Miami Port and Formal night for November cruise

[darlou]

Departing Miami port on ICON OF THE SEAS in November for a 7 night / 8 Day cruise. Can anyone recommend a hotel close to the port that is not crazy expensive for one overnight stay. Also does anyone know when the Formal or Captains night is. Have not  been on a cruise in a while so it might be called something else. Thanks in advance

[SuzD123]

46 minutes ago, darlou said:

Departing Miami port on ICON OF THE SEAS in November for a 7 night / 8 Day cruise. Can anyone recommend a hotel close to the port that is not crazy expensive for one overnight stay. Also does anyone know when the Formal or Captains night is. Have not  been on a cruise in a while so it might be called something else. Thanks in advance

While we haven't been on Icon...we've been on our fair share of 7-night RCCL sailings.  For a 7 night sailing there are typically 2 "formal" nights.  Generally, those are scheduled on the 2nd and 5th or 6th night.  Longer itineraries (10-15 night) will have a 3rd. 

 

Note that I put formal in quotes...reason being, the trends seems to be moving away from truly formal attire.  You may even see it referred to in the Cruise Compass as "Dress Your Best"...not even suggesting formal attire.  While you may still see the occasional tuxedo or formal gown...it is not the norm.  You are more likely to see a sport jacket, a nice dress, khakis with a golf shirt, or just about anything.

 

That all said...if you enjoy the opportunity to really dress up...no one will say a word.  At the end of the day fun!!

Edited April 18 by SuzD123

[Ashland]

We recently sailed out of POM (Feb) and opted to do our pre-cruise stay at the Hampton Inn Suites Blue Lagoon. They have a comp shuttle from MIA to the hotel and a pretty good comp breakfast. Also a for fee ($14.00pp) shuttle to the port. 

 

The hotel is right across the street from a Publix market shopping center with a few restaurants and fast food etc. etc.

 

We were so happy with this hotel that we'll be staying there again for another pre-cruise night this May.

 

 

[leaveitallbehind]

As mentioned, official "formal" nights are a thing of the past.  But that being said, feel free to wear whatever you want.  But be prepared to see people in anything from casual to tuxedo and everything in between, with typically far less "formal" than in your previous experience.

[PhillyFan33579]

The previous poster provided a great answer. When I was on Icon a few months ago I saw everything from tuxedos (not many though) and dresses to people dressed very casually like any other night on the cruise. If my memory is correct, the “formal” nights were nights 2 and 6. 

[LeeW]

The Hampton Blue Lagoon shuttle picks up just after the hour at MIA.  Lots of restaurants around that hotel and decent breakfast with waffles.  We have also stayed at the Embassy just NE of the airport.  Both are easy to get to the pier either by shuttle or cab.  Downtown locations are more expensive, and you will need transportation both to hotel and pier.  Technically hotels in Brickell area can be reached by the metro, but you will need to haul bags to rental car center on free train, then switch to paid train for trip downtown.