If there's ever a cruise port that could use an association with a car rental company, that port is Miami. And if there's ever a cruise line to jump when it sees an opportunity to do the obvious, that cruise line is Norwegian.
Forever first at recognizing that passengers don't ALWAYS want to eat at the same time, and don't ALL want to go home and talk about how many people they had 
dinner with, Norwegian came up with Freestyle Cruising. Pick a time to eat…pick a table.
Now, Norwegian has an association with Avis, in Miami, because that's where the new Getaway will be early in 2014. It's a good idea. Will it work? Who knows?
Having rented a car in Miami more than once, finding one near the port is not an easy chore. The closest we could find was right over there — so close you felt like you could walk there if it wasn't for the luggage…but that's another story, right, dear? A $20 cab ride later, not including the tip to handle all that luggage, we were almost there.
Cruise passengers who want to get off a ship and spend some time driving in 
Florida have two choices. Do what we did and take a taxi to the nearest car rental office, which isn't near at all, or catch a ride to the airport and rent a car there.
Neither is desirable. Nor easy. Nor cheap.
Norwegian/Avis may be what's needed, but it may not. The only thing mentioned in the announcement was "pre-tour" packages. That does nothing for passengers after their cruise…but then, the cruise lines are done with you then, aren't they?
Crown Princess
7 nights
January 11, 2014
Fort Lauderdale (return): Princess Cays, Curacao, Aruba
Inside: $502
Cost per day: $71
www.princess.com