Normally fly in, this time we're driving...help with FLL park & cruise hotels please

[bubbles1209]

I haven't posted on here in quite some time, so yes, been on plenty of cruises, but normally fly into Fort Lauderdale, this time we're driving. We plan on driving to Fort Lauderdale the day before our cruise in June, and we're looking for a Fort Lauderdale hotel with a park & cruise package where the parking is included. Anyone have any ideas on where we'll find this?

[JohninDC]

Start your search at:

http://www.sunny.org

http://www.stay123.com

http://www.parksleepfly.com

[KroozFoolz]

We used https://www.hotelnparking.com/Cruiseport+Hotel+and+Parking-3 to get the park and cruise package at Fairfield Inn and Suites http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllad-fairfield-inn-and-suites-fort-lauderdale-airport-and-cruise-port/ for the Freedom February 2014 cruise ;) and to get the park and cruise package at Cambria Suites https://www.choicehotels.com/florida/dania-beach/cambria-hotels/fla82?source=yext in March 2015.

 

This year for April we booked the park and cruise package at Hilton Garden Inn http://www.hgifllairport.com/ directly with the hotel. Several on our roll call are booked at LaQuinta http://www.laquintaftlauderdaleairport.com/ where there in no park and cruise package per se but you can leave your car there after one night's stay for up to 2 weeks and they offer shuttle service to the port for a fee or you can get a taxi.

 

In addition to the websites suggested in the post above, I like http://www.parkingstay.com/p/ft-lauderdale.html for the map so I can get an idea of where the hotel property is in relation to the port/interstate/turnpike. Unfortunately, it has not been updated in almost two years.

[RocketMan275]

We drove to FLL on our last two cruises.

 

The first time we stayed at Embassy Suites. There is a park and stay, not run by the hotel, there. We took a cab to/from the port which cost about $15 each way. Don't remember the cost but by the time you added the cab fare it was about the same as parking at the port. There was a shuttle to the port but it wasn't free.

 

The last time we parked at the port. Cost for a seven day cruise was about $100. This worked the best. We were on Oasis. Did self disembark. Walked across the street. Loaded the car. Paid our fee. We were on the road before 7AM.

 

We also have a long drive. About 14 hours. We're trying something different this time. We are stopping for the night in Ocala, about four hours to the port. Hampton Inn for about $140. We'll be on the road by 0630 arriving in the port around 1130. The Embassy suites is over $250. The difference will pay for our parking fees at the port.

 

You may not save as much as you think you will once you factor in all the costs by using a hotel that offers 'free parking'. You will usually have to stay some distance from the port. Some hotels have shuttles but they may charge for them. You may have to wait for them to pick you up. Add up all the costs. Be sure and factor in your time. All the time you spend waiting on the shuttle, riding the shuttle, they all add into your drive time home.

 

One other thing. Not sure of your routing. We prefer the Florida Turnpike since we think it is a better drive than I95. Since we make the trip a couple of times a year, we bought a Sunpass transponder. Saves a bunch of time not having to stop to pay fares.

Edited February 2, 2016 by RocketMan275

[DanJ]

A lot of sense in the post above. Can't beat convenience of having your car at the port and being able to make an easy getaway, especially if you have significant distance to drive. Apart from the port, I would recommend a place like Park n Go, which has discounted parking near the port entrance and numerous shuttles to get you back to your car afterwards. We just cruised last week and I saw many of their shuttles circling the port.

 

Most hotels in the area don't have "free" parking, they have park and cruise packages where you pay more for the room and the parking is included. It will still be cheaper than port parking, and perhaps a touch cheaper than Park N Go, but again, do you want to get on the road relatively quickly? I have heard nightmare stories of people trying to get back to their car after the cruise (and after the hotel has your money). Quite often they have one van that operates to the port as well as airport (and in some cases, the van serves several hotels) so you can have quite a wait.

[RocketMan275]

This is our first cruise on Holland. We seriously considered Park n Go for this cruise. Then we discovered that our ship will be in terminal 26 which is just across the street from the Midport Parking Garage. We will be thirty miles down the road before the shuttle shows up. An hour down the road before you can get to the hotel.

[simplelife]

We have found Park n go shuttles to be very reliable. It is going to take some time to get back to your car no matter what parking arrangements you have made.. One our HAL cruise of of FLL we found booking a hotel through one of our hotel loyalty sites and using Park n go to be cheaper than a hotel/park package. (even for the same hotel).

[OCruisers]

Parking at the cruise ship terminal is always our choice! Very convenient. :)