Getting to the ship

[mommabear1214]

We are booking a cruise on the Glory for November. We are flying in to the Miami airport and will be a day early so we will need a hotel. When I went on my honeymoon cruise we came into Orlando and left out of Cape Canaveral. I found a service called Go Port Canaveral that provided a shuttle to our hotel, then picked us up in the morning and took us to the port, then picked us up from the port and took us back to the airport. The price was very reasonable and included our hotel room for the night as well. Is there any service like this in Miami?

[firemanbobswife]

Look at hotels that offer free shuttles (there are quite a few of them right by the airport) from the airport to the hotel. They will offer a shuttle for around $10pp to the port the next day but I prefer to Uber it. Cheaper and much more convenient. Uber from the port to MIA too.

[dabear99211]

We are booking a cruise on the Glory for November. We are flying in to the Miami airport and will be a day early so we will need a hotel. When I went on my honeymoon cruise we came into Orlando and left out of Cape Canaveral. I found a service called Go Port Canaveral that provided a shuttle to our hotel, then picked us up in the morning and took us to the port, then picked us up from the port and took us back to the airport. The price was very reasonable and included our hotel room for the night as well. Is there any service like this in Miami?

 

In the past I have always booked a hotel that had free pickup from the airport to the hotel, and had a free service in the morning from the hotel to the port. I always found it quicker and easier just to grab a cab from the port to the airport after the cruise, there is also shuttles outside selling for a reasonable price to the airport.

[cb at sea]

A cab to either the hotels in Miami or the port will run about $25-27 ....there is no real need for buses or shuttles. If you're staying at a Miami hotel, then a cab will be about $12 to port in the morning.

[Keith1010]

My recommendation is do not limit yourself looking for a shuttle to be provided.

 

Getting between airport/downtown Miami/cruise port is so easy and the riders are short.

 

Use taxi, uber and/or lyft.

 

I would recommend staying in downtown Miami. This is a list of hotels I often recommend.

 

Not knowing your price point that you want to spend on a room I will give you several selections; some of which have been mentioned.

They are all within about one mile of each other.

Close to the Port:

Intercontinental

Marriott Maquis (about four years old)

Epic Hotel (priciest of the ones I am mentioning)

Holiday Inn (some like it but I would recommend the other two)

Hyatt (I like the location better of the first three even though it is close by)

These hotels are about five minutes from the port. Near restaurants and CVS Pharmacy which is good to pick up last minute items and near a Whole Foods.

Just a couple of minutes further from the port

Mandarin Oriental (priciest of the ones mentioned). Private man made beach.

About 10 minutes from the port or maybe 15 depending on traffic but relatively close so no worries.

JW Marriott

Conrad Hilton

East Miami (relative new hotel so doesn't get mentioned much and is near the new Brickell Centre. More on Brickell in a moment.)

And then just another few minutes away

Four Seasons (like Mandarin a bit pricier then most I've listed) but in a very quiet location.

Hampton Inn (a lot of value here. It is not a full service hotel but it is a nice Hampton and includes breakfast)

The last group of hotels I have mentioned starting with Mandarin Oriental and ending with Hampton Inn are near lots of restaurants.

There is Mary Brickell Village and right near there are lots of restaurants (for Italian I like Perricone's) and also near two CVS Pharmacies (JW Marriott right next to a 24 hour one) and near Publix (there are two in the area) where you can pick up lots of last minute items.

Then there is the new Brickell Centre which opened last in 2016. Lots of stores and restaurants.

I have stayed at some of these hotels and have been inside each and everyone.

Again, they represent a wide range of price points.

Keith

 

[JohninDC]

Unless you are flying in late and just want a bed for the night I would avoid hotels near the MIA airport. Keith gives you a good list of suggestions in downtown where you will be able to experience a little of Miami, and find local dining and shopping options.

 

Taxis are easy and relatively inexpensive, and Uber or Lyft will save you even more (and IMHO offer better service); if a dinosaur like me can figure out Uber and Lyft, you can do it!

 

Good luck with your planning and have a great cruise! :)

[luvscruising2007]

Unless you are flying in late and just want a bed for the night I would avoid hotels near the MIA airport. Keith gives you a good list of suggestions in downtown where you will be able to experience a little of Miami, and find local dining and shopping options.

 

Taxis are easy and relatively inexpensive, and Uber or Lyft will save you even more (and IMHO offer better service); if a dinosaur like me can figure out Uber and Lyft, you can do it!

 

Good luck with your planning and have a great cruise! :)

 

Why do you recommend against Airport Hotels?

[JohninDC]

Why do you recommend against Airport Hotels?

 

The area is unattractive compared to downtown, Coconut Grove or South Beach, and for many hotels/motels there is a lack of nearby dining/shopping options. For about $15-18 in an Uber you can be downtown with lots of choices in places to stay, shop and dine.

 

As I said, okay if you are arriving late and just want a room. If you choose to stay near MIA the Blue Lagoon neighborhood (Hampton Inn, Homewood Suites, etc.) with a local strip mall nearby (grocery, drug and liquor stores plus dining and fast food options) would be my suggestion.

[luvscruising2007]

Thanks, John. We will have our car and rates for parking can be high. We have opted for the blue lagoon area. I just wanted to make sure it was nothing significant, like high crime. We'll be parking at the port.

[JohninDC]

We've stayed at the Homewood Suites Blue Lagoon and enjoyed it -- pool is small but the rooms were huge, great breakfast, and nearby strip mall for cruise supplies. Have a great cruise! :cool: