172-1998 LTC
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
CITY HALL 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139
http:\\ci.miami-beach.fl.us
L.T.C. No. 172-1998
LETTER TO COMMISSION
December 14, 1998
TO: Mayor Neisen Kasdin and
Members of the City Commission
FROM: Sergio Rodriguez
City Manager
SUBJECT: POST CRU E SHORE EXCURSION -- SOUTH BEACH
On behalf of the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, I am
pleased to inform you that we are starting a series of cruise excursions to capture cruise ship travelers
who until now, have by-passed Miami Beach and headed straight to MIA when their ship reached
the Port of Miami. On January 23, 1999 a pilot phase of the "Post Cruise Shore Excursion to South
Beach" will begin. You will note that Travelways Inc., Miami Highlights/American Bus Lines and
Penrod's are working cooperatively on this program. In addition, we will staff a guest service desk
at Penrod's and provide an "ambassador" for each bus. There is no cost to the City of Miami Beach
for this program. The following is a summary of program highlights:
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES:
. The pilot program will run from January 23, 1999 through March 29, 1999 on Saturdays and
Sundays. An evaluation date will be established to discuss the feasibility of a permanent
program.
. Motorcoach service will be provided by Travelways Inc. for Carnival Cruise Lines
passengers on Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. as follows:
10:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Port of Miami/Penrod's
Penrod's/MIA
Penrod's/MIA
The net rate for transportation being offered to Carnival is $10 for an adult and $5 for each
child aged 12 years and under. Guests will be required to utilize the same bus line they were
transferred to Penrod's on for their airport transfers.
· Travelways Inc. will act as tour operator for this program. Payments from Carnival Cruise
Lines will be distributed to Penrod's through Travelways in a timely manner.
.
The "Electrowave" shuttle will pick up and drop off visitors at Penrod's if they wish to visit
other areas along the shuttle's regular route on South Beach. This shuttle service will be
made available on Saturdays and Sundays for the duration of the pilot program.
.
Tentative implementation will be on sailings scheduled for January 16 - 17, 1999. The first
guests are expected to arrive at Penrod's on Saturday, January 23, 1999 (Carnival's Ship, The
Imagination) and on Sunday, January 24, 1999 (Carnival's Ship, The Destiny and/or Paradise
and Royal Caribbean International's, Majesty of Seas).
.
The guests will be ready for transfer to Penrod's between 10:00 - 11 :00 a.m.
.
The computer generated tickets/vouchers that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean
International have agreed to use will expedite efficient handling of our guests.
.
We will develop a "Welcome" hand-out for distribution on arrival at Penrod's. This piece
will include a reminder of departure time, advise guests of their meal options, map of South
Beach, Electrowave Shuttle Map, etc.
.
An initial draft of the text for the tour description flyer will follow under separate cover. We
will also create a "rack" sized brochure to further promote this tour.
.
We intend to forward a supply of these brochures to the cruise lines by January 11, 1999.
If you have any questions, you may contact Michael Aller, Tourism and Convention Director at
(305) 673-7000 extension 6427 or by fax (305) 673-7782 or Melissa Cohen of the Greater Miami
Convention and Visitors Bureau (305) 539-3067 or by fax (305) 539-2985.
Respectfully submitted.
SR:RS:MA:jh
c: Ronnie Singer, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Michael Aller, Tourism and Convention Director/Chief of Protocol
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