appropriate flight from Miami?

[bocatraveler09]

I'm not surprised at having to go through customs, that's what we've done in FLL in the past. As for Miami, we'll be disembarking in December and going to a nearby Avis pickup place. Does anyone know if there will be an Avis shuttle bus that we can grab, or would a cab be easier and more comfortable?

 

The Avis shuttles (as well as all major rental and hotel shuttles) circle the airport continuously. A taxi driver would probably be upset if you hopped in for a ride that's just a few blocks!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

The Avis shuttles (as well as all major rental and hotel shuttles) circle the airport continuously. A taxi driver would probably be upset if you hopped in for a ride that's just a few blocks!

 

Sorry, I'm talking about the cruise port, not the airport.

[potterhill]

When we disembarked in Miami it was a nightmare. We all had to stand in line for face to face inspection and it was a zoo. People were literally fighting over cabs, I think because they had early flights.

We had booked an eight pm flight to Toronto and arranged a rental car from the airport. We finally walked out of the terminal area with our luggage to get a cab to the airport, got the car, and spent one of our favourite travel days ever in Miami Beach and driving North along the coast stopping at whim to walk on the beach and explore until it was time to head to the airport.

We have since picked up the habit (from CC) of booking private cars for transfers and that is the only thing I would change about that day.

 

Mo

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Paulchili]

Sorry, I'm talking about the cruise port, not the airport.

 

I still believe that taking the Avis shuttle is the way to go, IMO.

Unless they do not show for a long time (not very likely) and taxis are available (and willing to take you there).

[Wendy The Wanderer]

When we disembarked in Miami it was a nightmare. We all had to stand in line for face to face inspection and it was a zoo. ...

 

I presume that they had two lines, one for US citizens and one for others? And that the US line went fairly quickly?

[LHT28]

I presume that they had two lines, one for US citizens and one for others? And that the US line went fairly quickly?

Maybe things have changed recently but we usually clear immigration ( at the crack of dawn) in the lounge ...you get your passports back, fill out the card for customs then visit with the officer

when the ship is cleared walk off collect our bags & off we go

 

Lyn

[hypercafe]

When we got off in Miami we got our stuff then stood in line to see the immigration/custom people, show them our passport and hand in the form. I do not recall a line just for non US. I always use a porter, they know the guys and it seems to go quicker. In NY and NJ terminal there is a line just for people with a porter. The worst place I was in was SanJuan PR. Just one agent.

[potterhill]

We did the immigration line on the ship. This was in 2008. It was such a mess getting off that we have not taken another that ends in Miami. One would hope this has been rectified. It is the single most remembered thing of the entire cruise! Not a good last impression.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[LHT28]

We did the immigration line on the ship. This was in 2008. It was such a mess getting off that we have not taken another that ends in Miami. One would hope this has been rectified. It is the single most remembered thing of the entire cruise! Not a good last impression.

 

 

 

Our last experience was in 2011 all non US citizens went through immigration on the ship in the lounge

The only painful part for me was getting there for 7 am ;)

[DOJO466]

Our last experience was in 2011 all non US citizens went through immigration on the ship in the lounge

The only painful part for me was getting there for 7 am ;)

 

Lyn,

We have been on a few trips with you and what you have said is correct. As far as MIa. However on our last Riviera cruise into MIA (via Caribbean) we actually had to collect our luggage (not a good experience this time) and then had to line up to go thru face to face customs with way too many rude people (this was discussed on an earlier post)...and it took quite some time. Never in our 5 other times arriving in MIA has this happened. I do understand that non US go thru customs on board before we all disembark but this was just so way out of the ordinary. Just wondering if this is now the nowm:confused:

[potterhill]

Ours was not that early and we were in line for a long time (close to an hour I think) going nowhere. I seem to recall the customs people were late, maybe? Hence all the fighting when we finally got off the ship over the taxis. In any case it has to be done. However it is my choice to take the cruise that disembarks in Miami. One I am unlikely to make again. But, I have learned to never say never! LOL!

 

What drives me crazy is that Canadians are lumped in with the rest of the world at American airports and have to wait for everyone to be fingerprinted. Then they wave us through after waiting an hour. Might as well fingerprint us. Wouldn't take any longer.

