Flying into FLL for Miami Cruise=Big deal?

[mrsgthatsme]

How big of an inconvenience would you say it is to fly into FLL if you are cruising out of Miami? Flights are looking like they will be less from our home airport to do it that way, but I'm wondering if we would regret doing that or if it would create enough additional headaches that it wouldn't be worth the savings. If you have done this, could you share your experiences? We will fly in the evening before our cruise, and were planning on staying at a hotel in the Brickell area in Miami, but I wasn't sure if it would make more sense to stay in Ft. Lauderdale if we do fly into FLL or if we should make the drive to Miami that night so we wouldn't have as much of a drive in the morning. I have read that some people take private transportation, group transportation, or UBER from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami... do you have a preference? We will have 5 adults, 2 kids, and luggage. :) Thank you!

[LHT28]

depends on the time the flight arrives in FLL  if mid day then yes head over to Miami 

Depending on when you are going  sometimes the hotels can be cheaper in FLL  & in the morning  get  UBER or whatever  transport to POM

Add the cost into your calculations getting to/from FLL-Miami

 

 

[lovetrauma]

I am flying into FLL on Friday and staying at a Hotel in Brickell for my cruise that leaves on Sunday out of POM. We plan on taking an Uber XL from FLL to the Hotel. 

[BNBR]

FLL or MIA, basically interchangeable.  Take whichever flight is better.  FLL will add about 25 minutes to the drive.  No big deal.  

 

The drive is trivial, so whether you do it in the morning or evening makes no difference.  I wouldn't "try and get it over with" as it's a quick drive either way.

Edited October 29, 2019 by BNBR

[cruisegirl1976]

We are flying into FLL and staying in Miami the night before the cruise.. only to then for back to FLL for the cruise.. there are 6 of us and I booked Jiffy Jeff transportation... very detailed.

[iahawkfan21]

Other than the cost of the Uber or shuttle to Miami on arrival it’s not a big deal.  If it’s that much cheaper especially for a family go for it.  As mentioned the transit time really isnt that bad.

[Margiesworldoftravel19]

The day before our cruise in Miami, we always fly into FLL airport and stay at a local FLL area hotel.

Highly suggest staying in this area since it is safer place to stay rather then Miami.

The next day we take Jiffy Jeff Transportation to the Port of Miami.

 

[JohninDC]

1000's of cruisers do this almost every day.  Lots of options to get from the FLL area to Miami, including taxi, Uber/Lyft, shared shuttles, car rentals, limos, etc.  Not a big deal.

[Nebr.cruiser]

We've done this several times, or vice versa.  It's really not that big of a deal.  If we are getting in to the airport late, we stay in a hotel near the airport.  If getting in mid day or earlier (doesn't happen often from Omaha) we might get the drive to a hotel closer to the port done on the day we fly in.

 

We have used a Limo (large family group), shuttles and Uber.  All worked just fine

[Flymia]

On 10/30/2019 at 9:25 AM, Margiesworldoftravel19 said:

Highly suggest staying in this area since it is safer place to stay rather then Miami.



 

 

That's a ridiculous statement to make. There is nothing dangerous about the areas people in Miami stay in, especially Brickell. Ft. Lauderdale has all the same crime problems Miami has just as any large city in the U.S. has. 

 

The the OP. It is not a big deal at all, it is like picking between JFK or LGA. Yes MIA is closer to Miami but FLL is not that far from Miami, in fact FLL is closer to Miami than many "main" airports are to their cities like Dulles airport or Denver. 5 adults 2 kids and luggage is a haul. You're looking at needing to reserve private transport or two uber XL/taxis. 

 

Take that cost into consideration as transport from Miami will be cheaper. Where each taxi/Uber XL will run close to $80.00 in Miami you can get two SUV taxis for $30 each. But given the amount of people you have I would think that a difference in air fare will save you a lot of money even with added transport cost. 

 

The drive down you are looking at adding maybe 30-mins more. If you already have a hotel picked out in Miami then just head straight to Miami. 

Edited November 1, 2019 by Flymia

[jdvmd]

Not a big deal. We do this most of the time because there are more nonstops available and cheaper prices to fly to/from FLL.

[webworm]

We are booking a car rental at FLL and dropping of at the port the next morning. Cost $50 for a 1 day rental which is cheaper than 4 people taking transit to the port and we are going to the hockey game in Sunrise on the Saturday night so will have a vehicle as well.

[lovetrauma]

I took a Lyft XL from FLL to a Hotel in Brickell (Miami) and it was only $70 at 4pm. Uber was quoting between $80-100 when I priced them. So we went with Lyft XL. 

[jenanderic]

Our cruise is this month. For a family of 5 FLL was less expensive. We will fly into FLL, take an Uber to Hollywood, FL(found a beachside hotel) , spend the night, then Uber to MIA. 

[BNBR]

9 hours ago, jenanderic said:

Our cruise is this month. For a family of 5 FLL was less expensive. We will fly into FLL, take an Uber to Hollywood, FL(found a beachside hotel) , spend the night, then Uber to MIA. 

 

Excellent idea.