I will be taking first cruise in September and very excited. I've read a lot of these posts and have learned quite a bit from all the experienced people. I'm looking for suggestions where to stay in Miami/FLL the night prior to cruise departure. Shuttle service from airport to hotel and hotel to port is of importance. Any suggestions?

Edit: Moved to Port Hotels and Transfers forum. RF

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raoul Fiebig,

Where are you sailing out of FLL or MIA?

Miami, any sugggstions

typin56mom,
Will you be flying into FLL airport or MIA airport as that too will make a difference as to suggestions for airport to hotel/hotel to port?
Nancy

I have done this and stayed in the Holiday Inn Portside. It is directly across from the cruise terminals (still need a cab because directly across translates into about 2 miles of distance)

Resonable rates for downtown Miami and plenty of resturants to eat dinner at.

I recommend getting to the cruise terminal early. Like 11AM or so. You didn't say which ship your on, but the larger ones (Victory etc.. ) have so many people boarding that if you show up at noon you are standing in the parking lot in a line. That line did not go away until about 4PM when you are supposed to already be on... Have fun.

Jim C...

I am staying at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami in a few weeks, and since you've stayed there....can you answer a question?

How much was the taxi from the hotel to the port? Did the hotel call the taxi for you? Or did you need to call yourself?

Thanks!

Kenny-

The hotel will get a taxi for you no problem. We had five people so they even made sure we got a van. They even held our luggage after we check out in the morning (we walked across to bayside and got breakfast) The cab ride cost ran about $15.00 plus tip. It was only a minimum cab fare distance but they add a fee to enter the terminal and then we sat in a line of other cabs and cars waiting to get dropped off. I kept watching the meter tick away. Still, it beats coming in the day of your cruise and worrying if you are going to make it on time.

Jim

Thanks Jim.

I, too, have a party of five. I'll be sure to ask the hotel to call me a van, rather than two taxis. So $15 for five people all in one van sounds good to me.

Again, thanks for help!

Unless it's new since February 3rd, I have never been charged an additional taxi fee going into the terminal. You have to really watch those taxi drivers in Miami. When leaving the port there has always been a toll booth. However; if you are going straight from the pier to the airport, that toll is included in the flat fee of $24. I have had taxi drivers try to make me pay that toll, and when I told them it was included in the flat fee to airport, they backed off. On the window in the back seat it is posted what the fees are, and what tolls are included. Whenever I get in a taxi I write down the taxi driver number and taxi number (usually posted on the dash or front window), also the number to the taxi company. I did report a taxi driver once who insisted I pay that toll when it is already included. One thing I can't stand is when someone tries to take advantage of me thinking I'm too stupid to know the difference. Mean while, they're sticking that money in their pocket all day long.