Ft Lauderdale Today

[Randyk47]

I'd really like to hear from a Nieuw Amsterdam departing or boarding passenger today, or after they get home and can share, about what it was like in Ft Lauderdale today. There are six major ships in port right now with the maga Allure of the Seas being the biggest and the Nieuw Amsterdam being the relatively smallest. I haven't done all the math but that means there's something in the neighborhood of 32,000 potential passengers going and coming. :eek::D

[catl331]

I haven't done all the math but that means there's something in the neighborhood of 32,000 potential passengers going and coming. :eek::DIf that's just a guess, it was a good one! cruisett.com puts the total at 17136 passenger x 2 = 34.2K :) That's a lot, but not a number that FLL hasn't seen many times in the past.

[alpal1993]

Well at least they are enjoying beautiful weather.Right now it is breezy partly sunny and warm.Perfect for sailaway.

[blueboro]

This is an average day at FLL. There are some days they could have 10 ships in port and they are well equipped and experienced to handle.

[Krazy Kruizers]

when we got off the nieuw amsterdam in december -- there were 7 or 8 ships there -- allure is always there on sundays

we always choose not to fly out on the same day that the ship gets back in port -- mainly because our first flight is very early in the morning

but talking with a couple of the tsa people the next day - they said the airport was a zoo - long lines everywhere

[Randyk47]

If that's just a guess, it was a good one! cruisett.com puts the total at 17136 passenger x 2 = 34.2K :) That's a lot, but not a number that FLL hasn't seen many times in the past.

Not to mention the 90,000 plus or minus pieces of luggage, carry-ons, backpacks, etc. :D

Well at least they are enjoying beautiful weather.Right now it is breezy partly sunny and warm.Perfect for sailaway.

It does look a little nicer in Ft Lauderdale today though it seems to be clouding up a bit. :) Yesterday afternoon it looked like it was or had been raining. I watched a couple of the ships during the sailaway and it seemed the decks weren't quite as full as I've seen them though the weather appeared to have cleared up later in the afternoon.

[hcw80]

Port Everglades, the hotels, the cabs, the restarunts are all equipped to handle the crowd. The breakdown will be FLL. It is a lovely, small airport and a jewel compared to MIA. I highly recommend not flying out on cruise day. Flying in is much easier because you don't have to go through security. Right now, it is a little hazy and warm. However, to all of those in cold climates, it is heaven. Stay and extra day. Jump on the water taxi, go to the Everglades, enjoy the beach or the Hard Rock. There is much to do here and we love our visitors.

[Love the beach]

It was the same last Saturday when we got off the Noordam. There were 6 ships in port including Oasis. We went to visit family until leaving for the airport around 2 pm. Traffic was fine and we didn't encounter longer lines than usual at the airport---our only problem was finding a place to sit down as there were several planes all leaving around the same time frame ( Spirit airlines)!!

[kazu]

There were over 7 when we left last year - everything was handled well - and then we got to the airport FLL - there were HUGE lines at the airport. It didn't take our friends that long to get through though. (probably around 1/2 hour) We cheated, we flew business class, so we didn't have to get in the same line :) and we'll do the same thing again this year :) avoiding the lineup makes it nearly worth while.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There were over 7 when we left last year - everything was handled well - and then we got to the airport FLL - there were HUGE lines at the airport. It didn't take our friends that long to get through though. (probably around 1/2 hour) We cheated, we flew business class, so we didn't have to get in the same line :) and we'll do the same thing again this year :) avoiding the lineup makes it nearly worth while.

there was a time when us airways and delta had separate lines for first class passengers -- that has been gone for about 3 or 4 years now -- so we have to get in the regular long lines

[kazu]

there was a time when us airways and delta had separate lines for first class passengers -- that has been gone for about 3 or 4 years now -- so we have to get in the regular long lines

KK - that's really too bad. I guess I will have to develop a new appreciation for Air Canada :):)

[Randyk47]

there was a time when us airways and delta had separate lines for first class passengers -- that has been gone for about 3 or 4 years now -- so we have to get in the regular long lines

That's one of the things we like about American. Since Mrs. K is advanced frequent flier we get to check in using the first class line even if we're flying coach. She also puts us on the waiting list for upgrade to first/business class and I'd say we get upgraded about 70-80% of the time. Of course, bless her heart, there's a price to be paid for her frequent flier status and that's a lot of flights. She leaves Tuesday for another trip to DC, her seventh this year!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

A year ago in January we sailed on the Crown Princess there were 8 ships in port with the Eurodam being one of the smallest and the Oasis being the largest. Both Disembarkation and Embarkation ran smoothly. Other than a long wait for a taxi at disembarkation it was really not that big of a deal. It is my understanding that over at terminal one where Princess it has always been a long wait for a taxi.

