NayRN

I haven't really paid too much attention to my points balance....until just now! I have over 17,000 points! I guess I'm just dense because I don't understand what to do with them? Ships I hold off and use them to book a cruise in 2017? Should I use them to pay off my cruise in 2016? :confused:

I'm really not a "stupid" person....but this seems like a lot of points! Is my best bet to just call the number on the back of my card?

I'm typically the odd-man out when it comes to Five Guys! I think they're overpriced and way too greasy! Personally, I'd steer away from the chain burgers and get some more input on some local burger joints...like the Bavaria House!

I will be sailing for the fourth time (in August) on the Sky! She's a great little ship...adequate pool and not a lot of bells and whistles. Her crew is outstanding, which makes a cruise much more enjoyable. I've not sailed her though since the "all-inclusive" but I've been hearing positive feedback (no problems with too much alcohol consumption). I like the smaller ships....more personalized service.

I agree though that sailing out of Miami is better than Port Canaveral.

Have a great cruise!

On our Jewel Pacific Coastal, we were booked in the OS (full price). My TA called me asking if I wanted the Garden Villa for $100/pp! :eek: Of course I said YES....then my TA told me she already told them yes as well! Didn't want to lose it!!! ;)

The Hampton Inn is a great choice. Nice breakfast and you are right near Mary Brickell Village which we go to often for dinner.

 

Lots of choices.

 

Keith

I'll most likely keep this reservation. Even though I'm from the suburbs of Detroit and I'm pretty street-smart, I'll be alone for the first two nights I'm there. I'd much rather be safe....than in a new hotel! Thanks for the heads-up!!

We've already gotten about 2" of the lovely white stuff.....and now we have freezing rain! Gonna be a terrible ride home tonight!! :eek:

You are welcome! And I agree, cruise critic is the place to find out info. I sat on my sofa and watched the Oceania cruise ship come in the other night, cruise ships just don't come in at night. Nothing was on our local news so I came here to look it up. Sure enough, found out the ship was returning 2 days early to be scrubbed down because of Norovirus and they got everyone off. My friends and I were out on one of my balconies last night and watched it leave, so I guess it's now good to go.

I am so jealous of your view! While Detroit has some beautiful old buildings and is on the up-swing with the new mayor, it still has a long way to go. To add insult to injury, we had a 60 degree weekend (very odd for the end of February) and today (3 days later) they're calling for 8-20 inches of snow....depending on how far north you live from Detroit! :eek: Then...50 degrees again next weekend!

Many thanks to you, BlueHerons and Keith1010! I'll be staying at Loews post-cruise but I can't decide where I want to stay pre-cruise. Currently have a room at the Hampton Inn Brickell...but rather curious about the new Langford.

Lots of time to dream about my cruise....and sunshine while we're getting dumped on!! ;)

The deal on the hotel has already closed. Eventually it will become a 77 story mixed use project that will house hotel rooms, condos, retail and office space.

 

However, the sale was structured as a sale-leaseback for now since that Holiday Inn is one of the most successful in the country and earns about $5 million a year so holds it own. They will time it so that it gets built as long as the market remains strong.

 

Now many of the major builders here (Uggo Columbo as an example) have scaled back on one or two projects so who knows. I'm having dinner with one of the prominent builders/owners down here on Thursday as he is very close with my husband so I will have to ask him his opinion on construction. He and his family are currently building massive things down here including what will be the tallest building and has been doing it for a very long time.

Hello!

I just used your post as a quote because you are also one of the Miami "Go-To" people....just like BlueHerons!

You seem to really know what's happening with all the building and I just curious if you had any insight in the new hotels...ME Melia, The Langford and East. I'll be staying post-cruise for two days at Loews in Miami Beach but looking for my pre-cruise stay and wanting something different.

https://www.facebook.com/NorwegianCruiseLineJobsandCareers/

For the Pride of America, to "qualify for MMC" you must have a "reasonably" clear background!! Makes me wonder what their definitation of "reasonably" is? :eek:

Bottled water is not included in the UBP. And to be much nicer, the tap water on the ship is very good! But, if you'd like a pitcher of water in the cabin, then yes, the Butler or the steward will be more than happy to make that happen. I typically bring aboard a 6-pack of bottled water and refill as needed. There will be room in the cabin fridge to store the bottles to keep them cool.

I'll be sailing for the fourth time on the Sky in August. I have to say, she's my favorite ship! :D While I enjoyed my cruise on the Getaway, it was just too big and too crowded!

I wasn't in a forward PH....but I was in the forward Owners Suite when I sailed the Canada/NE itinerary! Best location ever! We were lucky as we had a full forward balcony and a starboard balcony with this suite! We were in 10006 if you want to look at the deck plan....the best cruise by far (excluding my Pacific Coastal in the Garden Villa)!!

I think the "ride" may vary, but ours was extremely smooth! :cool:

Just heard back from Hilton/Hampton Inn...

The "Elite" floors are the top two of the hotel......I guess that gives a better view?! But the majority of the other perks that come with the Elite Floor....I also receive with being a Hilton Honors member. I don't think it's worth and extra $30-50/night just to be in the highest floors!!

I had every intention of asking what was done but alas old age and memory conflicts and I forgot.

No worries! I can totally relate to the memory challenges!!

