Just how bad is Miami's port

[halliewd]

We are flying and sailing the same day...leaving Feb 23 (Saturday) out of WI at 7am, arriving at 11:30am, ship sails at 4pm meaning must be at the ship by 3pm the latest

 

I had planned getting in at 12pm.... 60 min to get luggage........and 60 min for cab ride.......getting us to the ship 2pm-ish

 

OK with that said I have heard that Miami's port can be just nuts....4-5 ships at port all holding 2000-ish people so needless to say traffic getting in can be very slow.

 

I hadn't thought of that and flying in the day before really isn't going to work.

 

Is Saturday a bit slower then lets say Sunday? any suggetion would be great

[prwjr]

We are flying and sailing the same day...leaving Feb 23 (Saturday) out of WI at 7am, arriving at 11:30am, ship sails at 4pm meaning must be at the ship by 3pm the latest

 

I had planned getting in at 12pm.... 60 min to get luggage........and 60 min for cab ride.......getting us to the ship 2pm-ish

 

OK with that said I have heard that Miami's port can be just nuts....4-5 ships at port all holding 2000-ish people so needless to say traffic getting in can be very slow.

 

I hadn't thought of that and flying in the day before really isn't going to work.

 

Is Saturday a bit slower then lets say Sunday? any suggetion would be great

 

My last cruise departed from Port of Miami on this past Labor Day 2007. Although I was able to arrive the day prior, the trip from the hotel (which was right across the street from MIA), was not a problem. Got there way early...perhaps cause it was Labor Day???

 

My next cruise on Friday, 11/16/2007, I will be arriving at MIA on the same day from Newark, NJ, at I hope, 1:46 PM...which I am not thrilled about getting there that late...but the Carnival Cruise Vacation Specialist who booked the flight, said that it should not be a problem. The Port is not all that far from the airport and the cab company was reasonable and brings you right to the ship.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us!!!

[mpk218]

We are flying and sailing the same day...leaving Feb 23 (Saturday) out of WI at 7am, arriving at 11:30am, ship sails at 4pm meaning must be at the ship by 3pm the latest

 

I had planned getting in at 12pm.... 60 min to get luggage........and 60 min for cab ride.......getting us to the ship 2pm-ish

 

OK with that said I have heard that Miami's port can be just nuts....4-5 ships at port all holding 2000-ish people so needless to say traffic getting in can be very slow.

 

I hadn't thought of that and flying in the day before really isn't going to work.

 

Is Saturday a bit slower then lets say Sunday? any suggetion would be great

 

 

Its only 20 min. taxi to the port . You will have plenty of time. Dont worry at all . And the taxi will drop you right at the pier.:cool:

[lazygal]

No worries. Port of Miami is a people mover!! Never had congestion coming nor going.

[mississauga]

Its only 20 min. taxi to the port . You will have plenty of time. Dont worry at all . And the taxi will drop you right at the pier.:cool:

 

 

Would you or anyone else know the fare from the airport to the port? Any other way to get there....like a shuttle etc??? Thanks in advance.

[prwjr]

Would you or anyone else know the fare from the airport to the port? Any other way to get there....like a shuttle etc??? Thanks in advance.

 

$24.00 USD + tip. That is for the whole cab...NOT per person. The cruise shuttle from MIA to the Port fares are PP.

[mississauga]

$24.00 USD + tip. That is for the whole cab...NOT per person. The cruise shuttle from MIA to the Port fares are PP.

 

 

Thanks prwjr.

[garycarla]

I would not even think about using shuttle or cruise transfers. Too slow. Too expensive. To painful.

 

Grad a cab and away you go.

[snowman]

Boy, flying out of Wisconsin in Feb. Thats very risky. Please get insurance.

[Jade13]

$24.00 USD + tip. That is for the whole cab...NOT per person. The cruise shuttle from MIA to the Port fares are PP.

 

We are going from the port to the airport that day. Will it be easy to grab a taxi? we are used to other countries where we have a driver waiting for us.

