EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[dthogue]

There are a few of us on another thread on the cruise line forum about the rental car situation in Miami. We will be doing a carnival cruise in July and have Budget booked, but there seems to be a lot of different information out there about it. But, once we get back, I will report my findings. I got a great rate for a one-day rental for $41 and that includes taxes! I am picking up at the port (have to take a taxi to get there) and dropping it off at FLL. We'll see how it goes. I was told by the rude agent at Budget that it would probably be a $10 - $15 cab fare from the port to their office which is about 1 1/2 miles away. What we always do is have my DH go and get the car and come back and get us with all the luggage. And if you can share a taxi...even better (which is what we will be doing for this cruise in July).

Looking forward to hearing your about your experience. I just made my reservation for December - my DH would be interested in sharing a taxi if you do this again in December.

 

[dthogue]

I just made a one way reservation, picking up at M5E, dropping off at MIA (after our post cruise mini vacay in Miami). I'll just suck up the $15 cab ride, because Budget is around $60 cheaper than any of the other agencies). I used a discount code of U133214 found on a savings website.

This is what we are doing too - is that a discount code that can be used by anyone?

 

[Chinook]

Airfare is booked (SW) so I guess this cruise is a go!!!

 

[socababy]

It looks like I am in the minority flying out of Miami. Since it is just the kids and I, I wanted simplicity. So DCL transfers to Miami and a nonstop flight back to LAX is what I needed! LOL I do catch my breath a little everytime one of you posts how much you are paying to fly back to CA via FLL! Miami is so much more expensive!!

 

[socababy]

Since we are talking airfare...my FIL booked my flights for me through yahoo travel. How does it work when I need to print my flight tickets for when we get off the ship? Is that done before I leave home, is it done on the ship or do we not print them out and they'll just give them to us when we get to the airport? This is the first time flying on my own. I have never booked a flight or printed out tickets from a booked flight so I have no clue!

 

[Started With a Mouse]

This is what we are doing too - is that a discount code that can be used by anyone?

I found it on retailmenot, which I've found to be super reliable in the past.

 

[LindaBabe]

Since we are talking airfare...my FIL booked my flights for me through yahoo travel. How does it work when I need to print my flight tickets for when we get off the ship? Is that done before I leave home, is it done on the ship or do we not print them out and they'll just give them to us when we get to the airport? This is the first time flying on my own. I have never booked a flight or printed out tickets from a booked flight so I have no clue!

Sorry, I've only ever done it on southwest - we were still on paper tickets the last time I flew with anybody else. With SW, someone at home checks me in on line 24 hours in advance and I just get my boarding pass from the sky cap at the airport. (or the person who takes my luggage, if there is no skycap.)

 

[Started With a Mouse]

I wonder if we can check in to United on our iPhones? Does anyone know? Same problem, no printer.

 

[socababy]

Worse case scenario, can I just go to the airport without checking in first and just have them check us in? We are flying AA.

This is the only part of the trip that has me stressed out since it will be my first time flying with the kids on my own. Once I figure out the logistics then I am sure I will be less stressed.

 

[pharmjenn]

Since we are talking airfare...my FIL booked my flights for me through yahoo travel. How does it work when I need to print my flight tickets for when we get off the ship? Is that done before I leave home, is it done on the ship or do we not print them out and they'll just give them to us when we get to the airport? This is the first time flying on my own. I have never booked a flight or printed out tickets from a booked flight so I have no clue!

You can check in easily when you get to the airport. You need your confirmation number or a credit card to check in at the kiosks, or just use the agents. Flyiing AA, you don't have to worry about boarding position or seats or anything. Or you can have a friend or family check you in from home on Saturday, then just use the kiosks or gate agent to get boarding passes and ticket your checked luggage

Don't the ships have something you can elect to do where they check you in the day before and take your luggage directly to the airport? I thought I read that somewhere for PC, although since they are new to Miami that may not be happening.
Either way, don't be worried about checking in. Only on SWA do you have to worry about checking in beforehand.

 

[pharmjenn]

I wonder if we can check in to United on our iPhones? Does anyone know? Same problem, no printer.

