fun2cruise4me

Are there restaurants within one block?  To of my family members can't walk far.  How is their pool area for afternoon relaxing?

These are all great options!!!  A lot will depend on when we can fly out to Florida, so I really appreciate the range of choices!!!

We'll be cruising on Symphony next year (yes, I plan super early).  Does anyone have any recommends on limo services?  We'll have 4 adults and copious amounts of luggage (6 bags, I think) and limo service is WAY cooler than other options!  🙂

We'll need transport from our hotel to the port pre-cruise and port to airport post-cruise.

We're sailing in early June (2020 - I plan early).  I've got enough Marriott points to stay at any of those hotels but I'm not tied to it (I can always use the points elsewhere).  Cost is not a major factor.  Our cruise leaves on Saturday.  We may stay 2 nights or just one (we'd arrive mid-afternoon at the hotel on Friday).

We have 4 adult women ranging from age 19 to 76 and will either take 2 rooms or 2 queen beds.  Mobility is an issue.  "Walkable" for us is within one block.

I used to live in LBTS but I never stayed overnight in Miami (or thought to much about where the hotels are) so I'm curious as to what people liked/recommend!

I used to live in LBTS so if you are staying there for a particular reason, those are decent choices.  LBTS is pretty small (call it "quaint").  They have a height limit so most buildings are only a few stories tall unlike the tall towers in surrounding areas.  The area you would be in is only .4 square miles so location doesn't matter as much.  On weekend nights, they close the street from car traffic and setup a nice walkable area where you can roam to different restaurants.  The only drawback is there isn't a lot for kids except the beach and ice cream/candy.  There is a neighborhood park on the other side of A1A.

The other two are much nicer and are in Ft. Lauderdale.  Ft. Lauderdale has a long walkable area by the beach.  Similar to LBTS it's mostly restaurants, tourist shops and bars.  The hotels have nicer pools and common areas and guest rooms are more current.  The LBTS places are more modest in furnishings and the pools are smaller.  It just depends on what kind of experience you want.  If you will spend most of your time at the beach, then your choices are just fine.  If you'd rather spend it lounging at the pool at a full fledged resort, I'd go for Lago Mar or Pelican.

HTH!

Is there always staff available throughout the cruise to make the booking?

Yes - the C&A desk is staffed throughout the cruise. You can also call and make an appointment - although it is not as busy early on in the cruise.

Balcony discount is based on your completed cruise level, so you are correct, your discount will be based on Emerald.

 

Initially yes - but all you have to do is call once your cruise shows up as completed and they will apply the new level's discount. I just did this although I was only going from platinum to emerald. If the cruise is paid in full (like mine was) they'll refund the money back to you.

Shhhhh, don't tell anyone. I'm going in March and don't want it to get too crowded!!! :-)

My daughter and I went about a year ago and this time we'll take my daughter. We did it on our own too and had a fantastic time! We rented a car so it was even cheaper (only $40 for the car). The views from the lighthouse are fantastic.