Miami limo transfer or other alternatives?!?

[DisneyCruise15]

Has anyone ever rented a limo as a transfer in miami (either from airport to hotel, or hotel to port)? If so, which company did you use. Did they allow you to only book it for one hour (most seem to have minimal rental times)?

We are coming in the day before our cruise and staying at a hotel for one night after. We aren't bringing car seats (and have 2 kids with us that would usually require one). So we want some options to either hire a service (and have them provide car seats)... Any suggestions????

 

[darwinsrule]

You didn't say whether you are flying in to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Lot of us here has done FLL as the princes are significantly cheaper and it is only 30-40 minutes from the Port of Miami. The other part of it depends upon how many of you there are since that changes things pretty quickly as well.

The reality is that from a Miami hotel to the Port there are cabs literately hovering around outside all the downtown hotels. We have stayed at both the Holiday Inn at POM and the Hampton Inn on Brickell and both times only had to walk out the door and there were cabs waiting and ready.

 

[DisneyCruise15]

Than

You didn't say whether you are flying in to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Lot of us here has done FLL as the princes are significantly cheaper and it is only 30-40 minutes from the Port of Miami. The other part of it depends upon how many of you there are since that changes things pretty quickly as well.

The reality is that from a Miami hotel to the Port there are cabs literately hovering around outside all the downtown hotels. We have stayed at both the Holiday Inn at POM and the Hampton Inn on Brickell and both times only had to walk out the door and there were cabs waiting and ready.

Thanks for your reply. There will be 3 adults and 2 children. I don't want to take a regular cab, as we won't have car seats for either kids. So I was thinking of booking a service (with car seats), or using a shuttle (seems expensive as prices are usually per person) or renting a limo (for 1 transfer - for a little fun!).

Any advice would be useful. Thanks!

 

[AUTigerFan]

We are facing the same dilemma in Miami. We were going to use the Disney transfers from the airport but our flight home is before noon and our TA said that Disney will not allow us to use their transfers for that early of a flight. Uber has a new service with car seats but it's not in Miami yet. I looked at some car services online but didn't see that car seats were provided plus that is an expensive option.
Our solution is to bring booster seats for our girls. The younger one is just under the weight limit for it but I feel comfortable for just two short cab rides. The airlines will check them for free and we can store them under our bed on the cruise. I considered just not having any seats for them but I don't want to risk being refused a ride without them.
Let me know if you find an economical car service that provides car seats as we would consider that option. I did not call anyone but did do a little googling.

 

[darwinsrule]

Fortunately the kids are out of the full car seat stage and the youngest is in a booster only which is easy to pack and bring along. Most of our early trips were WDW (with or without add on cruise from PC) so we always used Disney transfers to avoid the issue. We did have a car seat for those early trips for the plane for our younger daughter. Gave that up after a couple of trips when someone on DIS posted a comments about the CARES infant restraint system for planes (wonderful device).

If you are arriving FLL and have your own then look at GO Airport Service which operates out of FLL. Cost wise it would be about the same as a cab, but much cleaner and a lot more room. Had a full size SUV last summer which had more than enough room for 5 and luggage. We have used, and are using them again in a few weeks, SAS coming back from POM to FLL. The van we were in held 15 and was quite comfortable.

My FIL flew in to Miami in March to join us on the Wonder. He originally had DCL transfer booked but canceled and just grabbed a cab since MIA is so close to POM. Honestly it is one of the things we love about Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Two airports, both only minutes from a cruise port. Both less than 45 mins from the other which means lots of options.

 

[MunFam]

If you are comfortable with it, they are not required by law in Miami to ride in a carseat if you are in a cab or other "for hire" vehicle. I was not sure how the laws translated, so I contacted the police department directly and asked. We were just there in May and used an Uber SUV to get from our hotel near the airport to the port. Since it was my husband's first Uber, it was less than $5.00. Our cabs to the hotel were covered by our hotel since their shuttle broke down and we did not use carseats for those either.

 

[MunFam]

Here is the email I wrote:
Hello,
I am trying to translate the seatbelt laws in the state of Florida. I see under 316.613 2: 

For children aged 4 through 5 years, a separate carrier, an integrated child seat, or a child booster seat may be used. However, the requirement to use a child restraint device under this subparagraph does not apply when a safety belt is used as required in s. 316.614(4)(a) and the child:

a. Is being transported gratuitously by an operator who is not a member of the child’s immediate family;

Our daughter will be four when we arrive and plan to take a taxi from the airport to the Port of Miami. She is over 40 inches and over 40 pounds already. Does this above referenced law mean that we can put her in the regular seat belt in the back seat of the taxi without traveling with an additional car seat? I have read all sorts of different answers on forums, but I would prefer to just know if this method of travel is against the law.

And their reply:
Thank you for your question. The statutes you referenced are applicable. While this office is not permitted to engage in statutory interpretation or provide legal advice, please note s. 316.613(6) which states:


The child restraint requirements imposed by this section do not apply to a chauffeur-driven taxi, limousine, sedan, van, bus, motor coach, or other passenger vehicle if the operator and the motor vehicle are hired and used for the transportation of persons for compensation.


For questions or additional information, please contact the Division of Law Revision and Information at(850)488-4371 or email rev.info@leg.state.fl.us.


NOTE: The primary mission of the Division of Law Revision and Information is to publish the Florida Statutes and to provide information about the legislative process upon request. The division cannot, by law, provide legal advice or statutory interpretation.

 

[ashleyhaugh]

honestly, I never understood those rules... a child is not any safer just because they are in a taxi.

but I am a self confessed car seat freak whose child was rearfacing til he was three and a half, and will stay in a booster until he fits the seatbelt properly without one. I would consider a seat I wouldn't normally use for rides that short though, for instance a booster for a child who is normally harnessed, as long as they meet the requirements otherwise... have you seen the bubble bum boosters? they're very compact, and meant for travelling. my sister used one for her stepdaughter to carry in her backpack for when her mom picks her up at school... and she's a car seat tech, so I definitely trust her recommendations! They carry them at Walmart now, at least at my Walmart.

http://www.bubblebum.co/us/