Trent, What would you do?

[rorito]

Hi Trent, We are sailing Freedom of the Seas 6/25/06. Flights seem to be cheaper from Texas to FLL than Miami. We want to fly in a day early. So my question is would you stay in FLL or Miami? And would give us your top pick in high, medium and low price ranges? Thanks!

[TrentS]

For one night pre-cruise out of Miami I would just go on down to downtown Miami and spend the night there. Renting a small car is usually the cheapest way to get from FLL to Miami, but if you don't want to mess with that Tri-County/Airport Express' vans are $18 per person. A TownCar from a limo company is the same or cheaper than taxis, and a whole lot more comfortable.

 

Tri-County/Airport... http://www.floridalimo.com/

 

Larry's Limo... http://www.larryslimo.com/

 

Both are reliable, reputable local companies.

 

Downtown Miami hotels (roughly in order of best down to cheapest), closest to the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

Mandarin Oriental... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/526000001.asp

 

Four Seasons... http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/index.html

 

Conrad International... http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIACICI

 

JW Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

Intercontinental... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Hyatt Regency... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Marriott Courtyard (budget priced)... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

Extended Stay America (a bit off the beaten path, but budget priced)... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/miami-brickell-port-of-miami.html

 

Holiday Inn Bayside/Port of Miami (for the budget minded)... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/miabb

 

 

If you're getting in earlier in the day you may enjoy staying in South Beach, only about 10-15 minutes or so to the port...

 

Ritz-Carlton South Beach... http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/south_beach/default.html

 

Hotel Victor... http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/

 

Loews... http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/default.asp

 

Shore Club... http://www.shoreclub.com/

 

Delano... http://www.delano-hotel.com/

 

Raleigh Hotel... http://www.raleighhotel.com/

 

The Tides Hotel... http://www.tideshotel.com/

 

The National... http://www.nationalhotel.com/

 

South Beach Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIAMB

 

Royal Palm... http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hoteles/jsp/C_Hotel_Description.jsp?codigoHotel=5964

 

Doubletree Surfcomber... http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIAOFDT

 

The Hotel of South Beach (1 block from the beach)... http://www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com/

 

Marriott Courtyard South Beach (3 blocks from the beach)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIACB

[cruisecrasy]

For one night pre-cruise out of Miami I would just go on down to downtown Miami and spend the night there. Renting a small car is usually the cheapest way to get from FLL to Miami, but if you don't want to mess with that Tri-County/Airport Express' vans are $18 per person. A TownCar from a limo company is the same or cheaper than taxis, and a whole lot more comfortable.

 

Tri-County/Airport... http://www.floridalimo.com/

 

Larry's Limo... http://www.larryslimo.com/

 

Both are reliable, reputable local companies.

 

Downtown Miami hotels (roughly in order of best down to cheapest), closest to the Port of Miami and Bayside Marketplace... http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/

 

Mandarin Oriental... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/526000001.asp

 

Four Seasons... http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/index.html

 

Conrad International... http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/ch/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIACICI

 

JW Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

Intercontinental... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic/1/en/hd/miaha?irs=null

 

Hyatt Regency... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Marriott Courtyard (budget priced)... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

Extended Stay America (a bit off the beaten path, but budget priced)... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/miami-brickell-port-of-miami.html

 

Holiday Inn Bayside/Port of Miami (for the budget minded)... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/miabb

 

 

If you're getting in earlier in the day you may enjoy staying in South Beach, only about 10-15 minutes or so to the port...

 

Ritz-Carlton South Beach... http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/south_beach/default.html

 

Hotel Victor... http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/

 

Loews... http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/miamibeach/default.asp

 

Shore Club... http://www.shoreclub.com/

 

Delano... http://www.delano-hotel.com/

 

Raleigh Hotel... http://www.raleighhotel.com/

 

The Tides Hotel... http://www.tideshotel.com/

 

The National... http://www.nationalhotel.com/

 

South Beach Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIAMB

 

Royal Palm... http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hoteles/jsp/C_Hotel_Description.jsp?codigoHotel=5964

 

Doubletree Surfcomber... http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=MIAOFDT

 

The Hotel of South Beach (1 block from the beach)... http://www.thehotelofsouthbeach.com/

 

Marriott Courtyard South Beach (3 blocks from the beach)... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIACB

 

your replies...!! Most articulate and informative - haven't seen better.

 

Wld u recommend a limo over a taxi also in FLL even if staying close to Port Everglades say at: Hyatt Regency Pier 66? Even if more costly sometimes the extra comfort and space is worth it at least to me..! If yes - wld u please recommend a limo company.

 

Thanks for your most welcome reply..!

 

Happy cruisin' as if it cld be anything else..

[TrentS]

your replies...!! Most articulate and informative - haven't seen better.

 

Wld u recommend a limo over a taxi also in FLL even if staying close to Port Everglades say at: Hyatt Regency Pier 66? Even if more costly sometimes the extra comfort and space is worth it at least to me..! If yes - wld u please recommend a limo company.

 

Thanks for your most welcome reply..!

 

Happy cruisin' as if it cld be anything else..

I always recommend anything but a taxi when you go between FLL and Miami because the cab is usually the most expensive and they're not too comfy over that distance.

 

If you're flying into FLL, staying at Hyatt Pier 66 and cruising from Port Everglades though a taxi will be much cheaper than a limo. It's only about 10 minutes from FLL to Hyatt Pier 66, and 5 minutes from there to Port Everglades. Of course if you'd prefer a limo, it's a great way to travel, but it would be much more expensive than a cab for a ride as short as that.

 

I've used Larry's Limo several times, and have always had excellent service from them... http://www.larryslimo.com/

 

Otherwise, cabs are normally pretty plentiful in that area.

[cruisecrasy]

thanks and I really appreciate the info.

 

Happy cruisin'!!

[johnjrval424]

Trent - you're advice is right on target! That's why I'm asking your opinion on this next question:

 

We are due to arrive back in Miami at 6:00 am on April 30. We have an 11:20 am flight back home. Is this cutting it too close? I have contacted your recommended transportation company (Larry's Limo) to get a quote for the ride from the port to the airport (there are 6 of us).

 

I appreciate your help! :D

[TrentS]

Well the ships get in at 5-7am, but disembarkation normally begins around 7:30am or so. 11:20am is possible if there are no problems, but it's always risky. Are you flying out of MIA or FLL? MIA is 15-20 minutes away, FLL 35-45 minutes on average.

 

The Immigration lines can be quite long, especially if there are a lot of non-US citizens onboard. Make sure you are in the first group off the ship, and I would want to be THE first off the ship. If there are any Customs & Immigration delays or baggage handling delays though you could be in serious trouble. Most likely you'll be okay as long as you're off in the first group, but there are no guarantees.

[johnjrval424]

We are flying out of MIA - and we are very "together" when it comes to being prepared so there won't be any willy-nilly stuff. We will be ready to get off the ship immediately upon arrival (when the ship is ready to let us go!).

 

I understand there could be delays - I'm hoping my travel insurance would cover us if we miss the flight.

 

I prefer to think of the glass as half full? ;)