Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ

[galavant3]

Hey everyone. Going on the Allure on March 11th - 18th. Just starting to look for pre and post cruise hotel rooms.

 

It will be me, DH, DS13 and DD10.

 

Pre-Cruise - We get into FLL at 11:00 PM, so by the time we get to any hotel it will be close to midnight. So, not looking for anything fancy but something decent and safe. Can be close to the airport or pier. Looking for suggestions.

 

Post- Cruise - We don't leave until the next day at 3:00 PM. So, we have an entire day so would like a bit nicer hotel. Either on the beach or a really nice pool. Also, maybe some shopping etc. I have been looking on Expedia to see what hotels look nice. This is what I found. Any input on any of these would be great.

 

1. Beachcomber Resort and Villas $220

2. Renaissance FLL - $209

3. Embassy Suites - FLL/17th St. - $221

4. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - $229

5. Bahia Mar - FLL - $152

 

Thanks for the help. Lynn

 

Also try lastminutetravel.com. We were able to book the Hilton Airport for $65 a night.

[royalcruz]

Hey everyone. Going on the Allure on March 11th - 18th. Just starting to look for pre and post cruise hotel rooms.

 

It will be me, DH, DS13 and DD10.

 

Pre-Cruise - We get into FLL at 11:00 PM, so by the time we get to any hotel it will be close to midnight. So, not looking for anything fancy but something decent and safe. Can be close to the airport or pier. Looking for suggestions.

 

Post- Cruise - We don't leave until the next day at 3:00 PM. So, we have an entire day so would like a bit nicer hotel. Either on the beach or a really nice pool. Also, maybe some shopping etc. I have been looking on Expedia to see what hotels look nice. This is what I found. Any input on any of these would be great.

 

1. Beachcomber Resort and Villas $220

2. Renaissance FLL - $209

3. Embassy Suites - FLL/17th St. - $221

4. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - $229

5. Bahia Mar - FLL - $152

 

Thanks for the help. Lynn

You say that you don't leave for your cruise until 3PM...usually the ship sails around 5 PM and you are supposed to be checking in by about 3PM. Most people arrive around 1PM at the terminal.

Also look at Doubletree Gallery One...next to very nice mall and grocery store, a few blocks from beach, nice pool, on waterway, watch boats go by, suites for family.

 

Beachcomber...if that's the one in Pompano it's going to cost you a lot of cabfare and I don't think there is much around. Bahia Mar has a great beach location. Hard Rock is too crowded for my taste but you might love it... the pool is the nicest of the hotels on your list, and there are some boutiques. Embassy and Renaissance are the closest to the port and airport and they are nice.

Edited December 29, 2011 by royalcruz

[wtrcruise]

What is the most economical way to get 6 people from?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

1) FLL to MIA area hotel,

2) from MIA area hotel to port of miami

3) from port of Miami to FLL area hotel

 

Thank you

[SweetCheeks Cruiser]

Have been trying to get the Hyatt Place North in the Las Olas Blvd area because we liked walking to the Publix, wine store, great little cafe and Outback plus being able to take the sun trolley to the beach. Can't get Hyatt or Embassy Suites. Do you know of any other hotels (decent) within walking distance of this area?

[royalcruz]

Have been trying to get the Hyatt Place North in the Las Olas Blvd area because we liked walking to the Publix, wine store, great little cafe and Outback plus being able to take the sun trolley to the beach. Can't get Hyatt or Embassy Suites. Do you know of any other hotels (decent) within walking distance of this area?

You mean the SE 17th St area (Las Olas is a couple of miles away). The following hotels are walkable to this area and decent:

Holiday Inn Express convention center

Extended Stay

Renaissance

Hilton Marina (a few blocks further)

 

There is a Comfort Suites on US1 nearby but reviews aren't great and it's not in the best part of the neighborhood.

[royalcruz]

What is the most economical way to get 6 people from?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

1) FLL to MIA area hotel,

2) from MIA area hotel to port of miami

3) from port of Miami to FLL area hotel

 

Thank you

 

CC members recommend SAS transportation. From the hotel to the port a taxi might be the best option.