[prwjr]

We are going from the port to the airport that day. Will it be easy to grab a taxi? we are used to other countries where we have a driver waiting for us.

 

There will be a line of taxi's waiting at a designated point, not far, at least from my ship's berth, in the Port. The taxi driver's will be looking for a fare. I will furnish you the number of a cab company, upon request, that I used. You can call them to confirm what I have told you. Otherwise, you can search the internet for a taxi company...I used one with Yellow in the name. The service and drivers were Super!!!

[garycarla]

You can either

 

a) Call a taxi or car company and have them wait for you.

or

b) Walk to the curb and grab the next taxi

 

 

Option A is great, but you have to find YOUR cab and maybe they are on the way, or are looking for you or missed you and left or who knows what

 

With Option B you take the next cab. No problems. Quick and easy. No scams, really. You might have to wait if lots of people hit the curb at once, but not long.

 

Based on our experience, option B is the way to go. Just show up and go.

[janetz]

Boy, flying out of Wisconsin in Feb. Thats very risky. Please get insurance.

 

 

 

Ditto. All you need is a weather delay and your done. :eek:

[halliewd]

Ditto. All you need is a weather delay and your done. :eek:

 

yep leaving WI or should I say MSP in Feb........we do it every year and I have to say that airport does a great job with bad weather!!......so I will say my prayers and keep my fingers crossed Mother Nature is on our side.

 

as far as luggage yep I'm sure there is a chance it doesn't make it but we have a direct flight and always get to MSP 2-3 hours early to get prime seats on the plane ( hubby is real tall and wants exit isles)....I feel this also helps make sure your luggage makes the the plane.

[Ang in Miami]

Last time I cruised out of Miami, and that was before I lived here, transportation on a Saturday was no problem. The time it took for our luggage to get to baggage claim seemed like an eternity, but we were used to Atlanta where your baggage gets to the carousel before you can walk or run there! Anyway, just walk out from baggage claim and you'll find a line of taxis waiting to take you to the port. I've never encountered any traffic that resulted in any delay on a Saturday trying to get from the airport to the port. And while the port is a very busy place on Saturday and Sunday, this is very routine for Miami and they do a good job of moving people back and forth.

 

Today, I counted 4 ships in port. I think I usually see 4 on Sunday, as well. I can't remember the count for February, but I think there is one more ship on each day during that time of year. From the key I'm on, I have a great view of the port from my aft deck from across the bay. :D I watch them come and go Friday through Monday (and every other Thursday). No need to be concered about transportation in Miami...it's the weather up north you need to worry about that time of year.

[Langley Cruisers]

We have embarked and disembarked on both a Saturday and a Sunday at the Port of Miami, and no question, the Saturday was the easier of the two days, hands down. There were fewer ships in, less congestion, and although it was still crowded, we moved along very quickly on the Saturday. Just my observation. :)

 

Have a great cruise!!

[MAKEM]

We are flying and sailing the same day...leaving Feb 23 (Saturday) out of WI at 7am, arriving at 11:30am, ship sails at 4pm meaning must be at the ship by 3pm the latest

 

I had planned getting in at 12pm.... 60 min to get luggage........and 60 min for cab ride.......getting us to the ship 2pm-ish

 

OK with that said I have heard that Miami's port can be just nuts....4-5 ships at port all holding 2000-ish people so needless to say traffic getting in can be very slow.

 

I hadn't thought of that and flying in the day before really isn't going to work.

 

Is Saturday a bit slower then lets say Sunday? any suggetion would be great

 

Nothing wrong with the organisation at the Port, your problem is getting to Miami on that day.

[halliewd]

Nothing wrong with the organisation at the Port, your problem is getting to Miami on that day.

 

 

Thank you all for the miami info........and agree we are taking a chance flying and sailing the same day........but some of you must think it snows 24-7 here in WI :D .....

 

we have actually been having very mild winters and when the big one hit last year we were actually in PDC and the airport only had slight delays.....but yep it is a chance we are taking

[prwjr]

Thank you all for the miami info........and agree we are taking a chance flying and sailing the same day........but some of you must think it snows 24-7 here in WI :D .....

