Miami port: from drop-off to ship, how much walking?

[Aimeedyan]

We are trying to determine if we need to request wheelchair assistance at the port for check-in (or when we get off the ship too, I suppose). I've cruised before (though not from Miami) and I have no recollection of there being much standing or walking but of course, I had no mobility issues. Your perspective changes when you do (or have a loved one that does!).

Our hotel shuttle is dropping us at the port with the bags. Can someone tell me how much walking we'll do once there? I'm hoping the shuttle drops off near where bags are checked?

For reference, mom is not able to stand in security/walk an airport terminal but can walk from the parking lot tram drop-off through security/gates and to the line to rent an ECV at the parks (though she is worn out!).

I don't want to board the ship with her exhausted but also don't want to bother requesting a chair if it's an easy walk. She really tries to not use assistance unless absolutely necessary so others have access.

Thanks for any help

 

[BartmanLA]

The terminal is very large and there are a lot of long hallways, as well as the ramp leading to the ship, so if you think a wheel chair would be advisable if there is any doubt that your mother might have difficulties. The port people can help you secure one when you get dropped off at the terminal curbside. Let her save her energy for the ship so she can enjoy seeing the ship as well as doing the muster drill as well as the sail away party. Always better to ask for help right up front than try to get some after you get into the terminal. Check in can be a long process and there's not always enough chairs in the check in lobby to accommodate everyone that is waiting.

 

[Shanti]

We are trying to determine if we need to request wheelchair assistance at the port for check-in (or when we get off the ship too, I suppose). I've cruised before (though not from Miami) and I have no recollection of there being much standing or walking but of course, I had no mobility issues. Your perspective changes when you do (or have a loved one that does!).

Our hotel shuttle is dropping us at the port with the bags. Can someone tell me how much walking we'll do once there? I'm hoping the shuttle drops off near where bags are checked?

For reference, mom is not able to stand in security/walk an airport terminal but can walk from the parking lot tram drop-off through security/gates and to the line to rent an ECV at the parks (though she is worn out!).

I don't want to board the ship with her exhausted but also don't want to bother requesting a chair if it's an easy walk. She really tries to not use assistance unless absolutely necessary so others have access.

Thanks for any help

Please get her a chair. It's not extremely far, but it's a big building inside and out, and there will be too much walking for her to be comfortable.

She should likely use an ECV on the ship, as well. There is a lot of walking around.

 

[MunFam]

I don't recall the actual walk being too far...BUT there was little to no seating inside the terminal. We had a late PAT and still stood around for about an hour and a half before our boarding group got called. I wished I had a wheelchair...and I'm a distance runner. LOL

 

[dclpluto]

Probably you might be in line around a half hour. That might be the worst part for her. Not actually the walking but the standing around in a line.

 

[Capt_BJ]

arrive LATER and you probably have NO waiting in line ... arriving at noon typically means the lines are gone and you quickly check-in and walk straight on

You drop your bags at the curb and enter the building/terminal ... porters take your bags at the curb.

From the curb to the ship is 115 yards (verify on Google Earth) ..... yes there is some 'weaving' but straight line it is much less than walking end to end on the main deck of the ship!

 

[MPS516]

Our experience is as BJ states, not bad at drop off, we were right at check in it seemed. After cruise it was a hike because pick up was across the drop off area and down a bit to specific designated pick up areas. Thinking of my mother and similar situation, I would ask porter at drop off for a chair just because I don't know what will be happening inside the terminal and I would not want to hold anyone else up having to assist her for a better part of the walk. I believe we took the elevator up to the gangway and it was a level walk across to the ship. We were coming from FLL so arrived a bit earlier than we planned given traffic was light, ended up waiting about 10 or 15 minutes to board.

 

[KMovies]

Miami is very different from Port Canaveral. At Port Canaveral, it is a straight shot from boarding to the ship. In Miami, you walk down a very long hallway and then walk back the other way a very long hallway. Same after the cruise. Sort of like the queues where you walk back and forth but the queue is empty. It makes sense if there is a very large line, but when no line exists, a lot of walking for nothing.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Okay, it definitely sounds like we should request a wheelchair - thank you guys SO much.