Sorry - last minute questions

[w8ing2cruz]

Just booked the three day Miami to Bahamas. Best flight I could get takes us into Ft. Lauderdale the day before our cruise. Could someone recommend a good pre-cruise hotel and tell me how the heck we can get to Miami from Ft. Lauderdale. Also, our flight home does not leave Ft. Lauderdale until 8:45 P.M. on the last day of our cruise - any suggestions as to what to do and where to stash our luggage. Love these last minute getaways - Countdown is minimal!!! Thanks a bunch.

[cim]

Hey w8ing2 cruz> This is Ivan We cruised the Destiny last April. Have not heard from you 2 since. Did enjoy your company. (cim on postings) At least say hi

[Bequia]

I'd grab the Tri-County Airport Express shuttle for the $18 dollar ride to a Miami hotel. http://www.floridalimo.com/Pages/sharedr.html

When you arrive at the airport, collect your luggage and go outside the baggage claim area, lower level, curbside, contact one of our starters (customer services reps.) wearing a white shirt with "AIRPORT EXPRESS" in red on the back of the shirt and an emblem on the sleeve and over the breast pocket. Let the starter know what service you are interested in and he/she will assist you.

Some excellent downtown Miami Hotels,

 

Miami ...

JW Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miajw

 

Intercontinental... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ic.../miaha?irs=null

 

Hyatt Regency Miami... http://miamiregency.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

 

Biscayne Bay Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/miabb

 

Courtyard Downtown Miami... http://www.miamicourtyard.com/

 

Conrad Miami... http://conradhotels.hilton.com/en/c...ctyhocn=MIACICI

 

Four Seasons... http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/index.html

 

Mandarin Oriental... http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/526000001.asp

or if your on a budget:

Holiday Inn

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hd/miabb

 

 

 

[w8ing2cruz]

HI IVAN!!!!! How was the rest of 2005 for you? That was a fabulous cruise on the Destiny wasn't it? My sister and I are doing a quick last minute to the Bahamas on March 3rd. Not quite the exotic Southern Caribbean but we take what we can get. Hope all is well with you - great to hear from you. I don't see any cruises on your horizon, what's up?

[dosi]

For your last day I would rent a car and keep your luggage in there. Then you can use the car to sitesee and drop it at FLL when it is time to check in at the airport!!

[w8ing2cruz]

Thanks Doris, We are kicking around that idea since I read that in Florida they don't penalize you for returning a rental at a different location.

[cim]

HI IVAN!!!!! How was the rest of 2005 for you? That was a fabulous cruise on the Destiny wasn't it? My sister and I are doing a quick last minute to the Bahamas on March 3rd. Not quite the exotic Southern Caribbean but we take what we can get. Hope all is well with you - great to hear from you. I don't see any cruises on your horizon, what's up?

 

Gloria not feeling up to cruising. She still has weakness from the treatments. We hope to start planning one again soon. It was a great cruise. I enjoyed the night deck activities. Met alot of nice people. 3 days seem short. Keep in touch. I have kept in touch with several from the cruise

[VTengineer]

If they don't penalize you for returning to a different location, why can't we use priceline to get a good price? What's different about their contract that makes you return it to the same place?

[dosi]

Some agencies DO penalize you and some do not. So you need to check with the agency ahead of time. In the past I have used Budget from FLL to Miami or the reverse and never had a penalty. I do not think that Alamo nor Enterprise (although only in Florida for Enterprise) do either.

 

I believe because that fact Priceline is not set up for different pick up drop off locations it precludes this option. The rental agencies have to keep track of where their inventory is going to end up and that would be impossible given the way that Priceline is currently designed.

 

And really, for me, renting a car is so much cheaper than hiring a car and driver or taking the shuttle (we have three in our family) that I don't care about the extra savings I would get from Priceline, I am just glad to have some means of transport that will fit into my meager budget!!