Personally I think Ft Lauderdale has been handling it quite well for well over a year now and it really is not a big deal.
Just be aware you may have some lines. No reason to be the least bit concerned :)

[serendipity1499]

I'd really like to hear from a Nieuw Amsterdam departing or boarding passenger today, or after they get home and can share, about what it was like in Ft Lauderdale today. There are six major ships in port right now with the maga Allure of the Seas being the biggest and the Nieuw Amsterdam being the relatively smallest. I haven't done all the math but that means there's something in the neighborhood of 32,000 potential passengers going and coming. :eek::D

Port Everglades, the hotels, the cabs, the restarunts are all equipped to handle the crowd. The breakdown will be FLL. It is a lovely, small airport and a jewel compared to MIA. I highly recommend not flying out on cruise day. Flying in is much easier because you don't have to go through security. Right now, it is a little hazy and warm. However, to all of those in cold climates, it is heaven. Stay and extra day. Jump on the water taxi, go to the Everglades, enjoy the beach or the Hard Rock. There is much to do here and we love our visitors.

I would rather cruise out of FLL than MIA any time..Unfortunately our next cruise is out of MIA in 5 weeks, but we'll grin & bear it...

When we boarded the Noordam in Nov both the Allure & the Oasis were in port at the same time..No problem with traffic or crowds going into the port....As a matter of fact they had a ceremony, out of the port with fireboats...

FLL is equipped to handle even more ships & passengers..When we disembarked in mid December the four of us found a porter, cleared Customs, & got the Hertz bus to pick up our rental car by 10:15..We were on the highway with our rental car by 10:45 & on our way home..

However I would not have wanted to fly out of the FLL the same day..

LOL....Betty

[ricki]

There is a great Port Everglade's webcam:

portevergladeswebcam.com

Those ships are huge!!!

Ricki

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I know everyone is saying it is beautiful today in Port Everglades but it sure looks dark and cloudy on the web cam. Wonder if it is because the sun is shining directly at the web cam?

http://portfever.com/

Of course I am enjoying watching the ships at Port Everglades knowing i will be there just two weeks from right now :D

[mudscraper]

I'd really like to hear from a Nieuw Amsterdam departing or boarding passenger today, or after they get home and can share, about what it was like in Ft Lauderdale today. There are six major ships in port right now with the maga Allure of the Seas being the biggest and the Nieuw Amsterdam being the relatively smallest. I haven't done all the math but that means there's something in the neighborhood of 32,000 potential passengers going and coming. :eek::D
Randy
We got off the Noordam on 26 Feb. Eight ships total in port including the Oasis. We used Luggage Direct for our 11:50am flight. The cab lines were very short around 8:30am. FLL airport was a madhouse when we arrived around 8:45am. The lines were very long for check in passengers and the security lines extended out the doors to the curb. It took around 45 minutes to work our way through security.

By using Luggage Direct we were able to bypass the check in lines. I would reccomend this service to anyone flying out of FLL. 11:30am is the earliest flight for Luggage Direct participants.

[Randyk47]

I know everyone is saying it is beautiful today in Port Everglades but it sure looks dark and cloudy on the web cam. Wonder if it is because the sun is shining directly at the web cam?

http://portfever.com/

Of course I am enjoying watching the ships at Port Everglades knowing i will be there just two weeks from right now :D

So much for the beautiful day in Ft Lauderdale.....that's pretty wet looking sun and it's not glare. :eek:

I always start watching the port cam as we get closer....three weeks from tomorrow. I think there'll be four cruise ships in port for us on that Monday.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Well at least they are enjoying beautiful weather.Right now it is breezy partly sunny and warm.Perfect for sailaway.

