girlscruise2011

So, I received an email (unsecured) from the TA yesterday that had a new gift card number AND pin.

 

I'm going to use about $200 of it for ship excursions for my upcoming cruise (which I almost never do but in this case, they are offering what I want in all 3 ports).

 

Since I don't have the actual card (going to email her and ask if she has it and will FedEx it to me), guess I'll just take the numbers with me and apply them once onboard, treating it like an e-card.

I bought cards from Verizon Wireless and had to cancel a cruise and Carnival sent me a new card. One card for the total amount. I had to wait over a month. Their first excuse was they didn't have my address??? Really? I've only said with you numerous times.

Also, you can book the excursions online before the cruise and use the gift card. All you need is the number and the pin so you don't physically need the card for that. Also, you can buy cruise cash, bar cash with gift cards so maybe put the balance in cruise cash if you are that worried about not having the actual card.

I love my TA. Best I've ever had. She's available 24/7 it seems. Even on vacations she works. I had the best PVP also but my TA watches for price drops and I usually book group rates for OBCs. Neither one my PVP ever did for me.

I sailed 8/28 and was able to use my S&S card. Very convenient.

Please keep us posted :) it looked like quite extensive work when we were there in January. Eager to hear how it turned out! Enjoy!

Canadian J....its Franny here. I'm in Grand Turks in 2 weeks. I will check it out for you since I'm so done with Jacks and Margaritaville. We are planning on one of the local bars along the beach to stop for some beeyahs. I hope its open for us.

Just done my preliminary pre-cruise Hotel 'window' shopping, and I found these 3 to be the most appealing, they're relative when it comes to pricing and each of 'em has it's own unique perks to offer. So for anyone who have stayed on these hotels, Which one is worth staying 2 days for?

I stayed at Lago Mar for a girls weekend a few years ago. Loved it and would definitely recommend it. The beach and grounds are beautiful but I agree with the previous poster. You will need a car or taxi if you plan on leaving the property.

Has anyone done parasailing lately in GT? Planning to try this next month. I've tried to email the company listed above, and they don't offer parasailing there now. Thanks.

I had some friends there in April check for me and they said that parasailing was not available. I emailed the company also and never received a response. When I went in May I looked and didn't see anything. I'm thinking they are out of business.

The Holiday Inn Express on 17th Street is an average Holiday Inn. Breakfast is ordinary, coffee is good, and location is excellent. Across the street from a grocery store, liquor store and near some good restaurants. They have a free shuttle from the airport, but you have to pay for transport to your cruise ship. We take a cab to our ship since we do not like standing in line to load the shuttle.

 

We have stayed at the Embassy Suites. It is average for Embassy Suites, although their breakfast is better. We used Hilton Honors points to stay at the ES, but I think the price is higher. The hotel shuttle costs $9 a person and the cab is $15 from the airport. ES is a block from the Holiday Inn and near the same shopping. Some people like the free drinks from 5-7 PM and they have a restaurant on site.

Stayed at the Holiday Inn on 17th many times. After looking at what you get and the cost I would go with the Embassy Suites. We stayed there last year for the first time and we'll stay there again. The HI is ok, but they are so over priced for what you get. ES and HI are both in a great location, stores, restaurants, etc. all close. Just the breakfast in the morning at the ES was like being on the ship. It wasn't a little area where you make your own waffles, etc., this was a great set up in a beautiful setting. We were with our kids/grandkids and they all loved it. The pool is/was great, so were the rooms. Oh, grab a cab and you're at port in 5-10 minutes for under $20, I think it was and that was a van that took 5 of us. Easy, Peasy.

I'm staying at the HI on 17th in August for precruise. Glad to hear its a decent hotel in a great area. I've looked into ES and even with AAA it is about $40 more for the night. Not sure the differences are worth $40.

I stayed at Lago Mar a few years ago and its a beautiful resort on a large private beach and seeing the ships come in & out was awesome. Not sure how many nights you are staying and I have never stayed at Margaritaville, but I would definitely recommend Lago Mar.

We have a group of first time cruisers going with us in March 2017 and they are wondering about the casino....I cannot remember....do you only use your sail and sign card to get money into your slot machine or do you use cash...Also for the table games do you use cash or sail and sign card??? Thanks...

For the slots you can use either cash or S&S card. Same for the tables but if you use you S&S on the tables, they charge an additional 3% fee. This fee is on every ship, not just the Breeze. Not sure why but I always bring cash. I'm not giving them anymore of my money.

Not true at all in South Beach.

 

ALL the girls going into the clubs there are very hot. No South Beach club is going to lose their liquor license over some girl that's 19 from Sweden.

 

In Miami and other parts of the area you do not have to be 21. Only in Miami Beach.