 

Mo

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[DOJO466]

Lyn,

We have been on a few trips with you and what you have said is correct. As far as MIa. However on our last Riviera cruise into MIA (via Caribbean) we actually had to collect our luggage (not a good experience this time) and then had to line up to go thru face to face customs with way too many rude people (this was discussed on an earlier post)...and it took quite some time. Never in our 5 other times arriving in MIA has this happened. I do understand that non US go thru customs on board before we all disembark but this was just so way out of the ordinary. Just wondering if this is now the nowm:confused:

 

Norm

[LHT28]

Lyn,

We have been on a few trips with you and what you have said is correct. As far as MIa. However on our last Riviera cruise into MIA (via Caribbean) we actually had to collect our luggage (not a good experience this time) and then had to line up to go thru face to face customs with way too many rude people (this was discussed on an earlier post)...and it took quite some time. Never in our 5 other times arriving in MIA has this happened. I do understand that non US go thru customs on board before we all disembark but this was just so way out of the ordinary. Just wondering if this is now the nowm:confused:

Maybe something new as I said our last trip was in 2011

[LHT28]

Ours was not that early and we were in line for a long time (close to an hour I think) going nowhere. I seem to recall the customs people were late, maybe?

Mo

 

One time we went to the lounge at the designated time & the line was into the casino (R-ship) ..we were not even docked so we went to breakfast & when we came back 4 people ahead of us ..no line up no waiting ;)

 

We then had to sit & wait for the ship to cleared & tags to be called

 

Lyn

Edited August 5, 2013 by LHT28

[thunderbird56]

Lyn,

We have been on a few trips with you and what you have said is correct. As far as MIa. However on our last Riviera cruise into MIA (via Caribbean) we actually had to collect our luggage (not a good experience this time) and then had to line up to go thru face to face customs with way too many rude people (this was discussed on an earlier post)...and it took quite some time. Never in our 5 other times arriving in MIA has this happened. I do understand that non US go thru customs on board before we all disembark but this was just so way out of the ordinary. Just wondering if this is now the nowm:confused:

 

I think this may be the new norm. In our past Oceania trips into Miami it was quick and easy. There were lots of porters and we collected our luggage quickly and walked straight out to the curb, handing our documents to a customs rep on the way. When we came back from the Caribbean on the Riviera in March it was chaos. There were few porters (I believe they didn't want to wait in the long lines). We tried to leave the few that were there for the folks in wheelchairs and mobility chairs who were having a terrible time collecting their bags and fighting the lines (unfortunately quite a few rude and pushy people also). We had to go thru a face-to-face customs and immigration screening. Once we got thru the long wait it was only another 50 yds or so out to the curbs and the taxis and waiting shuttles. Of course all the missing porters around the luggage were waiting at that point to help you find a cab (no thanks - after muscling our three bags and carry-ons through the lines, we could handle the distance to the curb). I don't know if they just spot-check certain incoming cruises or if that is now the routine but it wasn't pleasant. Fortunately, we had an afternoon flight so we wern't on a time constraint.

[Paulchili]

One would hope that OP has heard enough "horror" stories by now about the port of Miami not to book a 10:15 AM flight :D

[floatplan]

I have read that the terminal that O uses in Miami is not the same as the majority of the lines and can be pretty chaotic when disembarking. The ship will be arriving on 1/16, a Thursday, scheduled for 7:00. AA has a flight departing at 10:15 A.M. that I would be willing to self-disembark for if it seems like a fairly safe bet to those who have used this terminal before.

I try to avoid tension with close calls, but the thought of hanging around until after 4 is pretty nasty. So I'm seeking input [why else would I post?] as to hazardous it is and what options are prudent.

 

You also have to consider the airport congestion. I've done a post cruise flight out of MIA on AA and it has been a mess with long lines for check-in and security most times. I would not do 10:15 unless I was flying first or had status to use the first-class check-in/security.

 

I look at cruise timetable (www.cruisett.com) to see how busy things may be and it shows on 1/16/2014 in port are up to 6939 passengers on 3 ships Carnival Victory, Costa Luminosa, Regatta

http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/United_States_Of_America/426-Miami_Florida/January_2014/

 

That means you also have up to 6900 arriving. That's a little busier than normal.

[skinny1]

Yes Lyn - I remember that morning very well.

It obviously is not like that every time but the point is that it cannot be predicted with accuracy.

Flights after 12 or 1 PM should be stress free.

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

Michael & I are booked on a Miami to Miami Regatta trip through the islands of the eastern Caribbean to Brazil and back, Nov. 10, 2013. Having traveled with you and Marsha, I value your input! We did not take the air deviation, and had planned to take a taxi from the airport to the cruise terminal. We do not yet have our flght itinerary. Are we making a mistake?

Judy

[Paulchili]

Hi Paul,

Michael & I are booked on a Miami to Miami Regatta trip through the islands of the eastern Caribbean to Brazil and back, Nov. 10, 2013. Having traveled with you and Marsha, I value your input! We did not take the air deviation, and had planned to take a taxi from the airport to the cruise terminal. We do not yet have our flght itinerary. Are we making a mistake?

