Transportation Options Question

[Magnifique1908]

Ok. I have been reading these boards for awhile and getting help for my second cruise.

 

I have decided on the Hyatt Regency in Miami.

 

We are flying into FLL, slightly early in the day. We have to decided to pretty much just enjoy the room in the evening due to the comments from the board (Three ladies, no guys, error on the side of safety).

 

Last year, we flew into Orlando and rented a car to drive to Port Canaveral. We have been to Orlando several times, so the drive, though 45-60 minutes, wasn't very difficult. We have not, however, been to Miami before so we we're wondering how the drive is from FLL to Miami in terms of difficulty and length of the drive.

 

Also, since we are coming in early in the day, what is there to do during the day in downtown Miami? We will probably do dinner in the evening and drive back to the hotel for the rest of the night, so restaurant suggestions would help as well.

 

Also, what's the best way to get to the port in the morning? What's the best rental car company for this trip, which ones provide shuttles or drop off locations close to the hotel to prevent driving all the way back to MIA?

 

Lastly, what would you suggest as far as getting back to FLL from the Port upon disembarkation? We would rather take some sort of shuttle that's prearranged to avoid any stress by searching for cabs/transportation that morning.

 

Thanks in advance for answering all of these questions, lol.

[D4]

You might consider skipping the rental car. I'd just use taxis. To me, renting a car for that short of a time would be a hassle. By the time you pay for parking and the rental, I wouldn't think taxis would cost much more.

 

We've flown into Miami for a FLL cruise and stayed at the Miami Hyatt Regency for 2 nights before the cruise. We walked to everything during the daytime and took taxis home from dinner.

[D4]

By the way, did you get the Hyatt Regency on PriceLine? The last time we stayed there (2 summers ago), we got it for about $50/night.

[Lve2cruise101]

We have always rented a taxi as well. Usually do supershuttle to get to the hotel, then taxi from there. I would suggest going to Bayside for dinner. Has entertainment, next to the water, restaurants & shopping. I have always enjoyed going there.

 

Taxi to port too! It would be so much less hassle.

 

Have fun!

[Magnifique1908]

Thanks all for the input.

 

We kind of like the freedom a rental car gives us, and the cost split between 3 people usually isn't too much of a burden. I guess the taxis would be ok too, so as not to have to figure out how to navigate the city. How much would a taxi be from FLL to the hotel? Wouldn't it be just as expensive as a rental? As well as all the taxi fares to and from shopping and dinner all day or is everything in walking distance?

 

Also, what are your recommendations for shuttle service from the Port back to the airport? We prefer that someone else do the driving that morning, as we will probably be depressed, lol.

[Bequia]

We are flying into FLL, slightly early in the day. We have not, however, been to Miami before so we we're wondering how the drive is from FLL to Miami in terms of difficulty and length of the drive.

 

The drive from FLL to downtown Miami is very easy. A straight run south on I-95. Depending on the day of the week and the time of day it will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The road signage is excellent, we get over 4 million cruisers a year so it's visitor friendly.

 

Also, since we are coming in early in the day, what is there to do during the day in downtown Miami? We will probably do dinner in the evening and drive back to the hotel for the rest of the night, so restaurant suggestions would help as well.

 

It really depends on what you want to do. There's plenty of shopping, there's the tourist mecca Bayside Marketplace http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/ , Lincoln Road in South Beach http://www.southbeach-usa.com/shopping/lincoln-road/lincoln-road-shopping.htm Wolfsonian Museum, Miami Sea Aquarium, Vizcaya Museum, a Google search will turn up many more things to do.

For restaurants avoid the overated Ocean Drive strip in South Beach. The restaurants are mediocre at best.

Also, what's the best way to get to the port in the morning? What's the best rental car company for this trip,

 

Best car rental for you would be Avis. They just opened a drop off location in downtown Miami 5 minutes from the port so no need to drive back to MIA.

 

AVIS Downtown Miami - M6I

99 Southeast 2nd Street, (at Southeast 1st Avenue),

Miami, FL 33131

305-379-1317

Sun 08:00AM-04:00PM; Mon-Fri 08:00AM-06:00PM; Sat 08:00AM-04:00PM

http://avis.com/AvisWeb/home/AvisHome

Lastly, what would you suggest as far as getting back to FLL from the Port upon disembarkation? We would rather take some sort of shuttle that's prearranged to avoid any stress by searching for cabs/transportation that morning.

