FLL Sawgrass Mills question.

[bazan]

Hi,

 

Need some advice/suggestions from the group here. We are booked for a cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas in August. We will be arriving the night before at 5pm and tentatively have a reservation at the Embassy Suites. In our party there are 6 adults and 2 kids. We would like to see if we can make it to the Sawgrass Mills before the cruise which seems to be around 30min from the airport. The dilemma being because we have 8 people, it looks like we will have to rent 2 cars (yes we did booked the cruise and transfer package so... likely may have to change that to hotel only if really going), but not sure if it is worth it or have enough time to do some quick shopping (we are ok if we just do some quick bites instead of a seat down diner). The other option is going there at the end of cruise, but our flight is at 6:30pm same day, so looks like timing will be similarly tight.

 

Any suggestions? Thanks

[spcopps]

We actually go to sawgrass mall every year. We will also be staying in Ft. Lauderdale (Plantation) before our cruise. I would go the night you arrive and not push going on your return day because you can lost track of time LOL. Just want to let you know that wannado city is now closed (just in case you were interested in doing it at the mall). The mall is nice and even if you go just for dinner (do sit down instead of the quick meal you were talking about) there is a rainforest cafe that my kids insist on eating while there. There is also a nice little "skate park" that you may enjoy watching if anyone is in there at the time. When we go we usually spend 4-5 hours without including dining time but then again we go often and know where almost all the stores are. I would just play it by ear, if you are not to tired upon arrival go for it, if you are then know you were fine missing it. Another option, if weather is nice, is going to HardRock casino in Hollywood Fl. It has a nice outside mall with live music (at night) with a GREAT chocolate store. It is more expensive of course but if you just want a fun atmosphere it is great for walking around. My children are 3, 3, and 7 and they LOVE walking around the outdoor mall and looking up and seeing the sky but feeling as if you are indoors. We were there last month and it came an afternoon shower and they really had fun splashing in the puddles. Even I got involved and we were all wet before we were done :) Keep in mind it is small (maybe 15 or so stores) but it is a nice atmosphere and plenty of places to sit and listen to the music. From Sunrise Blvd I would say it is about a 15 minute drive to HardRock mall.

[monicajay]

Hi,

 

Need some advice/suggestions from the group here. We are booked for a cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas in August. We will be arriving the night before at 5pm and tentatively have a reservation at the Embassy Suites. In our party there are 6 adults and 2 kids. We would like to see if we can make it to the Sawgrass Mills before the cruise which seems to be around 30min from the airport. The dilemma being because we have 8 people, it looks like we will have to rent 2 cars (yes we did booked the cruise and transfer package so... likely may have to change that to hotel only if really going), but not sure if it is worth it or have enough time to do some quick shopping (we are ok if we just do some quick bites instead of a seat down diner). The other option is going there at the end of cruise, but our flight is at 6:30pm same day, so looks like timing will be similarly tight.

 

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

Personally I can't imagine getting off a flight and going to a mall. Plus anything you buy you will have to haul along on your cruise.

 

You will likely be off the ship by 9 am and could have a car(s) and be at the mall by 10h30. This would give you plenty of time to shop, eat and hang out before heading back to the airport. I have done this a few times and it also gives you something to do while waiting for a late flight.

 

I hate shopping but love Sawgrass as there are so many bargains.

[DanJ]

This sounds like a perfect way to fill in the day on your return while waiting for a flight at 630pm. You can rent a car from the airport (National and Alamo have free shuttles to the airport car rental center), since I'm not sure which local rentals will be open on a Sunday morning. You'll more than likely have lots of time to kill before the mall even opens so it's not like you even need to be in a rush.

 

The mall website says they are open until 930pm on Saturday nights, and open at 11am on Sundays. So, it's really tight timing if you want to go after your flight in, and I can't imagine doing that with a couple kids who are going to be wanting dinner. An option might be that a couple of the adults and the kids go to the hotel, and the rest go to mall, as I'm sure not all 6 adults are really interested in the mall either, and then you only need to rent one car. You'd still have a couple hours there, and it will likely be much quieter on a Saturday evening. I don't think it's feasible at all to go on the morning of the cruise unless you had a couple specific stores you were after and didn't care about getting on the ship until later. But on the Sunday you return, you'll have a good solid 4 hours at the mall before you have to go back to the airport, drop everyone off and return the cars.

[royalcruz]

It sounds like you are trying to squeeze a lot in. There really isn't enough time to go to Sawgrass on Saturday night, but when you return it certainly is feasible on Sunday. Just leave the mall around 4:15 to make sure you have enough time to return your car and check in.

[oncruisecontrol]

It sounds like you are trying to squeeze a lot in. There really isn't enough time to go to Sawgrass on Saturday night, but when you return it certainly is feasible on Sunday. Just leave the mall around 4:15 to make sure you have enough time to return your car and check in.

 

I guess it's because "I am the queen of play-it-safe", but I would recommend the OP to leave Sawgrass well before 4:15. If their flight is at 6:30PM, shouldn't they be checking in [for the flight] 2 hours before? If it were me, I'd leave the mall no later than 2:45. I'd want more of a cushion in case Murphy rears its ugly head (flat tire, getting of on wrong exit, etc).

