Miss boat on purpose?

[bobbylutens]

We're looking at a cruise where Key West is the last stop before docking in Miami the next day. Can you get off the ship in Key West and choose not to re-board if you have all of your belongings with you? We would like to stay in Key West for a few nights and it would save us the drive back down.

[seminole95]

I've done it before on celebrity. If I can remember correctly we notified guest services and security when we disembarked. No problem. Worked out great.

 

 

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[the_dylaness]

Wow, that is a great question.

Then you can just rent a car back to Miami and drive all the way up?

If you do this, stop in Islamorada on the way back (our favorite part of the Keys), maybe even stay the night. If you stop just for lunch, make sure it's at Island Grill for tuna nachos. If you stay the night, we recommend Ocean House and definitely dinner at Morada Bay!

[bobbylutens]

Thanks everyone!!

[Kamloops50]

We're looking at a cruise where Key West is the last stop before docking in Miami the next day. Can you get off the ship in Key West and choose not to re-board if you have all of your belongings with you? We would like to stay in Key West for a few nights and it would save us the drive back down.

 

It would depend on far south you've been. If you didn't stop on one of the ABC's . You might be in contravention on the PVSA act of 1886.

[hawkeyetlse]

What's the rest of the itinerary?

[Jane Don]

Driving back from the keys you've gotta take Card Sound Road. It is an alternative to Route 1, takes a little longer but is well worth time in vistas, ambiance and serenity.

 

Furthermore, there is an awesome mystery/comedy series by Tim Dorsey and southern Florida and the keys feature prominently in his books. You can really learn a lot of info you won't find on Wikipedia about the area. I often find one of his books on tape (CD or mp3) to listen to while driving through. In my opinion, the drive is half the fun of visiting the keys as long as you have time and a laid back attitude. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serge_A._Storms

 

 

Be sure to stay in a hotel walking distance to Duval St. You really need to experience Key West on foot to get the true experience (and there is no place to park anyway). Sundown is the most interesting time to people watch along the strip as it turns from day time tourist to nightlife craziness. You will see people dressed as antelope or Godzilla. It is like a cross between a Caribbean island and New Orleans.

 

Sorry if I went overboard with advice. :) I just really love the area, the history and the drive.

[chengkp75]

The big question is where did the cruise start from? If it started from a US port, then unless the itinerary includes the ABC islands, you will be told you cannot leave the ship, and if you do the cruise line will be fined $300, which the ticket contract allows them to pass on to you.

[bobbylutens]

The only other stop is Ocho Rios. So, I guess we'll just stay on and drive down when we disembark!! Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it:)

[hawkeyetlse]

3 hours is not a bad drive, certainly not worth losing a day of your cruise!