SaylorGirl

I am curious as to why they changed the wording on residences available to "Life of Vessel.  I believe before it stated you could transfer your ownership to a "newer ship".

We are on this sailing and we just plan to walk off and hire our own driver, walking groups, etc. and just walk around.  So excited can't wait. 

I always tell my waiter I want small portions and many times I will order soup and an appetizer and skip the main course that way I can eat dessert. Or only order the main course and skip the other courses. I also try and stay away from the buffets and eat in the dining room.

Since you have a fit bit put it to good use I walk the decks over and over! Plus the stairs will burn off many a chocolate torte. Always climb the stairs plus the ship has a good gym make use of it.

But the best part is have fun you are on vacation on a beautiful ship full of wonderful things. Don't spend your time worrying about what you can or can not eat. If you stress about everything you won't enjoy yourself at all.

I know the ladies room outside the windgammer overlooks the water either on the Mariner or the Explorer, that is if my memory is correct. It is aging fast so I could be wrong. If we got ride of all the PCness the world would be a better place, remember sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me (only if you let them). Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even if you do not agree, and I for one am not happy that the 1 or 2 persons spoil things for the many. Just my opinion.

 

Any special hints for 1st time inside roommers. I am bringing nightlights, but anything else (love the idea of using spa fac for shower and extra dressing room).

On an inside room it is important that you bring a travel clock with you. When you wake up you can't tell if it is morning or still night.

How was the trafic heading to the port and how long did it take to drive to the port and drop off the bags? Was if hard to get a cab from the parking lot (were they waiting or did you call). If I did not have my bags, do you think it would be safe to walk to the port (not to save money, just for the exercise)?

 

Thanks for the post, it is nice to have the information from people that actually parked at this location.

 

Counting down the days - Liberty Feb 18th, our 10th carnival cruise[/quote

 

On our November cruise my DH and I decided to walk from the parking lot to the Port. We each had one bag and I had my purse. It was really a nice easy walk, I love walking over bridges, it has a separate walking area across the bridge. We saw another couple walking and several runners. As it is only a 1.6 mile walk it is very easy for most people, we enjoyed the walk before getting on the ship.

We cruised on the Celebrity Millenium on December 17 thru 23rd. We booked Port of Miami Cruise Parking.com for our parking arrangements. We too were sick of paying $20 per day. When we arrived at 150 NE 7th St around 12:30 PM we discovered that, yes, there were bums lined up outside of the fence drinking from brown paper bags. The lot is fenced in and there was a woman collecting cash for cash paying customers. We were not sure if there were any spots left. When we told her we pre-paid she looked at us as though we were strange. She then said to park in the back row against the fence and to put our reservation paper in the window. Luckily a cab pulled up when we were exiting and we shared a cab with another couple. The cab cost us $6 since we split the fare. I was very hesitant to leave my truck in this lot. Very shady operation. When we got back, 5 days later, there was a homeless looking guy collecting cash and another fellow sitting on a folding chair with a cooler. My husband and I grew up in Jersey City, NJ.. inner city. We were very disheartened with this arrangement. The whole time we cruised I was worried about the truck. On day 3, I resigned myself to the fact that if the truck was gone we would take a cab to Miami Int'l Airport and rent a car to go home. Luckily it didn't happen.. not to say it couldn't have happened very easily. Another thing.. I thought this was an online reservation only lot. Apparently not.. therefore if the lot is full, and you have pre-paid and there are no more spaces, then you are sol.. -hit out of luck! Hope this helps you make your parking decision. My husband is a former Police Sergeant. I am cruising in February again and I will be paying $20 per day at the port lot.

These posts just make me laugh. We did not see any bums "drinking from paperbags". Yes, they know how many spaces are pre-reserved and they do collect cash for the spaces that are still empty. Yes, they have you place your paperwork in the window. Yes, you will have a space if you pre-pay they had reserved signs in many of the spaces. I loved the fact that we kept our keys to our car, I would refuse to park in a lot where I had to turn over my keys.

Why do you feel these people working there are homeless?? What should they wear to stand out in a parking lot 24/7. Maybe you would be happier if they were wearing a suit/tie. As far as the cooler maybe they need water or lunch!!

I would not hesitate to park there again and neither would my DH. We would not hesitate to recommend this lot to our family and friends. But I know where we won't park and it's the $20 lot at the port!!

Does this place have a shuttle to the port? If not, what was your transportation?

 

I used United Air Port parking 2 years ago. More than likely would use them again.

They do not have a shuttle, we chose to walk it is just a short walk across the bridge (separate sidewalk) it only took us about 15 -18 minutes to walk the distance. But the majority of people are taking taxis they are very easy to get at the lot.

Yes, that is true and have read posts from some very disappointed folks also who used that parking lot unfortunately. Great price and close but apparently no security.

Again, you state that there is no security but you have not used this lot. Yes, it is fenced in, yes, it is manned 24/7. It is as good of security that you will find anywhere else. Yes, it is $4.50 per day. And I have used this lot and approve of it!!

I see on some threads that there is a place a couple blocks away from port at $4.50 a day web site portofmiamicruiseparking dot com good luck and let us know how it is

Just back from a cruise that we parked at the $4.50 lot per day. http://portofmiamicruiseparking.com and we had an excellent experience with it. It was packed so obviously hundreds of people are parking there. We had NO problems at all with the lot and our car was fine upon our return. I will recommend this parking lot to all my friends and family.

