How do you get from the port back to Ft Lauderdale airport?

[ALB0711]

We will be disembarking on 12/23 from the Sea Princess. Anybody have any tips on getting from the port back to the airport? We are supposed to have 9 ships in port that day and I'm afraid it is going to be a royal mess. We tried the Princess transfer once, but as I remember it is something like $30PP for the 5 minute bus ride to the airport. We are a party of 3 who will most likely have our full allotment of 9 suitcases and I'm the lucky guy who will drag most of that luggage around for my wife, son and I.

 

TIA

 

Allen

[Kerry&LuAnn]

Give a nice tip to a porter and he'll be sure to get you loaded up into a taxi and on your way quickly.

[Unn]

If you have an early flight, you can elect to keep your luggage in your stateroom the last night of the cruise, and then take it all off the ship with you the next morning. You likely will disembark earlier than passengers with later flights.

 

We did this 2 years ago, and it took us exactly 25 minutes from the time we left the door of the ship, caught a taxi as soon as we got off ($9.00 plus tip) and were through security and seated waiting for our flight.

[Host Caroline]

You are right .. it WILL be a mess..and that will also make it prime travel day for locals leaving for holiday as well.. I don't envy you AND I hope you don't have a "cut it close" flight.. IMHO the only way to make any time at all will be to get off, hail a porter for luggage and let him get you a cab.. they are "the best" at that when you really really need a cab.. not far and even if more than transfers for all your group IMHO worth it.. if you need it take two cabs over the x-fers

[janetz]

We sailed over Feb vacation with 7 ships in port. Offer the porter the tip up front, a $10 and you will be at the airport before 9:30. :p It is worth every penny.

[geoherb]

We were also caught in the mess of December 2003 when Fort Lauderdale set a record for number of ships in port. Fortunately for us, I had booked us a hotel room to fly back the next day--when flights were a lot cheaper. I was glad we did not have to contend with the crowds at the airport--only the rude people waiting for taxis. There was no order to it. I thought a few times that people were going to physically fight over one. Our wait was about 90 minutes.

[zoe girl]

how can you find out how many ships will be in port when you return?

[Stevesan]

how can you find out how many ships will be in port when you return?

 

Try this. It's not 100% accurate, but what is?:p

 

http://www.cruisecal.com/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=105

[coo359a2]

We just got off the Sun Princess on the 11th. Princess transfers were $10 pp. Sept 05 we used a taxi from pier to FLL Arpt. It was approx $16 plus taxi tip and porter tip.

[bubbadog]

i like armarillos idea and reserve a shuttle van:))),and reserve a room at a hotel incase everything goes to hell,and you have to stay aother day,always have a back-up plan:)) and i hope things go well for you;)

[SingerEsq]

I would look online for a car service (like a limo service, but most major cities have town car services as well) that you can reserve. It will probably be more expensive than a cab, but less than a Princess transfer and you won't have to hang around and wait. Your driver will be waiting with your name on a sign.

 

We bought Princess transfers for our last cruise and the hotel was right across the street from the terminal. Big waste, and we ended up with a hotel van b/c we did not want to wait until 1:30 or 2 p.m. for the bus to cross the street. We each tipped the guy $5 and we were there within minutes. He also said he would meet us after the cruise and take us to the airport, but since we had already purchased those transfers too we went on the bus. Never again, at least not in FLL. Airport, pier and hotels are so close, not worth it.

[fonthillhdtv]

all the rental car companies have shuttles that run between the dock and the airport jump one one and your off to the airport no problem

[elsje]

We will be disembarking on 12/23 from the Sea Princess. Anybody have any tips on getting from the port back to the airport? We are supposed to have 9 ships in port that day and I'm afraid it is going to be a royal mess. We tried the Princess transfer once, but as I remember it is something like $30PP for the 5 minute bus ride to the airport. We are a party of 3 who will most likely have our full allotment of 9 suitcases and I'm the lucky guy who will drag most of that luggage around for my wife, son and I.

 

TIA

 

Allen

 

My MIL and I just returned yesterday from our Sun Princess Panama Canal cruise. We arrived at Port Everglades early in the morning. We purchased transfer tickets from Princess on the ship for $10 each. We had a flight at 12:25PM from Fort Lauderdale. Disembarkation went so fast and the bus (all Greyhound busses) took 15 minutes to take us to the airport. They group passengers by airlines/terminals so one stop got everybody to the terminals were we needed to be. We were able to take the 10:15AM flight. This was the fastest disembarkation.

 

There is a BIG sign that says all porters are salaried!! We still tipped though;) one of my suit cases was pretty heavy. We had a great cruise.

 

ps. many passengers at the airport security failed to "surrender" the liquids not approved in carry-on luggage. Even my MIL thought she could get away with a bottle of water. Sadly she was one of them that held up the others since her bag needed to be searched.

[cruisesusie]

My husband and I carried our luggage off the ship on Brooklyn - it was a breeze. Unfortunately, Port Everglades doesn't allow it. We were on the Panama Canal cruise that ended yesterday and asked at the Purser's desk if we could carry our luggage off and that was the info we were given.

 

Susan

[ALB0711]

Thanks all for the great advice. Bottom line sounds like we had better have something lined up, taxi's aren't an option on the 23rd. I'll check with the van companies, if that doesn't work..... godd ole Princess transfers.

 

Allen

[janetz]

There will be an abundence of taxi's. A transfer is fine if you get to the airport later, and stand in a security line at the airport that goes throughout the building. ;)

[cruzzers]

If you can carry your luggage off, do it. Otherwise, just wait till the next color group is called and you will find your luggage all by itself in the terminal. (we always do that if we have a later flight) After getting your luggage, grab a taxi and you will be at the airport within 10 min. It is the same price one person or 4. Ask to be sure because some of them try to rip you off. It is usually around $10 to $12 for the ride since it is so close.

 

A word of advise....don't take ANYTHING questionable in a carry on. It holds up the lines and is very frustrating. I had a tube of hand cream that I forgot about at the bottom of my bag and it took me lots of extra time to be searched. I told them to throw it away but they still make you stand there while they check it for explosives. Just pack it all and check it if possible and that way there is no hassels to go through in security. Try to wear shoes that will come off easily like flip flops. No gel inserts or soles on the shoes either! No drinks that aren't purchased in the secured area.