9pm Miami flight - what to do with 7&9 year old

Hi,

We are off the MSC on March 17. Looking at a posted disembarkation schedule, we will probably be on the ship until about 10am for our cabin number.

We fly out of Miami at 9pm, international flight so would want to head to the airport around 6.

We have thought about renting a car, renting a day room or storing luggage at the airport and taking a bus somewhere.

Our dilemma is that renting a car and looking around is still a very long day for the kids (and us!). All the hotels seem to have outdoor pools, so if it rains we will all be stuck in the room.

We are leaning towards the hotel - any great ones that we could maybe explore around by walking? Or have restaurants nearby? Ideally we would be able to cab/uber to the hotel and then take a hotel shuttle to the airport.

Opinions?

Go on an Everglades excursion, the kids will see lots of gators and wildlife and enjoy the airboat ride.Then head over to South Beach for an afternoon on the beach and have lunch.

Booking a hotel with a day rate seems to be a good solution. The kids could use the pool and watch TV in the room when they want. Also, be sure the hotel is nearby places to eat.

I would also check www.resortpass.com for larger hotels and resorts selling day passes to their pool, beach and other facilities. Tip them to store your bags. Let your kids wear themselves out in the pool so they will sleep on the flight ;)

Thanks for the suggestions.

We booked Best Western Premier Miami International Airport for a day room.

Google maps has it within walking distance of an IHOP and a few other chains, as well as a Cuban bakery. Seems that it also has a restaurant at the hotel and free airport shuttle.

Might even do some laundry in the machines so I don't have so much to do when we get home.

We have a similar issue! We have a 5pm international flight!

We were considering the hop on hop off tour but it seems a waste when we’d have to get the 1pm airport transfer to be there 3hrs prior to the flight.

Day rooms sound interesting but will they take 3 adults?

Day rooms sound interesting but will they take 3 adults?

Yup!

We ended up booking a day room at the Best Western Premier Miami International Airport.

It was a few weeks ago, but I believe it was less than $35 for a cab for four people from the port. There was a free shuttle to the airport.

The pool was fine, but it was a bit cool so we didn't actually use it.

We also made use of the laundry room and went home with a suitcase of clean clothes. We were tired from waking up early, we got off the ship about 10:30. We ate a late breakfast on the ship and weren't hungry for lunch. We did plan to eat at the hotel for supper before going to the airport, but the restaurant was not open yet.

I think for us, this was probably the easiest and least stressful way to finish our vacation.

When our kids are older, we may look into excursions. However, spending the day watching tv in a hotel room and everyone having a shower and suitcases full of clean clothes was fine for us.