Port of Miami Car Hire

[KarenG]

Hi there

Has anyone rented / dropped off a car at Alamo at the Port?

What's the process - is it easy, and what is the best way of getting luggage & people from the car hire office to the right part of the port? Do we drop off all passengers and luggage first and have one person drop the car back, or is it best to stay together?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[*source*]

DH dropped us at our hotel and went back to the Airport with the car - got a taxi to our hotel and in the morning we all piled in a taxi outside the hotel to the port. There are tons of taxis outside most hotels.

I didn't know you could actually drop off at the Port - I thought that wasn't possible! The Port is mad - people everywhere but the atmosphere is great!

Which cruise are you doing? x

[KarenG]

Thank you very much

I don't know that you can drop off at the Port, but I just assumed you would be able to Thank you for posting that or I may never have known!

We are sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line, on the Pearl.

I just can't decide whether to try and manage without a car or not for the four days we are in Miami / Fort Lauderdale pre-cruise. I really wanted the freedom of having one, but the cost of parking everywhere I have looked seems very expensive ($25-$30 per day at the hotels I've been looking at). I'm wondering whether just to get a taxi fom FLL to our hotel and then use public transport for the four days.

It's hard to envision as I've never been there before, and DH's last visit was nearly thirty years ago, so he's not much cop either

[ajmaggs]

As far as I know, there are no car hire pickup/dropoff facilities at the port. When we took a cruise in September, we dropped our car off at the Miami Beach office on the morning of our cruise, then took a taxi to the terminal.

I'd strongly recommend you have a hire car though, especially if you are moving between Fort Laurderdale and Miami - public transport is available, but I'd not recommend it on a regular basis.

We were based in Miami Beach for a week before our cruise, and had the car for the entire week - picked up at the airport on arrival, and dropped off in Miami Beach. Miami Beach hotels generally have very limited parking on site (hence the high daily parking rates), but we used the public parking garage which was only 5 mins walk from our hotel, and was half the price.

[KarenG]

Thank you very much for your help

[*source*]

NCL Pearl gets good write-ups on Cruise Critic! We are booked on the NCL Sun for Alaska in the summer

If you are at a hotel near the Port I would maybe use your car hire for a couple of days adn then put it back and do the last couple of days around the Port on foot. There is plenty to do and see at Biscayne Market Place and the atmosphere there is fab... but use your car hire to see Miami Beach and things like that... Or just do some tours/use a taxi - might be cheaper than your car hire costs anyway?

What route are you doing on the Pearl?

(have fun! x)

[KarenG]

Thanks!

We went for the Pearl as we liked the look of it, in particular the Bliss Lounge which really appealed; plus I like the idea of Freestyle Dining. I would have preferred DCL to NCL but the price was prohibitive as we are cruising over Easter.

The Sun gets great write ups too so I'm sure you'll have a fab time and the views will be wonderful in Alaska!

We haven't chosen a hotel yet as I am still mulling over the carhire issue but the port location is one I haven't considered yet, so that's something to consider.

[*source*]

We stayed in the Holiday Inn, Port of Miami - it was a good price - if you are only looking for a room for two then check Priceline you can get some fabulous deals... I used it for my parents in law who ended up coming with us - they stayed in the Hyatt and they really liked it... the InterContinental also gets great reviews on Cruise Critic.

For us though, the Holiday Inn was great - just opposite Biscayne Market Place and the Marketplace was vibrant at night and during the day - lots to do and see... If you request a room on the upper floors facing the Port you will be able to see the ships docking. It is a great pre-holiday excitement!

All the best!

[KarenG]

That sounds great. I daren't risk Priceline in case there wasn't enough room for my DDs (though thinking about it, that could be an advantage )

[*source*]

Originally Posted by KarenG

That sounds great. I daren't risk Priceline in case there wasn't enough room for my DDs (though thinking about it, that could be an advantage )

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That's why we didn't do it too - I think they only guarantee doubles! My inlaws got a great deal though but not worth risking if you have kids and want them to stay with you!