Wyotraveler

We are always reticent to fly into any embarkation port the day of a cruise since airlines are not totally reliable and luggage can get delayed. But we have done it with Barcelona (flew in from Dublin) because we our Plan B would have been to catch-up to our ship the following day (Cartegena). And that would be the basis of our advice. If the worst happened and you missed your ship (in Barcelona) could you easily catch-up?

 

Hank

Thanks

I normally always go in a day in advance, but we also have to deal with a connecting flight or two and often travel a good portion of day to get to the embarkation city. Was just thinking we could stay another day in Amsterdam and then take the early morning flight to BCN. I am just in the early planning stages, so of course nothing is set in stone for us.

Thanks again

Hey

I am looking at Mediterranean cruises for next summer or fall on either Princess or Royal Caribbean. We are looking at cruising out of Barcelona and hoping to spend a few days in Amsterdam before the cruise and then flying in for the cruise. Just wondering how far the cruise and airports are from each other. I do know that KLM offers several nonstops (2 hour flight) into Barcelona from Amsterdam and that I will not need to clear customs. Normally I always fly into the embarkation port a day in advance, but I am not sure on this trip.

Thanks in advance for help and suggestions

I attempted to search the forum for this first, but I am on my tablet and phone and each time I select search and try to type in the box my keyboard disappears. So while I'm sure this topic exists already I'd be grateful if a few people could reply. :)

 

I am curious if you booked through Hotwire for Fort Lauderdale or Miami and did the great deal/unknown hotel booking where you don't find out the name of your hotel until after booking: What hotel did you get? Were you happy with the result? What star rating was it under for hotwire?

 

Thanks!

I have used Hotwire several times and most recently have ended up with Hyatt House or Hyatt Place. Both are really close to the airport and cruiseport. I would checkout betterbidding.com for more help and suggestions.

Revere isn't really Boston.

 

I'd suggest Yankee Lobster or James Hook. Yankee even has it's own parking lot on the waterfront.

I just wished these places stayed open later. We are staying at the Seaport Hotel, but won't be checking-in until 8 or 8:30pm and I think both are closed at 5 or 6pm.

FYI:

As the last member posted I also got the Seaport Boston Hotel for $275 via Hotwire. i am finding this hotel, elsewhere for $250 not including any taxes and fees, so this rate is good.

Others have said that there is not much in this area, but we won't be checking-in until 8pm or later and then the next morning we will heading the cruise port, so we really did not need much more. I think we are just going to try and eat at Legal Seafood and other than that don't have many other plans.

Now on our return from the cruise we will looking for something in an area with more to offer, as we will staying for 3 nights. Any suggestions, as to area would be greatly appreciated.

Hey all

I just a search of the Royal Caribbean website and I can't seem to find a list of hotels they offer in Boston. Just trying to see if they offer better pricing than doing the hotel on our own.

Hey all again

I think we have decided against Europe, as the airfare is jus too much. Instead I think we are looking at New England for the fall of next year. Just need to decide on the Liberty of Seas out of New Jersey or the Brilliance of Seas out of Boston. Also need to decide on a departure date. I have several dates to chose from including some in August, September, and October. I was leaning more towards the later, as was looking at a website that shows peak foliage and if I remember right it seems, as though October was it. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

Hey all

I am looking at taking advantage of the BOGO offer on RCL, as well as some perks offered through my travel agent, CruCon, durning a Memorial Day sale. I am undecided on a cruise itinerary, but am leaning towards the Allure of the Seas to and from Rome for the fall of next year. Just wondering if this is a good time to travel there (crowds, weather, and so on). Only other thing that concerns me is the airfare, so am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for getting a great airfare. Of course I know I can book "ChoiceAir" through RCL, but wondering if there are any other options that might produce a discounted airfare.

Hey all

Just wondering how easy it is to get to Maho Bay by bus. We are on the the Oasis of the Seas and will be there on May 7, 2014. Also wondering what is the best time to be there in order to see the planes land. May have to look at flightstats.com before going.

