Things to do...After Arriving Port of Miami later night Flight

[macdon221]

Good Day All,

 

We arrive back into the POM on April 3...but we have a later night flight out of FLL. 2 Adults 2 Teenagers.  We are seasoned cruisers.

 

Any ideas of what to do while waiting for our flight after getting off ship early AM?  Of course our bags are our issue...what to do with them.  We don't mind getting a car 

if we have too.  On that note...I gather the best way to get a car if to UBER to MIA and then return to FLL?

 

Any suggestions tips would be welcomed.

 

Macdon221

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

9 hours ago, macdon221 said:

Good Day All,

We arrive back into the POM on April 3...but we have a later night flight out of FLL. 2 Adults 2 Teenagers.  We are seasoned cruisers. Any ideas of what to do while waiting for our flight after getting off ship early AM?  Of course our bags are our issue...what to do with them.  We don't mind getting a car if we have too.  On that note...I gather the best way to get a car if to UBER to MIA and then return to FLL?  Any suggestions tips would be welcomed.

 Macdon221

As a practical matter you're going to want a car or van that can hold all of you and your luggage. I'd go to a website like Expedia or Hotwire where all car rental companies can be searched at one time and put in MIA and return car to FLL and see what is offered. Downtown Miami is closer than the airport but far fewer companies have locations there and you're still going to need to get to it with you and your entourage.

 

If you take a rideshare or taxi to the airport, have them take you directly to the Rental Car Center, not to the airport itself. No sense going to the airport and then have to take a train to the Rental Car Center.

 

As far as where to go, perhaps Biscayne National Park (because Everglades National Park is too far given your late start) or to the art deco district in Miami Beach or the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall in Sunrise near Fort Lauderdale. 

[macdon221]

Thanks for the reply!

[macdon221]

Are there any other suggestions?

[capriccio]

Frequently recommended on this forum is a day pass or resort pass at a Fort Lauderdale hotel.  See these threads:

 

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We're taking the cruise line excursion on the everglades tour.

 

With Carnival, it's a price of about $60, which is reasonable, IMO.  Entrance fee is about $30, so it's about $30/person for the transport (so $15/leg).

 

They hold your luggage on the bus while you tour the park, so it is convenient.

 

With a party of 4 a rental car wouldn't save you much money considering you need a larger car four 4 people and luggage (can you get a rental for much less than $120?), plus you'd have to shlep your luggage to a rental car location.

 

However, depending on your actual flight time, the advantage of a rental car is you may have more time to enjoy the day, as the cruise bus gets to the airport midday.  

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

10 hours ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

However, depending on your actual flight time, the advantage of a rental car is you may have more time to enjoy the day, as the cruise bus gets to the airport midday.  

How is a cruise bus going to pick people up at Port Miami, take them on a tour of the Everglades and then drop them at Fort Lauderdale Airport, all by midday?

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

12 minutes ago, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said:

How is a cruise bus going to pick people up at Port Miami, take them on a tour of the Everglades and then drop them at Fort Lauderdale Airport, all by midday?

Everglades Tour w/ FLL Airport Transfer - MIA Shore Excursions | Carnival Cruise Line

 

Reviews for this are actually pretty good, and give the timing details.

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

21 hours ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

Everglades Tour w/ FLL Airport Transfer - MIA Shore Excursions | Carnival Cruise Line

 

Reviews for this are actually pretty good, and give the timing details.

Fascinating. Thanks!

[carib1]

There is a luggage storage service called Bounce Luggage Storage.  It cost $5.90 per bag for up to 24hrs.  They are local businesses like hotels and restaurants that have extra room for storage.  It's all secured and insured.  We have used them when in New York.