Fort Lauderdale and Miami departure ports

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi

Thinking of cruising from either of the above just for the cruise

If we have a few spare days before or after the cruise and without a car is there anywhere you suggest spending the day

Also if fly into Miami is it close to the port thanks

 

[Shanti]

Also if fly into Miami is it close to the port thanks

Yes, we cruised out of Miami last year, and the Miami airport (MIA) is close to the cruise port. The Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL) which many people use because Southwest Airlines flies there, is further away.

We didn't stay in Miami for other activities, so I can't advise you on that.

 

[monarchsfan16]

We flew into FLL for a cruise out of Miami in April. It was about a half hour drive from the port to the airport. Straight up the highway. While in the area, we drove over to the Everglades (Homestead side) and explored the national park a bit. We also went to the Cape Florida lighthouse on Key Biscayne. Beautiful state park (but do know that there is no way to get there without paying a toll, so in a rental car, this can be an issue). Bayside Marketplace near the port has many restaurants and shops. It was a fun place to go for dinner and to walk around.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Are there DCL transfers available from the airport ( Fort Lauderdale) to the port(Miami)?

 

[monarchsfan16]

DCL only provides transfers between the port (Miami) and the Miami airport. If you fly from FLL, you have to figure out transportation (private car service, rental, etc). For us, because we were there for a couple of days precruise, rental car was the best option. For others, private transfers, Uber, etc will be better options.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

If we fly in night before can we still get transfers with DCL?

Any idea if not how much would cost for paying transfer/taxi

 

[MPS516]

Are you asking about DCL cruises ? I have not seem them sail out of Ft Lauderdale.

When we cruise out of Miami we fly into FLL, take a cab or shuttle to the hotel which is on or within walking distance to a water taxi stop and rarely use road transportation. On morning of cruise we use Jiffy Jeff for private transfer to ship and to airport following.

 

[Shanti]

Are there DCL transfers available from the airport ( Fort Lauderdale) to the port(Miami)?

DCL transfers only to and from the Miami airport, not Fort Lauderdale.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We looked up shuttle service on line, and we found a shuttle service between Miami port and Ft Lauderdale airport. Tom will look in past reservations to see if he kept the name.

 

[anricat]

We cruised out of Miami on the Magic last year and flew into FLL (because Southwest flies direct between Austin and FLL but not into Miami).

For a shuttle service, we used SAS last time and from the airport to Miami I was very pleased. Now, on the way back (port to back to FLL airport) I was not so pleased. The driver was totally insane. He was going 80 mph down the freeway (yes, I actually looked at the speedometer) and was weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes and was generally aggressively driving. This all with toddlers in the van that were not in car seats. It was NOT OKAY.

So this time around for our upcoming cruise, I did further research and found that SAS, who is often recommended here on the DIS, is not well-liked on Yelp. However, I found two companies that have great reviews on Yelp and I will be contacting one of them for our upcoming voyage. I'm sorry I can't personally vouch for them, but here is the contact information if you want to look them up online or try one of them:

FG Car Services
www.fgcarservices.com
(includes car seats for free)

Jiffy Jeff
www.gojiffyjeff.com/

In terms of activities, I can't help you much with Miami. We just came in the day before and hung out in the downtown area in the afternoon/evening. There's a waterfront and mall we went to and a playground was near our hotel that my daughter enjoyed (we stayed at the Intercontinental).

We are cruising out of Miami again in March and again we're flying into FLL. This time we're staying the night in FLL in a hotel on the beach and we're going to hang out at the beach the afternoon/evening we get in and then take a shuttle to the port the next morning.

 

[samily]

If we fly in night before can we still get transfers with DCL?

Any idea if not how much would cost for paying transfer/taxi

There is a fixed fare for a taxi to/from the port and MIA. I believe it was 27.00 when we did it last month.

 

[bumbershoot]

Now, on the way back (port to back to FLL airport) I was not so pleased. The driver was totally insane. He was going 80 mph down the freeway (yes, I actually looked at the speedometer) and was weaving in and out of traffic, changing lanes and was generally aggressively driving.

Welcome to Miami.

My brother went to high school there and learned to drive there, and it's just how many people drive there. Now my brother is actually an astonishingly great driver (I am too, but I'm slower lol), but it can feel scary! But who knows if the driver was as good as my brother.

 

[mmfox316]

And if you do end up renting a car and driving from FLL to Miami I suggest get the toll pass from the rental car company. It made the trip a lot faster. I usually am cheap about it but the time we drove it I felt it was worth it.