Left luggage Miami Bayside - Help Please

[york survey]

Hi All

 

We are on the Eclipse Transatlantic this November and have just had our flights changed. We are now leaving Miami Airport VERY late. (11pm)

 

Need to find the best thing to do in order to fill all this time.

 

Celebrity do a shore trip which stores luggage, include hop on hop off bus and than runs you our to the airport - however looks like this only works up to about 2pm which is still very early. - is this true? has anyone done this?

 

Has anyone found a left luggage place in downtown Miami? we could use this, have a day shopping and get a taxi out to the airport later.

 

Guess I could also hire a car for the day? if so which is the closest company?

 

Any ideas or info would be appreciated.

 

Stuart

[milly5959]

Hi All

 

We are on the Eclipse Transatlantic this November and have just had our flights changed. We are now leaving Miami Airport VERY late. (11pm)

 

Need to find the best thing to do in order to fill all this time.

 

Celebrity do a shore trip which stores luggage, include hop on hop off bus and than runs you our to the airport - however looks like this only works up to about 2pm which is still very early. - is this true? has anyone done this?

 

Has anyone found a left luggage place in downtown Miami? we could use this, have a day shopping and get a taxi out to the airport later.

 

Guess I could also hire a car for the day? if so which is the closest company?

 

Any ideas or info would be appreciated.

 

Stuart

 

Hi Stuart

 

We are doing the same cruise and live near Skipton, we have been told that Celebrity put you up in a Miami hotel for the day when you have a late evening flight (presuming you booked your flight via celebrity) as we did?

[wendychloecruiser]

Rent a car! There are many agencies: avis is close. Shopping is great. Sawgrass Mills mall in Fort Lauderdale (Sunrise really) will fill your day easily. Or drive to the Keys. Or spend the day at a hotel pool or at a beach.

Edited August 6, 2014 by wendychloecruiser

[york survey]

Hi Stuart

 

We are doing the same cruise and live near Skipton, we have been told that Celebrity put you up in a Miami hotel for the day when you have a late evening flight (presuming you booked your flight via celebrity) as we did?

 

Unfortunately our flights are not with Celebrity as I had a stack of air miles to use up.

 

Car hire may be the best idea. But there must be a left luggage somewhere!

 

Stuart

[Miaminice]

Rent a car! There are many agencies: avis is close. Shopping is great. Sawgrass Mills mall in Fort Lauderdale (Sunrise really) will fill your day easily. Or drive to the Keys.

 

IMHO - the Keys are way too far - especially considering traffic, which is getting worse and worse...

 

If you are considering shopping and renting a car, I would do Dolphin Mall instead of Sawgrass. For one simple reason - you are next to MIA-Airport already. Less trouble than getting to MIA from Sawgrass when the time of your flight is getting close.

 

Bayside is more for entertainment than for shopping. If that is what you are looking for and you don´t find a place to leave your luggage, check with the Holiday inn Port of Miami right across from Bayside. Celebrity and RCCL also use this hotel. Maybe the will store your luggage for a fee.

Edited August 6, 2014 by Miaminice

[york survey]

IMHO - the Keys are way too far - especially considering traffic, which is getting worse and worse...

 

If you are considering shopping and renting a car, I would do Dolphin Mall instead of Sawgrass. For one simple reason - you are next to MIA-Airport already. Less trouble than getting to MIA from Sawgrass when the time of your flight is getting close.

 

Bayside is more for entertainment than for shopping. If that is what you are looking for and you don´t find a place to leave your luggage, check with the Holiday inn Port of Miami right across from Bayside. Celebrity and RCCL also use this hotel. Maybe the will store your luggage for a fee.

 

That's great idea - thanks - ill drop them a line.

 

I have asked a few hotels for day room rates but none seem interested.

[Lsimon]

When we've had a late flight out of FLL we've rented a car and just carried our luggage around with us in the car. But we've never had quite that much time to use up.

 

...I have asked a few hotels for day room rates but none seem interested.

Seems like this is more a question of a total cost than whether it is a day rate or not. You're going to find rates all over the place in Miami depending on location and hotel amenities. Nice hotels with fancy lobbies and pool areas down by the beach are very expensive but I'd imagine there are some budget motels in the airport area that are not too expensive but might not have much to offer besides a room to hang out in. And lots of other options in-between.

 

I'd suggest a little searching through, and maybe ask your question again, at the Cruise Critic Florida Departures forum which discusses this type of topic for all cruise lines. You're likely to find more info there on point: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

Edited August 6, 2014 by Lsimon

[Fouremco]

I'd definitely rent a car and head to the Keys. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Islamorada Fish Company and then continue south and find a beach to enjoy until you're ready to head back to Miami. With an 11pm flight, you have tons of time to do it.

