who has rented a car in mami after cruise?

[angel-mom]

Our plane leaves a 4 pm. Is this worth it? We would like to see South Beach.

[krmlaw]

we just did, and it was a pain. south beach was nothing exciting, they say you have to visit at night when everything is lit up.

 

by the time you get off the ship, get the shuttle to the airport, get the car, its a few hours already of the day wasted.

 

if i had to do it over again, id just pay for a miami excursion (and this coming from the cruiser than NEVER does ship excursions!).

[J-Hawk]

Our plane leaves a 4 pm. Is this worth it? We would like to see South Beach.

 

We have rented a car twice from Miami. Hertz has a free shuttle, but the wait is long and the van is small. Last week, we gave up and took a cab. If you get off right away (let them know you need to) you will have plenty of time to see South Beach. The first time, we didn't let them know that we needed to get off the ship, so we got off too late to sight see.

[LookingForward2]

We have done this at least two times. It was definitely well worth it!

The last time we used Dollar, we did not wait too long for their shuttle.

We took our time driving up the coast seeing the different areas and stopping for lunch. We have also stopped at Los Olas Blvd. in FLL to shop and eat.

 

We usually fly out of FLL though.

 

Check the Forum titled 'Florida Departures' you will find a lot of references.

 

This way you can have your luggage in the car with you and go at your schedule.

[angel-mom]

So we should do self disembarkment when we get off the ship?

[jillyfish]

Avis has a downtown Miami office. They do not have shuttle service though, so you do need to take a taxi. Then return it at the airport.

[HorrorFan]

We are renting one for our next cruise but we will be staying in Miami for the night when we disembark. Staying over for the night paid for the car and hotel because of cheaper flights the following day. (Tuesday instead of Monday. You should look into it.

[MrsFixitCT]

We did, in November off the Liberty...

 

Got off on self disembark, off at 630, in a cab by 640, and on the road to Key West by 7.

 

Worked well for us...we were in KW and at Schooner Wharf Bar by 11, stayed in KW for the night, and drove back up to Tampa the next day.

 

As someone else said, South Beach is just that...a beach, during the day. It really gets hopping at night...may want to investigate other things to do as well..

 

JMHO/YMMV

[mo&fran]

We rented from Avis at the downtown office. Had to take a cab from the port, but it didn't take long. We spent the nght in Ft Lauderdale and left frm FLL the next day. Worked out well, although the cab driver seemed to not know where the Avis office is, so know the address of the car rental and be aware in downtown Miami the streets are one way, each street alternating in a different direction.

[vortigern]

We've done this several times, ranging from arriving in Miami on Century and flying out with BA at 1630 same day, to Navigator flying home a couple of days later after a trip to Key West. We've used Hertz at MIA or downtown and Avis at MIA. Depending on the time of year, shuttles from the port to the car hire lots seem to be erratic so we learnt to grab a cab to make the best use of time. One time we got the Avis shuttle to MIA without a booking and got a car without a problem, returning it five hours later having made the most of the day!

 

Easily managed to get to Aventura, or even Boca Raton for shopping before flying out same day, as if the credit cards had not had enough of a battering....:p

[justjess57]

We used dollar rent a car near the miami airport. The shuttle was free from port to the center and we were in a car at 930am. We took our daughter to the miami zoo before heading up to FLL Hilton near the airport and dropped it off the next day. It was very easy and well worth the $30.!:p

[spirit bear]

We have always rented a car in Miami after our cruise. 1st time we used the shuttle (it was okay, but remember everyone else is using it too and you all arrive at the rental facility at the same time) and with tips and what not, we felt better with the cab that we used everytime after that. Drivers are great and we love being able to see one thing in Florida before we board our plane. We flew last time out of West Palm Beach and we had plenty of time to shop and eat before boarding the plane. We used dollar, but have used others in the past and found nothing wrong with them. Have fun

[cruzincurt]

A couple of times when we had older cars, we would rent from Alamo in Tampa and drop off at the Miami airport. Upon coming back, reverse the process.

 

One time when getting back into Miami, we got on the wrong Alamo shuttle bus which took us to the Alamo rental office in Miami Beach. We were able to rent a car there and drive home.

 

If they still have it, perhaps you could take the Alamo shuttle to Miami Beach, rent the car, then drop it off at the Alamo at the airport.

 

Personally, with the security processing time required at the airport these days, I would be too nervous about missing my flight. Next time, come down a day early or stay an extra day. South beach is just pastel colored buildings and a beach during the day.

[alphakitty]

We have done this at least two times. It was definitely well worth it!

The last time we used Dollar, we did not wait too long for their shuttle.

We took our time driving up the coast seeing the different areas and stopping for lunch. We have also stopped at Los Olas Blvd. in FLL to shop and eat.

 

We usually fly out of FLL though.

 

Check the Forum titled 'Florida Departures' you will find a lot of references.

 

This way you can have your luggage in the car with you and go at your schedule.

 

I have a Dollar reservation for our return on our upcoming cruise. We plan on doing just this....driving up to Fort Lauderdale and taking our time...we have a late flight out. It was also the least expensive way to get to the airport for the 2 of us.

 

Happy to hear this worked so well for you and hope it will for us too....thanks for posting. :)