 

we have actually been having very mild winters and when the big one hit last year we were actually in PDC and the airport only had slight delays.....but yep it is a chance we are taking

 

I must admit that your original post has me concerned since I am flying and sailing on the same day with mere hours between arrival in MIA and departure of the cruise ship. Although I depart NJ on November 16, 2007, weather and delays can still be a factor. I am going to try to see if I can move the flight up to an earlier arrival at MIA, but I suspect that may be difficult. My 2 daughters would need Passports if we miss the ship and have to fly to the Bahamas to meet the ship...it is certainly a bigger gamble than a 'crap shoot' in the cruise ship casino.

 

I hope it works out for the both of us!!! Enjoy your cruise!!!

[halliewd]

I must admit that your original post has me concerned since I am flying and sailing on the same day with mere hours between arrival in MIA and departure of the cruise ship. Although I depart NJ on November 16, 2007, weather and delays can still be a factor. I am going to try to see if I can move the flight up to an earlier arrival at MIA, but I suspect that may be difficult. My 2 daughters would need Passports if we miss the ship and have to fly to the Bahamas to meet the ship...it is certainly a bigger gamble than a 'crap shoot' in the cruise ship casino.

 

I hope it works out for the both of us!!! Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

When you say mere hours how many?....we really only have 3 hours between landing and sailing.

 

I have look at an earlier flight and there is one that leaves 6:10 instead of the 7am I have book....I've thought about switching but haven't yet

[prwjr]

We are flying and sailing the same day...leaving Feb 23 (Saturday) out of WI at 7am, arriving at 11:30am, ship sails at 4pm meaning must be at the ship by 3pm the latest

 

I had planned getting in at 12pm.... 60 min to get luggage........and 60 min for cab ride.......getting us to the ship 2pm-ish

 

OK with that said I have heard that Miami's port can be just nuts....4-5 ships at port all holding 2000-ish people so needless to say traffic getting in can be very slow.

 

I hadn't thought of that and flying in the day before really isn't going to work.

 

Is Saturday a bit slower then lets say Sunday? any suggetion would be great

 

Well despite the discussions of the ease of arrival from MIA to the Port of Miami, including those comments made by me, to make a cruise ship departure on the same day as flight arrival, I felt compelled to change my arrival and that of my 2 daughters, into Miami from the same day of embarkation upon the ship to the day before. Although it will cost more money to fly the day before and stay the night over...it will cost far less than missing the ship because of a flight delay.

 

I still hope that your trip goes as expected...but you got me thinking...not so much for the trip from MIA to the Port of Miami...but for the potential delays in getting from NJ to MIA.

 

Have a nice trip!!!

[Bequia]

Smart decision

//////////////

[prwjr]

Smart decision

 

 

 

 

 

//////////////

 

You have a marvelous economy with words!!! but nonetheless I will be able to sleep better tonight!!! last night was a killer!!! lol

 

Thank you for your kind thought.

[halliewd]

again thank you all ...sounds like what is book is what we are going with....fly and sail same day

 

we do a winter vacation to break up the winter every Feb but we also spend a week plus on out Harley's seeing the great USA!!

 

I have never been a huge fan of cruise because I don't feel 6-8 hour is enough time to really get a feel for a place/island.......

 

we nornally have just went to one place for a week and enjoyed...we won a trip/ cruise.... and all the extra here and there is getting stressfully and that isn't what a vacation should be much less before you even leave home

[Langley Cruisers]

^ ^ You know, I do agree with you. Travelling and planning can be stressful, enough to ruin any good a vacation is supposed to do for you! But remember, so much of it is out of your control. Just plan as much as you can and do what you can - it's easy to say this, but flexibility is really very important on a vacation. If something happens, just try to relax and it will all work out. I have seen so many members on these boards and so many reviews say that their vacation was "ruined" - how they hated what happened, blah blah. Oh absolutely, "stuff" does happen, but I find much of it is in your attitude.

 

Have a wonderful time. :)