Thanks

A month later, but catching this thread now since I am investigating rentals for my summer cruise out of Port Everglades.

 

It sounds like the closest rental centers are less than a mile from the port proper... if so, it would be possible to walk instead of taking a shuttle, right? Or is there some impediment (aside from potentially heavy baggage, obviously) that would make that not feasible?

I would not do it. Don't really remember that it was very walker friendly. The Thrifty/Dollar location just outside of the part does however offer a free shuttle. Alamo also offers a fee shuttle to their airport location. In addition both Hertz and Budget offer free shuttle to off airport locations.

Hey all

My friend and I have decided that we want to an Everglades airboat tour after disembarking from our Oasis of the Seas cruise. I am just seeing a few options when I do a search on the internet, as well as the excursion from RCL. Anyone have any suggestions on tours or companies to book with.

thanks

Hi there

Here is the reply I got from Dollar when I emailed them.

"For our Port Everglades location:

PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS:

Customer will be shuttled to and from the rental location to the Port of Everglades. The shuttle bus runs when the ships dock. The rental location is less than a mile from Port Everglades. Customers arriving into the port and taking a Dollar shuttle to the rental location will be charged a Port Recovery Fee of $3.95 per rental. Shuttle service is not provided to or from the airport."

This also applies with Thrifty, as they share this location with Dollar. I booked our rental car for pick-up at the airport and then drop off at the Port Everglades location. I am thinking of doing the same for the return from our cruise. I would just tell you to book on their website and click on "City Deals" on the results page. Doing this will provide you with an even better rate.

Hey all

Just wondering if the following message at royalcaribbean.com means that we have a queen bed, rather than 2 twins.

Room Arrangement: Together/Both Together

Just wondering, as i am traveling with a friend and would, rather have twins.

Hey all

I am just wondering what people's thoughts are on express self assisted disembark. I do understand that you should be mindful of amount and size of luggage you have. I have learned to pack light, so I don't think that will an issue with me. Will be cruising on the Oasis of the Seas in May and was thinking about this option. I don't think I have ever gotten off any ship at the time the cruise line said (both RCL and Princess).

Hey all

I just thought I would post a reply about renting from Thrifty in Fort Lauderdale. I was able to make a reservation for a midsize car for the Friday May 2 - Saturday May 3, 2014 for just $24. I am picking up the car at their FLL - airport location and returning to FL9- Port Everglades location. Their airport location offers Blue Chip Express service which is supposed let you to bypass the counter and just head out to the location listed next to your name on the monitors (much Hertz Gold, but for much less dough) to get your car. I have however been told to be careful, as they will charge you for a full funk of gas unless you have receipt for fuel, even when the gauge says full. At their Port Everglades location they will then shuttle us to the cruise ship. Still looking for a rental for my return, as their quite, as inexpensive.

Hi there

I can tell that I was able to get the below listed hotel through Hotwire for less than $60. This was really nice, as the rooms were super big and super clean. I would stay there again even at a higher rate. For my next cruise in May I was able to get a room at the Hyatt House which i think is real close the Hyatt Place and again was able to get it at a great rate through Hotwire. I have also booked a few beach front hotels through Priceline for a 30 to 40% off in the past. I would check out http://www.betterbidding.com if you decide to use Hotwire or Priceline to book your hotel, as this site provides lots of tips, tricks, and advice.

We used this before and had no issues and it was very nice.

 

Valuetrips.com

 

click on Hyatt Place Ft. Lauderdale and check the dates for room prices. We stayed there prior for $99.00 It was super clean and nice. Friendly staff and free shuttle service.

 

Pick of room

 

If we go out of Ft. Laudy again I will be here to stay overnight. You must book online and you could see the port from the window so if you chose here request a port view room.

