Casey30043

We just got off getaway yesterday. I saw tank tops and flip flops, ripped and tattered jeans in the Tropicana room. The staff could not have cared less.

Thanks. Helped out greatly. Now to go find my cable for my kindle.

are there hdmi inputs on the TVs? I never looked last time we cruised.

Surprising about the attitude of the porters. I am glad that I have never experienced that in Miami, but I have no doubt that it happens. I guess I have been lucky.

 

I am enjoying your report so far.

We have got that attitude from them both times we have sailed from Miami. They usually change their tone quick when I tip them.

Decided to bite the bullet and got a CARES harness. Got one on ebay used once for less than a new. Now to get the little man used to a front carrier. He loves the backpack carrier I use when hike.

Only for flying. We are covered once we are on the ground in Florida( in laws are driving). We are passing on excursions this cruise seeing as we were on the same 2 years ago.

I assume you are cruising NCL

Casey,

Just curious are you talking about for flying, or for driving around at the ports. I am having the same dilemma, we are traveling with a 14 month old and a 3 year old. We don't want to (but if it's the only way we will) lug the car seats at all of the ports. With that being said, we are taking them on the cruise, as we have to drive to the pier. We do have connected mini suites, so we will have room to store them. I will be following your post,

Cathy

We are cruising with our 20 month old next month. First time ever we are not driving to Miami. We are in a toss up. Either take the lightweight car seat or buy a CARES harness for the price of a seat. Would love to hear some opinions from someone who flys with small children. And has anyone ever used one of the companies that rents the CARES harnesses.

deck 14 mid ship is not bad until 530 am when they start putting out the deck chairs. they slam them down and drag them. Once they were out it was quiet. we occasionally could hear someone running around on deck at odd hours but it was not too bad. We were in cabin 14192.

The Grammy Experience must have changed to Fat Cats.

thats it! 12 hours on the road and my mind is not quite all there yet.

We just got off this morning. There were not hoards of kids on our sailing but there were quite a few. There were A LOT of rude people pushing and shoving on and off the elevators. Fat Cats was broadway experience or something previously(some signage is still up and some is taped over). Our luggage was to our room by 4 or so. And we did not have towel animals the first night but monday through friday nights we did. We only saw stewards in the mornings and evenings. The spray bottle crew was spraying like always last week.

Just got off Getaway this morning. We had the mini suite midship. The large bathroom was very nice but that is all that is larger about it. We had 3 in our cabin and it was not too cramped but with a family of 4 I would much rather have a larger cabin. We will be looking at suites for the next cruise may even splurge and get a Haven.

Are there toll roads going into Fort Lauderdale to the port? Family coming into Lauderdale the day before the cruise and didn't think to tell them they may run into this:eek: If so, does anyone know how often you have to pay & about how much? They're driving in from Georgia, thanks

Depends on how they come. If they come down 95 no tolls but it could take a little longer than the turnpike. If they take the turnpike it will be $20 or so. I have went both ways from Atlanta and cant say if one is better than the other.

it was simple as could be 2 years ago when we sailed from there. good signage and the guard at the gate was very helpful.

Just have fun. that is our plan, not gonna let a little rain ruin our fun. I am guessing the OP is either on Escape or Getaway out of Miami this weekend.

My family and I sailed on Sky this time last year, our son's first cruise and our second. It was OK at best. Food wasn't the best. I won't say it was bad but I expected better. I can't speak for the limits in the casino. We play the cheap slots for a little fun. It wasn't a booze cruise when we were on but that was prior to the all inclusive. I can't say much on entertainment. I only saw 2 shows. One was the adult comedy show that was great. The musical act was not my cup of tea so I might not be the best to give a review. I'm sure they have moved on to new entertainment in the last year though. Overall if I was looking for a quick cheap run to the Bahamas I'd book but otherwise I'd look for a little better cruise.

I usually book our hotel the day I book our cruise. I have always book on the hotel's website and have gotten much better deals than the travel sites claim you are getting.

here is the info on Miami-Dade county http://www.floridasturnpike.com/Archived%20pages%20and%20stories/All-Electronic%20Tolling/about.html

there are no pay as you go tolls once you are in Miami it is all electronic and toll by tag. you can call in with your plate info and pay the toll.

Tolls in Miami are toll by tag and you will get a toll bill in the mail if you don't have a SunPass. At Least that is the way it was for our trip last year.

If you are staying at the Holiday Inn, go across the street to Bayside and find the Latin American Café. It is open for an American breakfast at 8 AM on Sundays.

Thank you

I ate there a few years ago and was not impressed at all.

Einsteins? You will find fresher bagels at the Publix bakery. And homemade cream cheese at the deli.

 

I see from your other post you are staying at the Holiday Inn across from the port but are averse to eating at their restaurant. If you want simply a counter service breakfast within walking distance there are multiple Starbucks and Subway locations a few blocks in any direction from the hotel. Also several restaurants in Bayside Marketplace across the street listed as opening at 8 AM on Sundays but I found no links to any breakfast menus.

 

If you are able to move your car (or hop on the Metromover) perhaps one of the board's Brickell residents will chime in on what they recommend south of the river.

 

But I just thought of one about a mile north of your hotel: Daily Creative Food Company. Open 7 AM, a bit pricey for counter service (but so is Einstein's in my book) but was highly recommended by friends who used to work near there. (And I can vouch for seeing it always crowded when I went to my favorite but sadly now closed downtown lunch spot across the street).

Oh I know, but I go where makes the wife and kid happy. Last thing I want to deal with is them grumpy in the morning.

Looking for a place for breakfast in Miami near the port. Has to be open on a Sunday as well. We usually find an Einsteins but I have yet to find one near port.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami last year and are staying again this year. Room was nice and all the staff were great. If you stay don't plan on eating at their restaurant it is not all that great unless you want french onion soup(only thing they had that I would call good).