[mikkko]

You can take a taxi to the airport and store your bags there (http://www.miami-airport.com/baggage_storage.asp) , then Rent a car, do some shopping sightseeing, head back to the airport, repack and voila.

[milly5959]

Unfortunately our flights are not with Celebrity as I had a stack of air miles to use up.

 

Car hire may be the best idea. But there must be a left luggage somewhere!

 

Stuart

 

Hope you get sorted Stuart, I'm sure you will...

 

Have you joined the Roll Call for this cruise?

 

This is our first cruise, so really looking forward to it. :eek:

[cle-guy]

As to the luggage issue, it's quite possible Celebrity will ofer "Luggage Valet" on the arrival to Miami.

 

For $20 per person (up to 2 bags per person, so if you are 2 people with only 2 bags total, only pay for one person, assuming you fly to same destination) they will provide airline bag tags for you the night before and deliver your luggage to the airport and check it in for your flight, you don't have to claim in luggage hall, just look for it on the belt at your final destination.

 

The service is offered on many Caribbean itineraries that org in FLL and MIA, I'm not sure if it is valid after a transatlantic due to customs and immigration requirements, perhaps someone who has arrived to USA on a fall TA can advise specifically.

Edited August 6, 2014 by cle-guy

[york survey]

As to the luggage issue, it's quite possible Celebrity will ofer "Luggage Valet" on the arrival to Miami.

 

For $20 per person (up to 2 bags per person, so if you are 2 people with only 2 bags total, only pay for one person, assuming you fly to same destination) they will provide airline bag tags for you the night before and deliver your luggage to the airport and check it in for your flight, you don't have to claim in luggage hall, just look for it on the belt at your final destination.

 

The service is offered on many Caribbean itineraries that org in FLL and MIA, I'm not sure if it is valid after a transatlantic due to customs and immigration requirements, perhaps someone who has arrived to USA on a fall TA can advise specifically.

 

Thanks for your help

I've asked about this before but Celebrity will not do it for international (UK) flights

But appreciate your help

[york survey]

Hope you get sorted Stuart, I'm sure you will...

 

Have you joined the Roll Call for this cruise?

 

This is our first cruise, so really looking forward to it. :eek:

 

I'll get it sorted thanks

This board is always good at helping out

This is about our 10th celebrity cruise. Took our time finding the right line but, as long as the route is right, this is now our first choice line.

 

Yes I'm on the roll call

 

You will have a great time on your first cruise

 

Stuart

[york survey]

When we've had a late flight out of FLL we've rented a car and just carried our luggage around with us in the car. But we've never had quite that much time to use up.

 

 

Seems like this is more a question of a total cost than whether it is a day rate or not. You're going to find rates all over the place in Miami depending on location and hotel amenities. Nice hotels with fancy lobbies and pool areas down by the beach are very expensive but I'd imagine there are some budget motels in the airport area that are not too expensive but might not have much to offer besides a room to hang out in. And lots of other options in-between.

 

I'd suggest a little searching through, and maybe ask your question again, at the Cruise Critic Florida Departures forum which discusses this type of topic for all cruise lines. You're likely to find more info there on point: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

 

As ever a great help - I'll have a look

[R&M1000]

If you're sports fans November has a lot of options.......On Sundays the Miami Dolphins play professional football and on Saturdays colleges play. There are some big time college football programs in Florida. Depending on the day you will be in Florida there may be football options available to you. Then there's the Miami Heat basketball and the Florida Panthers ice hockey team that play their home games in South Florida as well. Also college basketball season is underway too in November.

Edited August 6, 2014 by R&M1000

[boblin]

We had luck recently in Seattle storing luggage for the day at a major hotel that had an outside valet. A $10 tip paved the way for all day luggage storage for 2 people, even tho' we weren't staying there, as I explained to him. Best to select a large hotel, as many smaller ones don't have much storage space and restrict it to guests, and understandably so.

[york survey]

If you're sports fans November has a lot of options.......On Sundays the Miami Dolphins play professional football and on Saturdays colleges play. There are some big time college football programs in Florida. Depending on the day you will be in Florida there may be football options available to you. Then there's the Miami Heat basketball and the Florida Panthers ice hockey team that play their home games in South Florida as well. Also college basketball season is underway too in November.

 

What a great idea. I'm one of the few NFL fans in the UK and was looking at going to the Giants game when in New York (our cruise stops there on the was to Miami. But it was an early game and we dock late.

