Hello to all....a newbie here!

[CrzrVOL]

First, hello to all. I am a new register here, but I must admit that I have been visitng these boards for over a year. I, like many of you are addicted to cruising, and to these boards. I have learned so much from each and every one of you. I have a couple of questions for all you seasoned cruisers about the port of Miami. DH and I will be sailing on the Valor this April for our 34th anniversary ;) . This will be our 3rd cruise - the other 2 were on NCL out of Miami. We had always taken the shuttles to/from the port from FLL airport, but this time we are staying in Miami the night before with some friends and taking a taxi to the port. What is the procedure for getting your luggage on board when you arrived via private transportation? And how do you know exactly which area to go to? Before, we just followed the crowd. We plan on getting to the port about 11:00 or 11:30 so maybe we can avoid the rush. Then when we disembark I would like to take a cab back to FLL airport. Does anyone know approx. what the fare would be? I would like to avoid the whole shuttle thing if possible. Thanks again to each of you for all the tips and advice that is on this board. I am so proud to be a part of this community offically now! :D

[lrizit]

Hi and Welcome!

 

Have a great time on your cruise! We took a shuttle from our rental car company to the pier, and my experience was the driver knew where to go to drop your luggage off. Just needs to know which ship. As far as which building, we just asked and they pointed us in the right direction. We got there around 1130 and it was right on up. Lines weren't bad at all. We went to the Miami airport after, so I can't help with FL, sorry. Hope you have a good time.

[dromMOM]

When facing the terminal.. just to the left of the door in you will find luggage handlers.. by tall metal bins.. this is where they take the luggage. Just tell the cab to drop you just past the doors..

[Mrsdeedee]

I'm a newbie too. I just joined last week so WELCOME!!! I also enjoy reading all the threads and since my cruise isn't until november I'll be reading for a long time. Last time I cruised i stayed at a hotel called the Travelodge. We'll skip the review on the Hotel just don't you DARE stay there. We caught a shuttle service from the FT.Lauerdale airport and there was five of us. I believe it they only charged us $7.00 a pp which wasn't bad. The next day we caught a cab to the Port for about $5.00 pp. Our taxi driver just asked us what ship we were going to and he took it from there. He took us right to our ship and once he took the bags out the porters grabbed it and we were on our way. On disembarkation day we booked tranfers through Carnival at the Purer's desk.

[Randy & Carmen]

Welcom to all the newbies...........Hope you enjoy your stay!...Let us know if we can help!:D

[Chudley]

CrzrVol and Mrsdeedee, welcome aboard and make sure you stop into the floataway lounge for a drink. The people are really friendly there:)

[bwj2429]

If you take a taxi, the driver will know exactly which terminal to take you too. There will be baggage people all over you as soon as you start getting luggage out of the car-remember, they work off of tips, so they are quite eager to help! :)

[serene56]

When going from FLL to port of Miami we used a limo service. THere was 6 adults with luggage.- so a stretch limo suited us great. it costs each of us 33.00 round trip for the limo.

Using http://www.larryslimo.com he also has towncars for 2 people or regular limos for 4 people. (Please consider the amount of luggage when one is booking a car service. 4 adults will be a tight squeeze with 2 pcs of luggage each.

 

We have also arrived at the pier about 11- just hand your luggage to the porters there and they will make sure they get on the ship (dont forget to tip a buck a bag)

[CrzrVOL]

Thanks to all of you for the quick replies! I knew that I would get the info needed. I guess we will just let the cab driver take us to the right place and ask questions when we get there. I know we have 3 months, but I want to have everything figured out before hand. My dear sweet husband can have the patience of a 3 year old sometimes, so I need to have a plan before we get there. Right now I am bidding on Priceline for the hotel, so I am hoping that will resolve itself in a few weeks. I am hoping to get the Hyatt and since our friends-who are now living in Ft Lauderdale- are going to be kind enough to take us to Miami and stay at the hotel with us to party, I am going to suprise them by paying for their room for the night too. Hope I can get it for $35 like some of you have!

 

Smooth Waters to all!

[serene56]

bidding by priceline takes patience. Since your cruise is a few months away--patinece could be a virtue. it took me 6 weeks of bidding every 72 hours to get the Hyatt. But it paidoff for me in the long run. start with 35-- work your way up-- do not bid over 45.-- for that hotel.

[halos]

WELCOME to our addiction!!!!! :D

[emeraldlover]

I just wanted to say "welcome." I just joined here in the last week or two and everyone has been so great. I have learned so much and I have been on two other cruises.

 

By the way, avoid the Day's Inn as well. Though it was clean enough, it was pretty rundown and in a bad area by the hospital.

 

Happy Cruising!!!:D

[judyf]

Welcome. You're in trouble now! Once you join you just can't get away!

[CrzrVOL]

Oh, I know I am in trouble. But it sure does help to get through these cold dark days of winter. Just the thought of laying around the pool, drink in hand gets me through!