2Fltravelers

It's been 8 years since we did this but we enjoyed it so much. Perhaps there is now a real water taxi from the port to Stone Island but then we walked about 4 blocks from the port to the "water taxi" . Then it was a small fishing boat with just the"captain", my DH and I. The Captain put on his life vest which was very disconcerting so we put on ours. We crossed a small inlet that was flat as glass. The whole trip took 5 minutes. It was the day after Easter and around 10am so the beach was empty. The little shacks along the beach were just beginning to open and clean up after the celebrations the day before. We walked about 3/4 of the way down the beach to a recommended place. I think the name was "Vinny's" and it was wonderful. They set us up with a table, lounge chairs, and an umbrella. We started with some eggs and juice and coffee and then graduated to beer, water and the most incredible, enormous shrimp we had ever tasted. We swam and snorkeled and enjoyed the sunshine. There were clean bathrooms on site and an open-air but covered palapa where they cooked and served food. Not may people on the beach that Monday. After about 5 hours we made our way back by the "water taxi" to the ship. We still can't believe the the cost for the entire day of food, drink, equipment, and transport was less then $60. Highly recommend doing it.

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We have been on 2 different cruises for NYE, Princess and Carnival. The Princess cruise had much more happening and was more lively which was a big surprise. While it has been several years and things might have changed, we decided that a cruise over NYE is not worth the significantly greater cost than other weeks. We were very disappointed both times.

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Good summary Hank. I would like to add that there is a charge for room service after 11pm.

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I also recommend the Catalan Music Hall in Barcelona, a hidden gem designed by a contemporary of Gaudi. You can reserve a very reasonably priced tour online through their site or just show up. Worth the time for sure. We also did a wonderful 5 hour evening tapas/wine walking tour through 3 neighborhoods that was a highlight of our last visit.

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Can you provide contact info for the cooking school?

Thanks in advance!

Certainly. It is Daria & Michael at jtasexpeience@gmail.com.michael always responded promptly and was easy to work with.

If you are staying at a hotel, take an Uber to the port. Your friend can take an Uber from the airport to the port and meet you there around 11:30 or, depending where your hotel is, can swing by in the Uber and pick you up on the way to the port. I have not been happy with the taxis here and I live right near the port. BTW, there are 4 ships in port that day so the Regal will be docked closest to the convention center which means that you will not need to enter the actual port through security if your transportation enters from Eisenhower Blvd. and SE 17th St.

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I generally agree with your assessment of the island but it does have some incredibly beautiful sights. A private tour is best to get a real feel for the island. It is very important to go with a reputable guide who has been vetted on this site as well as others. On our first visit we were impressed with the island's beauty and diversity but came to understand that there is no tourist infrastructure found on other islands and the locals do whatever they can to get as many visitors on their tours with promises that they can't or won't keep. In addition, in late 2015, the island was hit by a horrible hurricane that devastated the island and what little infrastructure it had. When we returned for another visit last January we spent the day with a lovely local couple who conducted a cooking school and lunch at their mountaintop home. It was a delightful and delicious way to spend the port day and changed my thoughts completely. Until Dominica, as poor as it is, finds the capital to improve its tourism infrastructure, regulates its guides and transportation system, it will be incumbent on us, as visitors to this naturally diverse and beautiful island, to do the research and vetting. Even so, I wouldn't write it off as a potentially wonderful destination for a port day stop or longer.

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On our TA last year we enjoyed many of the speakers who each gave 3-4 different lectures on the sea days. There were also cooking classes, dance classes, movies in Celebrity Central, progressive trivia, bingo, bocce tournaments, hot glass shows (both of which I still believe are on the Eclipse), art auctions. We were never bored and enjoyed those wonderful longer days traveling eastbound.

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Last January we docked at the other pier so you will need to confirm the pier. There were some shops but not the number or variety of Havensight.

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It is definitely under construction and has been for months. It may be completed by the end of February. Also, the location is at a very busy corner with a great deal of traffic. While closer to the port, I would stay at the Hampton which includes breakfast. I don't know if the Cruise Port Inn includes that in the price.

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No, not Uber. Uber is not allowed at the Port of Miami and they are very strict and will chase the Uber driver away leaving you standing on the curb. Trust me. You don't want Uber.

 

But it is very, very easy to catch a taxi. There will be a long line of taxi's waiting.

 

I wouldn't bother with a shuttle. You'd have to find that shuttle, they you'd have to wait for all the other people who booked that shuttle to find that shuttle. It could take a long time.

