Not sure if I should ask this question here

[wassuup3358]

We are taking cruise out of Miami on NCL Sky to the Bahamas in November. Here is my dilema, we are flying from California (San Francisco) and there are cheaper flights to Ft. Lauderdale than Miami. We are going to be in port a day before we cruise. I would like to stay in Miami the night before the cruise.

How far is FLL from Miami and are there any shuttles that go from FLL to Miami?

Any recommedations for hotels in Miami?

[wieslaw]

Hi,
you will get more responses if your question was posted in the Florida departures section, there are many posts there discussing the same subject.
Chances are that the mod will move your post there.

The POM is not far from Fll. We did the exact same thing as you are planning to do. We flew to Fll and took a shuttle ( there are few different companies available) to POM. The ride was about 40 - 45 minutes each way and the cost was about 15 dol per person. That was few years ago so please look at the posts on Florida departures for more info about the current prices.You will find a lot of hotel recommendations there too.
Here is the link:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

[wassuup3358]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the help.

[sail7seas]

Taxi from FLL airport to POM is about 40 minutes depending upon traffic and costs about $85 plus tip..... again, depending upon traffic.

[cb at sea]

You do NOT want a taxi between FLL and MIA....go to the Port of Call boards and check out other transportation...SAS Transportation is recommended frequently! MUCH cheaper than a cab!

[Dayenu]

We live in San Francisco, and cruised out of Miami. We chose to fly to MIA non-stop, getting one-way ticket, I think it was Alaska. Stayed in South Beach, loved the location, they have fixed fees out of the MIA airport. The taxi from South Beach to port was close to $20.

To go home we took a shuttle to FLL. Delta (and Alaska) didn't penalize for getting one-way ticket. You can look into open jaw tix if you like.

If you do a FLL round-trip, go to the airport website, click on "ground transportation" - it will give you all options.

[Eeyoregon]

We have the same dilemma coming from Oregon as our cruise is out of Miami but flights into Ft Lauderdale are hundreds less than those into Miami.

So, since we will be in Florida for a full 24hrs between flight and cruise, we have rented a car with Budget. I am picking it up at FLL and dropping it off at their downtown office which is 1.7 miles from the cruise port. I will take a cab from the rental office to the port.

Using Budget BCD code Y937800 and upgrade coupon UUWZ027, I was able to get a full-size car for $56 for the 24 hours. It will come in handy for going out to eat, sight seeing and making our soda/wine/champagne purchases.

We are doing the reverse after the cruise and it's actually cheaper at $40.00 for 24 hours when picking up at the downtown office and dropping off at FLL the next day.

We are actually staying in Ft Lauderdale at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites West as we got a great deal on a two room suite with 2 King beds for the 4 of us.

Happy Sailing.

[Cras108er]

Originally Posted by Eeyoregon

We have the same dilemma coming from Oregon as our cruise is out of Miami but flights into Ft Lauderdale are hundreds less than those into Miami.

So, since we will be in Florida for a full 24hrs between flight and cruise, we have rented a car with Budget. I am picking it up at FLL and dropping it off at their downtown office which is 1.7 miles from the cruise port. I will take a cab from the rental office to the port.

Using Budget BCD code Y937800 and upgrade coupon UUWZ027, I was able to get a full-size car for $56 for the 24 hours. It will come in handy for going out to eat, sight seeing and making our soda/wine/champagne purchases.

We are doing the reverse after the cruise and it's actually cheaper at $40.00 for 24 hours when picking up at the downtown office and dropping off at FLL the next day.

We are actually staying in Ft Lauderdale at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites West as we got a great deal on a two room suite with 2 King beds for the 4 of us.

Happy Sailing.

We too have rented a car the two times we have traveld out of FLL. For two people, we can rent a car for about $35 a day. It's only a $5 taxi ride ffrom the airport (where we drop the car off) to the port. So, for $40, we have transportation for the whe 24 hours, and pay the same (or less? Than a shuttle. The more people who are traveling, the better sense it makes.

[Eeyoregon]

Originally Posted by Cras108er

We too have rented a car the two times we have traveld out of FLL. For two people, we can rent a car for about $35 a day. It's only a $5 taxi ride ffrom the airport (where we drop the car off) to the port. So, for $40, we have transportation for the whe 24 hours, and pay the same (or less? Than a shuttle. The more people who are traveling, the better sense it makes.

Exactly. We may end up with 6 in our group so I have a back up reservation for a minivan for $80 which split 6 ways makes for an affordable option.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Originally Posted by Eeyoregon

We have the same dilemma coming from Oregon as our cruise is out of Miami but flights into Ft Lauderdale are hundreds less than those into Miami.

So, since we will be in Florida for a full 24hrs between flight and cruise, we have rented a car with Budget. I am picking it up at FLL and dropping it off at their downtown office which is 1.7 miles from the cruise port. I will take a cab from the rental office to the port.

Using Budget BCD code Y937800 and upgrade coupon UUWZ027, I was able to get a full-size car for $56 for the 24 hours. It will come in handy for going out to eat, sight seeing and making our soda/wine/champagne purchases.

We are doing the reverse after the cruise and it's actually cheaper at $40.00 for 24 hours when picking up at the downtown office and dropping off at FLL the next day.

We are actually staying in Ft Lauderdale at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites West as we got a great deal on a two room suite with 2 King beds for the 4 of us.

Happy Sailing.

Great information -- thank you for sharing it.

[GORDONCHICK]

We flew into FLL and cruised out of Miami and renting a vehicle couldn't have been easier! Most rental companies are onsite at the airport at FLL and they will even give you a map. Make sure to get a rental without a drop fee (charges for renting at one site, dropping off at another). The vehicle returns at MIA are off-site. And most have shuttle to the port. When you get off the ship, you can catch the shuttle back to the lot you dropped off at earlier, get your vehicle and head north. FLL drops are mostly at the airport.

Be sure to book a hotel with free parking - most of them close to the port charge. Be sure to check the flight charges in comparison - adding vehicle rental & hotels & divide by the # of people. It may be cheaper to fly into MIA. It wasn't for us, but it could be for you.

[tcw92]

We have stayed in Miami the night before our last 2 cruises. The first time we stayed at The Hilton (downtown) it is nice. Last September we stayed at the DoubleTree at Biscane Bay and the view was absolutly wonderful!! I would highly recommend this one. There is a pizza place and a restaurant on the lower level that you can order for room service or dine there.

It is a walk, but is within walking distance to the Bayside Market, which has little shops around there to look at. Bubba Gumps, Hard Rock Cafe are a couple restaurants in the area to eat at. There are also burger places too.
There is also a CVS, Walgreens and a liquor store in the area to get your soda to carry on.