What to do in Miami flight out 4:45 p.m.

[Gammie]

Six of us with nothing planned. We are talking about going to South Beach but what is open on Sunday morning? Has anybody done the Carnival Exursion?

[Cruisin Bee]

We did the everglades tour. It was a blast. They take you on the air boat out into the everglades to see the gators. Afterwards there is a short informative show to educate you about gator life etc. There is a walking tour through the gator zoo. You can see all sizes of gators going about there normal business.

We had a 5:00pm flight and still had an hour to spare at the airport.

[JoeSmooga]

Our group of 6 (including two kids in strollers) took the Everglades tour after our Triumph cruise in Jan. We had a 4:15 flight out of MIA and were in need of something to do. I gotta tell you, it was a blast. Plus the fact that you don't have to worry about dragging your luggage around or sit in an airport all day... was well worth it. We didn't have any transportation setup post cruise or anything... just decided with two days left to go that going to the Everglades sounded like something fun and different. The next cruise out of Miami I will do it AGAIN (or maybe we will go to the seaquarium, or maybe to South Beach). I have sat in both the FLL and MIA airports for 5PM flights post cruise in the past... NEVER again. I will always setup an final day excursion going forward.

[Gammie]

We have sat in FLL airport in the past and DON"T want to do it again.

 

I think we will kinda do what you did wait and see as we make our way back to Miami. OHHH don't even want to think about that yet!

 

Again, thanks for your input!

[phlydude]

I've got an 8 PM flight and am seriously considering buying a pass to American's Admiral's club

[Canne12]

(6 of us total) We took a drive to South Beach, went out to lunch and then took the kids to a mall for awhile.

 

The van was about $60 for the day. The car rental companies pick you up at the port.

[Flamingo19040]

Our flight also departs at 4:40 p.m. We were considering just going to the airport to see if we could get on an earlier flight home - but the Everglades sound like tons of fun - how many times would you get a chance to do that? How much per person does it cost? Does it include transportation to the airport when you are done?

Thanks for your help. T-27 days!!!!

[BlueHerons]

You could get a day rate for the hotel pool that is at the MIA Aiport. They have locker rooms for changing and showering before your flight.

 

I haven't done this but someone I know did and said it was a very relaxing afternoon. I cannot remember the name of the hotel but it is attached to the airport.

[BlueHerons]

I just called her and she said it is the Miami Airport Hotel. The hotel is at the end of Concorse E, the rooftop pool is very cool and the rate is a day rate.

 

www.MiaHotel.com

[Flamingo19040]

So it would be $95 (based on double occupancy?). It says check-in time is 3 p.m. Is there a rate just to use the pool?

 

Thanks

[Flamingo19040]

ut oh - I just went to their reservation page and it said-- pool and spa closed for renovation until further notice. :-(

[JoeSmooga]

Everglades post-cruise ran us $35 per person thru Carnival w/transfers to MIA airport. South Beach and the Seaquarium were within $2-$3 of this. Transfers to FLL may have been about another $5.

 

Basically what happens is you book it thru the tour desk and you are given a time/location on the ship where you are to meet the day of debarkation. You will not muster others in your cabin category... you will go someplace separate and get different luggage tags with your tickets for the excursion. For ours, we were to meet in one of the bars at 8:30AM and each of us were given different stickers to wear based on our excursion (there were stickers for the folks going to South Beach, Everglades, and the Seaquarium... you are all in the same room). We were off the ship BEFORE they called the other colors (with the exception of those folks with VIP tags). At 8:45 we were escorted off the ship. By 9AM we had cleared customs and were outside. Right on the pier you will see a mess of busses... match the sticker you were given at your muster station with the bus (yes, it's just that easy). Roll you luggage up and the driver will load them on the bus based on what airline you are taking (the drivers will ask). Bus driver will collect your tickets when you are on the bus. Head out on your excursion and have fun! Get back on the same bus when you are done (you will know which one is yours). The bus driver will take you right to the airport entrance for your airline (which is why they sort the baggage by airline at the port... he will pull up and say "American Airlines passegers can exit at this time and I will help with your luggage....", etc.).

 

$35, a day not spent in an airport, a day where I don't have to worry about taxi cabs or rental cars, and memories to last a lifetime. Money WELL spent. Carnival hit a homerun with this. Yeah, I know they are making profit off of it, but I was glad to hand my money over to them for this.

[Flamingo19040]

Joe - Thanks so much - very descriptive with your answer on how it all works. We are really excited about doing this.

[Kaycee1]

:) Joe, Thanks so much for the info on the Everglades tour. I was also trying to figure out what to do. My fllight leaves at 6pm. The price was right. Are the children the same price as the adults ?

[JoeSmooga]

Yep, kids are the same price... no break there. In the grand scheme of things it was still worth it. Chump change to keep the little ones busy/happy all day! :)

[bankofdad]

Thanks Joe! Your description makes it very clear how it all works. And I agree about waiting in either one of those airports post cruise. I'd much rather be doing almost anything else!

[green eyed lady]

Joe,

 

what time is the everglades excursion over? just wondering if we would have enough time before our flight.

 

Jen

[Flamingo19040]

The description at the Carnival website says that if your flight is for 3 p.m. or later you could consider the tour. Our flight is at 4:40 - so I think we are going to give it a try. I tried to book it on-line through Carnival but apparently you can't pre-book pre and post cruise tours until you are on the ship.

[kellig]

Anyone ever been to Vizcaya in Miami? I was thinking about renting a car and going there post cruise. Again the car would make a good luggage storage area.

[JoeSmooga]

Can't say I have been to Vizcaya... can't comment on that.

 

I want to say we made it to the MIA airport at around 2PMish, maybe a bit later.

[Gammie]

Anyone know the $$$ of the Art Deco Tour?

We only have 2 more weeks before sailing!!!!

[mnsawyer]

When we sailed the Triumph two years ago, lots of people doing post-cruise excursions. We were doing a post-cruise stay on SB and saw the tour bus with the Carnival folks. Seems like you get a small tour and then pretty much on your own to enjoy the beach, shops, etc and then to airport. The tours out of Miami sound wonderful and based on the posts, sounds like it's a great way to spend the last day of your trip. For $35 it's a good deal not only for the excursion but for the transportation and piece of mind as well. The zoo is a new one that sounds interesting too.