Actually the web cam shows rain and winds in FLL right now. The temperature is something like 77 degrees. Hopefully it will be nice and sunny for our sailaway next Sunday. :)

[alpal1993]

Actually the web cam shows rain and winds in FLL right now. The temperature is something like 77 degrees. Hopefully it will be nice and sunny for our sailaway next Sunday. :)

It did rain a little bit but not for long The sun is shinning from between the clouds out west .We sail on Friday and 30% chance of rain which means 70% sun

[serendipity1499]

I know everyone is saying it is beautiful today in Port Everglades but it sure looks dark and cloudy on the web cam. Wonder if it is because the sun is shining directly at the web cam?

http://portfever.com/

Of course I am enjoying watching the ships at Port Everglades knowing i will be there just two weeks from right now :D

We're a little north & across the state from FLL..

A very weak cold front pushed into Florida earlier than expected today.. The rain which we welcomed was predicted in the afternoon.. However, it rained in the morning..We desperately need the rain, as we are in the dry season when many brush/forest fires occur..

Right now here on the west coast it's still cloudy, windy & 75 degrees..It's probably about the same over in FLL..

Still a lovely day for us!:):)

We're doing the Doc dance as will leave on our cruise in 5 weeks & received our Docs yesterday.. :D:D

Enjoy your cruise..

Cheers....:)Betty

[Himself]

I sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam two weeks ago and there were six in port that day.
We were the second to leave,the Celebrity Solstice being the first. When we docked last Sunday we were the second ship in and there were a mere five that day. The NA which is a huge ship did look tiny compared to the rest of the ships in port and at St. Maartem evem ths Solstice looked rather tiny as she was parked next to the Allure of the
Seas.

[Padraic]

I know everyone is saying it is beautiful today in Port Everglades but it sure looks dark and cloudy on the web cam. Wonder if it is because the sun is shining directly at the web cam?

It has been cloudy here most of the day. It was supposed to rain this afternoon but it has not, just overcast.

[Himself]

I am so glad that the days I recently spent in FLL (three before the cruise and one day after) we sunny and pleasantly warm.

[Cruisin Suzin]

There were a lot of ships the day we sailed on Feb 6th..around 6 of them and the Allure being the largest..I actually was impressed with how quickly the line moved..we were at the terminal around 11 and were on the ship by 11:45 ish..

The one thing you right about the FLL airport on departure day was a complete zoo..will stay and travel early the next day as well..

[spcl4cs_gal]

For those of us who don't have the pleasure of flying out of FLL the day after the cruise, that airport is always a zoo. Very limited seating and people who claim that the seat beside them is taken (by a piece of carry-on). :mad:

[Infi]

Port Everglades does a very good job of handling all the ships and passengers. Before Oasis and Allure arrived, I wondered how they would impact turnaround days, parking, etc. But, honestly, since then I haven't noticed much difference. Only once did I encounter an issue with parking at the port (garage was close to full), and that was during Oasis' pre-inaugural season. At any rate, the mega-ships and busy port are pretty unavoidable if you're sailing on a weekend.

I agree that the main place you will encounter issues is the FLL airport on disembarkation day. Yikes! I've dropped off visiting friends and relatives on days like that, and it's not a place I'd want to be.

[will773]

Should not even be a problem. Port Everglades handles more than this on a regular basis and everything works out fine.

[alpal1993]

The second part of the cool front will be coming through Thursday,Leaving great weather for all departures Friday,Saturday and Sunday.We leave Friday on the Westerdam and the Port shouldn't be too busy that day.

[Lady Chew]

We arrived in FLL in the early afternoon on Sat 2/26, for our cruise on Allure 2/27. The airport was the most crowded I have ever seen any airport, ever. I can't even begin to imagine how horrible the security lines must've been.

Yesterday the Allure arrived back in Ft. L (it was raining in the early morning), we were off the ship and checking in at the airport around 7:30am. Security was a breeze. By the time we began boarding for our flight home (@10:30am) the gate waiting areas were jammed.

