Miami transportation Question

[texjen]

We are arriving in Miami the day before our cruise and staying at the Comfort Suites Miami North (recommended b/c of airport and port shuttles). I read some reviews that there aren't many places to eat around that hotel and the neighborhood may not be the best for walking around after dark. This started me thinking about renting a car.

I can rent a car at Miami airport and return to the port the day of the cruise for a relatively reasonable price. The car rental place says you then have to take a shuttle to the port.

Questions:
1 - has anyone returned a car at the port in Miami? they told us the shuttle only runs every 45-1hr. It kind of defeats the purpose of having the car for convenience
2 - Has anyone stayed at the Comfort Suites Miami North? Is there anywhere to get dinner nearby? Are their shuttles to port reliable?
3 - one of the reasons to get a car would be to hit up the store for some wine and drink to bring on. Are there places near the port or hotel?

Thanks everyone!

 

[MunFam]

All of the reasons you listed are the reasons we are not staying there (And they do not have the best reviews for the quality of their rooms either)! We are staying at the Homewood Suites Blue Lagoon Miami Airport. Its near food and the market. They offer breakfast, dinner with wine and airport transfers for free. The cab will cost us $24 to the port.

 

[egesicki]

We stayed there in March 2013. Rooms were clean, staff was friendly. Cruise package was a great value. They have a whole book of restaurants that deliver, we had pizza delivered and it was fine. I would stay there again.