What's best way to get to Miami?

Suzila · June 26, 2005

Okay, we finally booked our flight for our cruise next month. For various reasons we booked a flight into Ft. Lauderdale airport instead of Miami.

The question is: what is the best, most convenient, inexpensive if possible, way to get from Ft. Lauderdale Airport to the Miami port? Time is not a problem because we are arriving at 6:15am for the cruise. And the day we disembark, we don't have a flight until 4:30pm, so we're good on time.

Is there a shuttle that goes from the Ft. Lauderdale Airport to the port, or is that asking too much? If not, a bus? We won't have much luggage, so that's not a problem. Or is a taxi the best way to go?

Please help! Thanks so much, Sue

JohnG · June 27, 2005

https://www.hudsonltd2.com/cgi-bin/fla1/res

This is the shuttle from FLL airport to the pier and back. You can reserve online and prepay, or you can pick up your baggage and find their rep at the curb outside. About $17 per person each way. The cruise line transfers are $16 but won't start that early.

Suzila · June 27, 2005

Thanks so much, John, for the info on the shuttle.

Would we be able to take advantage of the cruise line transfer if we didn't book our airline through Carnival? How would we go about that? Who would we contact? Doesn't matter if we have to hang around the airport for awhile...arriving at 6:15am, we'll either hang around the airport or the cruise terminal before we can get onboard the ship.

Thanks for the info, Sue

Dan · June 27, 2005

You should ask Jeff to pick you up in that Mustang covertible and let you grab a nap at his place LOL.

Seriously though. If I got into town that early, I'd look at renting a car for the morning, go for breakfast, see some sights, visit the beach, go shopping, something to kill some time, drop it off at Miami airport, and take a cab to the port to arrive in the noon to 1pm range. But if you are going to sit in one place or the other for a few hours, I'd choose the airport. I've never been to the port of Miami, but if it's anything like other ports, there isn't a lot of places for boarding passengers to kick back for a few hours while the unloading of the ship goes on. Check-in probably doesn't open until 11-ish.

Dan · June 27, 2005

Oh yeah, I beleive you can buy tickets on the Carnival shuttle even if you bought your air separately. Your TA or somebody at Carnival should be able to arrange this for you.

DaCruzNut · June 27, 2005

You can also try http://www.shuttlefinder.net/airport_shutt...ttle/miami.html

They regulary serve MIA, but will come to FLL if you make a reservation.

I'd come get you, but 6:15 am????????????NO WAY! I'm just getting to bed.....

JohnG · June 27, 2005

No problem purchasing the transfers from the cruiseline no matter where you purchased your airfare. However, they need to know your inbound and outbound airline, flight number and time. They start pickups in FL about 10am and your return flight should be 1pm or later from FLL.

Suzila · June 27, 2005

Perfect information from you all...exactly what I needed. Thanks so much!

JEFF!! I'm soooo disappointed! But, if you're just getting TO bed at 6:15am, I'm probably better off NOT meeting you at that time! LOL!

:grin:

Sue

TheSkipper · June 29, 2005

Sue,

We have done this several times using all kinds of transport up to and including a stretch limo.

Since you are arriving so early, I think the car rental is the way to go! It will cost no more than two shuttle fares and you will be able to see some of the area rather that hanging out at the port for hours.

Some of the car rental agencies have offices very near the port where you can drop off the car.

wend · July 6, 2005

Don't know if you have already solved this problem, but Iam faced with the same in Jan. Depending how many are traveling, renting a LIMO!! may be comparable in price. There are six of us and I have recearched many limo services and they run between $80+120, each way so for us it works out well, and such a" way cool "way to go!!