Cienfuegos

Fort Lauderdale's taxi situation at several terminals has been a problem for years, maybe decades. It is a stain on an otherwise reasonably well run airport. Many other, busier airports with multiple terminals have mastered the supervision process. Newark Liberty, for example, has a taxi holding area. Taxi cabs are sent to the "taxi line" at each terminal. The taxi starters hand each passenger a card with the taxi's number on it, and typical meter charges to various areas in the region. It's not difficult to resolve, but many things in Florida seem resistant to practical, safe solutions.

It would make sense for Viking to create excursion blocks for people boarding in week 1, parallel excursion blocks for people boarding down the line in week 3 etc. It would be difficult for places that are capacity controlled in season (Alhambra, Angkor Wat, etc), but it would be fair to each of the boarding group blocks. Advertising Alhambra etc for people who aren't going to have a shot at going there seems fundamentally unfair.

Bloomberg news reported in 2020 that their incoming Beijing bureau chief was escorted from the airport to his apartment. The 24 hour security at his door assured he did not leave it for the duration of his quarantine. I remember being very "what the heck is this about" at the time

I've taken Auto-Train many times. In roomettes (small private compartments), bedrooms (larger, with en-suite toilets and shower), and in coach. I like it. Typically, the A-T arrives Sanford (near Orlando) about 10 in the morning. Allow 40 minutes to get your car. Sometimes longer. It will be a little before noon when you are settled and on the road. Every fast food place in the world has a location near the terminal. If you are a light sleeper, you should know that the locomotives and their horns are on the south end of the train, just ahead of the coaches. Every cow crossing in the Carolinas and Georgia gets a four blast salute as the train passes. Every one. Sleeping car passengers are farther back, and don't hear that racket. Northbound, the sleepers are up front.

Nicaragua has had a lot of social unrest in recent years. It is prudent not to visit, but Viking shouldn't be advertising a stop that it is unlikely to make

I don't drink much hard liquor, but that seems like a decent selection of brown beverages

If you are taking Uber / Lyft from the Port of Miami to Miami Airport Tri-Rail, consider getting a quote from Port of Miami to directly to Fort Lauderdale Airport.

There are two Tri-Rail "Fort Lauderdale" stations. The southerly of the two (closer to Miami) is named Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport at Dania Beach. Quite a mouthful. That station has shuttles to the airport, and several local buses. Uber/Lyft, too. The second of the two stations, just one station north, is named Fort Lauderdale station at the west end of town. That's closer to downtown than the airport station. There are local buses, Uber/Lyft, etc Back to Miami Airport. There is (was?) a free rail shuttle from the American airlines terminal at Miami airport to the rental car facility which is a mile or so away. All the airport terminals have moving walkways which eventually lead to the rental car shuttle. The five story rental car facility has the Tri-Rail to Fort Lauderdale and the local Metro-Rail to downtown on the ground level. MetroRail is a subway like rail service which is up on pillars. There are ticket kiosks prior to descending to train level. You put in your destination, and it gives you a fare. You put in a credit card and it prints a ticket. I suspect that the shuttle bus from the airport terminals will leave you off adjacent to Tri-Rail, but I don't know tat for sure.

Independent of the issue of people wearing jeans in the dining room, I think Viking offers a more polished atmosphere. No clanging casino noise, audible from 100 feet away. No intrusive photographers at every meal, with their displays in the passageways. No kids, running unsupervised in the pool area or elsewhere. It just seems a little more refined and quieter.

I'm late to this party, but the cruise lines have been known to accommodate / delay sailings out of Miami when a widespread event occurs. A multi-state snowstorm closing many airports would fit that bill. As would thunderstorms preventing access to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, etc.

I've taken BrightLine several times, and I've been very pleased. Even in the situation where somebody decides to go around the down crossing gates, it is unusual for the train to be delayed more than 60-90 minutes. The company usually replaces the engineer if they request relief.

Unlikely, as the direction on the causeway to the airport would be west. The map suggests the runners should be out of the way by 8.15. But it could impact taxi, Uber / Lyft, buses etc coming in. In the past, Miami has been very solicitous of cruise passengers etc. I suspect there won't be any trouble.

Supply and demand, trying to estimate a price coming out of Covid, lots of elements go into setting a price 18 to 24 months out.. Almost by definition, Viking Expeditions don't traffic in highly competitive routes. So, filling as many cabins as possible early, and letting supply and demand handle the rest is not a bad strategy. I'm sure everyone here has a story about a last minute grab of a Caribbean cruise out of Miami or San Juan for $100 per night. Whether that translates well into a 450 passenger ship on an exotic route is another story.

Does Budget offer kiosk check in for club / registered members? That might save some time for prepaid reservations. I've used kiosks at Hertz and Alamo in the past. Not really a problem to use

There is a huge North American demand for cruises right now. My travel agent mentioned last week that he's hearing from people who've been absent for years. The cruise lines are pricing for the demand...

Interesting. That's good to know. Southwest is a relatively new arrival in Miami and West Palm Beach. Previously, they had their major presence at FLL.

Fort Lauderdale airport has some issues over the last year on TSA staffing. They seem to be perpetually under staffed. A lot depends on which outbound terminal you are using. Back in December there was a lot of unhappiness about TSA staff being forced to work without pay due to the anticipated government shutdown.

Yes. Adding a few days on the front or back of a trip may offer significant price reductions on the air part. And, a day or two in Istanbul, Lisbon. Zurich, Casablanca isn't the worst thing in the world...

Good information, thank you. I'm increasingly intrigued by the range of ticket prices based on days of the week, and seasons of the year. Here in south Florida, Royal Air Maroc, TAP, and Turkish Air seem to be the price leaders to Europe and North Africa / Morocco.

Interesting thread. This confirms my thoughts about Viking Ocean buying wholesale blocks of seats, which may not include business or higher priced coach seats, etc. I'm sure United, etc, is very aware of the markups they can harvest on Premium Economy / Comfort Plus or their other labels. Why give it away to Viking?

The McArthur Causeway is a principal access to the cruise port. The preliminary 2024 Marathon planning guide says it should reopen for eastbound traffic about 8.15 am,

Southwest Airlines is in the process of moving many of its international flights from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando airport. As of now, no plans to move many domestic flights out of FLL. Fort Lauderdale flights have been noticeably cheaper than Miami for many years. Part of that was due to Southwest not serving Miami (it does now), and part is due to the intense competition with JetBlue in FLL. Southwest doesn't participate in many industry fare sites, you have to go to their website. BrightLine may also be a factor.

Bayonne NJ has discussed the idea of extending the existing light rail (Hudson Bergen Light Rail) to the cruise port from its relatively nearby right of way. But there are too many interests invested in keeping things the way they are. Parking revenues at $30 per day and cab drivers, especially. It might have been a do-able project before the area was built out with logistics etc providers

Miami is an exceptionally vibrant place. Wynnwood and the arts / design district, Little Havana and the scene over on Miami Beach. Wonderful dining options

We found the option of being seated with several other groups of two to be enjoyable. With groups of four, their tendency was to speak among themselves in spite of efforts to broaden the conversation. If they are especially boorish, you can just get up and leave. Been there, done that.