Going on Disney Cruise out of Port of Miami, from St. Louis, MO. Recommendations Please.

[Michael48467]

My son and his new bride are going on Disney Cruise (Feb 2017) out of Port of Miami, from St. Loius, MO.

Looking for Recommendations Please;

Thoughts and recommendations on flying from St. Louis into Fort Lauderdale versus Miami?

Thoughts on shuttle transportation?

They are also thinking about flying down day before and staying at hotel.

Wanted to do Disney World but no official transportation is offered from Orlando to Port of Miami.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My son and his new bride are going on Disney Cruise (Feb 2017) out of Port of Miami, from St. Loius, MO.

Looking for Recommendations Please;

Thoughts and recommendations on flying from St. Louis into Fort Lauderdale versus Miami?

Thoughts on shuttle transportation?

They are also thinking about flying down day before and staying at hotel.

Wanted to do Disney World but no official transportation is offered from Orlando to Port of Miami.

Personally, I'd look into flying into Ft Lauderdale first. Miami airport is a zoo. I'd start there and see what the cost differences are between FL and Miami. Either airport isn't that far from the port.

I know DCL has a shuttle from the Miami airport, don't know for sure about Ft Lauderdale.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

We did a cruise out of Miami in December. After a few days at WDW, we rented a car from the WDW car care center and drove to Miami. After the cruise we took a QLS (quality limousine service) shuttle from the port to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, and flew home on Southwest.

 

[cgolf]

We have flown into ft Lauderdale twice now and have used SAS Transpo both times. There can be a bit of a wait with them at the airport to get to your hotel, but the price makes it feel like a non issue.

 

[Dug720]

DEFINITELY fly in AT LEAST the day before. ESPECIALLY in February.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

This, definitely.

 

[Luvmypetz]

We did a cruise out of Miami in December. After a few days at WDW, we rented a car from the WDW car care center and drove to Miami. After the cruise we took a QLS (quality limousine service) shuttle from the port to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, and flew home on Southwest.

For clarification, when returning to POM and wanting any of the shuttle services returning to FLL, is a reservation needed or do they have a queue and pay as you board? I'm asking b/c to make a specific time reservation, you kind of need to know when you're getting off and that can somewhat vary. TIA

 

[BCV23]

We've done B2B cruises twice out of Miami and have another B2B booked for 2017. Love sailing out of Miami. The terminal isn't as nice as Port Canaveral but is fine. Sail away is beautiful.

Both times we have flown out of MIA. I prefer it over FLL because it is possible to use onboard checkin for debarkation. Love putting the luggage outside the cabin the night before we dock and seeing it next at ORD. DCL transfers are only $20/person each way and it is a short trip. We flew AA one trip and UA the second. First trip the security lines were fairly long but they were not this February. Even the first trip, it was probably less than 20 minutes. I have read of really crazy lines at FLL? I think some people prefer FFL because SW flies there but not to MIA.

Our first trip we stayed at WDW before our cruises. We drove to Miami the night before the first cruise, turned in our rental car and took a cab to the ship in the morning.

They should definitely get to Florida at least the night before the cruise.

 

[TestingH2O]

A big advantage to FLL over MIA is they can fly SW. Then in STL they get to use Terminal 2 (East) which is so much better than Terminal 1.

 

[cgolf]

As to the Southwest flights in 2017, the cheapest rate, wanna get away, seem to be higher than in years past and those are selling out quick, including some in February. I am not sure why this is, but it seems hotel prices at least in Ft Lauderdale are also very high that time of year too. I did not check Miami hotel prices though. We had booked our flight a week ago and checked 2 days later to see that the cheap rate was sold out.

 

[Dug720]

As to the Southwest flights in 2017, the cheapest rate, wanna get away, seem to be higher than in years past and those are selling out quick, including some in February. I am not sure why this is, but it seems hotel prices at least in Ft Lauderdale are also very high that time of year too. I did not check Miami hotel prices though. We had booked our flight a week ago and checked 2 days later to see that the cheap rate was sold out.

February is the beginning of what is known in the travel industry as "Rolling Spring Break" - meaning that starting around mid-February through Easter week you're pretty much going to have schools on some kind of break. I know Presidents' Week in particular is a big break week in NYC and the rest of the Northeast - and after the past couple of winters, I can see a LOT of us wanting to get the heck out of Dodge to warmer climates! I know I booked my cruise (well, the one I just cancelled before booking the Magic out of Miami) while I was sitting up here shivering because I'd cancelled my initial plans for break 2016.

 

[MickeyEarrings]

For clarification, when returning to POM and wanting any of the shuttle services returning to FLL, is a reservation needed or do they have a queue and pay as you board? I'm asking b/c to make a specific time reservation, you kind of need to know when you're getting off and that can somewhat vary. TIA

You book your reservation and pay online.

 

[MPS516]

We fly into FLL early and spend a day or two before heading to Miami for the cruise, love the area. We take Jiffy Jeffs from hotel to port and than back to airport after the cruise. There equipment is clean and new and they are right on time, after cruise we collected bag, passed customs and walked out to limo pick up, closer than busses. Ft Lauderdale and Miami are both busy cruise ports so particular days can be a challenge for hotel reservations if you don't book early, again we have a list of preferred hotels so if our first or second choice is booked we have a third and forth. We always find a good room.

 

[dcassetta]

For a honeymoon couple, I think I would recommend flying into Miami the day before and staying at one of the hotels close to the port with a view of the port itself and the ocean. Near the port, the Marriott Biscayne Bay and the Intercontinental are both beautiful and have gorgeous views. The airport is a quick $27 taxi ride to either hotel or the cruise terminal itself.