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I was down in the area in November for my Navigator cruise but we went down to Miami the day before and watched the ships sail out. I was disappointed that they have closed the Southpoint Park down. I guess they are totally going to make the park over but it sure takes away from being able to get down close to the jetty to watch the ships leave. We had to go over to Watson's Island to watch. Just not the same.
[ 01-27-2008: Message edited by: Atlcruiser ]
Rich
By the way can anyone in the US explain to me why it seems that Lauderdale is overtaking Miami as the big US cruise port? I much prefer Miami and I am at a loss to understand why big lines and big ships keeps moving to FL.
Port of Miami is seeing less and less ships every year, I remember the mid 90's when I was a kid we would see 3 Carnival ships, 2 RCCL, but my favorites were Leeward and Norway, then Destiny. It might be because capacity has increased in newer ships, 1 Freedom-class holds as many passengers as their first three ships, another thing is that Caribbean itineraries are decreasing while european and other markets are increasing so summer only sees a couple ships. I am sad RCI chose Port Everglades as home port for Genesis, people are not enthusiastic about cruise ships up there, maybe this is due to cost and local politics.
Tony
quote:Originally posted by ahrpd:Is the small park on Macarthur Causeway, just across from Miami Port still open? I used to get some good shots from there.Tony
Yes, that is Watson Island, right across from the Royal Caribbean terminals. It was closed down to visitors for about a year after 9/11, but now you can go down there again.
There are plans to construct a truck tunnel to the Port, which would go right through that park area. I imagine that if and when the project begins, that area may become off-limits again, this time perhaps forever if the infrastructure changes.
Thanks for the info. I suppose like at so many other ports, at some stage in the future, it will be almost impossible to take shots of ships docked at Miami, with all current vantage points being closed off for one reason or another.
From what I recall, ships at Port Everglades are also difficult to photograph unless you're after the Princess fleet which always dock near the bridge, together with the day cruisers.
Regards
The project's main components are two hotels, 50 marina slips for megayachts and 232,774 square feet of retail space that includes an open-air fish market and 11 restaurantsAt least six fountains, a performance stage and a reflecting pool are planned.
More info HERE
[ 01-29-2008: Message edited by: dmwnc1 ]
[ 01-29-2008: Message edited by: Linerrich ]
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:Did the Island Gardens Hotel and Marina Project completely fall through?
Apparently that was a victim of the recession along with lots of other projects. But the Port Tunnel project is moving along; the eastbound lanes of the MacArthur Causeway leading to Watson Island have been shifted farther south, since the tunnel entrance will be between the eastbound/westbound lanes. Watson Island and the park area across from the terminals has been closed off to the public, as that is the staging area for all the huge equipment.
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:But the Port Tunnel project is moving along; the eastbound lanes of the MacArthur Causeway leading to Watson Island have been shifted farther south, since the tunnel entrance will be between the eastbound/westbound lanes. Watson Island and the park area across from the terminals has been closed off to the public, as that is the staging area for all the huge equipment. Rich
So, no more shipspotting from Watson Island?
I think the last time I stayed in a Miami hotel was at a cheap Holiday Inn across from Bicentennial Park at the corner of Biscayne Blvd and I-395. That must have been in the early 80's? Looks like a couple of giant high-rises there now based on Google Earth. I visited again many years later (Nov. 1999), the American Airlines Arena was built but had not opened for business yet. It's been a while!
quote:Originally posted by dmwnc1:So, no more shipspotting from Watson Island?
No, it's been quite some time since you could do that. The only option now is to stop your car on the shoulder of the eastbound MacArthur Causeway (illegal and dangerous) and try to get quick photos of the ships across Govt. Cut. I do it occasionally but it's a harrowing experience! You run the risk of a cop driving up to you, or the Coast Guard security boats coming up to you; both have happened to me and I vow not to do it again (until next time.)
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:No, it's been quite some time since you could do that. The only option now is to stop your car on the shoulder of the eastbound MacArthur Causeway (illegal and dangerous) and try to get quick photos of the ships across Govt. Cut.
No, it's been quite some time since you could do that. The only option now is to stop your car on the shoulder of the eastbound MacArthur Causeway (illegal and dangerous) and try to get quick photos of the ships across Govt. Cut.
Hey Rich,Is this something new about Watson Island? Just about a month ago I was able to park on Watson Island and get some nice shots. Mind you it's all the way on the SW end of the island, but it's quite open with plenty of places to park. There were several people fishing from this point. If you're an early riser (which I know you are), this would be an excellent vantage point to photograph ships in the turning basin.
I took the following picture from the Watson Island vantage point.
I was able to walk East a bit to the other side of Seaplanes of Miami for a closer proximity to those ships docked farther East. Here is a shot from that vantage point, standing right at the shoreline.
Ernie
[ 02-15-2011: Message edited by: eroller ]
quote:Originally posted by Linerrich:No, it's been quite some time since you could do that.Rich
Rich, you can still take pictures from Watson Island around the Children's Museum and the seaplane base and on the west side of the island near the turning basin. Only the east corner is closed off for the machinery.
The Island Garden complex is still under consideration, they also have the sales center on the island but I'm not sure it'll get built.
Thanks for pointing that out!
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