Free time in Ft. Lauderdale

[marybeach]

Our flight doesn't leave Ft. Lauderdale until 6pm. Any suggestions on what to do to occupy time between disembarkation until 3 or 4 pm? HAL says we will probably be off ship by 10 am.

[taszmom]

Well there's lots of things depending on what you want to do...
Famous Ft. Lauderdale Beach
Museums
Las Olas Blvd - Restaurant & shopping
Hard Rock Hotel - NEW

[mattR]

The bigest problem is what to do with your bags. You can rent a car for storage or rent a hotel room. We are taking a ship tour for this very reason.

[Ellya]

Be sure to make arrangements of some type for your luggage. Some people rent a car to use and store luggage in. Others rent a hotel room for the day to store luggage and enjoy the facilities.

I don't recommend the Everglades tour that is offered by
HAL. It was overpriced and very low quality.

[anjan]

Be sure to make arrangements of some type for your luggage. Some people rent a car to use and store luggage in. Others rent a hotel room for the day to store luggage and enjoy the facilities.

I don't recommend the Everglades tour that is offered by
HAL. It was overpriced and very low quality.Thanks Ellya,
We were thinking of taking the everglades tour, but hadn't heard much about it. Our plane does not leave until 5pm and we were trying to come up with something to do.

[garydm]

The Land and Sea Excursion was horrible. Avoid it at all costs.

Gary

[Southbound]

Many of the major hotel chains provide a "courtesy" service for travelers in situations similar to yours. They have a secure, walk-in-type closet where luggage can be left for a nominal charge. It is manned by a hotel employee and a receipt is given, which must be turned in when luggage is picked up. We recently had a similar situation with family who came into New York City's Grand Central Station by train from Washington, D.C. for the day wanting to do some sightseeing before continuing on to Florida. They spotted a major hotel nearby, walked in, inquired about baggage-hold service at the front desk, was told it was available for a $5 charge, and enjoyed a full day exploring the Big Apple. The Sheraton at the FLL airport may very well offer such a service. Worth a phone call.

Have a great cruise! :)

[dakrewser]

Thanks Ellya,
We were thinking of taking the everglades tour, but hadn't heard much about it. Our plane does not leave until 5pm and we were trying to come up with something to do.
We enjoyed the Everglades tour - it certainly beats sitting at the airport.

[vjb223]

we are renting a car, instead of setting at the airport. Any suggestions?? that is all we will have time for. thanks

[Krazy Kruizers]

If you are going to rent a car for the day, either go out to Sawgrass Mills - BIG shopping mall or do the Everglades on your own. We loved the Everglades airboat ride.

[Giorgi-one]

I was just wondering how you spend the day on tours like the everglades and then get on a plane without bathing. Please don't sit next to me!

[dakrewser]

I was just wondering how you spend the day on tours like the everglades and then get on a plane without bathing. Please don't sit next to me!
It's not a walking tour!

:) -dave

[Krazy Kruizers]

You don't get wet on the Everglades Airboat ride. In fact, it is very cool and refreshing. You don't get in the water. Unles you want to become alligator meat.

[Sue's Mom]

I am really interested in this thread. I am going to email the Renaissance (which we are staying for two nights pre-cruise) about the baggage service.

KK (or anyone else), can you please let me have details of how to book an airboat ride. I had not realised that we were that near to the Everglades.

[dakrewser]

I am really interested in this thread. I am going to email the Renaissance (which we are staying for two nights pre-cruise) about the baggage service.

KK (or anyone else), can you please let me have details of how to book an airboat ride. I had not realised that we were that near to the Everglades.
We booked it thru shore excursions - Airboat ride & airport transfer. Details here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/dest/excursion.do?tourId=185&dest=020000).

[Sue's Mom]

Dave - the link would not work. I have been on to the HAL website but cannot find an "excursion" from Ft L.

[Ziggy7]

Thanks Ellya,
We were thinking of taking the everglades tour, but hadn't heard much about it. Our plane does not leave until 5pm and we were trying to come up with something to do.
This was alot of fun but keep in mind it gets you to the airport by 1pm, our plane didnt leave to 4:50 pm and you cant check in til 2 hours prior. Not much to eat on this side of the security gates either :(

[Spot]

As tazsmom said - The HardRock Hotel & Casino is another place to spend some time, located in Hollywood, FL - not too far from port everglades. From what I've read online, it's a nice resort.

[WindyCity]

I just called the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood and asked about them holding the luggage - they said no problem and NO FEE. Just take the luggage to the bell boy station. He also said they have a shuttle service that can be arranged to pick you up from port and then, later, take you to the airport. He was not sure if there was a fee.

