.

[beachbratt]

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

[braysmommy]

Originally Posted by fredgirls

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!

[fredgirls]

Originally Posted by braysmommy

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. May just do it! Thanks for alleviating my nerves! We always sit 2 & 2 anyway, so I'm sure it'll be fine. All fun new experiences!

[braysmommy]

Originally Posted by fredgirls

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. May just do it! Thanks for alleviating my nerves! We always sit 2 & 2 anyway, so I'm sure it'll be fine. All fun new experiences!

Yes, we avoid Boston if at all possible. I have flown out of Manchester before too very nice small airport.

[Gdes1]

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.

[jilljill]

Originally Posted by beachbratt

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.

[penel3]

Originally Posted by fredgirls

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. May just do it! Thanks for alleviating my nerves! We always sit 2 & 2 anyway, so I'm sure it'll be fine. 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!

[fredgirls]

Originally Posted by penel3

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!

[Mouse Mom]

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 ---

[hardingk]

Originally Posted by Mouse Mom

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 ---

You should be fine with a 1pm out of FLL. When are you sailing?

[Mouse Mom]

Sail on 12-30-12!!!

[fredgirls]

Hi,
Just realized I kind of got off topic for this Miami thread when asking about flights. Sorry.

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.
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.

[kmedina]

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.