Expert: Linda - 4/7/2010

Question
We are cruising out of Miami. Flying from the west coast, is it better to take non-stop LAX to MIA, or is it best to fly into Ft. Lauderdale? How far is drive to port? We are coming in on Thurs., cruise is Sat. Time to play a day in advance. Biggest problem for use is we all have united miles that we may not be able to use.
SUGGESTIONS NEEDED ASAP.  Thank you!

Answer
Darla,

glad you have a chance to use your United miles.  It's a bear flying from West to East, so it's great you're coming in on thursday and get rid of the jet lag.

Here are some suggestions.  Fly into wherever you can use the miles; I'll give you ideas for MIA or Ft Laud.

If you fly from LAX to MIA, know that most will pick you up and take you to the hotel; other alternative is to rent a car.  If you book a hotel "Miami downtown", you can see the port from most of the hotels and you can book tours from your concierge at the hotel for that Friday.  Lots to do in MIA.  seaquarium, deep see fishing, trip to the "Indians" to gamble, sightseeing in south beach, zoo is great, parrot jungle.  To me, I'd rather book a tour and have a bus drive me and worry about the parking and not getting lost!  If you book the miami downtown hotels, you can catch a shuttle or cab to the port for under $10 per person.

If you fly into Ft Lauderdale, you want to book hotels on 17h street causeway if you are not renting a car.  There are plenty of things to see, do, shop in walking distance on 17th street.  If you want the beach, then book Ft Lauderdale beach hotels, there too you can walk to almost anything you want to see or do..(safe)  Most hotels will pick you up from airport to hotel, but none will take you from hotel to port of Miami.  You can get a shuttle for that arranged thru hotel.

If you are on a tight budget, I suggest using PRICELINE.COM for your hotel arrangements.  Understand you CANNOT change, alter or cancel once booked, not until accepted do you know your hotel.  We've used probably 50 times and no problems.

I'd like you to go to cruisecritic.com, join the community (free), then to to BOARDS, then find your cruiseline, click on that line, then you'll be in the area that shows you the whole site for your cruise line.  You can post questions and read answers from those of us that have cruised many times.  the information is mind-boggeling.  If you post your question there, you can find out what others have paid for their hotel thru priceline.com as well.  there is also rooms.com that offers savings as well.  You can also once you join go to ROLL CALLS, you navigate to your cruise date and ship and you can meet and chat with lots of others going on the cruise with you.  LOTS of info; many plan their own shore trips and have room for a few more; and bottom line, you get to go to a party for those people that are cruisecruitic members.  You meet the Captain and staff, they have a raffle and snacks.  We meet lots of people before we go on our cruise and if nothing else, you have someone to say "Hi" to when you see them on board or shore.

You will have a wonderful time no matter which option you choose.  

Linda