KimV

SAS Transportation...we have used them several times (most recently for our June cruise).  Have had great service with them.  Cost is $15/person 1-4 people and 5+ people is $13.  We looked at Royal's transportation but it was more.

On 11/18/2022 at 1:38 PM, Mike T said:

For our February cruise, I decided to use ABnB and found a place on Ocean ave in South Beach.  It's rather small like a studio but since our flight gets in at 10am and it's within walking distance of plenty of things to do/see in SoBe and has a pool,...we're doing that this time.  I think our total was $245 which is about what I've found for hotels....and for Sobe, it's CHEAP!  I had reserved a room at South Beach Plaza Hotel for about the same amount but then reading more and more reviews of how noisy it was in the early morning hours...I cancelled it and went with the ABnB.  I think it will be a lot more private and quiet for the night before we embark.

We sail in March and I am finding "good" hotel rates to be $325+.  I booked the Hampton Brickell (we stayed there before and really enjoyed it) but the cost is $425.  Seems kinda high for a hotel.

Website is telling me it is down for maintenance and to check back later....have not been able to see any of the deals being offered

On 10/21/2022 at 9:28 PM, Adriana said:

@Mike T, awesome spot! Perfect! Right about there is where Collins becomes beachfront (c 5th to 14th), parallel to Ocean Dr. Typically, the hotels there are decent, but they are usually so packed that they may not be in the absolute best conditions. That is more of a tourist hotel than the other full on luxury ones. However, it will be fine. Go down a few blocks north, hang west and walk Lincoln Rd. It is the local pedestrian mall with boutiques, cafes, outdoor dining, galleries, etc. Everything is expensive in South Beach, but Lincoln is must better than Ocean Dr. 

is there a charge to access the beach?

For those that have stayed near the airport the night before a cruise in Miami, are there things to do in that area?  We have always stayed near the cruise port and enjoyed walking to Bayside but the cost for the hotels downtown have really gone up.  Just looking for hotel recommendations and what might be in the area.

On 9/21/2022 at 12:28 PM, Seafarer said:

We stayed at the Hampton Inn Brickell last Feb and would recommend it. Arrived at 9am and was able to check-in. Walked around Brickell Key for a couple of hours.

Did run into some problems getting to the port due to the Marathon. So next year we are staying at the Homewood Suites Blue Lagoon, as luck would have it the marathon is scheduled. It's an expressway ride to the port from there, plus we're arriving in mid-day.

We stayed there in February 2020 (right before the world shut down) and had a wonderful experience.  However, pricing is now pushing $500 for one night...hard to justify spending that kind of money for one night.

On 9/21/2022 at 11:06 AM, Traveling Mike said:

its not a hotel and you have to carry your bags up some stairs but it is the right price for a good bed and shower.   I stayed at this AirBnB and it was half way from the airport and port.  I just took a Uber to the room and one to the port.  Was much less than the $300 they wanted for a hotel room in February.

Airbnb: Vacation Rentals, Cabins, Beach Houses, Unique Homes & Experiences

We have looked at an Airbnb but the check in times do seem to be until 4 PM...we arrive in Florida at 10 AM....not sure what to do with our luggage during that time.

Looking for hotel ideas either by the port or by the airport.  Which location did you like best?  What are the best hotels at a decent rate that are clean and well maintained?

Just wondering if anyone has used an Airbnb instead of booking a hotel for their overnight stay in Miami.  Can be a big savings, just wondering if anyone has done it.  Looks like most of near the cruise port are in high rise buildings.

We are sailing on Harmony March 18, 2023.  In looking at our cruise planner, there does not seem to be many shore excursions on either St. Marten or St. Thomas.  There is nothing listed for Coco Cay, not even the Beach Club or water park.  Will Royal Caribbean be adding additional excursions for either island before March and will Coco Cay be appearing in the near future?

Wondering if anyone has done this tour on St Thomas. Looking for on if this worth it 

Wondering if anyone has done the Honeymoon Beach cycleboat tour on St Thomas. Looking for feedback on whether it is worth it 

We have used SAS Transportation a number of times and have always had good luck with them

Looking for the difference between a CB type balcony cabin and a 2D type of balcony cabin on the Harmony of the Seas.  Could someone tell me the difference?  I have tried to find information online and have had no luck.

For our cruise in June and also February 2020 we used SAS Transportation....no problems at all with them and a little cheaper than UBER/Lyft.

10 minutes ago, WAYNO said:

Yes.  Every ship we've been on in the Caribbean has offered this service. 

 

We were going to use a private company, SAS Transportation, for $15/ea.  How does that compare to the cost to book on the ship?

On 5/5/2022 at 5:00 PM, WAYNO said:

We no longer privately arrange a shuttle when we're done with a cruise.  We book a shuttle from the ship itself, and our bus is waiting at the terminal.  Painless.

Can you also book a shuttle to Ft Lauderdale airport from the ship as well?

We are looking for names of shuttles/transportation services from Port of Miami to the Ft Lauderdale airport.  Would like to compare to an Uber/Lyft service.

We are sailing out of Miami in June.  Our flight arrives in Miami, however, we had to change our flight home from Miami to Ft Lauderdale (saving ourselves 5 hours of sitting in an airport!!).  Will we be able to walk off the ship and get transportation to Ft Lauderdale airport when we disembark or should we try to make arrangements prior to sailing in June?

23 minutes ago, bobroo said:

I think your bigger hurdle might be the parental consent forms and the  passport for your granddaughter.  

We are all set there....her mom is flying with her to our house and will have all the necessary paperwork....our biggest worry is getting her tested 2 DAYS before the cruise and making sure the NAAT test is sufficient for RC

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

She can be tested the day of the cruise, the day before the cruise or 2 days before the cruise.  When are you planning on telling her?

What if we choose to use Walgreens for our testing taking the rapid NAAT test and she has the same done by her doctor, will the NAAT test work for Royal Caribbean?  The Walgreens website states that it meets pre-travel requirements...does that include RC?

What if we choose to use Walgreens for our testing taking the rapid NAAT test and she has the same done by her doctor, will the NAAT test work for Royal Caribbean?  The Walgreens website states that it meets pre-travel requirements...does that include RC?

My question is, we are taking our 12 year old granddaughter as a surprise for her 13th birthday.  She lives in a different state than us but will be traveling to Florida with us.  She arrives in our state the day before our cruise so she will have to be tested in her home state, correct? In order comply with the 2 day rule she will need to be tested the day before she arrives to our home.  Can we send her the eMed testing from Royal Caribbean and have her parents log on to complete the testing with her even though they will NOT be cruising?  Can this be done without the proctors stating it is for a cruise?  I will also state that we are all vaccinated.  We are really trying to keep this a secret from her until we arrive at the cruise port in Miami.  Not sure we are going to be able to  Any help to these questions is appreciated.

My question is, we are taking our 12 year old granddaughter as a surprise for her 13th birthday.  She lives in a different state than us but will be traveling to Florida with us.  She arrives in our state the day before our cruise so she will have to be tested in her home state, correct? In order comply with the 2 day rule she will need to be tested the day before she arrives to our home.  Can we send her the eMed testing from Royal Caribbean and have her parents log on to complete the testing with her even though they will NOT be cruising?  Can this be done without the proctors stating it is for a cruise?  We are really trying to keep this a secret from her until we arrive at the cruise port in Miami.  Not sure we are going to be able to  Any help to these questions is appreciated.

Sailing on a Monday in June...is the Friday before sail day OK to get the COVID test or does it have to be that Saturday?