Judy

 

Hi Judy,

I think you should be fine taking the taxi from the airport to the terminal. That direction is much more predictable. It's the other way (port to airport) that can be (but doesn't have to be) problematic for reasons discussed above (time of ship's arrival, timing of clearance, congestion in the port and possible long lines for taxis, possible long lines at check in and security at the airport, etc).

But I suspect you are more concerned about the flight's arrival on time and possible flight delays/cancelations and thus possibly missing the ship?

If that is the case, I am pretty sure you would have to be on a red eye as you cannot arrive to Miami in time leaving the same day from Seattle (your ship leaves at 5 PM).

In that case you are likely to arrive sometimes in AM and you should be fine. There is a non-stop AA flight arriving at 6:15 AM. Also there are AS flights arriving at 1:55 or 2:20 PM (via SFO or LAX with enough connecting time) - those could be a closer call. Hopefully you'll be on the AM arriving flights. There are also DL and UA flights arriving in AM (I would avoid connecting in Chicago with UA).

If they put you on a 2:20 PM arriving plane, I would call them and see if that can be changed.

Check out http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ for all possible flights.

Great itinerary! Bon voyage to you and Michael :)

Edited August 9, 2013 by Paulchili

[skinny1]

Hi Judy,

I think you should be fine taking the taxi from the airport to the terminal. That direction is much more predictable. It's the other way (port to airport) that can be (but doesn't have to be) problematic for reasons discussed above (time of ship's arrival, timing of clearance, congestion in the port and possible long lines for taxis, possible long lines at check in and security at the airport, etc).

But I suspect you are more concerned about the flight's arrival on time and possible flight delays/cancelations and thus possibly missing the ship?

If that is the case, I am pretty sure you would have to be on a red eye as you cannot arrive to Miami in time leaving the same day from Seattle (your ship leaves at 5 PM).

In that case you are likely to arrive sometimes in AM and you should be fine. There is a non-stop AA flight arriving at 6:15 AM. Also there are AS flights arriving at 1:55 or 2:20 PM (via SFO or LAX with enough connecting time) - those could be a closer call. Hopefully you'll be on the AM arriving flights. There are also DL and UA flights arriving in AM (I would avoid connecting in Chicago with UA).

If they put you on a 2:20 PM arriving plane, I would call them and see if that can be changed.

Check out http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ for all possible flights.

Great itinerary! Bon voyage to you and Michael :)

Thanks for the tips, Paul. This trip is just a little getaway from the November gloom! I'll call Oceania and see what they have booked for us. Please greet Marsha for us!

Judy

[CintiPam]

Well, you now all have me somewhat concerned about our first Caribbean cruise, which is RT Miami, and which we recently booked when Oceania kindly added our city as a gateway city for a few winter cruises.

 

It's going to be our first look at Riviera, and we will be on whatever flights Oceania decides.

[JimandStan]

Well, you now all have me somewhat concerned about our first Caribbean cruise, which is RT Miami, and which we recently booked when Oceania kindly added our city as a gateway city for a few winter cruises.

 

It's going to be our first look at Riviera, and we will be on whatever flights Oceania decides.

 

You'll be just fine, Pam, Oceania errs on the side of caution, flight-wise; bring a good book (I know that you will!) and think of "our" Miss Day~

[CintiPam]

Thanks for the reassurance, Jim.

 

BTW, I coincidentally dined this past evening at Orchids at the Palm Court at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. This gorgeous art deco hotel is the place where Doris Day made her debut at age 16. (Its Continental Room formerly was a nightclub at the hotel.)

Edited August 10, 2013 by CintiPam

[CintiPam]

Well, I looked last night at the "Already Booked" section of the Oceania website and found out that our flights now have been assigned and our flight back to Cincinnati (actually two flights to get back) does not leave MIA until 4:50 PM. So now I guess we will rent a car for the day because seven hours at the airport does not sound like the best way to spend our day.

 

Have to see if we should rent at the airport or whether the closer rental locations will let us pick up there but drop the car at the airport.

 

Any and all suggestions of how to spend six hours in Miami (my very first visit!) on a Thursday in January are appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[JimandStan]

Hi Pam:

 

We would highly recomend the art deco tour of Miami Beach:http://www.artdecotours.com/

which can easily be accomplished in a four hour window.

Stan and I booked it privately and loved the one on one interaction, but if you are as active on your Roll Call as I suspect that you are, you will have no trouble forming a group.