Help with transfer info please :)

[Lyndac chap2b]

Hello,

 

We are scheduled to take the Explorer of the Seas on October 10th. I can hardly wait!!

 

However.....BIG SNAG!!! Not with RCCL....but with our TA, who shall remain nameless. After all----I wouldn't want to give them any 'free' advertising....whether it be good or bad. Just the name appearing here is enough advertising to 'trick' somebody else into using them.

 

Anyway--this nameless TA is charging quite a large 'administrative' fee to add transfers from Ft. Lauderdale airport to the ship. We're getting hassled saying that because we have to fly in the night before, we may not be able to get any transfers because RCCL's computers won't let us. (We're coming in from Colorado---and of course, we have to come in the night before to be able to make it to the ship on time!!!)

 

When I called RCCL, they said that information is rediculous...however, in order to get the transfers, I have to go through the nameless TA, endure their hassles and pay their high administrative fees.

 

RCCL, being very cordial, took a complaint...however, that doesn't help us get to the ship on Oct. 10th. They claim their hands are tied due to contractural obligations to the TA.

 

Does anybody know how much a taxi is from the Ft. Lauderdale airport to the Port of Miami? Or, is there any private services that cost about the same as RCCL's transfers?

 

I would so appreciate any knowledge you can share with me. :) If it'd be better, you may email me privately at sewkitten@adelphia.net

 

Thanks so much in advance!!!

 

Lynda

[ljmandelbaum]

Last feb on an NCL cruise, my DH and I went to where the NCL buses were loading passangers in FLL for the transfer to Miami. We were able to pay at that time.

Maybe you can do the same thing with rccl

[PTarbay]

If you look through these boards.I can't seem to find it now there was a link to taxi and independent shuttle rates.I have booked a return shuttle through the cruise once onboard the ship for the trip back to the airport.

[springtxbill]

They will always let you show up and pay for the shuttle on the spot. You may want to call RCCL and ask them to verify this on a "hypothetical" basis. :)

[bbrad8]

sewkitten: If you are coming in the night before, where are you staying? Do they have shuttle service available? Also the suggestion of purchasing transfers at the airport is a valid one. The cost should be the same that RCI would have charged you in advance.

 

While we have not flown into Ft. Lauderdale, did research this for an earlier cruise we ended up taking from a different port. Was told at that time cab from airport to port was $7-10pp. The airport and port are very close together.

[Kay D]

NOV 2002: We flew into FLL late night before cruise leaving from Miami -- I had booked a Priceline room at Hyatt Hotel in downtown Miami -- At FLL airport, we got the ShareRide Shuttle for $15 per person outside Baggage Claim -- guaranteed wait of 25 min or less for shuttle which was a Lincoln -- car came in 8 min & besides 2 of us, there were 2 others -- 3 of us got out at Hyatt & 4th went to Univ of Miami -- then took taxi from hotel to ship next day at noon.

 

END OF CRUISE 2002: Since we had quite late flight from FLL, I had pre-rented Alamo car for less than $40 for pick up at Miami & drop off at FLL -- told porter who loaded up our bags in RC baggage claim & took us outside, across from taxi line where various buses & shuttles pick up & within 5 minutes the Alamo bus drove up -- it took us to Miami Airport to get the car. Then we drove back to Miami Beach & rode along Collins Ave to Hollywood & then on up FLL Beach before going to airport.

 

THIS YEAR: Still looking for ideas for end of cruise transportation from Miami port to FLL airport, since this year we have noon flight from FLL -- have from now til end of Nov to work something out.....

[Lyndac chap2b]

Thank you sooo much for your great suggestions!!! I think I can sleep tonight and not dream about running from FLL to the port of Miami trying to catch the ship.

 

However, on the return trip---I can dream of not finding transportation, and having to stick onboard for another 'go round'. :D :D :D

 

Lynda

[Merion_Mom]

We used http://www.finesselimousine.com. Richard Luiz is WONDERFUL. He just can't do enough for you!

