Jump to content

FLL for POM cruise - hotel, transit, etc...?!


curls00

Recommended Posts

Booked for Carnival Liberty out of Miami on November 30 for 7 nights. We're flying in to FLL at about 5:20pm on November 29 (Friday).

Departing flight is 2pm on Saturday December 7.

 

We've never cruised before, so, we're wondering what your valued, expert advice is for pre-cruise hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, or Miami. Also, what's the best way from FLL to that hotel, and from that hotel to the Port of Miami the next day? Lastly, best way from port to FLL for departing flight.

 

We're a family of 4 (kids will be 7 and 4). Looking for something comfortable but not $$$$ in a hotel.

 

Thanks in advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On our family cruise this past April, we also flew into FLL and sailed from POM. After a lot of research, we finally booked two adjoining rooms at the Sleep Inn & Suites FLL airport. We selected this hotel for several reasons: free airport shuttle, affordable rates on both regular rooms and suites, stores and restaurants within walking distance and, while not a deal breaker, a free breakfast buffet that was incl in the rate.

http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-dania-florida-FL664

 

While the hotel is not luxury, it was certainly very decent and clean. The hotel was the indoor corridor style and the rooms and hotel areas were very clean, the pool, hot tub and patio furniture were clean as well; plus they offered pool towels which was nice -- I hate having to use the room towels to dry off after swimming. The rooms also had a mini fridge, coffee maker and small microwave, plus a flat screen TV w/HBO and an in room safe. I also want to mention that I am a clean-freak and checked every nook and crany incl. behind the comode and also under the mattress and sheets and found the room to be both spotless and smelling of cleaning products. The adjoining room - ditto. This hotel is under new Mgt and they really do bend over backwards to make sure that your stay is what you expect it to be. We enjoyed talking to the owner and he was nice enough to share that if you show your room key-card at Pancho's Mexican restaurant, you will receive a discount.

 

There is a 24 hr Walgreens next door and a Publix shopping center across the street. In the plaza, there is also a Dollar store and three restaurants: Pancho's Mexican, Italian and Chinese, plus the Publix deli - if you wanted to bring your meal back to the hotel or pool area. The Publix did sell wine and beer but no liquor.

 

The hotel offers a shuttle to port Everglades but not POM. ------- We used QLS shuttle service for our round trip POM transportation. Top notch customer service. We selected a 9 am hotel pick-up and was at the POM at 9:45. Once dropping off our bags with the porters, we were among the very first to enter the port at 10 am when the doors opened. QLS was also on time for our pick up after the cruise. We also had a 2 pm flight so we did not have to rush. We requested a 10am port pick-up but ended up being off the ship with bags by 9am. QLS called us and said they had a shuttle on the way and if we wanted we were welcome to catch that one. It all worked out well. QLS was the best--- always keeping in contact with us by cell so we knew they were aware of our resv. In addition, the driver was very nice and even offered to stop at a store on the way to the port in case anyone needed to grab soda, water or any other items. He offered this of his own accord which was a very nice gesture as a lot of shuttle services will not make stops. Not sure if this is the norm, but is was nice of him to ask. He also gave us a mini-tour of certain areas and icons that we passed on the way to the port. It made the drive very pleasant. http://www.qualitylimoservice.com/default.aspx?pageid=1

 

 

BTW: The Sleep Inn & Suites offers a pretty nice discount if you book early. Plus if you have AAA, AARP, Military or Govt or a few others you can save even more. With our AAA we saved 10% per room which was sweet. So our total for booking several months ahead and using our AAA discount snagged each room @ only $89 We had a 5pm arriving flight and didn't want to spend a fortune for 2 rooms, so this worked out perfect. A lot of other hotels for this April time frame were up over the $175 range per room so we felt like we got a good deal.

 

 

 

:) Good luck to you and have a great time !

 

 

 

.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Go on Expedia (.com) and look up Fort Lauderdale hotels for the night want. You'll see MANY hotels. Narrow your search to included Free transporation to hotel (Free Breakfast...etc.) whatever you want. Watch the Star ratings and people's review. That will tell you alot about the hotel so you can find the best match for your family. For the most part, Fort Lauderdale hotels are cheaper than Miami's..... We've stayed at Cambria Suites, Mariott SpringHill Suites, Hyatt Suites... all 3 stars, all about $150 per night (during January). All have free transportation from airport.....and then we used SAS to the POM and back to the airport.

 

There are many transportation services that will take you from Fort Lauderdale to POM and then back after your cruise. We have used SAS for four years in a row....they're reliable, reasonable, and nice. Here is their email: ridesas954@ aol. com Here is their web page: http:// www. ridesas . com/

 

 

Happy hunting.....I've learned to enjoy the preparation for a cruise. I love to find a good deal, but will not give up quality and cleanliness. We have traveled/cruised with our girls for years.....they LOVE it!!! Our youngest daughter was a "Platinum" cruiser by 15. You and your family will LOVE it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QLS transportation (www.qualitylimoservice.com ), SAS (www.ridesas.com), MJS transportation (www.gomjstrans.com ), and Go Airport Shuttle (http://goairportshuttle.com/) are FLL based shuttle services with reasonable prices and discouts for familes and groups - the trip from the FLL area to POM takes about 40-45 minutes.

 

For info on most FLL hotels check: http://www.sunny.org

Hotels are generally cheaper in the FLL area and it's usually simpler to stay near FLL and then shuttle to POM the next day.

Some of CC members favorites:

Sleep Inn Dania

Cambria Suites Dania

Hyatt Place FLL north and south

Hampton Inn (2 airport area locations)

Embassy Suites

Holiday Inn Express convention center

La Quinta Airport

Hilton 17th Street

Bahia Mar

Hyatt Pier 66

 

Good luck! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QLS transportation (www.qualitylimoservice.com ), SAS (www.ridesas.com), MJS transportation (www.gomjstrans.com ), and Go Airport Shuttle (http://goairportshuttle.com/) are FLL based shuttle services with reasonable prices and discouts for familes and groups - the trip from the FLL area to POM takes about 40-45 minutes.

 

For info on most FLL hotels check: http://www.sunny.org

Hotels are generally cheaper in the FLL area and it's usually simpler to stay near FLL and then shuttle to POM the next day.

Some of CC members favorites:

Sleep Inn Dania

Cambria Suites Dania

Hyatt Place FLL north and south

Hampton Inn (2 airport area locations)

Embassy Suites

Holiday Inn Express convention center

La Quinta Airport

Hilton 17th Street

Bahia Mar

Hyatt Pier 66

 

Good luck! :)

 

 

I HIGHLY recommend MJS!!!! They were awesome- with great communication!! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...