What to do the day we get back to Ft. Lauderdale?

[evawebrez]

Our family of 6 is going on a Carnival cruise in June, out of Ft. Lauderdale. Our flight home on the day we return to port isn't until after 8:00pm. We had a similar situation after our last cruise so we did the Everglades excursion but we're not interested in doing that again. Any suggestions for what to do that day to kill time? My husband and I will have 4 young adults (ages17-20) with us so we dont want to just go to the airport and hang out all day. The fact that we'll have our luggage is the challenge. If it weren't for that we'd have no problem shopping, touring, whatever. I can't imagine we're the only ones who have ever faced this dilemma. Any advice??

[capriccio]

Our family of 6 is going on a Carnival cruise in June, out of Ft. Lauderdale. Our flight home on the day we return to port isn't until after 8:00pm. We had a similar situation after our last cruise so we did the Everglades excursion but we're not interested in doing that again. Any suggestions for what to do that day to kill time? My husband and I will have 4 young adults (ages17-20) with us so we dont want to just go to the airport and hang out all day. The fact that we'll have our luggage is the challenge. If it weren't for that we'd have no problem shopping, touring, whatever. I can't imagine we're the only ones who have ever faced this dilemma. Any advice??

 

For things to do, consult http://www.sunny.org and http://www.lasolasboulevard.com

 

For luggage storage at the airport, check out http://www.bagstogo.net in each terminal. Many cruise lines also offer a luggage valet program where, for a fee, your luggage is taken off the ship and you see it again at your home airport. I would check that out with your cruise line.

 

The most popular attraction in Fort Lauderdale is the water taxi (http://www.watertaxi.com). It provides both transportation and a tour of the intracoastal and New River. The houses and yachts are incredible. Some of the restaurants near water taxi stops also offer discounts (see the website).

 

Another means of transportation is the sun trolley (http://www.suntrolley.com) at $1/ride or $3/day pass. On the weekends there is a free sun trolley route between the airport and downtown (check out the airport link).

[Nic6318]

Hi there

 

Rent a van large enough for all of you and your luggage.

 

If it is a nice day go to the Hugh Taylor Birch state park located in Fort Lauderdale. Many things to do, hiking, Segway, bikes, canoe/kayak rental. Washroom facilities. I would suggest bringing your own picnic from a grocery store, maybe pizzas. There is a per vehicle entry fee, but you are allowed to exit and re-enter. At one point you are across the street from the beach if that is of interest. Check out online the parks website and trip advisor. It will only be about a 15 min. drive back to the airport.

 

hope this helps

have a great cruise

[cb at sea]

I would book a day room at a hotel with a pool. Something to do, between pool, and tv... (and the all important wi-fi!)...and you can clean up before your flight.

 

But...compare the cost of whatever you pick to changing to an earlier flight. You could easily make a flight around noon, if there is one!

[taglovestocruise]

We have had the same situation several times. $15.00 to get to the airport via taxi, we had a 7:pm flight. We were able to drop our luggage curbside and get our boarding passes at 9:30 am with jetblue, the second time curb side drop off was unavailable that early so we dropped everything off downstairs at bag storage. Out side you can take the sun trolley back to downtown where you can catch the water taxi, go shopping or visit the museum. Sun trolley also gets you to Las Olas Riverfront area.

Check out FLL Sun trolley routes. TIP.. if you take the sun trolley from the airport it is best to walk down to the terminal 1 pick up point, it fills up quick and we passed terminal 2 and 3 pick up because it was full. happy cruising

[SuiteTraveler]

Here are a whole bunch of other ideas of things to do that are cheap:

http://fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com

 

You can also get a day hotel room:

http://www.hotelftlauderdale.net/dayroom.html

 

Another option might be going to this hotel and playing in the casino - you could check your luggage with the bellman until you are ready to leave:

https://www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com

 

