Pre-cruise time killer @ Miami

[jsstiles]

We fly into Miami for a cruise out of port Miami.  We are taking a red-eye in so we get there at 5:30 am so we're have about 5 hours to kill before we can board. 

Any ideas of things to do prior to the cruise? Nice place for breakfast?

[JohninDC]

Take the hotel shuttle to the airport Hilton or Marriott, tip them to watch your bags, and then enjoy breakfast and a couple of mimosas!  When you are ready grab an Uber or Lyft to POM. 

 

Or book a cheap room for the night of your flight near the MIA airport, let them know you will be checking in late (about 6:15), and then ask for late check out (about 1:00 or so).  You have time for a nap, shower, maybe a dip in the pool, and breakfast before checking out and heading to the port.  La Quinta East is a budget option near MIA popular with cruisers and okay for a few hours.  There is also a hotel inside of the MIA airport, cleverly called the Miami Airport Hotel, where you can grab breakfast or even a room for  a few hours of nap time and a shower - but no pool.

[BNBR]

I definitely wouldn't book a hotel room to kill 2+ hours.  I do like the idea of just taking one of the hotel shuttles and just hanging out there for breakfast.

 

You can head to the port around 9:15 - 9:30 (arrive around 9:45 - 10AM).  So you definitely don't have anywhere near 5 hours to burn.  It's not that bad.  By the time you get your bags and what not, maybe 3 hours.

[Cruiser Who Knows Nothing]

7 hours ago, JohninDC said:

Take the hotel shuttle to the airport Hilton or Marriott, tip them to watch your bags, and then enjoy breakfast and a couple of mimosas!  When you are ready grab an Uber or Lyft to POM. 

 

Or book a cheap room for the night of your flight near the MIA airport, let them know you will be checking in late (about 6:15), and then ask for late check out (about 1:00 or so).  You have time for a nap, shower, maybe a dip in the pool, and breakfast before checking out and heading to the port.  La Quinta East is a budget option near MIA popular with cruisers and okay for a few hours.  There is also a hotel inside of the MIA airport, cleverly called the Miami Airport Hotel, where you can grab breakfast or even a room for  a few hours of nap time and a shower - but no pool.

THIS^^^^^  OP is going to be up for hours at that point.  If not a nap, just a quiet place to hang your hat and chill.  I hate sitting in that terminal, we board around 2p, its so less hectic then.  

[JohninDC]

6 hours ago, BNBR said:

I definitely wouldn't book a hotel room to kill 2+ hours.  I do like the idea of just taking one of the hotel shuttles and just hanging out there for breakfast.

 

You can head to the port around 9:15 - 9:30 (arrive around 9:45 - 10AM).  So you definitely don't have anywhere near 5 hours to burn.  It's not that bad.  By the time you get your bags and what not, maybe 3 hours.

OP lands at 5:30 and will have bags and be finished at the airport by about 6:15-30. Many arrive at the port about 9:30-10, but you do not need to be at check in until about 2:00-30 ( check your boarding documents).  After a red eye flight a shower and a nap will make the first day of the cruise much more enjoyable!! 😎

 

OP - your call. Welcome to the boards and have a great cruise!

[BNBR]

1 hour ago, JohninDC said:

OP lands at 5:30 and will have bags and be finished at the airport by about 6:15-30. Many arrive at the port about 9:30-10, but you do not need to be at check in until about 2:00-30 ( check your boarding documents).  After a red eye flight a shower and a nap will make the first day of the cruise much more enjoyable!! 😎

 

OP - your call. Welcome to the boards and have a great cruise!

 

I tend to enjoy the first day of my cruise on the cruise ship and not in a hotel.  But that's me!  Each their own.

[JohninDC]

After a red eye flight I think a nap and a shower would help me to enjoy the ship, even if I board a few hours late.  It is OPs call.

[BlueHerons]

13 hours ago, JohninDC said:

 

Or book a cheap room for the night of your flight near the MIA airport, let them know you will be checking in late (about 6:15), and then ask for late check out (about 1:00 or so).  You have time for a nap, shower, maybe a dip in the pool, and breakfast before checking out and heading to the port.  La Quinta East is a budget option near MIA popular with cruisers and okay for a few hours.  There is also a hotel inside of the MIA airport, cleverly called the Miami Airport Hotel, where you can grab breakfast or even a room for  a few hours of nap time and a shower - but no pool.

THIS!!

I am a hot mess after a redeye and a hot shower and couple hour nap will make me a new person.

[jsstiles]

Thanks for the suggestions.  We'll probably get a room and get on the boat later.