cruiseJMO

I'll give it a good attempt. [emoji854]

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Don't stay at the airport, you'll want to kill yourself.

 

As far as the Latin Cafe, Cuban restaurants are on every corner and in many convenience stores.

 

Much better restaurants in Coral Gables, Ortanique has some of the best food you'll ever eat. Caribbean farm to table.

 

Coral Gables is hard to explain but it is much more than a suburban neighborhood. It is one of the most gorgeous, wealthiest areas in the US. Since you have an extra day, check out: The Biltmore, Miracle Mile, Vizcaya, and the Venitian Pool to start.

 

Venitian Pool: http://coralgables.com/index.aspx?page=167

 

The Biltmore: http://www.biltmorehotel.com/

 

Miracle Mile: http://www.shopcoralgables.com/

 

Vizcaya (you'll recognize it from all the movies filmed there): http://vizcaya.org/

 

Ortanique: http://ortaniquerestaurants.com/

 

Best Cuban? Havana Harrys: http://www.havanaharrys.net/

 

Edited to add that Coral Gables is a historic Cuban neighborhood.

Wow, that is a lot of very useful info. Much appreciated. I'll save that for when we have more time to enjoy the area. Thanks a bunch!

Just looked at that. Sounds great - but one of the reviews specifically talked about the $10 shuttle to the port and a complete failure of it to work out. Given, that was just one review, but yikes!

 

 

 

I think myself, I'm just gonna go for the Coral Gables area. Just a few miles out, and a lower cost. Coconut Grove doesn't have any that offer free parking, at least listed on Hotwire. The more I think about it, we'll probably get in later than I want on Friday so it's going to be a crash and dash in the morning, so no need for anything nice.

 

 

 

We could stay at my parents in Venice, but that's a 200 mile drive, and I'd probably hit an alligator crossing the Everglades!

The gators are well fenced in. I never even see any anymore. Kind of a sad drive. No gators or data connection...lol

Coconut Grove was my original thinking, seems nice. But, since I know I'll have packing anxiety and we'll arrive late, the Latin Cafe directly across the street and open til midnight won me over.

Keep in touch, let me know how parking and the hotel go. I'll do the same if you would like. cruisejmo@gmail.com

We go in July.

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Sorry, I'm using a new device and new app, so I'll just add on what I just found.

It looks like maybe we can park at this same location during our cruise for $5.50 a day, $10 shuttle to port. I found this site using google search: http://www.airportparkingreservations.com/lot_crowne_plaza_hotel_mia

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We're gonna give Crown Plaza Miami International Airport a shot. Not too pricey, good reviews. But, the winning factor was the Latin Cafe located right across the street, which I recall had some Cuban items on the menu. We'll be driving from Tampa Bay Area. I think it was an additional $8 for parking (while you stay) if you add it on when booking. Otherwise, it's $15 a day.

We just need to figure out our parking while we're cruising. As someone else may have said, Google Maps is not so helpful in the Miami area.

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Depends where you're docked, if you need transportation. KW is totally walkable!

Haven't come across you in a while. Hope you're doing well. We'll be boarding Eurodam tomorrow 😁

Ok, walking it is. Thanks!

No way a catamaran will get anywhere near the Blue Hole. Dunn's River Falls are near the coast, hence the catamaran can dock nearby and you can walk to the falls. The Blue Hole is inland, and up a small mountain road. Only way there is by land transport. However, it is an awesome excursion! Went last week and would go again.

I was hoping one would catamaran close, then land transport to Blue Hole. This kind of excursion exists on other islands, so I was hoping it would exist here. Maybe a tour operator will see this idea and start it. Can always hope for a future visit. 😎

I don't know why you need to pay for a bar crawl here since all the bars are within a few square blocks. Save the $50 (or $35), and just wander around on your own popping in and out of bars until you find a place you like. You can pick a couple in advance like Sloppy shoes or Captain Tony's and then just wander around. There are bars on virtually every block here.

 

No bars here have cover charges and people are very friendly and easy to chat with. It's just my opinion, but I would do your own crawl rather then paying someone to take you to bars they like, give you a cheap tee shirt, and provide the least expensive drink at every stop.

This was my initial opinion, thanks for the reassurance.

Do you think we'll need one of the trolleys at all? We're both capable walkers.

We'll be in Jamaica Feb 2016 and checking out beaches to go to on our own that have decent amenities. Caribya dot com is a great site that gives info on locations in the Caribbean. If you input Falmouth on the opening page and scroll down to the beaches section, it give great info on all the beaches in the area including amenities, facilities, costs, distance from town, nearby attractions, food, etc. Great resource!

 

Sherri

Thank u so much!!!!! I've been trying to remember what that site is for the past few days.

I've seen the most votes for Kermit's key lime pie on a stick, dipped in chocolate, then frozen.

Looks like not bad walking distance from ship. Can anyone verify that?

Anyone know of a company doing bar crawls for Key West on a Monday? I can only find one for Thursdays. Don't really want to do HAL's at $50 instead of the $35 norm. Mostly out of principal, but we also need to cut back on spending.

Just checked with them on their live Chat.

Obviously they charge 25$ for a day pass.

In that case we will probably stick to burwood beach.

I think the beach access is public, since it shows on maps as a public beach. The advantage over Burwood may be the bar/grill in case u get hungry or thirsty. I think we're dismissing Leon's Lobster by Burwood since most reviews said they were charged $30 per person.