There are also historic houses if you are interested:

http://www.stranahanhouse.org

http://www.bonnethouse.org

 

You might try some of the ocean front restaurants:

http://www.dinebroward.com/home/restaurants/beach_area.shtml

 

You can also take a boat tour of the intracoastal waterway and see the homes of the rich and famous:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34227-d142914-Reviews-Intracoastal_Waterway-Fort_Lauderdale_Broward_County_Florida.html

 

And there is lots of other stuff like a pirate ship tour:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?product=6273PIRATE&d=142914&aidSuffix=xsell&partner=Viator

 

a lunchtime sightseeing cruise:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductDetail?product=3425STP2HRLUNCH&d=142914&aidSuffix=xsell&partner=Viator

 

BTW: This is my favorite restaurant in the area - definitely worth going to:

http://www.seawatchontheocean.com

[evawebrez]

Wow! Thanks so much for all of these great ideas!

[griffy116]

We had only 5 hours before our flight and the airline wouldn't let us check our bags. We had thought we would check the bags and take a taxi to a nice restaurant. With the fees charged to store the luggage, we could probably have gotten a hotel for the day. We would have been able to go out, use the pool, have a nice lunch and shower and change before making a return to the airport. Since you have until 8 pm, i'd check on a day room. Even checking out earlier, they'll usually let you leave your luggage with them to pick up. Incidentally, we were so bored at the airport, we ate enough in ridiculously expensive food and snacks, we could have paid for a NICE hotel for an overnight stay and left on a early morning flight home. We were EXHAUSTED from just sitting at the airport until 3:45. i don't even want to think about being stuck there until 8 pm.

[docboy]

Following... good post.

 

Out of curiosity, how far is Cape Canaveral away? Would it be possible to do a morning tour at the Cape?

[capriccio]

Following... good post.

 

Out of curiosity, how far is Cape Canaveral away? Would it be possible to do a morning tour at the Cape?

 

Cape Canaveral is about 3 hours (200 miles) away from Fort Lauderdale.

[capriccio]

The most mentioned hotel for a day room in Fort Lauderdale is Rodeway Inn and Suites - do a search for reviews here and on TripAdvisor if interested.

 

Recently a poster reported that they were able to get a day room at the Riverside - a lovely hotel in a great location (right on Las Olas Blvd).

[docboy]

Cape Canaveral is about 3 hours (200 miles) away from Fort Lauderdale.

 

Ok, may not be ideal for the OP. Would be good to keep in mind if someone leaves a day after the cruise or arrives a day prior the start of the cruise.

[cmurchake]

Margaritaville in Hollywood, FL. Not sure if they could hold your luggage, but it's a cool spot and located on the boardwalk that you can walk up and down and shop, etc.

[evawebrez]

The most mentioned hotel for a day room in Fort Lauderdale is Rodeway Inn and Suites - do a search for reviews here and on TripAdvisor if interested.

 

Recently a poster reported that they were able to get a day room at the Riverside - a lovely hotel in a great location (right on Las Olas Blvd).

 

 

Darn! Just called the Riverside hotel... while they do offer day rooms, you can only book it on the "day of" because they only offer them if there is inventory available that particular day. Sounds like a nice hotel but I'm not sure I want to risk the potential for not getting a room. Maybe I can keep it in mind as an option but have a backup plan just in case.

 

Also took your advice and searched Rodeway Inn & Suites on Trip Advisor. Thanks for that suggestion. :)

[BallFour4]

We just did this in January. I rented a Suburban prior to the cruise for the day and we all loaded in a taxi to the airport

 

Aside from being a day after the shooter incident it was easy to get loaded up (airlines won't take luggage that early) and head to Harbor Beach.

We walked around the Marriott and run over to the water taxi tour for their opening at 10am. Fun morning, great lunch on the beach picked from a convenience store deli and the did some looking around.

 

Negotiate the rental over the phone, the web rates were higher.

 

.

 

 

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