Post-cruise activities - Miami

[sjuncfan]

We are cruising on the Magic in April and may add on a couple days to the trip. We may stay in Miami or we may go down to the Keys for a bit (not all the way to Key West).
- Does anyone have recommendations for somewhere that we could continue the vacation vibe? I've heard great things about Hawks Cay and may check it out but it may be out of our budget. But that's the idea.
- What's the easiest way to get a rental car after the cruise? We'll want to drop it off a couple days later at the airport if that makes a difference in where we pick it up.

Thanks in advance!

 

[miguelgar83]

Well, it's a bit far down the Keys, though not all the way to Key West, but if you're looking for a striking-looking beach, try visiting Bahia Honda State Park.

 

[Colo17]

The main rental car pickup in Miami is a fair distance from the port and can be very busy. Airport is easier. The larger rental car companies don't have dropoff charges anywhere in Florida, so you can easily pick up a car in one location and drop in another (we have done Tampa to Fort Lauderdale, for example). Rental cars also come with "Sunpass" so you can use the toll roads and get billed later (often a daily fee on top of tolls). Check with your clubs, business, AAA, senior, ... as most companies offer discounts for various affiliations.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We have picked up a post cruise rental car at the car rental center that serves MIA. Alamo/National/Enterprise provide a free shuttle from the port to the center for passengers with documented car reservations. Other rental companies may have similar arrangements, but we generally use Alamo, booking using Costco codes. In practice, we usually just take a taxi or ride share from the port to the center since I find it more convenient with the luggage, approximately $30 + tip.

 

[iloveeeyore]

We enjoyed Miami beach for a few days before our cruise, but we are urban folk and loved that Midbeach/Southbeach vibe. There's a free trolley that goes up and down the coast so you can hop on and off to see different sites or try a different restaurant. There are tons of hotels and resorts all along the strip, for many budgets. Worth giving it a look.