Ft Lauderdale or Miami for one night before cruise?

Two 25 yr olds of ours are flying into Ft Lauderdale, Fri. Oct 27 at 11 am. They cruise on Carnival the next day at 4pm. Want to spend one night in a hotel easy to get to the Port of Miami but also near the beach or an area with fun things to do. First should hotel be in Ft Lauderdale or Miami, South Beach, or where? Dont need anything fancy , just clean. Best form of transportation to get to these places without renting a car? Are the Everglades air boats worth arranging either before cruise or when arriving back as they dont fly home until 4 45pm?

For sure choose a hotel in South Beach. They can uber to the hotel from FLL. Same to port the next day.

Look at Hotel La Flora in South beach. Perfect location. Not a big resort with pools etc., but an updated boutique type place a block and a half off of Ocean Dr. Light breakfast and happy hour included. It's become very popular, so not sure of availability. Check it out on trip advisor. We stayed there a couple years ago for four nights and would stay again anytime.

Anything around 17th St. and south would be great for walking to everything. Not sure of your budget. But you can research on trip advisor along with recs here.

I know the guys would rather skip the air boat and spend their time around South Beach.

I agree on a hotel at South Beach Miami that is closer to cruise port.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

Uber from FLL to SB will run about $40; Uber from SB hotel to POM the next day will run about $12-15+ depending upon hotel location

Hotel in South Beach 100%. Try to stay east of Washington Ave, and south of 27th street. Uber is the best way to get around.