Hey all

I think I have enough points with Hertz (earned through e-rewards.com) to get a free weekend day rental. Plan to use them to rent a car either before or after a May cruise on the Oasis of the Seas. In any event I would only have to pay for the taxes and fees, but of course with Hertz having some of the highest rates I was hoping to use a CDP to reduce the rate that the taxes and fee are calculated on. I did find one through mousesavers.com (2011420) and it does look to be very good, but just wondering if any else out there had any CDP codes they would suggest. Many of the other for Ames card holders, AAA, or warehouse club members and I am none of these.

Thanks

The combined Dollar/Thrifty office on Miami Road (right at the entrance to Port Everglades) did have a shuttle when we were there in 2009. You could call and confirm, but I would be surprised if they had dropped the shuttle.

Thanks for the reply

I tried calling that location and got a busy signal, so I e-mailed customer support and got the following reply.

"For our Port Everglades location:

PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS:

Customer will be shuttled to and from the rental location to the Port of Everglades. The shuttle bus runs when the ships dock. The rental location is less than a mile from Port Everglades. Customers arriving into the port and taking a Dollar shuttle to the rental location will be charged a Port Recovery Fee of $3.95 per rental. Shuttle service is not provided to or from the airport."

This is great to hear, so I can rent a car at the airport and then return to the location near the cruise port. Also can do the reverse after the trip. Also they seem to have better rates then many of the other companies. In addition I see tons of coupons for these companies on the web, so I may be able to get an even better rate.

Hi all

I have for a number of months been looking for a hotel from a pre and/or post cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale, but had never been too serious, as I had to book our airfare and that would determine the dates. In any event today I booked our tickets with Southwest from Denver.

After doing that I did a search at Hotwire and Priceline. I was hoping to get something near the beach, so I started my search on Hotwire and found a 3* hotel for $90 in the Fort Lauderdale beach zone. Using the amenities listed I narrowed this property to what I thought was the Ocean Sky Resort, but would not be sure until I booked it. Then checked out some reviews on this hotel. They seemed mixed, but was pleased to a large of good reviews. In any event I decided to try my luck on Priceline and started my bidding at $75, but unsuccessful, so I upped my bid to $80 and added the airport north bidding zone, as there were not 3* in that area. I was again unsuccessful, so I just decided to book the hotel at the $90 rate based on my previous experience and the information I had got at the website betterbidding.com.

Ended up with 3* Sky Ocean Resort for 05/02/2014-05/03/2014 for $90 + $19.95 (fees/taxes) = $109.59. Hotwire lists the hotel's amenities, as being pool(s), restaurant(s), internet access, self service laundry, in-room accessibility, accessible for the deaf, accessible path of travel, and roll-in shower. Some at betterbidding.com, due however believe that there may be more amenities those that should have been listed.

The hotel's website does show rates close to $150, so I am happy with my price. Also I understand that like most beach front hotels there is a parking fee ($15 at this hotel). Overall I am happy to get a breach front hotel for less than $100. Had previously stayed at the Westin and Sheraton Yankee Clipper and paid more through Priceline.

Hi all

Based on my experience and research at website called betterbidding.com I started my search for a hotel at Hotwire. I was this time looking for something in the airport zone, as we have an early morning flight. In any event I was able to get the following.

3* Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Airport South for $67.00 + $17.38 (taxes/fees) = $84.38 for 05/10/2014-05/11/2014. Hotwire lists this hotel, as having the following amenities, free parking, free breakfast, free internet, pet friendly, suite, airport shuttle, smoke free rooms, fitness center, pool(s), business center, internet access, golf nearby, accessible for the blind, accessible for the deaf, accessible path of travel, in-room accessibility, wheelchair accessible, accessible bathroom, handicapped parking roll-in shower.

The Hyatt website shows rates around $200, so the Hotwire rate is very good. I also previously stayed at the Hyatt Place which I think is close by and if memory serves me there are a number of shops and eateries near by as well. In addition I was hoping for a hotel with a business center, so I can print out boarding passes for our flight back to Denver on Southwest and this hotel seems to offer that.

Now just need to start researching rental cars for this trip.

Hi all

Was hoping someone could confirm that Dollar/Thrifty offers a shuttle to and from Port Everglades.