[vjb223]

You just said the magic word, casino. Could you please e-mail me a contact number for the Hard Rock Casino, vjb223@aol.com

we have some time to kill in Ft. laud. and decided not to rent a car so pick at pier and and drop off at airport would be great thanks.

[WindyCity]

vjb,

I emailed you with the casino info - hope you got it.

[Ziggy7]

vjb,

I emailed you with the casino info - hope you got it.
me too please :)
ziggysmoney@yahoo.com

Thanks alot!

[WindyCity]

Email is on its way Ziggy;)

[estj]

try the butterfly gardens...it's a nice drive from the ship...and a magical experience. And if you rent a car through the ship...you're almost guaranteed to be one of the first off the ship! You can store your luggage in the car and enjoy the day for a minimal cost. After the gardens, drive back to Los Olas Blvd, for a late lunch and then head off to the airport.

[Ziggy7]

Email is on its way Ziggy;)
Thank You !

[vjb223]

thank you for the Hard Rock cafe info. cancelled car and will contact them. I appreciate your help. vjb

[WindyCity]

Vjb & Ziggy, when are you cruising? If before me - please let me know how it went with Hard Rock Casino.

[marybeach]

The Hard Rock seems like a great idea....we probably don't want to trek around too much after a 10 day cruise....but my SO will like the casino, I'm sure. Myrtle Beach is on target for the Hard Rock Theme Park in 2006 (or so) so maybe this will be worth checking out as an indication of what's coming....minus the roller coasters!!! I found their site and e-mailed them....should be interesting to see what they respond.

[anjan]

I didn't know that I couldn't check in earlier. I have always been able to at other airports. The airline told me I could fly stand-by and leave on an earlier flight. If I don't get stand-by, I can just fly out at 4:50.

[LoveLifeAtSea]

..... I'll tell you what we did a few years back.

My husband and I were doing back-to-backs and on turnaround day we decided to spend it with a wonderful couple that we met and enjoyed tremendously. They had a very late departure out of FLL and was going to do either a "local tour" or just hang out at the airport.

Instead of that, we decided to rent a car and drive up the coast on Highway A1A to Palm Beach! What a beautiful drive! I think it was only about 50 miles up the coast. I've been there before but the other 3 have not and we all so enjoyed the scenery. Once we got there, we enjoyed walking around for a while and having a leisurely lunch. One thing to point out though ..... We were VERY CAUTIOUS about time and the fact of "what if" we had car trouble, etc. We were back in PLENTY enough time whereas they still had between 2-3 hours at the airport and we were safety back on the ship hours before it departed.

It was just a great way to spend quite a few hours away from the airport and ship without "gambling" on missing our flight or cruise.

[CanSail]

In January I arrived in Fort Lauderdale a day before my cruise bringing along my eldest son to spend a wonderful week together just he and I. The day we arrived we checked into the hotel, changed into warm weather clothing, then decided to walk along the beautiful beach. I thought this would be lovely after leaving so much snow and cold weather back home.

I chose a section of the beach to sit and just enjoy the view of the ocean, there seemed to be many people around us doing the same. I found my son very annoying. he would not sit and relax at the beach, constantly wanting to leave. Finally he whispered to me to look around at the people on the beach...I saw only very friendly-looking men around us.

My son then asked me if it would be alright if we left the gay area of the beach.

My son still thinks I am fun to travel with as long as I don't pick out the beaches that we go to!

Enjoy your cruise and happy sailing to all.

[vjb223]

Thank you for your tips but I called the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood and checked with two depts. they had no knowledge of transfers from pier to casino then back to airport. Could you please let me know who or what dept. you spoke with to set this up. I love to gamble and the time will pass so fast, hubby hates it so will have to find a sports bar to let him pass the time. It will all work out, again thank you. vjb223

[WindyCity]

I Spoke to someone at the Bell Boy's station who told me about the free luggage hold and mentioned the transport that could be arranged. He asked if I wanted him to transfer me to that department, but I declined because I wanted to find out more about the airboat excursion. Hmmm, wonder what that is all about. But, even without the transportation, it's still a decent thing to do while waiting for our flight that evening. I am sure a cab ride would not be too expensive.

[marybeach]

Last night I reserved a rental car. They will pick us up at the pier and we can return the car to FLL airport. For about $25, it sounded like the way to go. What are the best sites to see and do for about 6-8 hours? We will probably be shopped out and live at the beach....but I've never spent any amount of time in FLL, just Miami.