[piscesgal223]

Just looked at the cam and it looked *beautiful*. I wish I was there already!

[Typhoon1]

We arrived two weeks ago.

Not anything out of the ordinary. Port Everglades is a busy place, they are equipped to handle the masses.

[Randyk47]

Just looked at the cam and it looked *beautiful*. I wish I was there already!

I also had the cam running in the background on my computer today and caught the sail away. Looked beautiful, one of the better days they've had in the last few days. We'll be there three weeks from today and we're really ready! :)

[piscesgal223]

I've been checking the weather in Florida, and in all the ports we're going to every day. :)

[Tamaracboy]

I'd really like to hear from a Nieuw Amsterdam departing or boarding passenger today, or after they get home and can share, about what it was like in Ft Lauderdale today. There are six major ships in port right now with the maga Allure of the Seas being the biggest and the Nieuw Amsterdam being the relatively smallest. I haven't done all the math but that means there's something in the neighborhood of 32,000 potential passengers going and coming. :eek::D

Randy:
I live locally and sail in and out of Port Everglades.
Just got off the NA and she was one of 8 ships in port including the Allure.
They are both on a weekly Sunday to Sunday schedule the entire season, so are always in together.
Port Everglades has handled as many as 12 cruise ships on one day. (US record)
Every Saturday there are typically 10 ships and Sundays usually average 8.
Other days of the week are fewer.
Three weeks ago on the NA I had the quickest boarding ever at 12:30 and my cabin was already available.
Then two weeks ago I also had the the smoothest debarkation ever.
Do not worry about the presence of the Oasis/Allure Mega-ships, they have had zero effect on the functioning of Port Everglades.

NOW: FLL is a different story. All the locals know to avoid our own airport on either Saturday or Sunday as the security lines can be VERY long.
This said, we will also do ANYTHING to avoid using MIA any day of the week.

SO: Just schedule yourself an extra day or two to enjoy the Everglades, or Water Taxi, or Sawgrass Mills or just a day on the beach.

r.
PS: Today the weather was sunny and about 75. NOt too hot & not too cold, perfect convertible top down weather.

[Randyk47]

Actually my question was more out of curiosity than concern. Just happens our cruise is kind of off schedule in that we sail out on a Monday and come back on a Friday. Last I checked there were four ships in port for our departure date and four for the return. The return will be a bit different as the Maasdam leaves Ft Lauderdale for Freeport and dry dock after our cruise so no passengers....at least not a regular cruise load....waiting in Ft Lauderdale to board. We will be coming into Ft Lauderdale Sunday, the day before the cruise, so there'll be a lot of arriving and departing passengers at the airport but it is what it is. We're staying close to the port over on SE 17th at Pier 66 and will grab a taxi to the port in the morning.

[Himself]

The Water Taxi stops at Pier 66 and I believe the Trolley to the Beach stops across the street from your hotel.

[Randyk47]

That's why we like Pier 66. We stayed there our first couple of cruises then the hotel, at least to us, went into a period of decline. Will be interested to stay there again after using a couple of other places for our previous cruises out of Ft Lauderdale.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Our experience is that Fort Lauderdale with 7 or 8 ships in port handles the traffic far superior to San Pedro with 3 ships in port.We have not yet had a problem getting to the airport quickly in Fort Lauderdale. And if you are lucky to get to the airport by 8:30, there is no problem with security. After that, I would't know.

Barbara

[kalliekae]

when we got off the nieuw amsterdam in december -- there were 7 or 8 ships there -- allure is always there on sundays

we always choose not to fly out on the same day that the ship gets back in port -- mainly because our first flight is very early in the morning

but talking with a couple of the tsa people the next day - they said the airport was a zoo - long lines everywhere


We were also there in December with the same number of ships including the Oasis which we were on. There were absolutely no lines at the airport when we arrived at 7:15 am. We easily made our early flight. Don't worry.

[Randyk47]

Holy moly!!! 7:15 AM in the airport means off the ship by between like 6:45 to 7 AM at the latest!?!?! My wife would kill me if I even suggested, under my breath, hidden in the closet, three cabins down the hallway that we get off the ship early enough to be at the airport at 7:15 AM!! :rolleyes::eek::D