GeneD

Just surprised that no one has any first hand opinions of Z Ocean accommodations. Thanks to all who replied on the Front Porch Cafe and P&V sounds like a must..

Any opinions on Z Ocean on South Beach, and Pane & Vino restaurant or the Front Porch Cafe?

We paid $32.00 from Port of Miami to FLL. Should be the same going the other way. :)

( two persons )

What transportation co. did you use and did that include tip?

Yes I've seen the recommendations for car services etc. We (wife and I) possibly will be flying into Fort Lauderdale airport in Aug for a cruise out of Miami.I have searched and found a shuttle from FLL to the cruise port in Miami for 19:00 per person. Reservation only. Has anyone taken a shuttle like this and how reliable is it?

It is called Miami Port Express.

The Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay seems to have good reviews and is recommended by Royal Caribbean. Overlooking the water and the ships in the cruise terminal.

What is the taxi fare to Breezes from the cruise pier and would you recommend to get a day pass in advance?

We will be cruising on the Enchantment in August and have a post cruise 2 day hotel reservation on Miami Beach. So we will not have to hurry off the ship. Just wondering how long we can stay on the ship before actually having to get off?

We are planning several days in South beach post cruise so we can get to the beach if we want then. Having been to the other ports we are looking forward to the stop at Key West mostly.

Thanks to all the responders.

Gene

We will be on the Enchantment of the Seas next August and were thinking of staying on the ship instead of tendering to the private island. Are the pools and or the hot tubs open or do they close them up. I assume the dining room is open but what else is available to do on board?

Hi, Great photo journey through Key West. We will be there for our first time in Aug.2017 on the EOS and I learned a lot from them. It looks like you took many pictures while the trolley was moving and they came out beautifully. What camera and settings did you use if I may ask?

Gene

What is the advantage for booking airplane tickets vs other ways of booking. Are all air bookings non cancel type?

I should have also included needing information on the Sherborne Wyndham Grand South Beach as we are a Wyndham by request member.

Gene

I have been looking at the Marseilles Hotel and the Sagamore. Does anyone have any first hand knowledge of these two. Price seems reasonable and on the beach.

Gene

BlueHerons,

I did get in contact with the Betsy and their rate is $311.00 with a $20 resort fee and 14% tax so around $375/day. for that time of year. So I will have to keep looking. The restaurant sounds good so maybe for the 26th unless we can find a another steakhouse in the area That might be closer to a hotel we will stay at.

Any other suggestions? I've been reading about the pedestrian mall on 8th street I believe. Is that a shopping area or restaurants. I will say that the Courtyard Marriott South Beach while not near a beach looks to be in the area that most people gravitate to. Again any help in this area would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Gene

Blue Herons and Everyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just the info I was looking for. I really am leaning toward stretching my budget and popping for the Betsy and hoping that the construction is done. I will ask The TA at Royal Caribbean if they participate with them and get a discount but I am willing to forgo RC for a reservation and call to see if I can get a reduction in the rate myself. The Betsy reviews make the property sound just what we are looking for. Not really swanky people but ready to be looked after after taking care of our family (1-96yo) for so long. Only have a 50th anniversary once!

As of now we are planning our 50th wedding anniversary cruise on the Enchantment of the seas Aug. 21st.-25. Post cruise we want to stay in Miami Beach for the 25th and 26th (a Sat. & Sun.) and then return to CNY. Royal Caribbean has set us up tentatively at a Courtyard Miami beach South Beach.Not real sure about the hotel. Wanting to spend around $200 $300- I have been looking at other venues but they cost a little more. The Betsy - construction noise may be done by an Aug. 2017 stay, and is at the upper end of what we want to spend. The Hampton Inn 17th St, and The Dream also has won my attention. It really is confusing on just where to stay.

My head is reeling. Don't know what things to do but enjoy shopping, pool, some beach as wife likes to collect shells, mostly just want a nice clean quiet place with some amenities so we can chill out for two days and have a great meal on the 26th.

I welcome any and all recommendations as to where to stay. I do find in reading reviews that there are numerous add on fees. I am imagining even though we are not great beach people fees could put Miami Beach out of sight.. Does booking a post cruise hotel through Royal Caribbean make sense and can doing so save Money?

Again any insight or advice as to where to stay in Miami Beach would be extremely helpful.

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide. Oh and as 70+ people walking 2 or 3 long blocks can be a challenge.

Gene

Can I bring coke or other soda onboard and if so how much am allowed on a 7 day cruise?

What about bottled water?

I've heard back from Julie Richardson of Winsome Transport and the issue involving affordable ride mini bus tours has been resolved.

Thanks Julie again for a fabulous tour of your great island. Don't hesitate to use her services when in Bermuda.

Mike Tucker of Affordable was supposed to meet us at 12:30. When we did run into him at 12:20 (by chance I might add as I recognized him talking with other people and barely read part of his sign that he was supposed to be holding up -glad I watched the youtube video of him. His slogan of "I got your back" I used on him and asked him what happened to it) he stated that he was supposed to meet us at 12:00 and he sent his bus and driver away. I thought we were going to tour with him but I guess he is just the booker for his Affordable ride mini bus company. (and not a very competent one I would say) I looked in his register book and didn't see any time near my name for us. He apologized and eventually did set us up with Julie Richardson of Winsome Transport who gave us a fabulous tour of Bermuda. I highly recommend her. Mr. Tucker apparently didn't tell her that we paid already and she thought that we were supposed to pay her. We told her that Mr. Tucker had been paid and she said she would get in touch with him to collect her money. We did tip her generously. Mrs. Richardson has since contacted him and he said he forgot that we had paid in advance. Not sure yet what has transpired since last I heard from Julie she had not received her money. This was quite a mix up and embarrassing to us and I am sure Julie as well.

That second one was awesome!

We will be docked in Bermuda where the Dawn is now on the Port cam and Affordable will be our tour at 12:30. will come back and report after that.

Awhile ago I mentioned some improvements to one of the papers in Bermuda. One of those was a dockyard cam and now there is one! Thanks for posting this and now people will be able to stay on top of the progress at Heritage Wharf and the happenings in the dockyard area.

Whoever is responsible for making this happen I salute you!!!

Now how about the weekly column dedicated to the events at the dockyard and happenings throughout the rest of the island so people on and off Bermuda can keep up with the goings on in Bermuda?

I found this link

http://www.ncl.com/about/accessible-cruising

called the number and was assured that a gallon of distilled water would be placed in my stateroom for my Cpap. (The NCL TA said that Distilled water is not available). Also I carry an extension cord as well as a three prong adapter and a three outlet into one plug that can rotate 180 degrees. Also pack a plug adapter for the euro outlet that is 220. My cpap machine can run off either outlet but I need to have the adapter to plug it into the euro outlet. Some ships outlets are recessed. If there is an outlet near the bed then I can plug the three outlet plug into it and then plug the lamp and cpap into that. Or I can use the extension cord to plug into the bedside plug and then plug stuff into that. Anyway If I have to run the extension cord from across the room it is long enough to lie flat on the floor and during the day it is unplugged and goes under the bed.

Hi,

Are you sure the rate quoted is $50 an hour? Or is it $50 person?

How long is your tour?

On how many people and there is a 25% increase if on a Sunday I believe.