 

I know several club promoters. They do not mess around.

Well you have never seen the door man letting in the under age trash into the club.

 

It happens more often than you think.

Well being hot or not its not an option. We are leaving for a cruise the next day and the last thing we want is anyone arrested or hungover. They are just looking for a place to go for the legal girls to have a few drinks that the 20 yr old can get in also. That is why I'm asking for a restaurant or pub with a young vibe. South Beach is also great just for walking and people watching too.

They are starting vacation in Miami and just want something to do other then hanging with the old ladies.

Carolyn gave you excellent advice.

 

Also, in South Beach, the 20 year old will not be able to get into any of the clubs as you have to be 21 and they are very strict.

They want to go people watch mostly. They know the 20 yrs old won't be able to get into the clubs. I think they are looking more for restaurant/pubs where they can get a drink and she can be with them that has a younger vibe. Us old ladies are happy sitting at the hotel by the pool with a beer and glass of wine.

Thanks for the information. I'll let her know of both yours and Carolyn's suggestions.

There is not need for your daughter to go all the way over to South Beach as the Brickell area will have lots of places for someone her age to hang out. My son lives here in the same building as me and he is turning 26 this Wednesday and has no issues finding things to do here.

 

Batch Gastropub, Brother Jimmy's and Fados are all great places for them to go. As they are restaurants as well as bars they will have no issues getting in. Blackbird Ordinary is another great night spot however the under 21 will not be able to get in if they go later in the evening.

 

What night of the week are you looking at? I can give you more of an idea on what is going on locally here.

 

http://brotherjimmys.com/brother_jimmys_miami

http://www.batchmiami.com

http://www.fadoirishpub.com/miami/

cjskids, thank you. We are arriving on Saturday, April 30th just for the one night. We should get to the hotel about 4pm and figured after we settle go do dinner. I did hear that across from the hotel is the free bus.

Even though I love SoBe, I can't see them going there for a few hours and spending the money but I also understand being in my early 20s and starting vacation, especially in Miami.

I would certainly love to hear any suggestions and ideas I can pass on.

Personally I would go with the Urbano. I love the Brickell area.

 

Did you check the Hampton Inn in Brickell?

BlueHerons, always so helpful. I ended up sticking with the Hotel Urbano. Can you suggest things to do in the Brickell area for 20-25 yr olds? Is there a restaurant/bar that an underage could get in with the over 21 yr olds that has a young vive?

My daughter wants to Uber over to South Beach thinking there is nothing in the area to do and I would hate for them to spend the money for a few hours. I told her I would get her some info on these boards for things to do close by.

Thanks as always for your help.

Looking for your reviews. I'm staying at Urbano in a few weeks. Any suggestions on what to do in the area?

I also have an Uber question. I've never used Uber but will be in Miami staying at the Urbano. We are a total of 7 ladies. Obviously we will need 2 cars for transport. Uber has a $20 credit for first time users. Per their website its a $17 fare so can you say free :)

With luggage I'm thinking we will need the SUVs?

Do you think it will be easy to get 2 cars at the same time to pick us up?

I hate to spend the money for 2 taxi's or private shuttle for such a short ride.

Is this doable?

If everything goes right and you "self disembark", getting off in the first group from the ship you generally can make a 10 AM flight. However, you are cutting it close IMO and if you go for it make sure you know what to do if you miss your flight. On some airlines this can be expensive (to miss the flight).

I know, thats what I was thinking. Probably not worth the $60 for the stress.

Thanks

You should have plenty of time. This was our experience on our last cruise out of FLL:

 

We had a 10:40 am flight and our ship was scheduled to arrive at 5 am. The ship was delayed and arrived at port at 6:45 and they changed to a small terminal even though we had a huge ship. We had a leisurely breakfast and we planned to disembark at 7:45 using "self assist" and arrive at the airport with two hours to spare. We went downstairs at 7:45 it was a madhouse. Because of the delayed arrival, everybody was trying to disembark at the same time. We had to wait in line for one hour just to get off the ship. When we got inside the terminal it was also a madhouse and we waited in line for another hour because they had only three lines through customs in the small terminal. We got outside, scrambled for a taxi and made it to the airport in 10 minutes, just 45 minutes before our flight. We checked our bags curbside, made it through security, and made our flight with 10 minutes to spare.

 

So we had three major delays: The ship was two hours late, another hour delay to get off the ship, and another hour delay to get through customs, and we still made a 10:40 flight. And this was on a Saturday with 5 large ships in port.

I'm looking at booking a cruise that returns the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Cheaper flight home is 10am. You make me sound like I can make it if all goes well but any delays like you had and I don't think I can. I hate sitting at the airport for hours and then pay an additional $30 per person too.

