Motel stay before cruise
Oct 17th, 2006, 11:28 AM
#21
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No, not feasible. If you fly into Miami the day of, you will not need a car.
If you fly into any other city other than Miami, with maybe the exception of FLL, you will have to rent a car.
No way around that.
The Tri Rail system still has a lot to be desired and I would not plan on it getting me anywhere on time.
If you fly into any other city other than Miami, with maybe the exception of FLL, you will have to rent a car.
No way around that.
The Tri Rail system still has a lot to be desired and I would not plan on it getting me anywhere on time.
Oct 18th, 2006, 05:00 AM
#23
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So, If I were to fly from Phila to Miami on Monday morning, Feb 5th I should have no problems with getting a cab to the dock in time for the ship - since all the excitment/traffic will be on Sunday for the game. Would this work out? thank you
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:21 AM
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I too would not risk day-of-cruise flight. What about flying into PBI (West Palm Beach) or FLL on 2/4 and getting a hotel and car there - then heading to cruise port on 2/5.
I know Miami is a real city compared to Jacksonville - but husband and son attended SuperBowl in Jacksonville a few years ago and there is no describing amount of disruption to a city a SuperBowl can bring - there are activities the entire week before, media and all sorts of groups book hotel rooms 364 days in advance.
Are you even sure you can get a flight into Miami on the day of the SuperBowl? Flights also get booked up.
Another hotel option is to contact cruiseline and see if you can add a hotel night stay at this point - I tend to doubt it considering your date of departure, but there is always a chance they have booked a block of rooms and still have some available.
I know Miami is a real city compared to Jacksonville - but husband and son attended SuperBowl in Jacksonville a few years ago and there is no describing amount of disruption to a city a SuperBowl can bring - there are activities the entire week before, media and all sorts of groups book hotel rooms 364 days in advance.
Are you even sure you can get a flight into Miami on the day of the SuperBowl? Flights also get booked up.
Another hotel option is to contact cruiseline and see if you can add a hotel night stay at this point - I tend to doubt it considering your date of departure, but there is always a chance they have booked a block of rooms and still have some available.
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:31 AM
#27
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OH, I did it again - I put the wrong date down- I said Sunday that we would be sailing ---no, it's Monday, Feb 5th. and this would be after the SuperBowl, so if we got an early flight-and a cab to the dock, I don't see why we wouldn't get there on time for the 5pm departure...sorry about the confusion!
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:38 AM
#28
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djm...it says 5 pm sailing, but you must be on by 4. They will have a muster drill before sailing. That in mind, whatever time you arrive, you'll probably board around noon and usually you'll be able to go to your room at one. When you first board, make a beeline for the buffet and have a nice lunch before exploring the ship. Which cruise are you on?
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:51 AM
#29
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djm, the problem is you are flying out of the northeast in February and incliment weather ANYWHERE will almost certainly delay your flight.
If you can book a direct, non stop flight originating out of PHL, your chances are much better of making the flight. Also book the first flight of the day.
If you can book a direct, non stop flight originating out of PHL, your chances are much better of making the flight. Also book the first flight of the day.
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:59 AM
#30
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We will try to get a flight around 8am-if the weather is good it should take 2hrs from Phila to Miami. That gives us 2 hrs to get to the port by 12 noon.That'is if all goes well. The ship is Celebrity/Miami,Key West,and Grand Cayman returning on Sat 7am into Miami. If I had known when I booked that this was Superbowl weekend - I would have booked a week later! thanks
Oct 18th, 2006, 05:50 PM
#31
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Interested to hear how you like this cruise - we are taking same cruise 2 weeks after you (so if you hate it, I guess I really don't want to know).
I am still nervous for you taking flight same day as cruise. I guess you could always meet up with cruise the next day in Key West, but flights are delayed in winter far more than 3-4 hours in winter all the time.
I am still nervous for you taking flight same day as cruise. I guess you could always meet up with cruise the next day in Key West, but flights are delayed in winter far more than 3-4 hours in winter all the time.
Oct 19th, 2006, 05:45 AM
#32
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Gail- interested to know if you are going the night before your cruise. And if so, where are you staying? In Miami? We have been on this ship before-went to Southern Carribean and we enjoyed it then very much. My husband has always wanted to go to Key West/and G.Cayman-so this is a surprise for his Christmas present.
Oct 19th, 2006, 11:16 AM
#33
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We may be in same position as you - it is beginning of Feb. school vacation week and have not booked hotel yet (I know we should have - procrastination). We are flying down arriving late afternoon day before cruise, leaving day cruise returns. (Flying from Boston nonstop on AA)
My brother lives near West Palm Beach, so we will not be totally stuck.
Going with teenage dtr who wants to parasail - I wanted to swim with singrays, but now that strangely seems more dangerous than parasailing!
Husband wants to scuba dive in Cayman. Since there are 3 of us, we got a Concierge class balcony cabin.
My brother lives near West Palm Beach, so we will not be totally stuck.
Going with teenage dtr who wants to parasail - I wanted to swim with singrays, but now that strangely seems more dangerous than parasailing!
Husband wants to scuba dive in Cayman. Since there are 3 of us, we got a Concierge class balcony cabin.
Oct 19th, 2006, 11:45 AM
#34
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We're doing the same cruise 11/27, flying down the day before as we have friends in Miami and had no trouble booking the Hyatt w/a senior rate...but then again, this is the Sunday after Thanksgiving and everyone is going the other way!
Oct 19th, 2006, 11:57 AM
#35
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Well, I changed my mind - it was so much of a hassel to decide what to do about getting to Miami on time the day of the cruise. So, I called got in touch with the website that I used "Vacationtogo" - and they were very good to change my date and since I was within the time frame - there was no extra charge (they have been very good to work with) - just changed my date to Jan 22-27th. This way we can leave the day before stay overnight and they go to the ship. With unknown weather conditions/superbowl, etc. I feel this will work out better. Now I need to find a place for one night..if anyone can help with that....thank you
Oct 19th, 2006, 12:12 PM
#37
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doggone it, i hit the button too soon...here's a thread from cruisecritic that tells about bidding at priceline for cruise motels. Really good info here!
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=412923
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=412923
Oct 20th, 2006, 03:46 AM
#39
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Both the Intercontinental and the Holiday Inn Bayside are right downtown across from Bayside Marketplace and you can see the cruise ships.
However, my choice would be either the beaches, Coral Gables, or Coconut Grove. Key Biscayne and South Beach would be the closest beaches to the cruise ships. Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are only a few short miles to the port.
What would you like to do the day before? R&R in your room? Downtown.
Shop and see some sites? Coral Gables or Coconut Grove.
Sit on the beach with a mojito? One of the beaches.
Tell me an area and I'll suggest hotels.
One last question, are your new dates over MLK's Birthday Federal Holiday?
However, my choice would be either the beaches, Coral Gables, or Coconut Grove. Key Biscayne and South Beach would be the closest beaches to the cruise ships. Coral Gables and Coconut Grove are only a few short miles to the port.
What would you like to do the day before? R&R in your room? Downtown.
Shop and see some sites? Coral Gables or Coconut Grove.
Sit on the beach with a mojito? One of the beaches.
Tell me an area and I'll suggest hotels.
One last question, are your new dates over MLK's Birthday Federal Holiday?