 

With a taxi, you walk out the door from customs and immigration and you fall into a taxi. It couldn't be easier.

 

The ride takes about 20 minutes.

Uber is legal in Miami -Dade county without exception. It is no different than being picked up by a private vehicle. It is the taxi association that is trying to discourage Uber due to the intense competition.

Just take two taxi's. Its and easy 15-20 minute ride for $25

Only if it's very early on a Saturday or Sunday. Weekdays is easily an hour in rush hour traffic:eek:

Westbound is the best for the reasons given and also because you can tour in Europe first and then get plenty of rest on the return. Get a balcony on the port side fir the most sun in this direction. The opposite for eastbound TA's. Our last TA in late October was smooth as glass. Our first one in late November was not as calm. Time of year has a lot to do with it. We were never bored!

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Definitely go with Uber.

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Renaissance and Hilton Marina. Both across the street from the port entrance and easy walking to restaurants, shops, etc.

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Agree. Lovely ship. We especially love the Lawn Club Grill and The Porch on Deck 15.

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Where are you staying? The boats stage on the New River off Las Olas Blvd. and head north on the Intracoastal. Traffic is insane so if you can't walk, don't bother unless you have tickets. The bridges go up around 5 pm along the route until about 10 or 11pm. Depending where you are staying (beach or mainland), you'll be stuck until they go back down.

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We always take our carryons to breakfast in the MDR on disembarkation day so it makes sense to do the same when you embark.

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I recommend taking an Uber from MIA after you get your luggage and go to the Harbor Shoppes on 17th St., just down the street from the port entrance. We are locals and always see cruisers in the center with their luggage. Get dropped off at Joe's Cafe and have a good, reasonably priced breakfast. Walk a few doors down and pick up any last minute toiletries you may have missed, including sunscreen and maybe a pack of water, at Publix supermarket then walk down a few more doors to Total Wine for a couple of bottles of wine to take onboard. You can do all of this any day of the week though a weekday morning will mean a longer ride from MIA. By now it should be 11am and you can get another Uber or taxi (they hang out in the shopping center on port days) to take you into the port. Depending on traffic it will take 10-30 minutes to get to your pier, just in time for boarding.

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I think the poster is looking at the hotel for pre-cruise and getting into the port is much more difficult then leaving.

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Assuming it is not the height of tourist season when it is virtually impossible to drive A1A. If your ship is leaving on the weekend I would recommend a hotel not on the beach. Otherwise you could be I. Traffic for quite a while.

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The reason is the massive amounts of salt in the food. Try to stay away from sauces, gravies and soups and you will probably notice a big difference. Drinking a lot of water also helps. Good luck!

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Taxi for sure. You should have no traffic Monday morning and the Coral Princess docks outside the port security gate by the convention center so it is a much shorter trip. 10 minutes at the most.

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NOLA is one of our favorite cities and we have been there many, many times, including for Jazz Fest. Our daughter and SIL went to school there and were married in the French Quarter so we know the city well. Do not be deterred by mention of crowds, etc. Jazz Fest is held at the race track on the outskirts of the city. You can buy general admission tickets for each of the days or just one. Taxis are plentiful and the city has an ordinance that special event cab fares are flat rate at $5 pp. or you can get an Uber but that will probably incur a surcharge.

But since you are not Jazz fans, there is so much to see and do. There is the WWII museum, walking tours, carriage rides, tour of Mardi Gras World where you see the floats and learn how they are made (free shuttle service from Canal Street but it is very close to the cruise terminal, cemetery tours both near Basin Street in the French Quarter and Uptown. Take a street car, eat the most inspired, incredible food by the country's most inventive chefs, have a cocktail at the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone or a Sazerac at the historic Roosevelt Hotel. NOLA is more than the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Definitely check out Trip Advisor for ideas. But definitely go!

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We had 1606 on our first Equinox TA. Great balcony but the chairs being dragged at 6am forced me to search out the best AQ cabins. I agree with other posters that the AQ 2's aft of the suites are excellent. We had 1558 on our last Equinox TA and it was extremely quiet although r there wAs window washing equipment on the far side of 1556. The reason these are so quiet (1556- 1572) is because they are under lounge chairs in the solarium which are virtually stationary and there are no crew cabins very close by. We booked 1568 for our upcoming Equinox cruise in January because that cabin has the bed by the balcony which we prefer. The mirror cabins on the port side may not be as quiet because some are under the Aqua Spa cafe which has early morning breakfast and the chairs and tables are moved.

Hope this helps.

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