Transportation Service Rec for group of 7 from Miami Airport to Port Of Miami

[UNDCruisers]

Our extended family is going on our 2nd Disney cruise in 4 weeks and we are so excited! Our first cruise last year was out of Port Everglades, and we used the Disney ground transfers from Orlando airport. It was worth the cost because we did not have to deal with the luggage after we left our home airport. This was of significant value because our group consisted of 1 adult in a wheelchair, 2 children, and I was pregnant!

 

For our cruise next month, we are flying into Miami and leaving out of the Port of Miami on the Wonder. We purchased the Disney ground transfers again, but I just realized that the luggage handling does not work the same as in Orlando. Per the Disney travel agent, Disney does not have their own buses in Miami. We will have to claim our luggage, and then will be put on a motorcoach, van, or taxi. At $120 one way for our group I am thinking a car service is the way to go. In our group of 7 is 1 adult in a wheelchair and now 3 children (baby is 8 months). I also like the idea that a car service can provide a booster seat for my 4 year old and a carseat for the baby.

 

I did some quick research and found Family Car & Limo service and have requested a quote.

 

Anyone on these boards have any good experiences with a particular company? We would like meet and greet service to help with the luggage as the adults will be short handed helping out with 3 children and an adult in a wheelchair.

 

Thanks in advance!

[cb at sea]

Cabs are easy and about $24 per cab....you'd need 2, tho...they only take up to 4 passengers.

[moki'smommy]

The cab rates are set by Dade County and are fixed. The quoted price includes all fares, surcharges, etc. It WAS $24 last I was aware. The only additional cost is a tip to the driver. As noted, most cabs hold only 4 people.

 

Sorry, I don't know anything about the car service you named...but this at least gives you a cost comparison.

 

I believe that your first cruise was out of Port CANAVERAL. Port Everglades is in Fort Lauderdale, and the only time DCL has used them was in an emergency situation due to hurricane issues. There is no regular transportation from MCO to Port Everglades, and it is a 4 hour drive from MCO.

Edited March 8, 2016 by moki'smommy

[UNDCruisers]

You are right Moki'sMommy! It was Port Canaveral...just got them mixed up.

 

Thanks everyone. Although taxi is cheap and easy, with our group's dynamics (wheelchair, infant, etc) we are looking for luggage assistance, which we greatly appreciated with the Orlando to Port Canaveral ground transfer we purchased through Disney last year. We checked our luggage in Detroit and didn't have to worry about it again! I just realized this is not the case for Miami, so looking at our options. I got a quote for a service that will work very well for us (private van with luggage assistance and carseats), but it is more expensive than the Disney ground transportation. But, that is probably the way we will go. I want my kids in the proper car seats (which I overlooked last year on the Disney bus!:eek:).

[moki'smommy]

YIKES, more than $120 for the car service? That's pricey as it is not a long trip at all. I'd shop around on line and then ask here about those other companies.

 

Sorry that I can't be more help on this one.

Edited March 8, 2016 by moki'smommy

[Keith1010]

The taxi rate is $27.00 per taxi and is a flat fare.

 

You would need two taxis.

 

They are readily available.

 

Keith

[moki'smommy]

Another thing to consider. The "luggage service" you will get from a car service will not be like the luggage service from DCL. THe drivers are not permitted into the baggage claim area, so you will still need to collect your bags from luggage claim and take them to the lobby area where you can meet your driver. If you are lucky, there will be luggage carts and/or bellmen available in the luggage claim area (another fee).

 

The driver will assist with getting your luggage from the lobby area right outside baggage claim to the car and loaded...and again unloaded at the terminal and handed off to the porters there.

 

One thing we have found to work well...assuming your person needing a wheelchair has physical issues "only," take that person in the chair to the outside (lobby) area and leave the kids with them. Then have the able bodied adults grab the bags and take them to the wheelchair. That person can watch them as they are collected, leaving those doing the collecting with far less to be concerned about. At the end of the process you will have all people and bags together. The able bodied persons can go in and out of the baggage area as needed until all bags are assembled.

 

2 taxis will be less costly, but I doubt that they will have the correct car seats and you will have to haul the luggage to the taxi area (groan). I feel for you. I've been amazed at how many hidden costs there are with a family member needing a wheelchair.

