Wise Use of Pre-Cruise Time in Miami - Suggestions?

[boss61]

Hello everyone.  We're flying into Miami airport early on a Thursday morning, for a cruise that departs from Port of Miami later that same afternoon.  We will have about 4 hours from when our plane lands until the earliest published embarkation time.  We're on a smaller cruise line (Azamara) and as such, near as we can tell, there is no automatic porter service from either our departure airport (BWI in Baltimore) or even from the Miami airport - to our cabin, for our checked baggage.  Near as we can tell, schlepping them is our puzzle to solve.  

So my question is this:  burdened with luggage for a 9-day cruise, what is the best and most expedient way to constructively spend that 4-ish hour wait?  With a food orgy awaiting us on board, whiling away the time in a restaurant was not really a first-desire go-to (and even if it were, what airport-area options exist OUTSIDE security - remember we have to get those bags reasonably efficiently).  In an ideal world, we'd want to hop onto (or hire and take) some sort of tour, with the tour provider also capable of accomodating the luggage.  Alternatively, can one get to Port-of-Miami early and park the luggage with porters there, somehow?  

We can't be the first ever to have such questions.  Suggestions appreciated!

[JohninDC]

You could use the Airport Flyer bus or Uber/Lyft or taxi to get to South Beach.  Pay to store your bags at the Luggage Lounge and then explore SB - people watch, art deco architecture, beach, boozy brunch, etc.  Then collect your bags and Uber to POM.

[boss61]

Thanks John - luggage lounge at Miami airport I take it?

[JohninDC]

Nope. Luggage lounge is in South Beach. You can ride the airport flyer bus to AN for about $3 each. Taxi or Uber will be quicker.  There is luggage storage available for a few at MIA but then you need to travel back to the air to collect your bags.

[boss61]

OK and thanks.  So I am crystal clear on this, we can take a taxi or uber to the "Luggage Lounge" facility at Miami Beach, walk from there onto the Boardwalk / whatever, come back 2 or 3 hours later and pick up the luggage, and taxi from there back to the embarkation point?  Have you done this and would you think the return taxi would be reasonably available and findable?  Many thanks!

[JohninDC]

Yes, taxi or Uber will be easy from AN to POM.

 

  I have not done what you are planning, but others in this board have had good luck with the Luggage Lounge.  Only recent complaint was that they opened 20+ min late one day with lots of customers waiting.  Check their website for hours and address. 

[boss61]

Yep John, we see.  Should work well for us.  Many details need to be left as a game-day decision, from a late flight to bad weather, on down.  

Seeing you too are coming from the DC area, we airplane buddies?  Early that AM from BWI on American... 

[JohninDC]

We usually fly down the day prior or earlier.  We've done AA from DCA into MIA or Southwest into FLL.  Welcome to the boards! Have a great cruise. 

Edited December 26, 2018 by JohninDC