trbost

Hey friendly cruisers, just some questions about Port of Miami, first off does anyone have any recommendations as far as a good place to stay the night before the cruise that also offers the option to leave your car parked there? We live in Orlando and thought we'd drive down the night before if we can pay a little more than the cruise terminal parking to stay one more night in advance and get to leave our car there also.

 

Also, looking for tips or recommendations as to where to park while on the cruise in Miami if we don't do a hotel? If any of you have any places you've parked at before that are a bit cheaper than parking at the port but still a good experience please let me know!

 

We've booked Epic Miami by Kimpton hotel for the night after our cruise which we're really looking forward to!

 

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

We always stay at the La Quinta Miami Airport East. You can park your car for free during your cruise and they provide free shuttle transportation TO the pier. You can buy a pass for your return trip to the hotel for 15/per person. We've stayed there 5 times. Not a new hotel...but far worth the price.

So we just got back on Saturday and we paid off our Sail and Sign with cash. Well, we had a Credit Card on file with Carnival for the Sail and Sign and they CHARGED it, even though we paid of the total the night before we disembarked. And its some random number that is not even on our receipt! No clue what is going on and guest services doesn't open for another hour! :( Very stressed now.

You need to call your bank. Carnival puts a hold when you board, but when you paid cash, they take the hold out of their system. It's up to your bank to release the hold. Speaking from much experience.

So we just got back on Saturday and we paid off our Sail and Sign with cash. Well, we had a Credit Card on file with Carnival for the Sail and Sign and they CHARGED it, even though we paid of the total the night before we disembarked. And its some random number that is not even on our receipt! No clue what is going on and guest services doesn't open for another hour! :( Very stressed now.

You need to call your bank. Carnival puts a hold when you board, but when you paid cash, they take the hold out of their system. It's up to your bank to release the hold. Speaking from much experience.

On Carnival (especially ships sailing from Galveston), I know that I have seen men wearing nice, dark, jeans (starched & ironed), with boots and dress shirts on Formal night. A couple that we are cruising with includes a husband who simply does not do dress slacks. He wears Western jeans, starched, ironed & creased, and boots. Will he be turned away from the MDR on formal night? I don't want them to be embarrased...:(

My family always dresses up for Formal Night, even my teenage boys. Everything from long gowns and sparkly cocktail dresses for me, suits/shirts/ties for my hubby and teens. I enjoy dressing up for dinner since we don't get to at home very often. It makes the night(s) feel even more "special". I found this quote on Cruise Critic and I think it's very relative to this conversation.

"The purpose of the formal nights on a cruise is to create an elegant experience. There are often alternative dining options if your family does not like formal wear. However, the dress regulations are typically enforced and it is courteous to observe the suggestions for the entire time you are in the dining room."

Thanks for the quick replies. I guess I can always buy her one in Cozumel. At least I will be able to show her how to loose money in the casino. :p

The drinking age in almost every port is 18 years old...except Key West. I hope this helps.

You're welcome!! We're sailing on the Liberty, Eastern Caribbean, for the 3rd time over Christmas. It was helpful to me as well. Happy sailing.

Here's a link to one from February. It's the same "Fun Times" that John Heald posted on his Carnival blog. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1829051&highlight=liberty

Previously, I know that my mom has been able to take my dad's dinner (with a cover) back to the cabin when he hurt his foot and just didn't feel like going to the dining room. Once, the waiter even offered to let us take my daughter's leftovers since she didn't eat it all.

 

So this past weekend, we asked to take a meal for my friend's husband, as he has a bad back and didn't want to sit in the dining room chair through the whole meal (he made it through the steakhouse the night before, but he was "done"). We were told no, that there's no way to control the temperature. I asked "How do you control it after you serve it to me at the table?" His answer was simply "Ma'am, we don't allow that".

So, when we were all done, and the wife had half her steak leftover, that was ALREADY served, and would now be thrown away, we asked for a lid to take the leftovers back. "No ma'am. We don't do that. We can't control the temperature".

 

Now, don't get me wrong, I have been places where they won't let you take food to go. and I understand when they have those rules in place. I'm not looking for "why" a restaurant would have those rules.

I'm asking if anyone knows if this rule is:

a) new

b) ship specific maybe (a crap-shoot depending on your ship)

c) a waiter who didn't know better (or just didn't want to help)

 

Thank you!

The reason you're not supposed to take a hot meal from the Main Dining room is because of the sanitation regulations. All food must be served at a certain temperature and they are liable if someone gets sick. My sister is a health inspector so I know this to be true. The buffets are different because you're serving yourself. Carnival also confirmed this the last time my sister sailed with us.