The Sky aft penthouses are some of the best suites at sea. Just downstairs from Cagneys too ;)

Enjoy

I've sailed three times in a Sky OS....heard the aft PH were the best so I decided to switch it up this time! And yes, BONUS....Cagney's is two floors directly up!! :cool:

Thanks for your review! I'll be sailing again on the Sky this August in an aft Penthouse. I wish I could find out what updates they did with her brief "dry dock" recently. All I can find is a picture of the ship with the aft cabins covered in a blue tarp!

The area here is just fine for you to be walking around. I live extremely close to the Hampton Inn as I'm out and about all the time without my husband. I also have a lot of single girlfriends who are out all the time. My one girlfriend is a bartender and would walk home (local) from River Oyster by herself.

At the bottom of the hotel is a bar called Batch that has the whole front open so people will be out t on the street all the time.

 

I would tend to stay on the S. Miami ave side at night which would have you making a right when you get outside of the hotel. There won't be as much foot traffic at night the other way.

 

As far a food to grab, you will have more than Publix. There is a sandwich shop and chinese restaurant called 3 chefs at the bottom of your building and they all do take out. Right around the corner is also a great place called My Ceviche http://www.myceviche.com. You can order online and walk around the corner and pick it up. Piola is also right there and they also do take out.

 

You will be just fine in the Brickell area.

Thanks! This made me feel better!

Thanks, Keith. I guess I'm just curious if it's a certain floor in the hotel. I pretty much get all the same perks with Hilton Honors. If it's a floor that needs key access from the elevator to get to, then it would be totally worth it! Not being a snob, just staying alone for two nights and always thinking of safety first!

And you know that area really well, so is anywhere I absolutely should avoid being alone? I'll be doing a lot of walking, especially to Publix for food (I'm not big on eating out, especially being there longer than a day). I know how to be "street smart" being from metro-Detroit, but I don't want to wander in the wrong direction if I can avoid it!

Thanks for always being so kind! You and Blueherons always step up to help! ;)

I hate to start a new thread about this, but I couldn't find an answer when I searched here or on Google!

Does anyone know what the "Elite Floor" concept is at the Hampton Inn Brickell? Just wondering if it's worth an extra $30 a night! :confused:

Has anyone stayed in an aft PH since her dry dock? Just curious as to changes (if any) as I will be sailing in 9075 in August! :D

Excuse me for jumping in, but you will LOVE Loews! We cruised in October after 9-11 ... prices were crazy cheap because no one was traveling and I really just lucked into staying there. It's on the beach and they have a beautiful pool area. We totally loved it.

 

I have checked prices every time we've been in Miami after that and couldn't get anywhere close to our budget. I WILL stay there again some day!

My only concern is the "there will be lots of construction noise" warning! I'm super excited to be able to stay at Loews!! What a way to end our vacation!!

While I love the Mondrian and the fact that you can use it's partner hotels pools, etc, (Shore Club, Delano), the location of the Loews is far superior.

 

You can go to Smith & Wollensky and go to the outside back bar and have a much better view and watch the ships leave. You can also almost touch them they are so close.

 

Montys, right around the corner will have the same view at a fraction of the price for happy hour.

 

We always stop at Montys when we take the big boat down to South Beach because we leave it docked for a couple of days at the Miami Beach Marina. We always go to Montys and jump in the pool for happy hour and then head to our hotels.

I booked Loews! Superior Oceanview Balcony for less that $200/night! Now I can't decided if I want to stay there pre and post cruise!! I originally booked the Viceroy for three days pre cruise....but now that the pool will be closed, I canceled. Then I looked into the Biltmore for a change of scene....still close to $300/night. Tentatively booked at the Hampton Inn Brickell for the pre cruise nights.

Thanks for all your help!

No, I'd book now to lock in a low rate (refundable) but keep watching rates.

 

I've seen the Mondrian for under $100 in fall.

Would you recommend Mondrian over Loews? Is it pretty good for walking? I'm open to pretty much anything! I'm tired of staying Downtown and I'll be there three days (alone for two) pre and two days post cruise! I need a change!!

I'd really love to stay near the Government Cut to see the ships sailing away up close....but the prices down south of Fifth are a bit steep still!!

I'll buy you a nice, stiff cocktail while I'm down there for all your help!! :D

Forgot to add that your dates are dead time for us so even if you book, keep watching.

 

Rates will plummet after July 4th.

Seriously?! Should I wait until then to book? I may be able to grab an ocean view for less than $250/night!!

I value your opinion very much....

I'm looking at hotels on SB for post-cruise 8/26-28/16. I'm wondering about the location of the Residence Inn on 17th Street as well as the newly remodeled Hampton Inn on 17th Street. What is your opinion of either? I really like a room with a fridge in it....which is the only reason I'm even remotely considering these two.

Also...Is there a "bad" room location at Loews? The prices are fabulous for August! I read on their website that they will be doing a lot of remodeling then...so I know to expect construction!

I'm traveling with my brother (first cruise and first time to Florida) So I'll be needing two beds - and I'm surprised that some hotels don't even offer two (must be due to their smaller boutique sized rooms).

I'm trying to keep the room to about $200/night but will go a bit higher if there's just something out there that is really worth it!

Thanks in advance!!

It's an easy walk thru Bayfront Park to Bayside Market Place. We walked it with a 3-year-old last Fall....and he had no problems! ;)