padisneymom

I would appreciate a little help with some questions about the port parking. We will be on the Celebrity Eclipse in Feb. I have a high top conversion van that needs 9' clearance. According to the port website garage G (we are going out of terminal g) has a 9'6" clearance on the first floor. Can someone tell me if the spaces on the first floor are reserved for high clearance vehicles or can anyone park there? What time would be a good time to arrive to have the best chance at a spot on that first floor? Last question - someone mentioned that you should take your parking ticket with you as you need to pay before you exit the garage - you can't pay from your car?

 

thanks for the help

Have a high top conversion van that needs 9' clearance. According to the port of Miami website garage G has a 9'6" clearance on the first level. Question for anyone who has used the garage - do they "reserve" the first level for vehicles like mine or can anyone park there? If anyone can park on that level - what time would be a good time to arrive to try to give me the best chance of getting a space?

 

If I cannot find a space in garage g (we are sailing on the celebrity eclipse) - how far is lot 2 the surface lot from terminal g? Is it walk able (with carry ons)?

Thanks to Benito we had a very good 4 hour tour on 12/8. We visited San Gervasio and the east coast of the island. My husband is an avid photographer and the scenery he took us to was magnificent! Benito was very friendly and knowledgeable about his island. Would definitely book with them again .

Either en route to or from our cruise, I am considering a stop at the Visitors Center for Florida's Natural Orange/Grapefruit Juice. (I am very fond of their products.)

 

Is this worth a visit and a probable deviation from my intended driving route?

 

Any information that you can provide will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Florida's natural visitor center is now a stand alone building with a movie of the history of the company.

 

If you go to bok towers take some peanuts. The squirrels have been hand fed for years. Just be a little careful as they can get aggressive.

The Parking Doctors seem to be popular on these boards and I believe they are very close to the port.

 

Just Google them for prices and reviews....

 

Have a great cruise!!

 

Thanks - that is the lot I have been looking at. Only thing is - it is a grass lot and I'm not so sure about the security offered. Most reviews sound as if they are pretty good and so far I haven't read any reviews where people had problems. Still looking and keeping my fingers crossed this lot will work.

 

Thanks for the suggestion

I have a high top conversion van that requires a 9' clearance. The port garage has a clearance of 8'2" so I do not fit. I can park in their RV lot but that is $30 per day. Can anyone suggest someplace to park the car other than the port parking lot? It would be helpful if you have personal experience with the lot suggested

 

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Let me say that I live in Tampa and love it here but it is a port area. Be very careful about a hotel under $80! The Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor City might be close to what you are looking for. I think the parking garage will be fine.

 

Cindy -

 

Did the port area experience flooding? I have a high top conversion van and do not fit in the port garage or most garages (9' clearance). I am looking for off site parking and are considering the following: the parking doctors @ 1254 channelside drive; park4cruise @ 1054 channelside drive. Both of these lots are grass and right near the cruise terminals. Any feedback on them would be greatly appreciated.

 

Also I called the Quality Inn & Suites in Ybor city and was told that we could park our car there even if we are not staying with them (they do have a park and cruise package). They will provide a shuttle to and from the port. Is this an area you would leave your car?

 

Any opinions on any of the above would be greatly appreciated. Our cruise is Dec 5th - 10th so hopefully rainy season is over.

 

Thanks

Just called Quality Inn and Suites in Ybor City. They offer cruise parking without a stay. $35 for parking for a 5 night cruise that includes transportation to and from the port on a shuttle. Anybody use this? Is this a good area?

I have a high top conversion van that needs a 9 foot clearance so garage parking is usually out of the question. Can anyone suggest an offsite parking facility that would be safe to leave the car for a 5 night cruise? Looking for a place that has good reviews.

 

Anyone use Parktologists at 1254 Channelside Road? Are they any good? We will be using terminal 3. Can one of us walk to and from the port from that location instead of using the shuttle (no luggage). Both of us walk 2 miles a day a couple times a week.

 

thanks for the help.

I've stayed at the Homewood previously and felt the area was fine - we were happy to walk 5 minutes to the local strip mall for dinner and some cruise shopping at the liquor store :D The Blue Lagoon area is much nicer than the area surrounding your other two options.

 

Taxi to/from the port should be about $26-28 on the meter plus tip and the ride takes 15+ minutes depending upon traffic and the day of the week. Double check on the shuttle both ways - first I have heard of a Miami hotel that will pick you up at POM and bring you back. :confused:

 

Have a great cruise! :)

 

John -

 

Thanks for your help. You seem to know the area so maybe you can answer this question. We will be staying in the Orlando area prior to the cruise out of Miami. Is there a cheaper place to stay along I95 that isn't too far from the port? We don't mind driving an hour or so to get to the port the morning our ship leaves. When I looked at 95 all of the area within an hours drive seems to be beach area so I would assume prices in Feb will be high anyway.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks again for your help.