On a good day, does anyone think a 10am flight out is possible?

You are coming in January which is an expensive time to come to Ft Lauderdale, and hotel prices have increased a lot despite a high supply of rooms. A hotel room in a nice hotel in a nice area will average about $350/night.

 

Yes, the Westin Beach Resort is still there.

 

I would stay at Riverside Hotel. It is the only hotel in the middle of the downtown shopping/dining district, and that is where I would want to be at night. There are boutiques and galleries, as well as lots of cafes. I've seen rooms for under $300/night in January.

 

Gallery One Doubletree hotel is next to the Galleria Mall. There are a few nice chain restaurants there.

 

The nicest hotels by the port that are a very easy walk to restaurants are Renaissance and Embassy Suites. The shopping in the area isn't great.

 

All of the above are all within 5 miles of the port.

royalcruz, thanks for the suggestion of Riverside. I'm coming down in August and looking for a precruise hotel. I'll definitely put this one on my list. Looks nice.

Question if you don't mind. How much will a taxi cost from the airport to Riverside then to the port the next morning. Doesn't look like the hotel offers a shuttle to/from either.

Thank you.

If you look at the Google Earth view (from July 2015) they show CARN ships at D & E and put a label here of CARN' Terminal

 

"street view" works here

 

 

this is from in front of that 'label' looking west down the terminal lane. When ships are actively loading/unloading expect much more traffic, but there IS a wide sidewalk. In any case you will be on this lane somewhere with 90% probability. Others in your situation have had success getting a stevedore/porter help with their bags, terminal to terminal with the offer of a nice tip . . .

Thanks for the street view. I have no problem with a nice tip for their help. My husband and friends don't land in Miami until 10:30am so chances are I'm off the Breeze way before then. I'm just hoping to walk over to Sensation and sit and wait for them to arrive. I have 10-10:30am check in but also have FTTF so hopefully they will let me at least in side to wait for them.

If not, I pull up a curb and sit

Last year getting off the Victory a friend of mine was going onto the Ecstasy after and she was at the port far, far away. Obviously she needed a taxi. I'm hoping I'll get the easy walk but if not, I know of a few others on my Breeze rollcall hoping on the Sensation also so maybe we can share a taxi.

I'll check the webcams the few sailings before and hopefully that will give me a better idea.

would a map help?

 

http://www.miamidade.gov/portmiami/library/portmiami-map.pdf

What the port website says about Terminal J: Designed to cater to travelers sailing on Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Azamara Cruise Lines as well as Regent Seven Seas, Terminal J recently underwent a $3 million facelift.

 

Suggestion, check the POM Webcam of the cruise just b4 yours and see where the two ships are parked ..... I'd say there is a very high probability they will be at the same place the following cruise . . .

 

http://portmiamiwebcam.com/

Great idea Capt BJ and thanks for the map. It would be nice if they were B and C. They look like they are in the same building. I'm not sure how busy North Cruise Blvd is for walkers.

On occasion I have seen more than two Carnival ships in POM at the same time so they use multiple terminals, but D & E are the norm. Also, we have returned to a different terminal than the one we sailed out of so no guarantee which one your ship will use. I would imagine the ports authority determines where each ship will berth.

 

Most are walkable one to another (J being the exception in my opinion) but distances obviously vary.

Thank you. I guess when I get there I'll see and ask. If I have to take a taxi, then I guess I will. I just read that the taxi drivers don't like to take people from one port to the next. They want the longer rides/fares.

D and E

In May I am getting off the Breeze and hopping on the Sensation. Royalcruz, are these ports walkable? I'll have luggage and a backpack but not worried about pulling them along.

Just called the number and their website and spoke directly with a person and was given a quote ?

I ended up cancelling and going with QLS. Its a shared ride but I know they are reliable.

Its funny though, they never responded to my emails or voicemail but when I sent an email to cancel, low and behold, I received a cancellation email. Seems a little strange but maybe they didn't want or need the job.

Bumping up to see if anyone has parasailed recently. I'm told there are vendors near the pier but looking for clarification and pricing.

Just a follow up for those who might be interested: We ended up using Holland Limo, and were very satisfied. Everything was handled efficiently and professionally by Frans the owner, and our driver Gary was prompt and pleasant. The price quoted was the price paid. Can't ask for more than that:)

I used Holland twice a few years ago and have recently booked him to bring me from Fort Lauderdale Airport to our hotel in Miami. I have a reservation # but I needed to call him with my Credit Card # to hold the reservation.

I have called and left voicemails and emailed him several times since (this started back in November) and have not received any response. I'm concerned now that when the time comes I won't have a car because he doesn't have my CC info. I know I have a few months still but has anyone used Holland Limo recently? I'm curious if he's still in business. :confused: