new22003

We were also thinking of taking this cruise.

Also does anyone know the crew makeup/backgrounds used by Pullmantur? I will be bringing some Indonesian friends and they enjoy being able to chat with Indonesian crew members.

Rented a car from Dollar for dropoff at MIA counting on a shuttle to be available to POM but have read conflicting information about the shuttle being discontinued or due to be discontinued.

 

Would appreciate the latest information. I have read the current threads and just want to get more input.

I just got back from a cruise Sept 19 so the info is very up to date. I cant speak for Dollar but I can assure you 100% that Alamo offers a shuttle service from MIA rental car complex to the POM for free (with rental documents showing you rented a car). The shuttle takes you right to the porters at the pier (the same place cabs and cars drop people off) so handling luggage is very easy. (A fullsize rental with Alamo was $29 + tax)

You pick up the POM shuttle at the very west end of the complex. There is a small sign on a stand or just ask any employee outside.

While planning for my recent cruise, I had conflicting information about transportation from rental car stations near MIA and the cruise port.

 

:D Well I would like to report that Alamo DOES OFFER COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE to the Port of Miami from their MIA location. We rented from National Car, which is an affiliate of Alamo, and used the shuttle to the port and back to the rent another vehicle upon return. I did have a rental car reservation for both before and after cruising.

 

When I inquired about this service being discontinued, I was told there was NO PLAN to stop this complimentary service for rental customers.

I can also confirm that Alamo offers a free shuttle to the pier. I just used it on sept 12. You catch the bus at the very end (east end) of the airport shuttle area on the top floor of the rental car complex. (all the rental car agencies are in the same huge parking complex at MIA) Just show him your rental papers and get on the bus.

Taking a cab back from the pier in a taxi costs $24. This is a flat rate for a van regardless of people or luggage.

For various reasons people don't want to get a passport. Its none of my business why and you didn't post a question to get preached at. Also I didnt see many ask "should I get one". (Yes I have had one for years.) So I thought I would give some a CLEAR answer.

I have taken multiple cruises this year with groups of people who didn't have passports. We have been to Grand Cayman, Belize, Honduras, and Mexico without problems. As of March 2010 I can say you DO NOT need a passport for those ports. That is from personal first hand experience.

Just my 2 cents

First of all I am a straight married guy so take that for what its worth. I know I cant fully understand the challenges because I am not gay. I hope I’m not butting in here.

That being said we do most of our cruises with our neighbors who are a gay couple. I have have seen them have both good and bad times on carnival ships (we have been on 4 cruises together). I will say geography seems to make a big difference. We live in the midsouth and did our first 2 cruises out of New Orleans and Mobile due to their close proximity. They had no problems when were cruised out of New Orleans and had a delightful time but there was a signifigant problem in Mobile. We have also cruised out of Miami and Los Angeles with them and both those were absolutely delightful. We were able to meet and hang out with several openly gay and lesbian singles/couples on the miami cruise.

We are heading back to miami on the Valor Sept 12 if anyone on board would like say hi. Take care!

Maybe its us or maybe we are lucky but I have never had a bad cruise experience. I find Progresso refreshing after many of the all too touristy stops like Costa Maya or Cozumel. But Ill be the first to admit that even CM and Cozumel have fun things to do.

In Progresso there are tons of local eateries where you see no other tourists and get great food for cheap. It’s easy to mix with the real locals, hear good stories, meet families, and pick up more of the language. IMHO you are more likely to experience daily life there than in Cozumel or CM which is exactly what we are looking for. Don’t get me wrong, I have never had a bad day in Cozumel or CM either :-) On vacation I don’t want to be isolated from the populous (I realize some do). The for us joy isn’t just the destination, its the culture as well.

IT is a poor dirty city full of people who think Americans are stupid and will pay anything for their junk.

Also it is sad to me that so many go there, or to any foreign country, and come away with "oh those poor people attitude" and don’t realize their arrogance. Having lived and worked in developing nations I know how this attitude is taken by the locals. But that is a long topic for another discussion.