SandyMIA

You'll find signs in Port Miami and Port Everglades stating that tipping the porters is optional and based on quality of service.

But for porters, tipping is not optional.

If you need their service, tip them. Simply give more if the service is great.

Hollywood is really nice.

The beach and boardwalk are beautiful and offer many food/drink options.

Stayed at the CIRC hotel that is less than a year old. Not on the beach but a short trolley ride away.

The hotel is super clean with rooftop bar and pool, and excellent italian restaurant. Plus many restaurants within walking distance.

We really appreciated the fact that the hotel had a Publix and Walgreens right next door, pretty easy to get all the little things we needed before our cruise.

If cost is your main concern. Ride TriRail train from FLL to MIA airport (around $2.50) then the Miami Beach bus from MIA to South Beach ($2.65).

But if you are looking for the fastest/most convenient way, as JohninDC mentioned, Uber XL a very good option.

Passenger landing taxes are much higher (4 to 5 times) in MIA than in FLL.

It doesn't mean that you can't find a cheap flight to MIA but the landing tax itself make a $40-50 difference.

That is part of the reason why Spirit, JetBlue and Southwest fly exclusively to FLL and not MIA.

You're welcome. Enjoy your stay.

Funny how people can have different feelings. Miami is not that bad (try LA, NYC, Chicago...).

In the end, if you don't feel confident you shouldn't drive.

The simple fact that you are asking the question makes the Uber/Lyft/Taxi/Shuttle option much better for you.

I hope that you'll enjoy your stay in Miami.

Regular fare $2

Junior (-18) and Senior (+65) $1

Tri-Rail train is also an option.

http://www.tri-rail.com

Check http://www.sunny.org for options.

From museums to airboat tours, you have many options to spend your day in Fort Lauderdale.

Museum of Discovery & Science is really nice.

JohninDC is right, if you want your room earlier than official check-in time, book the night before.

Any early check-in, even if pre-approved by the hotel, would be subject to room availability and goodwill of front desk staff. That's a lot of variables...

But there shouldn't be any problem to store your bags until the room is available.

You'll find CVS, Walgreens and more right next to Port Miami.

Depending on where your ship is docked, walking to nearest convenience store can go from 1.3 (Celebrity) to 2 (RC Symphony) miles. Very hot in the summer but nice in the winter.

As mentioned in another post, the trolley is a very convenient option to move around Brickell/Downtown areas from Port Miami.

Comfort Suites Miami Airport offer free shuttle service to Port Miami.

You can park overnight and leave your car for the duration of the cruise.

Parking rate is roughly 50% cheaper than parking in Port Miami.

Another more expensive option is the DoubleTree Biscayne Bay that offers some Park & Stay packages.

You shouldn't have any problem. As mentioned in other posts, Port Everglades is right next door to FLL so traffic is not an issue. Simply make sure to disembark early and enjoy your cruise.

I was a bit dumbfounded about that recommendation. I used to live in Hollywood and it’s a good 1 hour drive from there to the Zoo.

 

 

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Just read the original post. These people are also looking for a hotel to spend 2 nights after their visit to the zoo.

You must be affiliated with this hotel. You weave it in to just about every post. Zoo Miami? Oh, circ hotel in Hollywood!

Just read the original post. These people are looking for a hotel to spend 2 nights after their visit to the zoo. And yes, it happens to be nice and not far from Port Everglades. I had the chance to stay there. Have you?

Easy to get to the zoo with Metrorail and Bus 252.Trolley are also an excellent way to move around Miami, Miami Beach or Hollywood.

Anyway, now that you have a rental car, you'll be free to enjoy Miami traffic at your convenience.

As you'll be flying in pretty late, you might want to save money and spend your first night near the airport.

Then, I would recommend Hollywood. Beach is nice, many restaurant options and only 10 minutes to Port Everglades. Circ Hotel is brand new and offer attractive rates (around $120). Olivia restaurant is the hottest spot in Hollywood right now, impossible to get a table on Friday or Saturday without reservation. Rooftop bar next to the pool is pretty nice too.

Enjoy your water taxi ride.

It is a great idea to stay in Fort Lauderdale rather than in Miami.

Hollywood is also a very good option as it is connected to the water taxi.

Try Hollywood, only 10 minutes south of FLL.It's between FLL and Port Miami so you won't be travelling in the wrong direction at any time.

Many options in the area. I would recommend Circ Hotel, it is brand new and has a Publix right next door so it's very convenient for any last minute purchase.

Fort Lauderdale is well known but I would say that Hollywood is much nicer.

You can start your river boat tour there. Plenty of time to experience the tour in the morning before checking out of the hotel and getting to Port Everglades for cruise check-in.

It is a long walk but not impossible.

Uber and Taxi are an option.

If you want to avoid tolls, you can exit I95 and use 36th or 7th streets to go West to Blue Lagoon.

You can even save time if expressways are congested.

Not the safest area, not the worst.

You can walk around, no problem at all. Always a lot of traffic as the Marriott is surrounded by one expressway and busy streets.

Why would you stay at the airport, there is nothing to see there.

Head to Downtown and have breakfast in a hotel (Intercontinental, Epic) or restaurant there.

You'll be able to stroll around and be right next door to the port. Once you'll be done, simply board the free trolley that will take you to Port Miami.

You can also rent a car, that is another way to store your luggage during the day.

NCL Getaway usually use Terminal B-C.

Closest garage is C.

No matter what time your arrive, you'll find plenty of parking spaces.

Enjoy your cruise.