JohninDC

Avis and Hertz have small hotel offices located within a few blocks of the port (depends upon what berth your ship uses), and Enterprise has an office in nearby Ybor City. Hotel options for Dec 2024 should open up next month or in January.

$75+ sounds about right - depending upon where your hotel is located

Luggage Lounge in South Beach is an option. Resort Pass will connect you to hotels offering day passes to their beach/pool/spa facilities. Tip them to store your bags while you swim, relax, and enjoy lunch.

"Best" is a stretch limo with a stocked bar! But for the approximate 10-minute ride from your hotel to POM, a taxi or Uber/Lyft, as suggested by Ashland is probably the better option. If there are no cabs waiting the front desk can call one for you - they know who is reliable. Cab fare should be about $10-15+tip

We've stayed several times at the Homewood Suites in the Blue Lagoon area near MIA (Hampton Inn and other hotels nearby). There's a strip mall within walking distance that has a Publix grocery store (good wine selection) as well as drug and liquor stores for any last-minute cruise shopping.

Looks like you are coming from South FLA - I would check out 2 one way rentals and skip the parking.

Unless you are arriving late and just want a bed, don't stay near the airport. Instead choose a downtown hotel see something of Miami and enjoy local dining and nightlife options. Taxi/Uber/Lyft from downtown hotels to POM will cost you about $15 for the car.

Ride from POM to FLL will take about 45+ minutes. Uber, Lyft and shuttles will get you there.

Larry's Limos is the most often suggested option for Miami on this board.

The big con is that Tri-Rail does not leave from FLL - you need to take a shuttle. Otherwise, as long as you can handle you r bags and don't mind the wit for the next train it is a cheap option.

The Doubletree or next-door Marriott are two good options.

Weather and water will be fine - enjoy your visit! 😎

I do not believe that they pick up at PE, meaning OP would need to taxi/Uber/shuttle to FLL in order to catch SAS. Not sure it's worth the hassle.

We have never booked a beach excursion in Coz - unless there is a saving (included transport?) just book with the beach club you want and pay for your own cab. With little kids to teens I would also look at Paradise Beach - water toys for the teens, HUGE pool, better facilities and food IMHO. It' your call.

UberX or Lyft should be about $55+. The ride will take 45-60 minutes. I would wait until most of the crowd has gone from your 1st cruise -- hopefully no surge pricing will be in effect.

It is one appetizer, a main course and a dessert - but the portions are big and I've never made it through dessert. It is all you can drink.

Definitely Nachi - never crowded, relaxed, great food, no water toys or other noise makers, small pool plus a hot tub.

Better to post this on the NCL board.

I would call Larry's to see how flexible they are - you will not be their first cruise ship passenger. There's a mad rush to get off the ship early, with 30-40% of guests carrying their bags off the ship as soon as things open up. If you wait until about 8:30 (enjoy one last breakfast in the MDR), you should be able to walk off without delay, load bags into the trailer and then locate your shuttle/limo.

Yup!

Shuttle service to MIA and nearby hotels is somewhat limited - I would focus on using Uber or Lyft for the passengers. You can try Larry's Limos if all 7 want to ride together. You could taxi/Uber to the closest Tri-Rail station and then ride the train to MIA for under $5 each - then it's a hotel shuttle to your hotel. Seems like a lot of hassle to save a few $$, but it's your call.

We were there in February and the food and service were outstanding as always. You can always ask for an extra shot - or get your drinks from the swim up bar and talk to the bartender if you don't like what he is serving.

Two very different places. Playa Mia is a beach club with water toys, a kiddie splash area, etc. Some cruise lines have excursions there, so it will likely be crowded. Chank is a marine park that also has a beach - admission is about $20 each, but they offer a beach, separate snorkel area, wildlife shows, nature trails and the opportunity to swim with the dolphins (big extra fee!). What do your 11 & 12 year old like to do? Good snorkeling for less money at Money Bar (no beach) and other spots. Better beach clubs (Paradise Beach offers better facilities, better food, and a HUGE pool) for those without toddlers.

If you are in a van or SUV taxi there is a surcharge making the metered fare higher than for a standard sedan. If you can wait a few minutes for Uber or Lyft they should be a better deal.

They do not service MIA 😢