Only a few of the airport area hotels offer both airport and port shuttles. In addition to the La Quinta East suggested above check out the Springhill Suites Medical Center, Embassy Suites MIA, and the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon. These are okay if you are arriving late and just want a room for the night before you sail.

 

If you want to see downtown Miami, maybe have a view of the ports, and stay in a nicer area with dining and nightlife options I would opt for a $25 cab to a downtown hotel (Doubletree, Marriott, Hyatt, Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn Mary Brickell are popular) and then a $12 cab will get you to your ship the next day.

 

John -

 

We just need a hotel for the night before driving to the port. Which of these hotels would you recommend?

 

Comfort Suites Miami Airport North

La Quinta Inn & Suites Miami Airport East

Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami-Airport/Blue Lagoon

 

The Homewood suites allows us to park the car for the 14 day cruise for no charge. It includes a shuttle both ways - not sure we would use that. Would you leave your car there? Is it an ok area?

 

If we stayed a the Homewood (and left the car) how much would a taxi be?

 

Thanks for your help

We stayed at the Homewood suites by the airport. The room was fantastic as it was a separate bedroom, kitchenette and sitting area, a TV in both areas, buffet and drinks in the evening. We got the cruise and park package that included shuttle to the cruise port. The package charges more than it would be without it. It cost us $35 for a cab back. The cost of the room and cab back was about the same as parking at the port would have been. We needed a room the night before so it was worth doing this as it was for a 14 day cruise, for a 7 day cruise it wouldn't be worth it. Just suck it up to the cost of traveling and not worth the inconvienance to save a few dollars if any.

 

happy cruising

 

We just booked the Homewood Suites Blue Lagoon. I am assuming this is the same hotel you stayed in and have a few questions for you as I called the hotel and spoke with someone who didn't really know much about the cruise package so I would like some answers from someone who has been there done that. Appreciate any insight you can give me.

 

You took a cab back from the ship - I was told they had a shuttle both ways included in the price. Was there a reason you took a cab? Was the wait too long after the cruise? What time do the shuttles start running to the ship?

 

We also have a 14 day cruise and will be parking our car. Any concerns leaving the car? Is the area ok?

 

Sorry for all the questions but any info would be greatly appreciated!

Have a 14 day cruise booked Feb 21st next year. Got the hotel for $270 with 14 days of free parking. Have a high top conversion van. Should I be worried about leaving my car there? Tripadvisor has good reviews for the hotel itself.

Have a 14 day cruise booked Feb 21 2016 and am in need of a hotel for the night before for 2. We are not looking for anything fancy just clean and comfortable. We drive a high top conversion van and have been debating about parking at the port and just finding a hotel in the area of the night. WOW sticker shock on the hotel prices. Found this hotel and they claim we can park for the 14 days at our own risk. Has anyone used this hotel? Is it in a safe area? I keep reading not to park anywhere but the port. Can anyone make some suggestions of a decent hotel - we are willing to drive an hour or so and park at the port if that makes more sense. Thanks for the help

Any of these hotels include parking for the length of the cruise. Actually will be looking for 2 weeks worth of parking - doing an B2B.

We are booked on FOS on 3/15. I have a high top conversion van that requires a 9 foot clearance. Anyone know what the clearance on the new parking garage is? If garage cannot handle the van where do we end up parking? Was reading parking garage allows you to prepay or pay be credit card on arrival. We will have a 40% discount coupon from hotel we are staying at. Anyone know how that is handled if all of this is automated?

Absolutely don't miss it! Whether you jump or not doesn't matter, you'll love the beauty and serenity of the place. Like everyone else says, the guides there are great. Be sure to take your water shoes; it's not slippery but they worry about our "tender" feet. There is a $15 entrance fee plus you'll want to tip your guide.

 

We used Errol Bowen from Travel Jamaica Tours www.traveljamaicatours.com and our day was absolutely perfect! Besides the Blue Hole, he showed us and told us so much that we really feel like we got to know the area and it's people in the short time we were there. We just told him the kinds of things we were interested and he took care of the rest. Beautiful area, beautiful people and lots of fun! Errol is reasonable, honest and reliable and has many repeat customers. You can reach him at errol@traveljamaicatours.com; just email him and he will answer any questions you have. He is highly rated on Trip Advisor as well.