RBPcouple - I checked the lot for you when we picked our car up on Friday. Everything looked in order!!! I was amazed at how full the lot was when we parked, I was so glad we had an advance reservation. I agree the people working there were very nice and we also had no problems whatsoever.

Just home today from Miami! We made reservations at the Port of Miami a couple weeks before we left. We parked our car there on Monday, November 28th it was just great!! The parking lot is fenced in and they have a 24 hour security guard. The same American guy was there both when we parked the car and when we returned. The lot was full so it seems that hundreds are taking advantage of these rates. Most of the vehicles were newer models and most were very nice cars. I would defiantly make an advance reservation as it appears they sell out, if they have spaces available I believe you can pay in cash.

We felt the location was great and were not concerned about the neighborhood it is within a half a block of the Heat arena. I am the poster who had planned on walking to the port. I am very happy to report that we walked both to the port and also back to the parking lot. We were in our car yesterday and on 95 by 8:15 it was fantastic. It is less than a two mile walk and the bridge is very nice to walk across. We had all of our bags with us and had no problems with them. There is a sidewalk on the bridge to walk, in fact there were others walking and a few joggers.

I am glad we didn't get scarred off from parking here as it was a tremendous savings and we had no wait time for a shuttle. I will highly recommend this parking lot to friends and families!

RPCcouple - Thank you so much for posting this it will make me feel so much more comfortable next week. Have a wonderful cruise!! Bon Voyage!

I have already paid our reservations for Monday. I will only hope that yours was an isolated incident and that it won't reoccur!! We are driving from Indiana so it would be a long cold ride home if the windows were broken out!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!

Rainbowteam: It was so considerate of you to join cruise critic yesterday after returning from your cruise a month ago and create a screen name just so you can come on here to warn us about this new parking venue. Is there anything about your cruise experience you would like to share which may also warn us about a certain cruiseline etc.? :rolleyes:

My thoughts exactly!!! Maybe someone doesn't like the competition of $4.50 per day.

Rpbcouple - we are also planning on parking there next Monday (28th) and have paid our reservation. As we are traveling light and it is only 1.6 miles we are just going to walk it, work off some of those calories before we get on the ship.

Thanks, Flaham for the distance and the fact that there is a sidewalk across the bridge. That made our decision to walk easier, we are packing light!

I will report back when we return, I don't anticipate any problems.

never used it but for sure you cant walk to the port!

Why do you feel it is unwalkable??

We are planning on using the Port of Miami cruise parking on Nov. 28th. We will pay less for the entire parking than for one day at the cruise port. It is close enough to walk as we travel light so we won't be dependent on shuttles. As long as our car is there when we come back we will be happy!!

Jess - the greatest thing about the ship staying overnight is that you can stay out until it is time for the ship to leave, ususally 1 - 2 hours before departure. You will love Venice.

Hlitner - I agree with you. We are of the "do your homework" and do it yourself. We aren't necessary doing it to "save money" but I can not imagine being "herded" into a bus and following a tour guide around. Its not for me. I think most people get a guide or go on a tour because they are afraid.

As one person pointed out missing the ship could be a problem. We are careful in areas where there is a sea day the next day, or it would be a real problem to catch up, such as leaving Russia, we had extra time in our plans. But in Europe most of the next ports are just a overnight train ride away. We always take our passports with us, and money just in case.

Since some may be thinking of tryng the yellow port bus I decided I best get the schedule. I was off by some minutes and possibly in some situations it could be better not to wait but take the taxi. Of course in Russia it is subject to change. We had no problem finding it when we wanted it. This is current.

 

From 7am till 2pm the bus runs every 15 minutes.

From 2pm till 3 pm – break

From 3pm till 8pm – every 15 minutes

8pm -9pm – break

From 9pm – runs every 30 minutes

Hope this is helpful.

Cadreamer - Very helpful! Thanks.

 

I guess we've been ripped off again. But my conversation re. Capitalism and the Mafia, and the taxi driver's response - "But I think somewhere there is one man who don't pay!" is priceless!

 

SaylorGirl, ask any crew member for directions to the Seaman's Club: It is just outside the port gates, but a then few hundred yards walk. Best to get the Seaman's Club shuttle from the ship. They charge about $5 each. From there there are impromptu taxis to take you wherever.

 

The Hotel Annushka -formerly "Seamen Hotel" - not the club- (with the ATM) is http://www.allrussiahotels.com/cis/hotels.nsf/HotelSpecial?OpenForm&ParentUNID=81D1ACFD96C3DAC0C3256EB000464CFA

I have to agree I think that quote is "priceless". Thanks for the heads up on the ATM I think we will need to hit that first!

SaylorGirl: Which port, where?

Sorry, St. Petersburg but I have located it so now I know where we will be going when we get back to the ship. You mentioned the Seaman's club is just outside the port gates? We are thinking of stopping there on our way back to the ship it sounds interesting.

Bollinge - I have another question for you if your still checking in. I am trying to find the port on my map and am having no luck. Can you give me a better indication of what its by so I can find it? Thanks!

We will also be in Tallin on a Sunday, that might be fun. Are they doing traditional folk dances?