Expert: Linda - 3/27/2007

Question
We have just booked a New Years cruise on Carnival for 2007/2008.  What hotels are nearby the port to overnight at?  Crown Plaza and equivalent.

Answer
There are a number of hotels in "downtown" Miami.  At that time of the year, it's our "season", so they won't be inexpensive. If you google on "Hotels downtown Miami Florida" you'll see a map of where they are located.  You'll see Dodge Island, that's where the ship leaves from.  there is a Hyatt Regency, JW Marriott, Conrad Miami, 4 Seasons, Intercontenental Mandarin Oriental, Sheraton biscayne.
If you want to save some 4 and KNOW you're not going to cancel for ANY reason, the best way to book a room is Priceline.com.  Before you go there, log into BIDDINGFORTRAVEL.COM.  You can see what people have been bidding and what's been accepted.  When you go to Priceline.com, it will ask you for the area, you'll click on Miami, Florida, then it will ask you to choose the "area" in Miami, you'll click on Downtown.  It will ask you for your credit card info and the price you want to big to pay.  Card will NOT be charged unless your bid is accepted.  Once accepted, it can't be changed, cancelled, postponed.  Your card is charged right then.  I traveled a lot and always stayed in 4 star hotels for the same price my business travel agency would find.  I've used Priceline about 75 times and NEVER been disappointed.  We meet friends going on cruises in Miami and since we'll be drinking, we'll stay there and drive home next day.  In Sept we had the Marriott for $69, the Sheraton for $74, the Hyatt for $70.  None in high season though.  All the hotels are just a short cab ride across the causeway to the port.  A great area for watching people, eat, drink, browse is Bayside, walking distance from any of the hotels.  You can catch sightseeing boars for short cruises around the rich and famous homes; sport-fishing, lots to do there.  Also 10 min away is Coconut Grove, great place to go, lots of clubs (EXPENSIVE)  If you go priceline and your bid isn't accepted, no problem, you can try again in 3 days and up the bid, or wait till closer to your cruise.

Enjoy your cruise!

Linda