Traffic ? FLL to Miami Port

[racegrrl]

There are four of us. We fly into FLL Sunday afternoon, cruise ship leaves Port of Miami at 4 pm Monday. We are debating whether we are better off staying in FLL and saving some money on hotels, going to Miami Monday morning,

OR

if it is better to get to downtown Miami Sunday night, bite the bullet on the hotel costs and not have to fight traffic on a Monday a.m. We live & work around Chicago, so we know what "traffic" can be. I think there is a Dolphins home game the Sunday we would be arriving.

 

Any suggestions? We are also considering whether it is better to stay in FLL at a hotel with free airport shuttle and hiring a car/driver to the port the next day OR renting at FLL, driving to Miami and finding a place near the port to return. If we do that, is it expensive to park a car overnight? Thanks so much!

[Bequia]

Traffic will certainly be lighter on a Sunday versus a Monday. Even with bumper to bumper Monday morning commuter traffic the usual 45 minute drive could run 60-90 minutes which isn't really a big deal. I wouldn't sweat it, pick a hotel you think you'd enjoy and have fun. ;)

 

....

[Keke1031]

Well hello neighbor, Im also near chicago. When we flew out of FLL and had to get to MIami it was a Monday. The cruise didnt leave till 4. We had rented a limo. The driver was almost an hour late and then when we got on the road there was bumper to bumper traffic. Once we got to the port we where running to get in line. I would suggest getting to Miami and staying the night so you dont have to mess with all that and worry about being late like we did. On our next cruise we are staying the night, that was just to much stress for me.

[racegrrl]

Keke, your story is what I am afraid might happen. I am really leaning towards staying in Miami - 1. peace of mind 2. lots to do downtown even on a Sunday afternoon. You just pushed that decision through for me. Thanks!

 

On a somewhat related note: our first cruise was late January, flying out of Midway to Tampa, and due to limited vacation time, we had to leave Chicago the day we departed. NEVER EVER EVER AGAIN. NEVER. We were the last flight they allowed to leave Midway before they shut it down for the day due to extreme icing/freezing rain. As much as I wanted to get off the ground, I was equally nervous they would LET us leave as it didn't seem it would be too safe. Never will we fly out the day we depart.

 

 

And Bequia, thanks for your input. It looks like will have more fun (and less stress) in Miami, so Miami it will be. Next stop - Priceline. :D

[vmom]

Hey we're from the Chicago area also! Know what you mean about Chicago weather. On our last cruise a huge storm came through with high winds which delayed our flight for 4 hours. We made the ship, but now I always fly in the night before.