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Leaving from Miami-Where do we stay?

happygirl72

By happygirl72,
in Florida Departures

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happygirl72

happygirl72

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My DH and I are leaving on our first Carnival cruise out of Miami. We are going to be arriving the day before and have absolutely no idea where to stay. We have never been to Miami so I do not know if the port is even close to the airport. We will not be renting a car. Can someone please help? We don't want to spend a lot on the room since we will just be crashing there for one night but definitely want it clean and safe. Are there any moderates like Holiday Inn, etc? How do you guys get to the hotels from the airport and how do you get to the port? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Bunkie103

Bunkie103

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We stayed at the Raddison before the Valor Vampires cruise and it was lovely. You could walk to a liquor store and to pick up last minute items you might need. We flew into FLL and took the shuttle for $15 pp. You might want to try Priceline for the Raddison. It was a little over $100 a night in October, so it may vary depending on when you are traveling.

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Maxax

Maxax

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The port is not too far from the Airport...we did this same thing last summer...and we just took a cab from the airport to our hotel. I think it was about a $20 cab ride. There are several decent hotels...and several higher dollar hotels around the port area. There is a Holiday Inn very close...in fact...its probably the closest hotel to the port. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency downtown near the port. You can get some decent deals and decent options via Priceline. That's how we got the Hyatt...I think we paid about $60 for the night. Unfortunately, we couldn't really see the pier...(there are too many other tall buildings in the way)...but we could see the ocean on the bay side of the hotel..and watched other boats going by all evening....and..enjoyed the hotel very much. All the rooms there have balconies...and the DW and I enjoy sitting out on the balcony in the evening. As for getting to the port...again, for this we just took another cab. Cabs are ALL OVER downtown Miami...(which is what the port is near)...its very, very easy to get a cab. The cab ride to the port was much closer than the airport..(which is not far)...but the cab ride to the port was about $12. I would say the most common...and touristee...spot downtown would be the Bayside Marketplace...there are several restuarants....boat rides...and other forms of shopping and entertainment there....and again...just another short cab ride.

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shipty2

shipty2

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We are doing the same thing this cruise. We are staying at the Hyatt Regency downtown. I got the hotel from priceline for 60 dollars. This is at the end of August. Hotel prices can vary alot according to what events are going on in town and occupancy rates but with priceline you'll get a good deal regardless

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Wennfred

Wennfred

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My DH and I are leaving on our first Carnival cruise out of Miami. We are going to be arriving the day before and have absolutely no idea where to stay. We have never been to Miami so I do not know if the port is even close to the airport. We will not be renting a car. Can someone please help? We don't want to spend a lot on the room since we will just be crashing there for one night but definitely want it clean and safe. Are there any moderates like Holiday Inn, etc? How do you guys get to the hotels from the airport and how do you get to the port? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn, its across the street from Bayside Market, Bayside Market is like a cool Seaport Village with lots of resturants (Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.) and lots of shops, also sits right on the water over looking the Cruise Terminal. If you book a high floor like we did, the 9th Floor you can see the Cruise Ships parked at the Terminal. We flew in 2 days before and rented a car, That evening we went to a nice cuban resturant and then headed to the hotel. The next morning we had a great room service breakfast before heading out to South Beach for the day.

 

I will try to find you the Thread that has all this info with pictures and that also includes other hotels since the Holiday Inn books pretty fast.

 

Found it, read this Thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=360166

 

Fred

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mnsawyer

mnsawyer

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I don't know what time of year you are cruising but downtown Miami during high season has become very high. I have found that many cruisers are now staying closer to the airport which is cheaper with more options such as transfers from airport, breakfast,etc., but you will still have the cab fare to the port. There may be a hotel that includes a transfer to the port but am not sure. The Holiday Inn is a good choice which is across the street from Bayside (we love it) but it does fill up early and looking at rates for March 2007, it's at least $155 per night for a refundable fare.

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Zyzygy

Zyzygy

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The Marriot mentioned above may be a bit pricey, but has great view toward port and ground level cafe by marina with lots of sailboats, fishing boats, etc.

 

Gets you into cruise mode.

 

If you get into Miami early on the day before sailing, it really would be worthwhile to rent a car and go out to Key Biscayne or visit Vizcaya.

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cruzqueen

cruzqueen

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I stayed at the Hotel Nash, http://www.hotelnash.com, which had pretty good reviews on Trip Advisor. I arrived at midnight in FLL, and took Airport Express shuttle to my hotel for $18 (I was traveling alone). I arrived just before 1:30AM, as it was a shared ride.

 

The Nash was wonderful; I requested a quiet room, and they upgraded me to a deluxe room (paid for a standard). It was very art deco, and right in the middle of the art deco district. Free internet and local calls. I walked around the entire area including shopping of Lincoln road.

 

I then took a taxi to the pier; about $20...I thought that was high for just a few miles.

 

Coming back, I took the cruiseline's transfer back to FLL for $20.

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momtorres

momtorres

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Another vote for Holiday Inn Port of Miami - across from Bayside Market. Short cab to the port in the morning.

 

We enjoyed that we only had to walk across the street to have a quick sample of Miami. Lots of activity, outdoor music, late night hours for bars and restraunts Many well known restraunt chains - Hooters/BubbaGumps/HardRock/Chilis, focused for tourists, but for one night we found that meet the bill for us.

 

Wherever you choose, don't delay making your reservation - depending on the time of year your first choice could fill up fast.

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  • 3 weeks later...
Joie58

Joie58

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If possible stay at the Holiday Inn. Great location and beautiful veiws out of the windows. We always come down a day before the cruise and book a night there to enjoy the Bayside Market. We have been doing it for several years. (in fact the hotel was the Best Western, when we started). You better book it ASAP tho' We will be coming back a day before you leave, we are booked for the 28th of dec. going for a 7 night on the 29th on RCCL.

 

Book the hotel today or it may be too late.:(

 

Enjoy your cruise!

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Bequia

Bequia

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Careful with Holiday Inn, Port of Miami. Many recent reviews on the hotel threads are reporting the hotel has seen better days. Worn beds and carpets and nasty staff are the latest reports. At one time it was a great hotel, appears it's gone down hill. ;)

 

Here's a list of some nicer hotels:

 

Miami ...

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Courtyard Downtown Miami... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

Conrad Miami... http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/c...ctyhocn=MIACICI

 

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

 

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

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92

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