You should be able to check-in on your phone. I have not done it on United, but have for Alaska. They also have the option of your phone being your boarding pass, so you don't even have to print one out. My issue with that was 2-fold. On one trip my phone was dying and I was afraid the battery would die before I boarded, and on another trip, in Tampa, Security didn't have the electronic machine turned on, so I held up the line while it warmed up so they could verify my boarding pass.

You can get your boarding pass at the airport, using the kiosks most airlines have, so you do not need to have a printer at the time of checkin.

 

[socababy]

You can check in easily when you get to the airport. You need your confirmation number or a credit card to check in at the kiosks, or just use the agents. Flyiing AA, you don't have to worry about boarding position or seats or anything. Or you can have a friend or family check you in from home on Saturday, then just use the kiosks or gate agent to get boarding passes and ticket your checked luggage

Don't the ships have something you can elect to do where they check you in the day before and take your luggage directly to the airport? I thought I read that somewhere for PC, although since they are new to Miami that may not be happening.
Either way, don't be worried about checking in. Only on SWA do you have to worry about checking in beforehand.

Thank you! This makes me feel better!

 

[Started With a Mouse]

You should be able to check-in on your phone. I have not done it on United, but have for Alaska. They also have the option of your phone being your boarding pass, so you don't even have to print one out. My issue with that was 2-fold. On one trip my phone was dying and I was afraid the battery would die before I boarded, and on another trip, in Tampa, Security didn't have the electronic machine turned on, so I held up the line while it warmed up so they could verify my boarding pass.

You can get your boarding pass at the airport, using the kiosks most airlines have, so you do not need to have a printer at the time of checkin.

Cool, thanks!

 

[schepp]

I use my phone all the time for check in with United and US Airways. I also use it when ever possible as the boarding pass. United determines whether you can use the phone for boarding as part of the check in on the phone. United has a good app for phones. I will add I also print out a paper boarding pass at the airport kiosk every time just in case...

 

[Cruise]

I'm booked.

The IGT rate popped back up this morning and I jumped on it.

And here's the crazy part.... I've done 4 cruises on DCL, so I'm silver. I'm thinking I need to take another one before December just so I'll be gold for the Panama Canal. Oh, I can see how this is going to snowball.....

I'll be sending PMs to join the FE and for the certificate as well.

 

[BethC1952]

Welcome Julie!

I'm glad you booked! It will be good to see you again! It's funny...this will be our 14th DCL cruise, but the first time we've ever cruised with someone a second time. We didn't scare you away? LOL!!!

Beth

 

[LindaBabe]

Welcome Julie!

I'm glad you booked! It will be good to see you again! It's funny...this will be our 14th DCL cruise, but the first time we've ever cruised with someone a second time. We didn't scare you away? LOL!!!

Beth

My 14th, too, Beth, but I've cruised with quite a few people the second, third, and even the 4th time. It's so NICE to see a familiar face On this cruise, that will be Paragd911 (3rd time), Socababy (2nd time) and um at least one more whose name I've forgotten <blush>.

 

[Cruise]

Welcome Julie!

I'm glad you booked! It will be good to see you again! It's funny...this will be our 14th DCL cruise, but the first time we've ever cruised with someone a second time. We didn't scare you away? LOL!!!

Beth

It makes me feel better to know that when people look at me like I'm crazy for booking solo, I can say "But I've met these people... like...REALLY met them....we ate dinner together for 7 nights!!"

Apparently you're considered less crazy if you know people when you're going somewhere.

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD Morning, Happy Cruisers!

It makes me feel better to know that when people look at me like I'm crazy for booking solo, I can say "But I've met these people... like...REALLY met them....we ate dinner together for 7 nights!!"

Apparently you're considered less crazy if you know people when you're going somewhere.

I'm solo, too, Julie! It will be a WHOLE 'nother cruise, without my spouse

Does anyone have any experience with Hotwire or hotels .com? I've never bid on a hotel but I sure would like to lower my rate at the doubletree.

Happy Day, all!

 

[WVURunner]

Does anyone know what rental car places are near the Port of Miami? Ideally, I would love to send my husband out early to grab a rental and then pick us up. Do any offer a free shuttle to their office from the port? I would hate to have to send him to the airport!
QUOTE]

Looks like we will be using Avis due to my hisband's company's discount there. His discount saves us around $400 with the rental. They have a location near the port but he does't want to use it do to reviews and not having the car you requested. So it was his choice to go to the airport for the car pick-up.