JohninDC

Don't rent a car for that short period - the hassle of returning the car is not worth the time. I would stay near FLL and shuttle limo to POM in the morning. Reach out to SAS (www.ridesas.com) and see about early shuttles that meet your desired arrival time - if you stay at one of the FLL area hotels on their list they will pick you up, saving you a trip back to the airport. Alternatively, check with Larry's Limos. Two Ubers (maybe one XL and one X) will also get your party and bags to POM. Post cruise check www.resortpass.com for large hotels and resorts offering day passes to their beach/pool/spa facilities. Tip them to story your bags while you swim, relax and grab lunch.

Taxi fare will be north of $100 😲

Taxi to downtown (about $30) to catch the more expensive Brightline, or hotel shuttle to MIA to catch the $5 Tri-Rail. I know which one I would choose, but it is your call. If any of this helps you owe me a pint - I prefer the old style "heavy" but will be happy with whatever your local pours! 😎

Never waited more than 5 min for pick-up at POM and recent reports on this board indicate the fare will be about $50.

Most airlines will not allow you to check bags until about 4 hours prior to your flight. Instead of sitting at MIA I suggest that you pay to store your bags at the Luggage Lounge in South Beach, and then explore the area and have a fun brunch before heading to the airport. Your other option is to check www.resortpass.com for hotels offering day passes to their pool/spa/beach facilities - tip them to store your bags while you swim, relax and grab lunch before collecting your bags and heading to MIA.

SAS (www.rideSAS.com) should happily take all of you for about $15 each. Same fare will get you back to FLL after the cruise.

parksleepfly.com and stay123.com are two sources to check. All will be out near the airport, none will include a shuttle back to your car, and all of the locals on this board will advise that you park at the port.

Unless you stay out near the MIA airport all Miami hotels will charge you ($20-30/day_ for parking.

If you can handle your bags you can easily take the Tri-Rail train from MIA airport to one of the stops in the FLL area (ask your hotel which one is closest) - then taxi or Uber from the train to your hotel. Train ticket should be under $5 each.

Nachi Cocom - although the massage area is back from the beach you will still have a view. AI, great food and service, never crowded, our favorite AI spot on Coz.

You can store your bags for a fee at the Luggage Lounge in South Beach - allowing you to explore for the day before collecting your bags and heading for the airport.

NONE of these hotels, or any other downtown Miami hotel that I know of offers airport shuttles - just use Uber/Lyft or a taxi. I've stayed at the Doubletree several times and love that hotel!

Somewhat confusing - you say you are flying in/out of FLL, but in your question you indicate that you arrive in Miami at 6:00PM? Flying into MIA for a POM cruise? - just stay in Miami and use Uber/Lyft or a cab. Flying into FLL for a POM cruise? - you can use SAS or another shuttle to get to POM. From POM to PE I would use Uber/Lyft or a taxi. From PE back to FLL I would use a cab.

The airport is about a 15+ minute cab ride from POM. As mentioned above, any flight at noon or later should be safe. You could push it to 11:00 if you can walk off with all of your bags and you have TSA pre-check to expedite the security process.

SAS and other shuttles usually charge about $15+ per person - check their web site for a list of hotels they pick up at. Taxi will run about $75+tip - same fare for a van cab if needed. UberX and Lyft will be about $50+ unless surge pricing drives up prices. Your call.

Lots of hotels near MIA, where I would stay if arriving late, but doubt any will have shuttles ruining after midnight. Taxis will be waiting, and the fare should be $10-15. Hampton Inn Blue lagoon is often suggested (along with the nearby Homewood Suite), with a strip mall across the street for any last-minute cruise shopping needs. Taxi ($30+) or Uber to the port - or the hotel may have a shuttle (fee) option.

You can contact them through their web site and ask. The Money Bar Beach Club Check your spam filter - replies might wind up there.

www.resortpass.com Hotels and resorts sell day passes to their pool, spa and beach facilities - tip them to store your bags while you sun, swim, relax, etc.

You can see POM from your hotel - a taxi (including a taxi van) will only cost about $12+.

Lots of hotels in the MIA area (Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon and La Quinta East are two economical options often suggested on these boards) - doubt they will be running shuttles late enough for you, but if not, a taxi will be cheap. Ask for a late check-out, sleep, shower and get to the port about lunchtime and you will feel much better than sleeping at the MIA airport. Cab to POM the next day will run about $30+tip (for the cab, not per person like the cruise line transfer fee).

I've stayed at both, although it was a while ago. Chase is a more upscale area - nice views of the bay while walking to dinner. ES is typical for the chain - big rooms, great breakfast, happy hour, etc. and is close to a shopping mall if you forget to pack something, but the area is very busy (you can walk to several dining/fast food options). If Chase still offers a shuttle to the port that might tip what is otherwise a tie ball game.

If you are lucky SAS will pick up at your hotel (they have a list of hotels with pickups posted on their web site); otherwise you will need to take the hotel shuttle back to FLL to catch them. Or skip all of the shuttles and use Uber or Lyft for door-to-door service.

The only way to guarantee that the car seat is properly sized, maintained and installed is to bring your own. The airline will check car seats for free if you choose not to use it on the flight. Bringing your own seat opens up taxi, Uber and Lyft transportation options.

Pre-Covid the three properties offering both airport and port shuttles that were most often suggested on this board were: 1. La Quinta East 2. Embassy Suites MIA 3. Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon (best of the three IMHO) I would contact each of these and ask if they still offer both airport and port shuttles. Or, as suggested above, find a hotel that meets your budget/needs and pay for transport to the port (about $30 by taxi from airport hotels - Uber/Lyft should be closer to $20). You can use public transport to get to some downtown hotels and then your cab/Uber to the port will be about half the fare from the airport area. Good luck and have a great cruise! 😎

Just lined up and waiting for customers