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Dene

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My wife and I are taking advantage of some low cruise rates out of Miami to the Bahamas and back, around Valentine's Day. The night prior to boarding will be spent in Miami. I'm trying to zero in on a condo or decent motel that's in safe, walking distance to the cruise ships. Is the South Beach area a good choice? Also, we'll be there a day prior. I'm thinking of driving out to Key West and back. Other sights we should take in?

-Greg
 
Dene":371nodt2 said:
My wife and I are taking advantage of some low cruise rates out of Miami to the Bahamas and back, around Valentine's Day. The night prior to boarding will be spent in Miami. I'm trying to zero in on a condo or decent motel that's in safe, walking distance to the cruise ships. Is the South Beach area a good choice? Also, we'll be there a day prior. I'm thinking of driving out to Key West and back. Other sights we should take in?

-Greg
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It would be beautiful but a decent drive from Miami to Key West - about 4 hours as I recall. You could enjoy other keys with a shorter drive.
 
Dene,

There is only one road down the Keys. The Overseas Highway. Just start and go as far as you want, to get the feel of the Keys. However, Key West is a unique one of a kind experience.

Brent
 
The closest hotel to stay would be near Bayside Marina, but you don't want to walk to the cruise ships. The port complex is huge.

I'd look for a hotel in Coconut Grove over South Beach myself.
 
TomRay":kc57fdht said:
The closest hotel to stay would be near Bayside Marina, but you don't want to walk to the cruise ships. The port complex is huge.

I'd look for a hotel in Coconut Grove over South Beach myself.
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South Beach it is. I'm zeroing in on a few around $130/nite. That's more than I want to pay. I nailed a nice condo in Orlando for $70/night and another condo in historic Savannah for $99/mo. (Gotta love Craigslist).

Another question. I'm dumping the car at Miami Airport. Is it difficult to get a bus ride, cab, or shuttle to South Beach?
 
Check with your hotel of choice for shuttle availabilty. There is a flat rate from the airport to the port of Miami which is $25.00 . Don't feel to bad about the 130.00 per nite in Miami or anywhere else in South Florida. This time a year ago you would have been paying twice that amount for a hole in the wall joint. Enjoy your cruise and visit to my neighborhood.
 
We are sitting on our hill watching snow drift down on the Snoqualmie Valley. Your question has us remembering Beer-battered Conch fritters at a sunny upstairs cafe in the Nassau Market overlooking the harbor. yum-m-m-m-m-m-m-m. Don't miss that! By the way, Conch shells make good fog horns for your boat.
We were greeted by tour guides at the boat and were glad we took one. Our guide, Wilma, drove us around the island in her little van. We usually self-guide but were there with Mom and the tour was very afforable and educational and saved on tired feet.
I asked her to take us to the Atlantis Hotel. It is amazing! The tour of the aquarium there is free. Just go and act like you own the place. Merv Griffin built it for his wife (one of the Gabor sisters) Quite the palace!
When you drive down to Key West see Hemmingway's house. Plan extra time on weekends because heavy traffic to garage sales/swap meets. We underestimated and almost missed our plane home! Have a wonderful time! Beth & Fred
 
When you come down here come early and go to the Miami Boat show 12-16 of Feb . If you have never been it's like 4-5 seattle shows rolled into one with about 4 sites . I used to work the shows selling Pro-lines and Rinkers . used to be Fun times . Going down to Key West would be a long drive for one day .Maybe to Marathon to get a sence of what the Keys offer .Or come on over to naples we can go for Lunch with my CC-23 we'll show you Naples . Jim (Duckless) on Jennykatz
 
Jim (jennykatz) has some fine recommendations. If you are only going to have a day or two either side of your cruise, it's going to be hard to "see it all." Orlando to Miami is a pretty good drive, especially considering the typical traffic. Traffic in the Keys can get backed up and take the better part of a day to get from Key West to Miami. Might consider picking one spot and get to see something besides the traffic. Or add some additional time to the trip and enjoy what Florida has to offer. We've been to the Miami International Boat Show several times - enjoyed it as tourists, boat buyers, and workers - it's one of the best.

Have fun with your vacation!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Wow, I heard Parrot Jungle was going away when I left Miami in the 1990's, but it looks like it has been reborn as Jungle Island. Really neat place.
 
jennykatz":373fj1hr said:
When you come down here come early and go to the Miami Boat show 12-16 of Feb . If you have never been it's like 4-5 seattle shows rolled into one with about 4 sites . I used to work the shows selling Pro-lines and Rinkers . used to be Fun times . Going down to Key West would be a long drive for one day .Maybe to Marathon to get a sence of what the Keys offer .Or come on over to naples we can go for Lunch with my CC-23 we'll show you Naples . Jim (Duckless) on Jennykatz
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Thank you for the kind offer and advice. I had no idea the boat show was on during that time. Trouble is...when we get off the ship Friday morning, 2/13, we'll have a 7 hour drive to Savannah. My wife is itching to visit it and her hero's (Paula Deen) restaurant. Boat shows are tough on her. She's endured 9 knee surgeries thus far with the upcoming 10th being a replacement.

-Greg
 
Papillon":z7qzjxhi said:
My wife is itching to visit it and her hero's (Paula Deen) restaurant.
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Your wife has excellent taste. Ask her to order me a plate of Paula's fried chicken and send me a lip smaken review.
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I shall. She's intends to try every dish that has butter. We're going to be on a diet in January to get ready for this trip. I betcha all will be gained after that feast.

Question. The space shuttle is due to launch on 2/12. We'll be in Bermuda. Will we get to see or hear it launch? Always been a dream of mine.

-Greg
 
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