 

Carol

[PokrChick]

I don't know what the transfer costs through RCL, but we're going to use Suvana. The cost for a sedan for two is $66 airport to port and $78 port to airport. They also offer shared van service that works out better financially for larger groups.

[Dabert]

Hi Merion Mom,

 

Just curious as to how much it costed you from the airport to seaport with FinessLimo?

 

And what did you get like a Sedan or a Limo?

 

We are sailing from Miami on the 13 th of Dec and getting married in St-Thomas ... so going all out.

 

So would like to have more info.

 

thanks

 

Bob and Daphne

[MGoBlue2]

Rent a car at FLL, turn it in the next day at MIA. Just make sure the rental place in Miami has a free shuttle to the port. (most of them do)

[Lyndac chap2b]

Rent a car at FLL, turn it in the next day at MIA. Just make sure the rental place in Miami has a free shuttle to the port. (most of them do)

Have the rental places been able to start the service back up from the Seaport? That's a GREAT idea!

 

When we took a cruise on March 19th, out of the Port of Miami, the powers that be weren't allowing a lot of access to the ships, and the big loser was the rental car agencies. (However, cabs were going in and out--so I don't understand why single out the rental car guys.)

 

I'm not sure...but I think 'we' (as a nation) were under a 'code orange' during most of March. Maybe that had something to do with it.

 

We called on the limo service...and they quoted us $125 each way. Thank you for the suggestion, but that's a little high for our blood on this trip. But...wow! If it was a special cruise--like going to go get married....that would be the way to go!!!!

 

Thank you everybody for your suggestions and you help! One thing about CC...is everybody is so quick to offer help and suggestions....and I am so happy to be part of this great group of cruisers.

 

Lynda

[MGoBlue2]

sewkitten,

 

I don't know, our last cruise was in January and there were car rental shuttles weren't a problem then.

[mohavemommy]

When I called RCCL, they said that information is rediculous...however, in order to get the transfers, I have to go through the nameless TA, endure their hassles and pay their high administrative fees.

 

RCCL, being very cordial, took a complaint...however, that doesn't help us get to the ship on Oct. 10th. They claim their hands are tied due to contractural obligations to the TA.

When I had a similar problem once, I requested that the cruiseline and the TA do a three-way call with me so there were no misunderstandings. You might try that to see if it would help.

[sdouglas]

Another Coloradan here---we leave Sunday for Miami.

We always fly in the day/night before but we give RCI an arrival time/flight number which coincides with their shuttle schedule.

In this case we told them we are arriving 1000am on Monday morning and the transfers are all taken care of.

[Cruise Miriam]

Hi, you've gotten some good suggestions here. I would also check and see if the hotel has a shuttle (as previously suggested) or if they can suggest a service for you.

 

For your return, you may be able to pay for the RCI transfer back to the airport while onboard the ship. You can contact RCI and ask. I believe you can pay at the purser's desk. Maybe someone else knows if that's really possible.

[springtxbill]

You can pay for the RCCL shuttle as you get on it.:)

[hambone1205]

the cab ride proply is cheaper then rccl transfers

[Merion_Mom]

Just curious as to how much it costed you from the airport to seaport with FinessLimo?

 

And what did you get like a Sedan or a Limo?

 

We are sailing from Miami on the 13 th of Dec and getting married in St-Thomas ... so going all out.

 

We stayed overnight in Miami before our cruise, so the limo was from FLL airport to our hotel in Miami (the Intercontinental - for such a special occasion as yours, Daphne & Bob, I HIGHLY recommend it - try priceline and 4-star in downtown Miami), then back from the cruise ship to FLL airport on our return.

 

In August 2002, we paid $140 INCLUDING gratuity. We had a HUGE van (all to ourselves, though they COULD have booked someone else; they just didn't HAVE anyone else at that time) from airport to hotel, and then a HUGE stretch limo from ship to airport.

 

I give them the HIGHEST recommendation. REALLY nice people.

 

Carol