Our experience Port of Miami

[CruiseMomTX]

We sailed from Miami for the first time Oct 26th.  Scheduled a pickup with an Uber driver we used the night before and he was right on time.  Now I don't know if it was his first time navigating the port area but he didn't know where to go and missed to exit for Terminal A so had to go way back around and with our help got it right.  We pulled up and finally got someone to show us where the handicap drop off was, it was just a little further down from the regular drop off.  When the porter saw my dad needed a wheelchair he went inside and asked for one then took our bags.  A guy comes out with a wheelchair and iPad in hand and said he would escort us inside.  He took us inside, up an elevator then checked us in on his iPad then right through security.  No line whatsoever.  After security he handed us over to another person/wheelchair who then escorted us right on the ship.  We were sent and email a week or so prior saying there would be an inspection and not to show up for boarding until 1 pm, now we know like most others that were there early they always end up boarding almost on time.  We were onboard around 11:15.  I think it took maybe 15 min from the time we pulled up to stepping foot on the ship, it was the best/fastest experience ever and we thought our last boarding in FLL in a sky class suite was fantastic.  

 

Now to debarkation day.  If you need wc assist they had you report to the On Air Lounge.  My parents went down a bit before us so by the time we got there at 9 someone was ready to push him off, there were a few lines along the way but not much it was pretty quick.  They have the new facial recognition so if you have a passport that part was quick.  Then came the cluster F that was the taxi line.  They parked my dad and the luggage at the front of the line, my mom & I waited with him and my Husband had to go get in the very long line.  We waited around an hour for a taxi!!  They sent a ton away without putting people in them, the lady working said something about them not having some sort of ticket or permit and they would then overcharge you.  I don't understand why they let them clog up the traffic if they need some sort of permit.  If anyone has a better suggestion please let me know we are not looking forward to that mess next month.  When we got in a cab finally the line was twice as long! 

[rkacruiser]

What ship were you sailing, please?

[CruiseMomTX]

I'm sorry I guess that is important, lol.  We were on the Symphony and loved it.

[LHT28]

maybe prebook an accessible taxi  if your parents require one

Or use  a private car service  ..you call when ready they are  there in a couple of mins

 

[rkacruiser]

Thank you.  I appreciate that information.

[CruiseMomTX]

On 11/3/2019 at 4:10 PM, LHT28 said:

maybe prebook an accessible taxi  if your parents require one

Or use  a private car service  ..you call when ready they are  there in a couple of mins

 

He doesn't need an accessible taxi, we use Royals wc and my dad's walker otherwise.  By private car service do you mean Uber?   If so our Uber going to the port had no idea where to go so we were hesitant to get one when leaving.  

[LHT28]

I use John's car service   

 

[vacationlover_mn]

We did RCI, and while the uber to port was awesome, we couldn’t connect to the internet to get one back to the airport 😞. We ended up having to take a shuttle back, which was a little slow.

[CruiseMomTX]

On 11/4/2019 at 9:35 PM, LHT28 said:

I use John's car service   

 

How do I find this car service to book?

[JohninDC]

1 hour ago, CruiseMomTX said:

How do I find this car service to book?

www.johnscarservice.com

 

Google is your friend! 😉

[bettyboop16]

On ‎11‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 4:52 PM, CruiseMomTX said:

We sailed from Miami for the first time Oct 26th.  Scheduled a pickup with an Uber driver we used the night before and he was right on time.  Now I don't know if it was his first time navigating the port area but he didn't know where to go and missed to exit for Terminal A so had to go way back around and with our help got it right.  We pulled up and finally got someone to show us where the handicap drop off was, it was just a little further down from the regular drop off.  When the porter saw my dad needed a wheelchair he went inside and asked for one then took our bags.  A guy comes out with a wheelchair and iPad in hand and said he would escort us inside.  He took us inside, up an elevator then checked us in on his iPad then right through security.  No line whatsoever.  After security he handed us over to another person/wheelchair who then escorted us right on the ship.  We were sent and email a week or so prior saying there would be an inspection and not to show up for boarding until 1 pm, now we know like most others that were there early they always end up boarding almost on time.  We were onboard around 11:15.  I think it took maybe 15 min from the time we pulled up to stepping foot on the ship, it was the best/fastest experience ever and we thought our last boarding in FLL in a sky class suite was fantastic.  

 

Now to debarkation day.  If you need wc assist they had you report to the On Air Lounge.  My parents went down a bit before us so by the time we got there at 9 someone was ready to push him off, there were a few lines along the way but not much it was pretty quick.  They have the new facial recognition so if you have a passport that part was quick.  Then came the cluster F that was the taxi line.  They parked my dad and the luggage at the front of the line, my mom & I waited with him and my Husband had to go get in the very long line.  We waited around an hour for a taxi!!  They sent a ton away without putting people in them, the lady working said something about them not having some sort of ticket or permit and they would then overcharge you.  I don't understand why they let them clog up the traffic if they need some sort of permit.  If anyone has a better suggestion please let me know we are not looking forward to that mess next month.  When we got in a cab finally the line was twice as long! 

We use Lyft on debarkation day....never waited more than 5 minutes for a car.

Edited November 11, 2019 by bettyboop16