Photo by Patriarca12
There's probably no such thing as a perfect airport, is there? Our recent experience in Miami left us thinking MIA comes close.
Here are two examples…
Number one:
Many people who cruise like to arrive a day or two early, or stay a day or two late, or both. That often means renting a car. If there's any airport in which it's easier to rent a car, we haven't seen it. None of the car rental companies is in the terminal. They have their own building…an entire building, housing as many rental companies as you can imagine. You 
get there by taking a short ride on a tram. When one leaves, the next one is a minute behind.
Okay, maybe two.
You go to and from your car by elevator. No struggles with luggage. When you return, elevator up…pay the man…turn the corner and there are the vehicles that shuttle you to the Port of Miami. Take a cab and it's 25 bucks, flat rate.
Number two:
We didn't know airports did this any more, since 9-11, but you can check bags and store them at the airport…just like the old days, except more expensive. It costs about $12 a day (depending on the size of bag), you have to be photographed, bags are subject to x-ray and you have to verify they're yours with proper ID.
So, if you want to rent a cheap car for a day or two before catching your cruise ship, you can leave bags at the airport, rent your car, hit the turnpikes of Florida, return your car, pick up your bags and head for the ship.
There are costs, of course, but what price convenience?
Carnival Conquest
7 nights
February 10, 2013
New Orleans (return): Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel
Inside: $389
Cost per day: $55
www.carnival.com