We can buy roundtrip tkts there and back for 900.00 (my husband and I). These tickets will leave the day of our cruise and get us to the port just in time and fly us home the day the cruise gets back to Miami. Or we can buy roundtrip tickets that leave two days before our cruise and fly us home the day after the cruise gets back to Miami. The price for those tickets or only 153.00 (for both). The only catch is we will need to rent a car and stay overnight for a couple of nights before and one after the cruise. I have friends who live in Tampa and we can drive our rented car to their house and stay and visit. After the plane tickets, car rental, gas, eating out etc we will spend the 900.00 dollars. My husband wants to fly straight in and out for 900.00. I think we should spend the same and be able to visit and stay longer. What would you do? He doesn't want to drive at all. I say what is the big deal.
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If you can get the extra time off, I’d go with the second option--flying in early and leaving later. I’ve done it both ways and trust me, you will be glad for the extra time. When we flew in and had to take a taxi right to the terminal it was way too stressful, too much lugging about of luggage (now we know why it’s named that) and just TOO MUCH--lots of lines and stress and WAITING around. Same thing when you get off the ship. Disembarking isn’t instant--you sit around in a lounge and wait to get called, and then it takes a LONG time to find your luggage in the giant room where they lay it all out; meanwhile you’re staring at your watch and freaking out because your flight’s going to leave and where the heck is that last bag anyway!? (That cruise was from Miami.)
The other time we got in the night before and had plenty of time in the morning to get ready, have breakfast and a swim in the hotel pool before we had to get to the pier. We did go straight from the ship on the way home to the airport, but the flight was scheduled out far enough that there was no stress--I think we had 3 or 4 hours. Seemed like a long time, but it wasn’t. (That cruise was out of Tampa. If you like steak, go to Longhorn's Steakhouse, it's on the same street as Wal-Mart. Yummy.)
Honestly do you think food and a car rental for a few days is going to run you $700? I don’t.
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Even if you did spend $900 for the extra days, which I doubt you would, if you have the time and can visit with friends, then that is the way to go! And I say "what's the big deal?" too! You are on vacation! So, if I was booking this trip for you (or me!) I would go for the $153.00 airfare, have you rent the car, drive to Tampa, visit your friends and add just a little more to your vacation.
Have fun whatever you do! I wish I was going!
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I would stay and check whats in Miami, Tampa is a 5 hour drive if no traffic so you may find yourself sitting in the car all day. In comparison, the distance is similar of Washington D.C. to NYC but 1 hour longer. Check the beach or the famed everglades and alligators, or better yet, ask your friends to come visit you in Miami, that way they will already be there when you come from the cruise!
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I'm with you. A car is unlikely to cost as much as $100/day, so plane plus car is under $450. If you spend less than another $450 carousing with your friends (which seems likely unless you eat at expensive restaurants), you'll save money.
Of course, the reason the $900 tickets cost $900 is that people who want to fly in and out like your husband already bought all the cheap ones.
Tampa is nice, you might even see pythons driving across the Everglades. Chill out, drink mojitos, get into a cruise mood.
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You really ought to go earlier and not just for the sake that it cost about the same. Do you really want to take the chance your flight will arrive on time and you'll make the cruise on time? Granted you are traveling at a time during the year when weather is less of a concern but that doesn't mean something can't happen to to cause a delay. I've had flights delayed from where I am departing because of bad storms in another part of the country. It happens and it can have a huge impact on a trip. You should have the peace of mind knowing you got to your destination smoothly with your luggage intact and can make it to your cruise departure with ease. Having this peace of mind will go far to ensure you and your husband have a stress free happy trip.
Best wishes for memorable trip!
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I would arrive early and stay longer in florida. My biggest fear would be missing the cruise. I would not want to take a chance with bad weather, delayed flights or what have you.
I would stay in Miami, Its a wonderful, fun, virbrant city. There is a lot to see and do with many wonderful hotels. Unless you are really high end people. I can not see car rental, a hotel like the Westin or Marriott and meals would be 900 dollars.
Tampa is a great city but its over 4 hours driving through the everglades and not very exciting.
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My worry is that the $900 flight is cutting it a little close with the departure time of the cruise. If you should be delayed or overbooked and they don't let you board your plane (I've seen this happen) you will have a problem making the time that the ship departs. I also enjoy a good visit with friends and this helps make the option more attractive.
Maybe your husband doesn't want to visit and he's seeing the extra time as wasted. Try to think of an activity for the extra time that he would enjoy to make it more attractive for him.
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