girasol312
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2012
Hello everybody!! I have not been online recently due to work and I just noticed that some people had some questions re: Port of Miami. I have been living in Miami for almost 5 years and lived here previously (in 2000) for 4 years and my husband is a native Miamian (is that even an word?? 
) so, I wanted to offer some info. Also, we just went on our first Disney cruise on the Wonder in January (a 5 night) so, if you have any questions let me know!!
I noticed some people asking about parking. I know there are many off-site parking places but, I would not recommend any of them (unless it's garage parking at a hotel or something like that.) For what it's worth, I would pay the $20/night at the port for secure, garage parking. There have been reports recently on the news about some break-ins at some of these off-site parking lots. While they advertise "secure" parking, some are far from that. Vehicles are usually parked in lots surrounded by a chain linked fence and all though they may say they offer 24 hr security this is basically a camera set up at the lot during the night and one "guard" during the day.
Driving to the Port of Miami is not too difficult. There is signage present when you get off I-95. When we went in January I am almost certain the Wonder docked at terminal F (99% sure). You can drop off luggage and family easily and the parking garage is not far (just across from the terminal) then you can walk back to the terminal. Be sure you see the porter put your luggage on a cart (you never know). When we went in January our luggage stayed at the curbside for like 5 minutes (which seems like forever) until I said something to the porter who then proceeded to put it on a cart with other luggage. The person who will be parking the car should be prepared to show ID when entering the garage. They don't always ask for it but, they asked my husband for his ID but not my father-in-law so, go figure
When you are driving into the POM, drive slowly (ignore the honking people, it is just the Miami way, just wave to them 
) and follow the signs on the left to the terminal. When we went in January there was a lot of traffic. There were 6 other ships at the port so it made for some chaotic driving. But, we also left on a Saturday. So, I am not sure how busy the port will be on a Thursday.
OK, after parking and meeting with the family you can enter the terminal (I believe at 10:30 but not 100% sure---we got there at 11 and walked right in). In order to enter the terminal you will have to show ID/Passport and cruise documents. Yes, the terminal is long and narrow and can get cramped as more people start coming in. As you enter, all the counters are on the right. First platinum/conceirge check-in, then silver/gold check-in then regular check-in. After that is the kid's club check-in. We waited and did that on the ship...the line at the terminal was super long. Hardly any waiting once on the ship at the kid's club. As you approach the end of the terminal you will see the escalator up to get on the ship. Under the escalator and to the right is the area for character pictures. It is kinda of hidden. Then you just wait until they call your boarding number. YAY!!!
I hope I have offered some info that will be useful. If anybody has any questions, feel free to ask.
BTW, did we ever agree on a meet-n-greet??? only 10 days to go!!!
) so, I wanted to offer some info. Also, we just went on our first Disney cruise on the Wonder in January (a 5 night) so, if you have any questions let me know!!I noticed some people asking about parking. I know there are many off-site parking places but, I would not recommend any of them (unless it's garage parking at a hotel or something like that.) For what it's worth, I would pay the $20/night at the port for secure, garage parking. There have been reports recently on the news about some break-ins at some of these off-site parking lots. While they advertise "secure" parking, some are far from that. Vehicles are usually parked in lots surrounded by a chain linked fence and all though they may say they offer 24 hr security this is basically a camera set up at the lot during the night and one "guard" during the day.
Driving to the Port of Miami is not too difficult. There is signage present when you get off I-95. When we went in January I am almost certain the Wonder docked at terminal F (99% sure). You can drop off luggage and family easily and the parking garage is not far (just across from the terminal) then you can walk back to the terminal. Be sure you see the porter put your luggage on a cart (you never know). When we went in January our luggage stayed at the curbside for like 5 minutes (which seems like forever) until I said something to the porter who then proceeded to put it on a cart with other luggage. The person who will be parking the car should be prepared to show ID when entering the garage. They don't always ask for it but, they asked my husband for his ID but not my father-in-law so, go figure
When you are driving into the POM, drive slowly (ignore the honking people, it is just the Miami way, just wave to them ) and follow the signs on the left to the terminal. When we went in January there was a lot of traffic. There were 6 other ships at the port so it made for some chaotic driving. But, we also left on a Saturday. So, I am not sure how busy the port will be on a Thursday.OK, after parking and meeting with the family you can enter the terminal (I believe at 10:30 but not 100% sure---we got there at 11 and walked right in). In order to enter the terminal you will have to show ID/Passport and cruise documents. Yes, the terminal is long and narrow and can get cramped as more people start coming in. As you enter, all the counters are on the right. First platinum/conceirge check-in, then silver/gold check-in then regular check-in. After that is the kid's club check-in. We waited and did that on the ship...the line at the terminal was super long. Hardly any waiting once on the ship at the kid's club. As you approach the end of the terminal you will see the escalator up to get on the ship. Under the escalator and to the right is the area for character pictures. It is kinda of hidden. Then you just wait until they call your boarding number. YAY!!!
I hope I have offered some info that will be useful. If anybody has any questions, feel free to ask.
BTW, did we ever agree on a meet-n-greet??? only 10 days to go!!!
I can't pass up staying and getting it done though since we drove down from Orlando makes since to get it done while there. Most my ship inspections I do out of Port Canaveral.
HAPPY HAPPY!!
I am definitely not fit enough to be walking over any bridges, so I'll let DH know your advice and we'll see what he wants to do. He is a penny pincher this trip, so I imagine a bench is in my future. It's nice to know there are a lot of them too! At PC I normally end up sitting on the ground. From a bench I can watch the disembarking families do the "Walk of Shame" as they leave. 
That didn't happen, but I did make him some peanut butter brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and blueberry muffins. He can sprinkle bacon bits on them if he wants to. 
)
