Miami Cruise Questions

[SplashMom]

So, my husband and I are celebrating our 35th anniversary in March and since we are doing Disney in December, we decided to do something different. We booked airfare to Fort Lauderdale and thought we would try a relaxing week around the beach. Of course, I noticed a decent price on a four day cruise out of of Miami so we are now booked on the Magic! We have only cruised out of Port Canaveral before so Miami is quite different for us.

We will be there for four nights before the cruise. Should we stay in Fort Lauderdale or go to Miami and stay there? The hotels look a bit more reasonably priced in FL. We are also trying to decide whether or not to rent a car. We usually do, but we don't want the hassle of trying to park at a terminal where we aren't familiar, and it is quite expensive to pick up and drop off at different locations. Can we get around without a car? As you can see, I have a lot of questions. Has anyone done this...flown into FLL for a Miami cruise? How do you get to the port, or to your hotel? Any hotel recommendations? I need all the help I can get, lol!

 

[lizabu]

We flew into Fort Lauderdale and stayed at a hotel there because we found the rates to be lower. We took SAS transportation to the port. They picked us up right at the hotel. I think it’s $15 per person

 

[anricat]

We've sailed out of Miami twice and we've done things both ways! The first time we used SAS Transportation from FLL and stayed in downtown Miami. We got a great rate at the Intercontinental on Hotwire by doing a mystery hotel thing and just saying I wanted 4 stars or better downtown. It was really great being right in downtown Miami. There were shops, a mall and restaurants and a little playground for DD. Everything was in walking distance or there's a little tram that goes in a little loop. The next morning we took a taxi to the port and I think it was around $10.

The next time we flew into FLL and sailed out of Miami, we rented a car at the airport, stayed the night in FLL on the beach (not recommended during spring break) and then returned the car to the downtown Avis, which has a shuttle that will take you to the port. This also worked out well. If it had not been spring break, the beach area of FLL looked really lovely and there were lots of restaurants and lovely areas we could have gone to. Alas, it was a nightmare of drunken college kids.

Now, if we sail out of Miami again, I think I slightly prefer staying in Miami (but I'll never use SAS again - those guys drove like maniacs).

 

[wanderlust7]

We did a post cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale after sailing from Miami. We rented a car from Alamo, took their shuttle from Miami port to MIA to pick up the car, then returned it at FLL. I think it was a little more expensive doing the one-way rental, but I can't imagine going to Fort Lauderdale without a car. Things are pretty spread out. You might be okay without a car if you stay at Miami Beach. Keep checking the car rental rates, they might go down.

 

[lizabu]

We had a great experience with SAS transportation. The driver was very professional and even pointed out landmarks along the drive.

 

[SplashMom]

Yup...I'm nervous to go without a car but I don't really know if we will need it. The plan is just beach and relaxation before the cruise so as long as we stay somewhere central, I'm hoping it will be OK. Anyone have any hotel recommendations in either FL or Miami?

 

[bobbiwoz]

In Miami Airport, Alamo has a shuttle to the cruise port. We often have sailed out of Miami, many times we have been in WDW before hand, brought the car back to Miami airport, and used the cruise shuttle. It’s convenient, but get there early, it can be a busy port day!