Question about Cruising on the Wonder out of Miami

[MarineFam]

We are looking at cruising on the Wonder next April out of Miami. It's a 5 day cruise and we were thinking about possibly driving down to Key West for a couple days or stay in Miami for a couple days.
My wife and I have been to Key West once for a port stop but we haven't ever been to Miami. We have two Boys ages 18 and 15 at the time of the cruise. Any recommendations? Spend the extra time in Miami or shoot down to Key West?

 

[MarineFam]

Bump

 

[Flossbolna]

It is actually quite a long drive down to Key West. The distance is not that far, but you can't drive very fast. My experience was that the road is very busy. I would just hang out in Miami for two days, there are interesting things to do and I like the atmosphere at South Beach during the day.

 

[JackieB10]

My children (DD 14 & DS 8) and I drove from Miami to Key West 2 years ago just for the day and we LOVED it! We actually had a hotel in Homestead so we got up and left around 6:00am, we stopped at Robbie's in Islamorada and fed Tarpon and browsed the little stands they have as well. The drive is beautiful!! Once we got to Key West we rented an electric car and did a ton of sight seeing and enjoyed one of the small beaches for a little while. Of course we had dinner at the original Margaritaville, we then finished our day off with ice cream while watching the sunset before heading back to Homestead.

My kids talk constantly about wanting to go back, little do they know that in January we are doing a five day Disney cruise and then driving to Key West for 2 nights!!! They will be 17 and 10 at the time, I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning when they find out!!!!

So, in my opionion I say Key West, my kids enjoyed it much more than Miami.

 

[Pinkocto]

I don't care for Miami, it's just another big city to me. But I live near and work in a big city so there is no appeal to spend extra time in one. Key West on the other hand is very different. Very low key, and much more relaxed. Lots of restaurants and touristy things to do. And of course the drive is beautiful. But it's all what your family likes to do.

 

[MarineFam]

See, that's what I'm thinking is just relax and enjoy the ride and enjoy what we can in Key West. The Vacation is the Cruise. The bonus will be the side trip to Key West. I'm thinking my boys would love it and we are all about new things.

 

[abja09]

My children (DD 14 & DS 8) and I drove from Miami to Key West 2 years ago just for the day and we LOVED it! We actually had a hotel in Homestead so we got up and left around 6:00am, we stopped at Robbie's in Islamorada and fed Tarpon and browsed the little stands they have as well. The drive is beautiful!! Once we got to Key West we rented an electric car and did a ton of sight seeing and enjoyed one of the small beaches for a little while. Of course we had dinner at the original Margaritaville, we then finished our day off with ice cream while watching the sunset before heading back to Homestead.

My kids talk constantly about wanting to go back, little do they know that in January we are doing a five day Disney cruise and then driving to Key West for 2 nights!!! They will be 17 and 10 at the time, I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning when they find out!!!!

So, in my opionion I say Key West, my kids enjoyed it much more than Miami.

I was thinking of doing this next March after our cruise on the Wonder. How long was the drive to Key West?

 

[JackieB10]

It was about a 3 hour drive but since we took our time and made a stop it was about 4 for us. But I didn't think it seemed like that long because I was in awe over the scenery.