Selecting pre & post cruise lodging in FLL & MIA - Daunting!

[cjknick]

Hello, fellow CC members!

 

First let me apologize as I'm sure this topic has been covered on the boards already and I've read SEVERAL of them, but not that covers what advice I need specifically.

 

I will be traveling from Boise, ID to FLL for a NCL EPIC cruise leaving November 17, 2012, departing MIA. I flew into FLL instead of MIA because it was about a $200 cheaper fare. I still paid about $150 more than what I had budgeted for air fare. It's so expensive right now! So, in order to balance my budget a bit I'm going to have to cut back on my lodging expenses. I've already cut my vacation plans a day short to accommodate however, I still need to pinch pennies on lodging.

 

I will be traveling solo and I'm female. My flight arrives in FLL at 11 p.m. My plan is to stay overnight and travel to MIA the next day and stay a night there and board my cruise the next day.

 

I need a hotel in FLL the first night that is not far from the airport, preferably. I would like to take a hotel shuttle from FLL to the hotel but I'm not seeing many hotels that offer that in the area. I would be willing to take a cab, thus needing a place to lay my head that night not far from the airport so it doesn't cost me an arm & a leg in cab fare.

 

In MIA I'd like to stay close to POM so I don't have to travel far to get there the morning of departure, however since I'll have a day in MIA, I'd like to stay someplace that is not out-of-the-way so I can walk to the beach.

 

My budget is about $100/night. I've read the CC boards, done research on tripadvisor, priceline, bookingbuddy, and many other of the like. It's DAUNTING and I'm so uncomfortable deciding on one place.

 

I've never been to FLL or MIA and the maps confuse me! I don't know areas of the cities and am concerned about not feeling safe, too.

 

If I knew more of the FLL area, I might consider staying there for the two nights, however, getting from the airport to the chosen hotel at midnight-ish, could pose a challenge? I just don't know.

 

I'm hoping to get some clear insight from those of you who may have some good advise to offer me.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Cindy in Boise

[girlscruise2011]

I am sailing on the Carnival Liberty on 11/17 and flying into FLL on the 16th for precruise. I am currently booked in Miami but think I am switching over to Laquinta in Hollywood, FL. I can get a great government rate and take QLS over to the Port of Miami in the morning. I know it does have free airport shuttle and Royalcruz who posts here often and is very knowledgeable on the area, says its a good hotel, next to a large plaza. It has good reviews on tripadvisor too.

 

I just did a quick search for you, for November 15th and its coming up at $105 a night. If you have AAA, it can be brought down to $99.75.

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

[JohninDC]

For info on FLL area hotels check www.sunny.org ;)

 

Downtown Miami is close to POM but nowhere near the beach - you need to go to Miami Beach for that; in November you might get a downtown Miami hotel within your budget with one of those bidding sites - do some homework on www.betterbidding.com You can then bus or cab to South Beach; better yet stay in South Beach (www.oyster.com does a great job with reviews of smaller, independent hotel in SB).

 

Good luck! :)

[cjknick]

I am sailing on the Carnival Liberty on 11/17 and flying into FLL on the 16th for precruise. I am currently booked in Miami but think I am switching over to Laquinta in Hollywood, FL. I can get a great government rate and take QLS over to the Port of Miami in the morning. I know it does have free airport shuttle and Royalcruz who posts here often and is very knowledgeable on the area, says its a good hotel, next to a large plaza. It has good reviews on tripadvisor too.

 

I just did a quick search for you, for November 15th and its coming up at $105 a night. If you have AAA, it can be brought down to $99.75.

 

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

 

girlscruise2011, thanks so much. This is exactly what I was looking for. I remember reading your thread with Royalcruz's suggestions but I just wasn't confident. Your post has really helped me.

 

I, too, qualify for a Govt rate and using it makes the LQ so affordable! I've decided I'm going to stay in FLL Thursday and Friday night and head to MIA first shuttle available Saturday morning.

 

Now that I've decided on an area (with your HUGE validation!), I can focus on how to spend my day in FLL.

 

We have a bit in common. My cruise in November I will be celebrating my oldest being 18 and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel :) I'm also in my early 50's (just about a year older than you).

 

Thanks again. If I run into you at the LQ, I'll be sure to buy you a cocktail :)

 

Cindy

[cjknick]

For info on FLL area hotels check www.sunny.org ;)

 

Downtown Miami is close to POM but nowhere near the beach - you need to go to Miami Beach for that; in November you might get a downtown Miami hotel within your budget with one of those bidding sites - do some homework on www.betterbidding.com You can then bus or cab to South Beach; better yet stay in South Beach (www.oyster.com does a great job with reviews of smaller, independent hotel in SB).

 

Good luck! :)

 

JohninDC, thanks so much for your input. I'd love to stay in SOBE but it's a bit too expensive for me this go 'round, even with my Government rate. I'm not so good at the bidding sites - I know it takes practice and I will get some... but I'll try with trips closer to home instead of across the country.

 

I'll look into transportation from the LQ to SOBE, as that's one place I really wanted to go while in FLL.

 

Thanks again.

 

Cindy