What to do to pass the time?

[CruisinMermaid]

Our American Airlines flight home after the cruise doesn't leave until 4 pm. Most likely we'd be off the ship before lunch. We'll be traveling with two young children, ages 9 and 5. Does any one have any suggestions on how to pass the time? Not sure if we'd want to sit at the airport for five hours waiting for our flight, if they'll even let us into the airport that early or if we could check our bags in to the airlines directly from POM. We'll be in Miami first week of October 2010.

[JohninDC]

Most cruise lines now have a "luggage express" program that (for $20 or so) will transport your bags to the airport and check them in, allowing you to explore without luggage. :D

 

Your kids might be intersested in a boat tour of some of the mansions in Miami or just cab to Miami Beach and explore, eat and relax until you head for the airport.

 

You will likely be off the ship by 9:00 or so - you could rent a car (Avis and Hertz have downtown locations near POM), store your bags in the trunk and then go where you want. The Miami zoo is supposed to be nice and a 1 day car rental will likely be cheaper than "luggage express" for 4.;)

 

Good luck!:)

[CruisinMermaid]

Most cruise lines now have a "luggage express" program that (for $20 or so) will transport your bags to the airport and check them in, allowing you to explore without luggage. :D

 

quote]

 

Do you know where I can find out if my airlines has a luggage express at the POM? I tried contacting our cruiseline and the POM and no one knew. :(

[CruisinMermaid]

Never mind. I found the information by doing a search on their website. This is great!

 

 

 

Luggage Express

 

 

 

Carnival is offering a convenient airline and luggage check-in service to our guests at select ports and/or ships. Currently, this service is being offered:

Carnival’s On-Board Check-in Program

 

 

 

PORTS

 

 

SHIPS

 

Port Canaveral

Dream

Port Everglades

Freedom / Miracle

Miami

Liberty / Valor / Triumph / Destiny / Imagination / Glory

Tampa

Legend

San Juan

Victory

San Diego

Elation / Spirit

Spirit

Vancouver

 

 

Rather than check in at the airport for the return flights, eligible guests may choose to participate for just a nominal fee of $20 per person. Guests will receive both their airline boarding passes and their luggage tags while they are enjoying their vacation at sea. Better yet, they will only need to place their checked luggage outside of their stateroom and will not touch it again until they claim it at their final destination.

· Only a maximum of two bags per guests can be checked-in.

· Guests must be U.S. Citizens with a valid passport or Permanent U.S. Resident.

· Flight/s must be on a participating airline, departing from the Airport on the same day of debarkation to a U.S. airport destination.

Early in the cruise, eligible guests receive an invitation in their stateroom to participate in the program. They complete the registration form and sign it to authorize a $20 per person charge to their Sail & Sign account and then drop it off at the Guest Services Desk. The day prior to debarkation, airline boarding passes, luggage tags along with a letter are delivered to the stateroom. Guests place the tags on the luggage that will be checked in and then place it outside their stateroom for collection. On debarkation day, participants may debark at their convenience (see procedure below for guests departing from Vancouver).

The luggage will be transferred from the ship to the corresponding airline and flight. Guests must claim their bags upon flight arrival at their final destination. If there are any delays or problems with their luggage, guests need to contact the airline to report any problems.

[STARFISH*4]

take a ships post-cruise tour ending up at the airport...we always try to do these after our cruises.

[BlueHerons]

I would grab a cab and head over to South Beach and sit outside and have lunch at News Cafe. Great people watching, the menu is kid friendly, great food, great views. You can hop a cab back to the airport.

 

I would suggest renting a car but the cost of the rental and parking in South Beach would be close to the price of cabs for much more hassle.