Hotel Info Ships & Dip III

[BeiNtelligentLater]

The time has come, Ships and Dippers...we have hotels for you! Thank you for bearing with us while we found the best options.

Since we'll be in Miami during high season, we couldn't get one large block of rooms - which is what we usually strive for. Instead, we have five hotels near the airport for you, all with their own pros and cons. Read further, and we'll lay it all out...

First, pre-party details.

We've taken over the beautiful pool and courtyard area connecting the Marriott and Courtyard airport hotels. We'll have entertainment, food and drinks, and plenty of time and space for you to reconnect with all your Ships and Dip pals prior to sailing. The Sixthman team will also be in attendance - we're excited to meet you all! Admission to the pre-party is free, but there will be a charge for food and drinks...so make sure you bring cash! The party will be from 6-10pm; afterwards, you're welcome to stick around the hotel bar or explore what Miami has to offer.

Please be aware that a property adjacent to the pre-party location is undergoing a million dollar renovation, and there could be a bit of noise because of it. The Sixthman team stayed on this property during one site inspection, though, and did not notice significant problems.

Now here are your hotel options. All rates are valid January 24-27 and February 1-2...so come early and stay late! Since the Miami Marathon will be going on the same time we're down there, all options are near the airport instead of downtown.

Marriott Airport
1201 N LeJeune Rd, Miami FL 33126
305-649-5000
Reserve a room online
Cost: $179 per night

Pre-party held at this location
Largest block of rooms, so you'll be staying with a bunch of Ships and Dip guests
Free airport shuttle to hotel
Shuttles will be provided to the port on the 27th for a nominal charge
Adjacent property under contruction
Long term parking available for $9/night

Courtyard Airport South (owned by Marriott)
1201 NW 42nd Ave, Miami FL 33126
1-800-228-9290, mention Ships and Dip
Reserve a room online
Cost: $159 per night

Pre-party location held next door to this property - within walking distance
Free airport shuttle to hotel
Shuttles will be provided to the port on the 27th for a nominal charge
Adjacent property under construction
Long term parking available for $9/night
Wyndham Airport
3900 NW 21st St, Miami FL 33142
305-871-3800
Reserve a room online
Cost: $219 per night for double occupancy, Thirds and Fourths are $20/pp extra

Free airport shuttle to the hotel
Shuttles will be provided to the port on the 27th for a nominal charge
2.5 miles away from pre-party location
Hotel has recently been completely renovated
Great pool and outdoor area
Short term parking available for $6/day. No long term parking available

Holiday Inn Airport
1111 S Royal Poinciana Blvd, Miami FL 33166
305-885-1941, mention Ships and Dip
Must book over the phone
Cost: $189 per night for double occupancy, Thirds and Fourths are $10/pp extra

Free airport shuttle to the hotel, runs every 30 minutes
Shuttles will be provided to the port on the 19th for a nominal charge
Less than 2 miles away from pre-party location
Free short term parking, long term parking is $5/night
Red Roof Inn Airport
3401 NW 42nd Ave, Miami FL 33142
1-800-RED-ROOF, mention Ships and Dip
Must book over the phone
Cost: $135 per night for double occupancy, Thirds and Fourths are $10/pp extra

Free airport shuttle to the hotel, runs every 30 minutes
Shuttles will be provided to the port on the 27th for a nominal charge
Free Continental Breakfast included
1.5 miles away from pre-party location
Free long term parking, but area is unsecured

We know it's a lot of information to absorb, so for your convenience, we've created a map with all the important landmarks so you can get a better sense of where everything is. You can view it online here.

Please note that no shuttles will be provided to the pre-party from nearby hotels, but we've found that cabs are much less expensive and more convenient for you anyway. We'll make sure all hotels are aware that we'll need lots of taxis that night!

There will be shuttles provided to the port on January 26 for a nominal charge. We'll have a shuttle company selling tickets at the Marriott the night before the cruise; you'll be able to purchase return trip tickets at the same time.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office via phone or e-mail. We're happy to help steer you in the right direction if you need assistance.

[surprisingwoman]

I already have a reservation elsewhere. Last year we didn't make the party and to be honest we didn't miss it.

What are you guys doing?

[no nickname, just Andrea]

From what little I know right now, BNLater, myself and mobitz, Flipper and Pick Magnet, and Jessica and LauraP all have rooms reserved at the Marriott...

[BeiNtelligentLater]

That would be accurate nonick. surprising it was not the best of all gatherings last year, but this year I think there will be entertainment etc. Besides, if you stayed around us you could have dinner with us and people watch with us at the party!

[no nickname, just Andrea]

Poop on the party... it is all about being with the people!!

[surprisingwoman]

All right. I made the reservation at the Marriott, I don't know if we will use it, but we have it and I can talk about it with the dudes. Being at the Marriott will be more fun.

[BeiNtelligentLater]

Yeah because Random people will be there!

[Jessica]

I enjoyed our night at the hotel pub more than the party, I mean, Paul from Boston. Enough said. But the party was ok. the people watching was fun. I was a little shy that night not knowing everyone that well. None of that this time!

[no nickname, just Andrea]

I don't know, Jess, I thought we had a nice time just sitting with our feet in the warm pool for an hour or so at the party!

[surprisingwoman]

I have a reservation at "the" host hotel that I am going to cancel. Does someone else need a two double bed room/ non-smoking that wants to take it over?

Let me know!

xoxo

[iled]

surprising, you should pm toldyouso, she has a friend who needs a place and I am not sure if they have found one yet.

Where are you guys going for dinner on Saturday? We are hanging out at a mall and having dinner at one of about 10 places on Wendy's to-eat list. Perhaps Bubba Gumps? Are Americans like that in Canada? We see a commercial on TV an figure we need to eat there.

Looks like I won't see any of you before the cruise, that is too bad. It was nice last year to meet up and enjoy some time together.

[surprisingwoman]

How funny about the restaurants. Kent and I travel differently than most. We look for breweries and wineries to try. They normally have really good restaurants and we love trying local beers (hence our discovery of Great Lakes.)

I think after we get in Saturday we will probably park the car and walk down Ocean Boulevard and stop wherever it looks good. There's a 24 hour cafe that has a webcam:

www.earthcam.com/usa/florida/miami/

Right now it's 84 but feels like 96 there! Oy vey! Quite a bit different than the heat wave 21 we have outside right now. Thank goodness for the cloud cover or it would be 6!

[BeiNtelligentLater]

Ohhh man that means humidity in FL...........YUCK

[BeiNtelligentLater]

surprising we like to go to local places, and experience the local flavor.

[no nickname, just Andrea]

surprisingwoman said:

They normally have really good restaurants and we love trying local beers (hence our discovery of Great Lakes.)


Right now it's 84 but feels like 96 there!

YEA!!!


and

Holy crap!!