Which Miami area airport?

[maui2k5]

We will be flying into the Miami area from Houston for our Oct 6 cruise on our dream and we’re wondering about the airport situation. On United the flights into Miami and Ft Lauderdale leave Houston about the same time so we will fly into Miami.

However, the return flight is the question. We can book a 12pm out of Ft. Lauderdale or 3pm out of Miami back to Houston. Which would you all recommend?

Also, we will fly in the night before we cruise and will stay at a hotel. Recommendations for hotel and ground transportation?

 

[nfulkmd]

We are flying into and out of Miami International Airport from O'Hare. We will be staying at the Hilton Miami Downtown which is not far from the port. We plan on using Uber everywhere. We leave next week so I can update you when we get back home.

 

[dcassetta]

From MIA to POM, a taxi is flat rate $27 and you can also Lyft/Uber.

If you decide to use FLL for the return, you can Lyft/Uber or book a car service. There are also shared services like Jiffy Jeff.

We like the Blue Lagoon Hilton properties, they have nice pools and free airport shuttles.

 

[Cheburashka]

We will be flying into the Miami area from Houston for our Oct 6 cruise on our dream and we’re wondering about the airport situation. On United the flights into Miami and Ft Lauderdale leave Houston about the same time so we will fly into Miami.

However, the return flight is the question. We can book a 12pm out of Ft. Lauderdale or 3pm out of Miami back to Houston. Which would you all recommend?

Also, we will fly in the night before we cruise and will stay at a hotel. Recommendations for hotel and ground transportation?

I would use DCL transportation from the cruise ship to the Miami airport. The Miami airport is closer to the Port of Miami, and is the only one you can get to via DCL transportation. I once used a local shared scheduled shuttle from the port to the Fort Lauderdale airport, and the experience was miserable from start to finish: late shuttle, unfocused driver, total cluster at the FLL airport which I am reluctant to ever fly out of again. By contrast, I've never had a problem flying into or out of MIA. YMMV.

 

[dcassetta]

I would use DCL transportation from the cruise ship to the Miami airport.

This makes sense economically for a solo cruiser, but a cab or Lyft/Uber from POM to MIA is more economical for 2 or more.

 

[DCLDVC1]

We've flown in and out of FLL many times and have never had an issue. We prefer it to MIA.

 

[auntlynne]

Hotel in Miami - stayed at Courtyard by Marriott/ Miami airport - took their free shuttle to hotel.

and Hampton Inn & Suites Miami / Brickell. I don’t think they have a shuttle (we flew in to Fort Lauderdale and took Brightline train to Miami, then Lyft to hotel).

Bricknell had more food options for dinner and a Publix grocery up the street. Newer build / rebuild area than the Courtyard. I walked to dinner in both locations.

Transportation to port - Lyft both times. I have only used them a few times now, always on vacation. Both solo and with family - I enjoy the flexibility of times. And better price.

I am leery of booking flights after any cruise before noon. You probably would get there in time, but you are not in control of when ship actually clears immigration. But sitting around MIA til 3 isn’t great, either.

Transportation back to MIA - I like the $27 flat rate taxi. They have various sizes, including mini vans. Their is a taxi stand with waiting taxis when you get off the ship. Just tell them how many people you have. There is a coordinator right there. A little chaotic, but very understanding, no yelling and not rushing you if you are slow getting in vehicle. (Based on my own limitations and experience).

(We used FLL last cruise and next one - then take new train to Miami. Upcoming: late night arrival in FLL, hotel there, morning train to Miami. Returning very early morning the day after disembarkation - 5:30 am. Will have a day at Ft Lauderdale Beach, hotel on beach as a buffer.).

Flight times are not great for leaving out of either city after some cruises.

We did leave at 2:30 out of FLL. That place was jammed with cruisers. We have Pre-check, so TSA was not bad. Dropping bags at Delta involved an actual line (I am not used to that. Home airport is rather small.)

 

[Sammie79]

Just returned from Dream out of Miami. Flew out of FLL. Scheduled flight was at 1145. Got off the boat at 830 and at the airport by 915. Check in line was an hour long but made to the gate without any trouble.

Stayed at Hampton inn brickell. Very clean and convenient. Took Lyft to the port. Had a private limo pick us up at the airport and POM. Pretty easy.

Have another cruise in october. Will do the same

 

[maui2k5]

Just returned from Dream out of Miami. Flew out of FLL. Scheduled flight was at 1145. Got off the boat at 830 and at the airport by 915. Check in line was an hour long but made to the gate without any trouble.

Stayed at Hampton inn brickell. Very clean and convenient. Took Lyft to the port. Had a private limo pick us up at the airport and POM. Pretty easy.

Have another cruise in october. Will do the same

I went ahead and booked our flights into MIA and out of FLL for around the same departure time you did recently. Hopefully no customs hiccups hold us up.

Appreciate the tips!

 

[princesscinderella]

Dania point is a nice shopping area with some hotels that is a great option for those flying into FLL for a cruise and need a place to stay for the night. You wouldn’t need an Uber to get to food or shopping if you forgot something, its a newly developed area and a great option. We live in south Florida and FLL is so much easier to navigate than MIA and always try to leave from there.