FLchick3

Hi Lynn,

On the way down I'll be staying overnight in Fort Pierce. I prefer not to drive 5 hours on the day of the cruise.....but I will be driving 5 hours after the cruise.

Thank you very much Crewsweeper!

Guys, my question is: if I use the turnpike between Fort Pierce and Palm City…..can I use dollar bills or do I need coins? About how much will the tolls cost?

Thanks!

Strange. From Miami to Jax, Mapquest is having me take 95 to exit 1B, then FL-826W. Go 108 miles on FL-91 and then get back on 95.

On the map it does look like that saves me a little travel time from Palm City to Fort Pierce.

Mapquest is showing that I should take 91 on the way home.....so just in case I do that, I'd like to know about the tolls. Thank you!

Hi Everyone,

I’m taking a last minute cruise and driving from Jacksonville to Miami. If I don’t get a Sunpass – can I use dollar bills or do I need coins? About how much will the tolls cost round trip?

Thank you in advance!

Thanks PS Joe!

Thank you Cruise-a-holic!

Hi Everyone,

I have never gambled, so please excuse if this is a dumb question. I have an OBC from my TA. If I go to the casino do they A) give me cash or B) they give me chips and then I later turn in those chips for cash?

Thank you in advance!

Hi Everyone,

I like to lay out in the shade. If I do not purchase a cabana, is there still plenty of shady areas?

Thank you in advance!

I will definitely look into Comfort Suites in FP. Thank you for the recommendation, that's very helpful!

Lois – Celebrity, very cool! My next cruise will be a Norwegian ship that has a “studio lounge” where all the solos can meet at a certain time and maybe plan dinners or excursions (so I’ve heard!) I guess I’ll find out! :)

Kate – that sounds like a great hotel. I often trust AAA, but a hotel I was leaning towards got so-so reviews on a different site. I think maybe there are too many sites with reviews out there now! :)

Hi Lois – I see all your ships! What cruise line is that? Yes, flying down is also under consideration. I have time to decide as the cruise is not until December!

Yes, this will be my first solo cruise! That is good advice about not arriving before 10:30am, thank you! I’ll be parking at the port this time. Next time I’ll try the only off-site parking I’ve seen recommended for Miami. Apparently Miami is a tough town to park in LOL! Nocatee and Jacksonville is a great, great area. I love it here!

Ok, PSL it is, thank you! I didn’t know if that would be different than FP. :)

Straughn – I live across the street from Nocatee! I plan to get a hotel 2 hours max from the port. So I’ll drive 4 hours one day and 2 hours the next day. For me, I’m leaning towards doing that instead of driving 5/6 hours in one day to the ship……yup, just in case I hit traffic!

Hi Kate,

It turns out I have to work the day after I get off the ship…..so now all the focus is on the drive home rather than the drive there! : )

Would you mind sharing the name of the hotel in Cocoa Beach? I’m currently looking at hotels in Port Saint Lucie and Fort Pierce, but I’m open to any good information!

Just checked and there are sleep/park/cruise hotels closer to the port under $160…..but it sounds like the port parking will be less hassle and get me home quicker.

Hello Everyone,

Your answers are very helpful.

I did not know that it would take me another 20 minutes or so from the hotel in Doral to I-95.

It sounds like my best options for a speedy return home are 1) the port 2) an inexpensive (under $160) sleep/park/cruise hotel near the port.

Since an inexpensive sleep/park/cruise hotel near the port hotel probably does not exist…..right now it sounds like the port parking is the best option.

Thank you everyone for the feedback!

Hi Skrufy,

I’m trying to figure out – once I leave the ship, what time I will arrive home using either option.

With the port I know I should be “on the road” quickly.

With the hotel I don’t know how long it will take to grab a cab, check in at the hotel (if I have to?) and be on the road from there?

I also am trying to remember what time debarking starts for those that leave their luggage outside the night before…..and how long it takes collect the luggage.

Bottom line: I’m trying to figure out what time I will arrive home in Jacksonville using either option.

Thank you!

Hi Everyone,

I live in Jacksonville, FL. I have never sailed out of Miami. I am considering two parking options. One is parking at the port and the other is parking at a hotel in the Doral area. Can someone please give me an idea of what time I can expect to be on the road (95) in each scenario? I’ve never paid much attention to debarking times/procedures as I’ve always sailed from a port much closer to home.

Thank you in advance!

We ended up staying in cabin 7408 on the Freedom. We LOVED it!

Thank you for posting the picture!

Toddcan – What an awesome picture! I was hoping someone had a pic like that. A couple of years ago someone posted a pic of the front of the Norwegian Sun & that was the deciding factor to try the front of the ship. I’ll just say, turned out to be very, very windy! :)

Anyway, thank you posting. It shows every room in great detail!

Another extremely helpful picture! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to respond and post pictures and thread links.

Thank you so much! Your pictures, especially inside the cabin, are very helpful! :)

LOL! Very possible! :)