I forget when you're going. We'll be there November 12th. One week after us, is it? If same day, maybe we can check it out together.

We have rented a villa in Silver Sands 5 times. We absolutely love it. The beach is one of the nicest any where. Fairly shallow water and nice sandy bottom. The waves can get a bit fun if it is windy. Life guards are on duty during the day.

 

By "safe" I am assuming that you mean pushy vendors and crime... Yes, safe as can be. There is only one entrance and exit - it is guarded 24/7.

 

They do have some ammenities... Kayaking, boogie boards, etc. are available. Snorkeling from shore is fair. You can hire a local boat to take you out to the reef (about $30 pp for 1.5 hours, including equipment). No parasailing or jet skis though.

 

They also have a nice beach bar and grill. Food is good and prices are reasonable. Try the jerk chicken wrap. I think they have recently added a basketbal hoop and ping pong table. Tennis is also available. Small grocery store on site too.

 

Some days, a local craftsman sets up to sell wood carvings, etc.

 

It is only about 15 minutes from Falmouth. But I can't help you with taxi fare.

Great info. 😊

Is this area open to the public?

The only regular discussion/pictures about Leon lobsters appears on trip advisor reviews for Royalton White Sands because it is right next door to that resort. Looks to be a shanty town with small shops and vendors. People to give the lobsters good reviews though. Also there is construction in that area as royalton is building a new adults only wing. Not sure how long that shanty town will be there.

Thank you so much for your reply!

Ok, I'll check it out under Royalton in TA. :):)

Cool Runnings does a catamaran tour to Dunn's Falls. But, I'm interested in Blue Hole and a catamaran ride (rather than land transport).

Is anyone aware of any tour operators that offer this?

I'm hoping someone could share experiences with Leon's Lobster Hut and/or Burwood Beach.

From the little info I have found, they are both within 15 mins of the Falmouth port.

Are they within easy walking distance from eachother?

Does anybody have a menu or know the prices for Leon's Lobster Hut?

Any pics of either place or other info would be wonderful! :D

I had no luck searching for info on it.

Burwood Beach is right before it. Looks small, nice. Info I found said it's uncrowded, mostly locals.

$5 chair rentals

$5 umbrella rentals

That culinary tour is about the right price. I'll look into it. Thanks!

Also looking into the nearby Burwood Beach & Leon's Lobster Hut.

Burwood seems to be a very nice public beach that is uncrowded, mostly locals. Leon's Lobster Hut is right by it, and it's rated #1 in Trip Advisor for Falmouth restaurants.

Anyone have any experience and maybe pics of these places? I'll try asking in a new thread.

Please help my mother and I enjoy Falmouth on a very tight budget.

A couple circumstances have just changed that have left us with a couple of weeks to figure out something much less costly than our previous plans for this port.

I know the different boards to look at on this site, but since I am so short on time, I'm reaching out for help from some of you fabulous CC members.

Born and raised beach-side Florida, I'm in my 30's. My wonderful, fun mother is not too much older.

We would normally be into trying the Blue Hole or something fun and active, but I'm not seeing anything in our new budget. Seems the fun stuff is a bit of a drive, costing quite a bit just to get to for just 2 people.

With that said, we would enjoy authentic food, alcoholic beverages, maybe some beach if the water & sand is nice.

We're also not typically frightened of the natives in any of the Caribbean islands. We have ventured off to some incredible places that most cruise ship passengers do not.

We're in port 10-6.

Specific suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thanks!

We did the Cool Blue Hole last year through Peat Taylor Tours. They were absolutely wonderful and the Cool Blue Hole is absolutely amazing. You won't regret doing this excursion!

I've been occupied checking them out online and didn't notice your post.

How long is the drive from Falmouth port?

Darn. You don't go till the day we get back. Hopefully somebody will reply soon with a copy.

We booked a resort for a day. It was an all inclusive resort on the beach. They picked us up and took us on a 30-45 minute ride to the resort to hang out for the day. We went in the water, and hung out at the swim up bar overlooking the ocean. They had delicious jerk chicken for lunch as well as a drink or two or three or eleventy-seven or something. They then took us back and dropped us inside the fence and we made our way slowly back to the ship, stopping along the way to shop a little and try a beef patty, etc...

 

Good times.

Our cruise is only a few weeks away, so I'm trying to ask again, in hopes you see. Which resort was this?

I couldn't find the answer on your website.

You could think about cruising during another time than hurricane season.

Seems kind of silly to me to not have thought about the possibilities ahead of time and been prepared to brave it out. Maybe that's because I've lived in Florida all my life and always enjoyed boating. But, isn't that one of the first things they tell you to consider before booking a cruise?

I'm not trying to be mean. Maybe I'm trying to get you to rethink your outlook on the situation. Seems those with this 101 knowledge appreciate good ship design how well the crew handled it.

Wow!!!!!

I'm definitely feeling some envy of this vacation. Looks great! I'm only on page 4 of the album in the first link.

Thank you so much for sharing.

I can't believe your hubby lets you out looking so fine! Fabulous dresses; fabulous body. Motivation for me to kick the shopping & workouts into gear before my next cruise.

Been a great read so far; looking forward to reading more.

Waiters often giggle at me on the many occasions it was apparent I needed to start with coffee in order to get through dinner. I like to do a lot of activities, sunning, or sometimes drinking throughout the day. Dinner time is about when I need that extra boost. All good 😊