 

Pompeii -

 

What other things did you do besides the blue hole? Husband is avid photographer and is looking for scenic beauty to capture. We are in contact with errol now. Did you port in Falmouth? Any info appreciated.

It was $80 for 4 hours for 2 people, plus tip. (We signed up for 3 hours for $60, but went over.) We made several stops on the east side and had lunch at Chen Rio. The lunch was pricey, but good. We also went to Punta Sur to see the lighthouse. There was an entrance fee at Punta Sur of $14 each, which seemed a little high at the time, but we were glad we went. There are several things to do there that we skipped because of time constraints. We may go back there on our 2015 cruise, we liked it that much.

 

indy71 -

 

Where did you sign up for your cab? Did you have to leave a deposit? Was it refundable if you missed the port? Any info would be appreciated. We will be in Cozumel in March

Will be doing a back to back on Freedom in March. Would love to be able to do a load of wash on turnaround day. Our car will be parked at the port but we will not be willing to move it as we will have a 40% off coupon when we enter. Is there a hotel shuttle we (husband and myself) can take for free (or very low cost) to and from the port? Of course the hotel has to have a guest laundry to make this make sense.

 

Thanks for the help.

I have a high top conversion van that needs a 9 foot clearance. Will I fit in the garage? Is there somewhere under cover I can park? Will I be charged extra because of the van size?

 

We are doing back to back 7 day cruises in march. I understand you pay for the number of days you are parked - so I will be paying for 15 days not 14? Do we pay when we enter the parking garage or when we leave? (want to have the right amount of cash on hand).

 

Thanks for the help

Hi -

 

I have a few questions about the port and parking. We have a high top conversion van - need a clearance of 9 feet - can the garage handle that height? Is there a place to park besides the garage if we don't fit? Do we pay when you enter the garage or at the end of the cruise (need to make sure I have the cash handy).

 

If we decide to leave our vehicle with friends and do two one way rentals - what rental car agency would you recommend? How easy is it to get a ride to the port from the rental agency? How about after the cruise can we get a ride to the rental agency?

 

Sorry for all the questions.

 

Thanks Cindy

Carol -

 

With all the snow we have had recently - is the 911 Memorial accessible? Has the road to it been plowed? I read somewhere else the road had not even been plowed.

 

On another note - has construction started on the new terminal? I also heard that the bridge into Bayonne (from the NJ TPK) is only one lane in each direction. How bad is the traffic?

 

Any help on these questions is appreciated.

Looks like you are correct - Received another email from Royston stating

 

"its not a good day for me. I had some dreams from god that led me to using the old biblical lunisolar calendar for the sabbath day and it falls on that day so I don't want to work.

Jesus also told me he is coming soon and to tell people. so hope to see you in heaven."

 

So I booked with Thenford.

Luni-solar calendar (LSC) is based on each lunation or month, beginning at dawn following the moon's conjunction with the sun. The first day of each month is called New Moon Day and is observed by abstaining from common labor and in worshipful consecration of oneself to Yahuwah, the Creator. Each month consists of either 29 or 30 days. In the 30 day months, the last Sabbath is followed bytranslation day, then New Moon Day, both of which are not counted as part of any week. Four complete weeks of seven days follows: six days of work, then the Sabbath which always occurs on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th of the LSC months.

 

I was able to book with Royston. I guess this means he will be working on that day as it does not fall on New Moon Day or any of the Sabbath days that occur every 7th day after New Moon Day. If you attempted to book him on a day of a new moon or any week of the new moon, he will not be working. This is my interpretation of his responses.

 

Given your explanation I checked to see what phase of the moon March 17th is. It is a full moon so I am not sure that the explanation hold.

 

I have emailed Royston again and will see what happens.

 

Cindy

We toured with Royston last week and that so doesn't sound like him! We had a wonderful day, shared with only one other couple from the Celebrity Summit with us.

 

At the end of the tour, I told him he could definitely charge more! I don't think he is interested in working too hard, tho, and only works when he chooses.

 

Lisa -

 

Do you have the email address you used to contact Royston? I used roystontours@hotmail.com and received the same strange message as someone else -

 

"thats not a good day for me. I had some dreams from god that led me to using the old biblical lunisolar calendar for the sabbath day and it falls on that day so I don't want to work.

Jesus also told me he is coming soon and to tell people. so hope to see you in heaven.

 

very sorry

Royston"

 

I have tried contacting him again via email and so far nothing. Was he prompt in getting back to you? How did you contact him and set up the tour?

 

Thanks for any help

Cindy