Pre- cruise Miami or Fort Lauderdale?

[Vacuum49]

We are sailing on Indy from Miami on Mon 9/16. We fly in to FLL on Sun 9/15. Which is prefered to stay? We are a party of 6 or we can split up for transfers. Thanks

[orville99]

3 minutes ago, Vacuum49 said:

We are sailing on Indy from Miami on Mon 9/16. We fly in to FLL on Sun 9/15. Which is prefered to stay? We are a party of 6 or we can split up for transfers. Thanks

The biggest challenge is getting between anywhere in Fort Lauderdale and the port of Miami. The last time we sailed out of Miami, it took us almost an hour to get to the port after we crossed the Miami city limit. Every major roadway leading to the port is seemingly under construction, and traffic moved so slowly that a 90 year old with a walker could have passed us in a blur😱. We would still do a pre cruise in FLL, just plan on leaving for the port really early on cruise day.

 

The downside to staying pre-cruise in Miami is the hotels close to the port are outrageously overpriced.

[pcur]

I agree.  I avoid Miami hotels if I can. 

From an Fort Lauderdale hotel, and with six people, I recommend you use SAS Transportation, since they can take all of you for $13 each to the Port of Miami.  They do NOT service Miami hotels, though.

 

I have also used them to go from the Port of Miami to FLL airport.

[wdwkings]

With less than a day it would be pretty limited things to do other than settle in, get some dinner and organize to head to the port.  The bonus of Miami is that there is less travel the day of the cruise. 

 

@Vacuum49 you stated your cruise departs on Monday.  You can run into traffic any time and any day in south Florida, especially between Miami and Fort Lauderdale but a Monday morning it will be very likely especially heading south. 

 

There are a few spots in the Miami area but i would probably do something near the port or at the Blue Lagoon area.    

[loman]

I personally would rather be closer to the cruise terminal on sail day .

So i would pick Miami . 

[PrincessPatti]

Depends on what time your flight comes in.  This is Memorial Day weekend in Miami.  It can take an hour to go three blocks.  I worked on Miami Beach for many years and experienced this headache.  SAS Transport is great for transport to Miami, but I don’t know if you would be able to book them so close to transport date.

[Another_Critic]

38 minutes ago, PrincessPatti said:

Depends on what time your flight comes in.  This is Memorial Day weekend in Miami.  It can take an hour to go three blocks.  I worked on Miami Beach for many years and experienced this headache.  SAS Transport is great for transport to Miami, but I don’t know if you would be able to book them so close to transport date.

OP said:  "We are sailing on Indy from Miami on Mon 9/16."

[PrincessPatti]

3 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

OP said:  "We are sailing on Indy from Miami on Mon 9/16."

Wow, totally biffed on that one.  And I have had coffee today…..  Apologies.

[Host Kat]

7 hours ago, Vacuum49 said:

We are sailing on Indy from Miami on Mon 9/16. We fly in to FLL on Sun 9/15. Which is prefered to stay? We are a party of 6 or we can split up for transfers. Thanks

 

Hello @Vacuum49 and welcome to the Cruise Critic message boards!

 

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[Keith1010]

Like most things we all have our different preferences.

 

Personally, I prefer Miami over Fort Lauderdale. I wouldn't have said that in the 1980's and 1990's but Miami has changed a great deal from then.

 

With that said in your case you won't have much time to enjoy either location as you board the day after you arrive.

 

Given that I would still go with Miami so you are near the port the day your embark.There are lots of hotel near the port at a range of prices. That is where I would recommend staying.

Keith

[hannibal54]

We prefer staying in the Ft. Lauderdale area, then use SAS to pick us up at our hotel for the drive to the port.

[Vacuum49]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We will probably stay in Fort Lauderdale area and transfer to POM on Monday am. I was curious if things were the same since I have not cruised since 2017.

[Flymia]

Both areas are great places to stay in. I would say if you have never stayed in the Miami area and wanted to check it out (assuming you fly in with time to do so) then stay in Downtown/Brickell area. 

 

The only real downside is that you will have the drive the day of the cruise. Depending on what time you leave that drive can be anywhere from 90+ mins to 45-mins. Staying in Miami has a relatively easy Sunday drive to Miami and then you are close to the port.