 

Tri County is a very reliable company that the locals prefer http://www.floridalimo.com/Pages/private.html as well as Larrys Limo Service http://larryslimo.com/ both offer sedans.

[Magnifique1908]

The drive from FLL to downtown Miami is very easy. A straight run south on I-95. Depending on the day of the week and the time of day it will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The road signage is excellent, we get over 4 million cruisers a year so it's visitor friendly.

 

 

 

It really depends on what you want to do. There's plenty of shopping, there's the tourist mecca Bayside Marketplace http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/ , Lincoln Road in South Beach http://www.southbeach-usa.com/shopping/lincoln-road/lincoln-road-shopping.htm Wolfsonian Museum, Miami Sea Aquarium, Vizcaya Museum, a Google search will turn up many more things to do.

 

For restaurants avoid the overated Ocean Drive strip in South Beach. The restaurants are mediocre at best.

 

 

 

Best car rental for you would be Avis. They just opened a drop off location in downtown Miami 5 minutes from the port so no need to drive back to MIA.

 

AVIS Downtown Miami - M6I

99 Southeast 2nd Street, (at Southeast 1st Avenue),

Miami, FL 33131

305-379-1317

Sun 08:00AM-04:00PM; Mon-Fri 08:00AM-06:00PM; Sat 08:00AM-04:00PM

 

http://avis.com/AvisWeb/home/AvisHome

 

 

 

Tri County is a very reliable company that the locals prefer http://www.floridalimo.com/Pages/private.html as well as Larrys Limo Service http://larryslimo.com/ both offer sedans.

 

Wow! Thanks for that thorough information. One question...does Avis have a shuttle to the port? If not, are cabs regularly available at the drop-off location?

[Bequia]

Wow! Thanks for that thorough information. One question...does Avis have a shuttle to the port? If not, are cabs regularly available at the drop-off location?

 

Good question, some who have used this location reported on these boards that a shuttle was available, others have posted that they took a cab. You can call the location directly (305-379-1317) to see what they have to offer.

[Magnifique1908]

Ok, we have a plan B so I want to get some feedback.

 

Another thought is, instead of renting a car and staying a downtown hotel, to get a shuttle to a miami beach/south beach hotel (still not very far from the Port if possible) that is pretty much a destination in itself to spend the day (and night) and still get to the port pretty easily. Any thoughts/suggestions on hotels?

 

Which is the better plan?

 

Thanks everyone.

[Bequia]

Ok, we have a plan B so I want to get some feedback.

 

Another thought is, instead of renting a car and staying a downtown hotel, to get a shuttle to a miami beach/south beach hotel (still not very far from the Port if possible) that is pretty much a destination in itself to spend the day (and night) and still get to the port pretty easily. Any thoughts/suggestions on hotels?

 

Which is the better plan?

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Plan B a pretty good plan. A shuttle is a good idea as well. Paying to park your car at a South Beach hotel can be expensive.

Tri-County Airport Express is the only shuttle I'd recommend out of Ft Lauderdale. http://www.floridalimo.com/Pages/sharedr.html That would cost you around $18 per person. You don't even need reservations.

Here's a list of some nice SoBe hotels:

Loews... http://www.loewshotels.com/hotels/m...ach/default.asp

 

South Beach Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIAMB

 

Courtyard South Beach... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/MIACB

 

Hotel Victor... http://hotelvictorsouthbeach.com/

 

Ritz-Carlton South Beach... http://www.ritzcarlton.com/resorts/...ch/default.html

Royal Palm... http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hotel...digoHotel=5964

[Magnifique1908]

Thanks again. One of the reasons we may go with Plan B is because we would prefer to party in the evening, and go to a beach during the day (our flight gets in a noon). Downtown doesn't seem too conducive to that idea. Also if we stay in South Beach, we may not have to drive, which is a plus.

 

Of these hotels, which would you recommend as being closest (in walking distance) to nightlife, and is this safer at night than downtown?