[monicajay]

I guess it's because "I am the queen of play-it-safe", but I would recommend the OP to leave Sawgrass well before 4:15. If their flight is at 6:30PM, shouldn't they be checking in [for the flight] 2 hours before? If it were me, I'd leave the mall no later than 2:45. I'd want more of a cushion in case Murphy rears its ugly head (flat tire, getting of on wrong exit, etc).

 

 

OP would have plenty of time to check in with a 4h15 departure from the mall. Fifteen minute drive to airport, 10 minutes to return car, 5 minutes to walk to airline counter, still checking in at 5pm a full 90 minutes before flight time. There is no reason to be there 2 hours before for a domestic flight. One hour is plenty so in reality this has a good 30 minutes 'wiggle' room. If on-line check in is done in advance she could even arrive later.

 

You seem to play it very safe. I like a bit of wiggle room but not too much or you end up sitting around for ages doing nothing.

[oncruisecontrol]

OP would have plenty of time to check in with a 4h15 departure from the mall. Fifteen minute drive to airport, 10 minutes to return car, 5 minutes to walk to airline counter, still checking in at 5pm a full 90 minutes before flight time. There is no reason to be there 2 hours before for a domestic flight. One hour is plenty so in reality this has a good 30 minutes 'wiggle' room. If on-line check in is done in advance she could even arrive later.

 

You seem to play it very safe. I like a bit of wiggle room but not too much or you end up sitting around for ages doing nothing.

 

I do play it safe(and stated such in my previous post). Your timetable leaves no room for the unexpected (such as a flat tire or traffic accident, unanticipated airport security delays, etc.). Peace of mind is a valuable thing to me, and I always travel with a book and music (as I'm sure many people do these days) for passing time.

[royalcruz]

It's more than a 15 minute drive to the airport from Sawgrass. I was actually allowing for 30 minutes drive time, and figuring they'd be checking their bags in by 5:15, but I agree that if the OP doesn't want to take any chances to leave the mall parking lot earlier than 4:15, maybe around 3.

[bazan]

Wow great advice everyone... looks like the majority is advising on visiting the mall after the cruise. I am just wondering how difficult it is to get from the port to rental company (and also which rental company). I recall it was a zoo the last time we got off .. long line ups for taxis. My only worries now is if I go there after the cruise, I will now have all these luggage I have to worry about (and unfortunately my airline is not part of the Luggage Valet service offer by RCCL) . I am sort of now leaning towards the idea of going prior to cruise, and hoping some adults are willing to "sacrifice" and stay in the hotel to look after the kids while the remaining can go do some quick shopping. But then I am just not sure if this is worth the hassle at all ... renting a car ... etc...I am still undecided here....

 

By the way other than renting a car is there another cost effective option to get there? Apparently as I come to figure out getting a car which can accommodate 8 is very rare , so likely I may need to rent 2 cars if all 8 of us are going ... that's another reason why I am leaning towards renting only 1 car and having the rest to stay in hotel.

[royalcruz]

Your flight arrives at 5 PM. You have to get your luggage and check into your hotel, which is 30 minutes from the mall, get a car and get to the mall and find a parking spot, find a food court and eat something, then shop. It took me 15 minutes to find any open parking spots one Saturday night a few weeks ago. You might have time to visit a couple of stores, but this doesn't seem feasable.

[cruisecookie]

I hate shopping but love Sawgrass as there are so many bargains.

 

After a cruise do you have room in your luggage to fly home with all those bargains? Is the cost of checking an additional suitcase worth it?

[monicajay]

After a cruise do you have room in your luggage to fly home with all those bargains? Is the cost of checking an additional suitcase worth it?

 

 

I cruise with a carry-on and an small zip bag I can drag out and check if needed. I tend to fly JetBlue or Southwest, both don't charge for luggage. I also fly Delta but my husband has enough points we don't pay luggage on them either.

 

When both kids need new runners and I need new Merrill's and I have found gap jeans for $10 it would still be worth checking a bag.

 

Once, my daughter wore a pair of Roxy boots home that at that time were worth $100 in Canada that she found for $15 and a new Roxy hoodie that was $15 and would have been $50+ here so even if I paid for one checked bag it could well be worth it.

 

I hate shopping but with deals like that it is not so bad.

[bazan]

Anyone know if it is easy to get a taxis to sawgrass say from the Embassy suite. .. And also how much?

 

Thanks

[sandancer]

Have a look at the Quality Limousine website. For such a large group I would have thought it feasible to have them collect you from the ship and take you to Sawgrass and then to the airport. Only problem I can see would be the luggage.

[royalcruz]

Anyone know if it is easy to get a taxis to sawgrass say from the Embassy suite. .. And also how much?

 

Thanks

 

There are always taxis near ES. There is probably a taxi area at Sawgrass Mills that they can show you when they drop you off...if not, just call yellow cab. It will cost about $45-50 each way by cab to Sawgrass Mills.