 

Princess was wonderful to us. We had purchased Princess transfers and did their access/disability form. They notified me by e-mail that we would be provided with a private vehicle in order to handle the mobility issue safely. It seems that many of their buses did not have a safe working lift even if they were officially equipped with one!

Edited March 9, 2016 by moki'smommy

[UNDCruisers]

Thanks again moki'smommy. I think I recall from my research last year that your daughter is in a wheelchair? Thank you for sharing your experiences and providing so much help on these boards.

 

I've gotten two quotes now, both more expensive than Disney, but I believe the price difference is due to the car seat rentals. I was under the impression by both that they would meet us at baggage claim with a sign and help with the luggage. Based on your experience, I will double check with them. If they can not/will not help, then it provides no benefit over the Disney ground transfer.

 

On previous travel with my family and my parents we have managed fine (my mom is in a wheelchair), but since we are adding a third child who will only be 8 months to the mix, it's going to be a bit more complicated! But, we will manage nonetheless, we can do as you suggest, but I would probably stay with my mom and the kids, while my husband and my dad go collect the luggage.

 

Thanks again! We wouldn't normally chose to travel with an 8 month old, but this could be our last vacation opportunity with my mom...

[moki'smommy]

Thanks again moki'smommy. I think I recall from my research last year that your daughter is in a wheelchair? Thank you for sharing your experiences and providing so much help on these boards.

 

I've gotten two quotes now, both more expensive than Disney, but I believe the price difference is due to the car seat rentals. I was under the impression by both that they would meet us at baggage claim with a sign and help with the luggage. Based on your experience, I will double check with them. If they can not/will not help, then it provides no benefit over the Disney ground transfer.

 

On previous travel with my family and my parents we have managed fine (my mom is in a wheelchair), but since we are adding a third child who will only be 8 months to the mix, it's going to be a bit more complicated! But, we will manage nonetheless, we can do as you suggest, but I would probably stay with my mom and the kids, while my husband and my dad go collect the luggage.

 

Thanks again! We wouldn't normally chose to travel with an 8 month old, but this could be our last vacation opportunity with my mom...

 

My daughter does not use a wheelchair all the time yet, but needs one for anything that involves much walking like an airport, shopping mall, etc. She's had a couple of exacerbations of her disease that put her in a chair full time but the goal is always to get over that and keep her on her feet with various assist devices. We do realize that eventually she'll need a chair full time....

 

My experience has always been that the driver can meet us just outside of the baggage check area with a sign. We have never had them able to actually come into the baggage area and get our luggage off the carousel. We have had the guys who push the wheelchairs in the airport help with my daughter's luggage by getting her bag off the carousel and taking it with her to wherever we are going. We have learned to pack as light as possible as fewer bags are a help. I recently packed for a 7 night cruise with just my carry on! Granted, it was the heaviest carry on I'd ever done, but it worked.

 

I may be splitting hairs on this description of what the drivers do. My point was that we needed to collect the bags and take them to the area where the driver was waiting. In some airports, this is a very short distance (like IAH). At other airports (like Heathrow) it is quite a far distance. We have never been at an airport where the driver could assist inside the baggage claim area....probably for the safety and security of the bags. Only travelers and airport personnel are typically in the baggage claim area.

 

You are most welcome. I spend far too much time on the computer! :-) But when not cruising, may as well be dreaming of cruising.....

Edited March 9, 2016 by moki'smommy

[Maddle]

Perhaps you will get more information if you post this over on the Florida Board. You will have more input than just the Disney crowd, and someone with similar needs might have a suggestion for you.

 

Good luck.

 

Maddle

[UNDCruisers]

Good idea Maddle, thanks!

 

And thanks again moki'smommy!

[JupiterTwo]

Miami airport has curbside service even in baggage claim. I'm sure you can find a porter to get your bags and bring them to the taxi stand. At the taxi, they have oversized taxis as well as regular cabs.

 

The port is only a few miles from the airport. Once there, there should be a whole new set of curbside porters to unload you and get your bags checked in.

 

All for generous tips, by the way, but the cabs are only $27 per taxi.

 

Steve