Ft Lauderdale

[cruisegirl25]

We are taking a caribbean cruise on princess living out of ft lauderdale. We get in and 12:35 am - I do not know what we should do since we can not get on the ship until 1:00. Can you check into a hotel that late- and what about check out- most hotels i have stayed out makes you leave by 11:00. what happens during that time. Any info on the port. Where is it and where should we stay

[TrentS]

Of course you can check in to a hotel that late! You would of course have to guarantee the reservation with a credit card but I don't know what you would do if you didn't go to a hotel... I don't think you would want to sleep in the airport overnight and you won't get into Port Everglades at that hour.

 

Most hotels generally have a 12 noon check-out time, but you would want to leave before then. You can generally get on the ships somewhere between 11am and noon, they just tell you later so you're not complaining if they're running late.

 

Sailing out of Fort Lauderdale means Port Everglades... Here are some hotels along SE 17th Street, which are very close to and across from the Port. They're also close to shopping and dining and also a very short cab ride from the airport.

 

Renaissance, right across from the entrance to the port and the nicest of the SE 17th Street hotels... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLBR

 

Marina Marriott, also right across from the entrance to the port... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLFL

 

Holiday Inn Express, a block from the port... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fllcc

 

Embassy Suites, about 3 blocks from the port... http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSOES

[cruisegirl25]

Thank you for your info. I will check out those hotels. Have you ever used Priceline- I was looking and it says to enter an area. What area would I use. Thanks

[TrentS]

I haven't, but from what others have said they classify that SE 17th Street area as "downtown". You might read through this website for more info on Priceline... http://www.biddingfortravel.com/

 

There is also info on there about the various hotels and what they've been going for.

[geejay]

Why not go to Priceline and bid on a hotel in the airport zone? That way you wouldn't have as far to go that night. The motels are still nice if you pick a three star, and they aren't as expensive as the ones downtown. Sleep in a bit the next day, then take a taxi to the ship.

[TrentS]

The major airport hotels are practically the same distance away from the airport as the ones are on SE 17th Street. It's really only a couple of minutes farther to the hotels on SE 17th, and in fact some of the "airport" hotels are farther away from the airport than SE 17th is, and are not in a very nice area. SE 17th Street is a nice area, and SAFE.

[cruisegirl25]

Thanks for the info

[jan7487]

Is it correct that wine can't be puchased in Ft. Lauderdale until noon on Sundays? We arrive late Saturday night and had hoped to make a "wine run" Sunday AM before checking in at Pt. Everglades.

 

Where would be the closest place to buy from the Renaissance/Ft. Lauderdale, do you think?

 

Many thanks.

 

Janet

[stanjj111]

We like the Hampton Inn. Free breeakfast, transportation to the docks and it is right accross the street from the Broward Mall. You can also ask for a late checkout.