Expert: Linda - 10/27/2000

Question
Hi Linda:

Boy it sure is hard to try to find out just where everything is in Miami.
I am flying in from Toronto to Miami on November 26th 2000 to board Carnival`s Ecstasy on the 27th.
I am of limited funds and don`t want to end up with a cab driver who wants to make his day`s take
with me by driving around about to get to where I want to go.
I cannot find a map anywhere that shows me where the two places are and how far they are from each other.
I need to book a hotel also, but as I said I am of limited funds and must convert to American dollars which is very scary now.
Do you have the information I need that allows me to make some decisions about where to stay and how far I will have to travel to get to where the ships leave.
Telling me that the cruise starts in Miami Florida is of little help to me when I don`t have any idea where the port is.
Can you also suggest a hotel-motel very near to where the cruise begins?
I would appreciate this information a lot.
Your sincerely
Shirley

Answer
Shirley,
It's about a 20 minute ride fromthe airport to the port of Miami.  You should not get ripped off as all cab drivers are licensed and none are allowed that are not.
As for a hotel, you're arriving during our "season" and hotel prices go up.  The least expensive I know of is the Howard Johnsons at Bayfront.  Ask for a room that looks out on the bay, that way about 4 AM you can look out your window (if you're up) and see your ship pull into port.  The Howard Johnsons is a basic hotel, it doesn't offer 5 star service, but it's clean, has a pool and is close to the port.  The restaurant is not really good, so I'd choose to eat breakfast or dinner, depending on when you arrive, somewhere else.  There is a main road that your hotel will be on and there is everything from Kentucky Fried chicken, tacos, there is a food court in the shopping center about 1/2 mile down the road.  Do not venture off the main roads as outside of the "safe" area is an area you do not want to stumble into.  I hope you have a wonderful cruise, the Ecstacy is a great ship and you've picked a great time of the year, our weather is really beautiful.  Enjoy our trip, ask away if you have any other questions.

Linda