 

I already have tickets to see the Dolphins in London on 28th September

 

Just have to get it past the better half

 

Stuart

 

 

PS Bad News - Dolphins away in Denver - but good call - i'll check the other options

Edited August 6, 2014 by york survey
addition

[Phxazzcruisers]

I would definitely rent a car for the day. That is what we always do. Hertz is the agency we use. Have a nice lunch and dinner before you head to return the car and check in at the airport

[Sloop-JohnB]

Mr Sloop & I are passionate about the Florida Keys... A little bit of the Caribbean in mainland America.

 

As much as I'd like to recommend it to you so you can see this AMAZING place I have to say it s risky for a day trip... Especially so as most folks once on the breathtaking Overseas Highway (one of the greatest drives in the USA) want to take it to the end... And historic iconic Key West

 

Truth is, it is a two lane highway / causeway for the most part... And can be slow going. Map programs will say about 3 hours or so top to bottom... But in reality it is much longer. And if it is a busy time... Or worse yet an accident, then the traffic has no where to go !!

 

We never look at getting to Key West from Miami (or back) without planning in for the worse case scenario... 2x what a Mapping Program suggests... Even if it is just because you want to stop along the route to take pics etc

 

Personally, I'd spend my time in the Miami area (Art Deco anyone)... Or head north up to Fort Lauderdale (water taxi sightseeing) or beyond... Coastal areas, shopping etc

 

Another alternative would be to head off to the Everglades... Fascinating area for a drive or an Airboat Tour... Although that can be done without a car... Look for one of Celebrity's Tour Pkgs for Debarkation Day... They will even have options for managing your luggage

 

Hope this helps,

 

Cheers!

Edited August 6, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[wallie5446]

We did the air boat tour in the Everglades one year that John mentions above, when we could only get a late flight. We were picked up at the ship by a regular bus, and our luggage was put in the under side compartments.

 

After the tour we were then taken to the airport where we checked our bags with the airline. Then caught a cab to a restaurant for a late brunch.

 

But alas there was no way around a few hours of down time waiting at the gate. If there is a hotel at the airport you could always book a room, enjoy the pool and facilities. Then when time comes to head to the plane simply go to the front desk and tell them you are checking out because you were able to secure a flight that night.

 

Yes it will cost a full days fare for the room, but a lot better than sitting at the gate watching others come in to go and board the ship you just left!

 

EW

Edited August 6, 2014 by wallie5446

[Lotus Girl]

We always book at day room at a hotel and use this website:

between9and5.com

 

We then go off to Dolphin Mall for the day before heading back to the hotel to shower, eat and then go to the airport for our usually late flight back to the UK!

 

Karen

[Miaminice]

I just had another thougt... in case you are uncomfortable with driving your luggage around.

 

- Book a rental car

- Take the rental car shuttle to MIA Rental Car Center

- Head over to the Airport and check in your luggage

- Return to the RCC and pick up your car

- Do whatever you feel like for the day :-)

[coldweathergirl]

I just had another thougt... in case you are uncomfortable with driving your luggage around.

 

- Book a rental car

- Take the rental car shuttle to MIA Rental Car Center

- Head over to the Airport and check in your luggage

- Return to the RCC and pick up your car

- Do whatever you feel like for the day :-)

 

Whenever I've tried checking in more than 3 hours prior to a flight I've been told it's not allowed.

 

I would either get a day room (often if you enter the same date for check in and check out on hotel websites it will show you the day rate) or rent a car but make sure it has a trunk and not a hatchback.

 

A few years ago we drove down to the Keys for a day trip and the highway was shut down for hours on our return to Miami due to an accident. Not a big deal for us at the time because we were vacationing but if we had a flight to catch we would have missed it.

 

Although your flight is late, realistically you'll have a couple hours less than your flight time due to check in time needed for an international flight.

[cruisead]

I just had another thougt... in case you are uncomfortable with driving your luggage around.

 

- Book a rental car

- Take the rental car shuttle to MIA Rental Car Center

- Head over to the Airport and check in your luggage

- Return to the RCC and pick up your car

- Do whatever you feel like for the day :-)

 

Can't check in at MIA that early. No more than three hours before the flight.

[phoenix_dream]

If someone is talking upper Keys, perhaps it is worth it. All the way to Key West - that is not my idea of a relaxing way to spend the day and is certainly risky to say the least!! I would definitely either rent a room for the day, or drive elsewhere. There are lots of options - airboat rides, outlet or boardwalk shopping, museums, nice restaurants right on the water, boat rides, casinos. The list goes on and on. For a nice Florida experience, we always enjoyed driving out to Billie Swamp Safari. It is a bit of a ride, but there is plenty of time. They have airboat rides, a native American village, swamp buggy rides, and nearby a native American museum with a great outdoor boardwalk. I also recommend going to the Ports of Call boards for Florida.