2009 CruiseCrazies ® Group Cruise

JohnG · June 14, 2008

The Super Shuttle from the baggage area at FLL is $18 per person plus gratuity to Miami pier. BUT, they don't have reserved return. So we book transfers back to FLL from the cruiseline.

JoeyandDavid · June 14, 2008

The Super Shuttle from the baggage area at FLL is $18 per person plus gratuity to Miami pier. BUT, they don't have reserved return. So we book transfers back to FLL from the cruiseline.

so do we want to focas on FLL would that help most people out......?? the downside is it takes you away from south beach if you wanted to see that area....and that was important..

PATJUD · June 14, 2008

Would it be an option to meet in FLL and then possibly hire a van to take us all to the pier in Miami? Just wondering what the cost difference would be with air, hotels, etc.

MaryLou, what a brilliant idea! FLL is soooo much better than Miami. Renting a shuttle bus sounds like the route to take because there will also be a ton of luggage. JMHO

I haven't checked air from Atlanta to Miami or Atlanta to Ft Lauderdale. If it's less expensive, I don't have any problem flying into Lauderdale and the group arranging transportation to the port. We could purchase return to Lauderdale from Celebrity. I wasn't planning to do South Beach - possibly the area close to the Holiday Inn that we were talking about but saving some $$$$ is going to be first consideration.

PATJUD · June 14, 2008

O MY GOODNESS!!!!!

I just did a price check on flying to Miami and Ft Lauderdale from Atlanta if the trip was this November and of course, I realize that by November of 2009 - prices will be different but:

Atlanta to Miami (2) $973.96

Atlanta to FLL (2) $564.00

That price difference would cover hotel and transportation so FLL is looking pretty good.

lashl · June 14, 2008

No South Beach but the water taxi is a good deal in FLL. Cost about $10.00 per person and took you from downtown up the inland water way to good stops. You can get on and off as much as you wish and I think they run about 30 minutes apart. Nice view of some super houses and they crew points out interesting places. We took it one year and spent the whole day getting onand off at different stops.

Think the web site is www.watertaxi.com

Good hotels in FLL are somewhat cheaper than Miami. Just depends what you are looking for. One year we stayed at a Holiday Inn for $110. The next year a Hampton Inn for $80. The Hampton Inn was nicer, cleaner, friendlier employees and a free shuttle from the airport and to Port Everglades. (The shuttle had pink flamingos all around the top. Real easy to spot!)

zebra · June 14, 2008

I'm totally in favor of FLL - love it! South Beach isn't a draw for me, so whatever is decided by the majority would be fine with us.

JoeyandDavid · June 14, 2008

well i must say David really wanted to see South Beach.. I guess we will have to figure out how we can day part it.. But we will wait for the rest to chime in before we start looking into hotels....who else thats booked hasnt checked in >>>RAT?? John G?? Rose???Kim??? did I leave someone out that hasnt expressed an opinion?

JohnG · June 14, 2008

Karen and I always fly into FLL when cruising from either FLL or MIA, because it costs less. We use the shuttle down and a transfer coming back.

I have only flown down the day before on rare occasions. As long as I can get an early flight I've taken my chances. I try to get one that gets us down there by 10:30am. We've spent time in both FLL and MIA/South Beach in the past, so the only reason we are there when cruiising is to get from the airport to the ship.

PATJUD · June 14, 2008

I generally like to have at least a day and night on site before a cruise. We've never flown into a port and boarded ship the same day. I'm sure the November weather in Ft Lauderdale isn't anything to brag about or spend time in - like poolside at the hotel. I really like the idea - pricewise - of flying into FLL but I think I might be "undone" with the idea of flying in, getting a shuttle, and boarding ship in the same day. However - we do at the end of the cruise. Somehow - doing it at the beginning and doing it at the end of a cruise is just different. If anything went wrong at the end of the cruise - time wouldn't make that much difference. Any unplanned delays at the beginning of the cruise could be a total disaster.