[LynnTH]

You say that you don't leave for your cruise until 3PM...usually the ship sails around 5 PM and you are supposed to be checking in by about 3PM. Most people arrive around 1PM at the terminal.

Also look at Doubletree Gallery One...next to very nice mall and grocery store, a few blocks from beach, nice pool, on waterway, watch boats go by, suites for family.

 

Beachcomber...if that's the one in Pompano it's going to cost you a lot of cabfare and I don't think there is much around. Bahia Mar has a great beach location. Hard Rock is too crowded for my taste but you might love it... the pool is the nicest of the hotels on your list, and there are some boutiques. Embassy and Renaissance are the closest to the port and airport and they are nice.

 

No - the nicer hotel is for after the cruise. I used airline miles and could not get any flights back the same day so we don't leave until 3:00 on Monday (cruise docks on Sunday). Before the cruise we get in at 11:00 PM the night before.

 

Good to know about the Beachcomber. I have no idea where these hotels are as far as location. Was just looking at pics online. So, we will rule that one out. Now just to decide on beach location or nice pool/shopping??

[Pigeon9876]

rjones683,

 

We are doing the same thing in March and after all my research we will be taking the GO shuttle located at FLL outside the baggage area of the airport just tell the dispacher where you want to go in MIA and they get you there. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Cruiseport at Bayside and the cost pp from FLL is $18. I contacted SAS and they said at that time of the year they would be unable to offer transportation to MIA

Edited December 29, 2011 by Pigeon9876
name

[maun]

Hi,

We'll be in Fort Lauderdale for a full day before our cruise in February. We'll be staying at Embassy Suites on 17th St. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make the most of the day? Is there anything that is a "must see" in FLL? We won't have a car so will have to rely on a cab or bus? Does the Sun Trolley go by the Embassy Suites or the Publix in the shopping center nearby? How often does the Sun Trolley go by?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks!

~~Maun

[truffles2]

There is a Publix shopping center right across the street

http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/hotels/hotelpromo.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSOES&promo=walking

[royalcruz]

Hi,

We'll be in Fort Lauderdale for a full day before our cruise in February. We'll be staying at Embassy Suites on 17th St. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to make the most of the day? Is there anything that is a "must see" in FLL? We won't have a car so will have to rely on a cab or bus? Does the Sun Trolley go by the Embassy Suites or the Publix in the shopping center nearby? How often does the Sun Trolley go by?

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks!

~~Maun

Yes, the Sun Trolley goes by the hotel, or you can catch it at the Harbor Shops (Publix) behind the hotel. I'm not sure how often it goes by but you can just flag it down if you aren't by an official stop. You can get to the beach this way. You could walk down to under the big bridge and catch the water taxi at the Hilton Marina. This will take you to the beach, Galleria Mall, and downtown to Las Olas Blvd for shopping and dining. Las Olas is a great walking area, the nicest part of the city. Some people just enjoy riding the entire route of the water taxi to see the city from the water.

[lig4us]

Can you get to the Bonnet House museum and gardens from the water taxi or trolley?

[Cruise409]

//////////////

I have been quiet for the past couple of months. I have a blog about all things Ft Lauderdale that I made a promise to myself would be updated daily. Instead, I have been kind of busy with my other life outside of the States, and have neglected it. I'm back and making sure that any new updates get posted there timely. Questions...fire away.

 

Bequia

 

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How is the Avalon hotel in ft lauderdale?

[aeneas3]

hi guys

happy new year!

 

We are looking into booking our carnival miracle out of FLL leaving March 25. We will be flying in on Southwest March 24th and then flying out the day the ship gets back. We are looking for a hotel the night prior to the cruise with:

1. free shuttle to and from airport

2. free shuttle to port (or no port shuttle and we pay for transportation to and from port)

3. safe with decent reviews

4. pool if possible

 

Also, any advice on getting from the port back to the airport the day the cruise returns?

I will continue to read more.

The hotel that seems good is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise though it seems a little $.

 

hotels I am thinking of:

holiday inn express airport/cruise

- seems $

- realized that the airport shuttle is great but even if we take the port shuttle to the docks we have to find our way to the airport since we are going from the docks to the airport

 

Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center-Cruise

- good reviews

- no shuttle for the docks but cheap cab ride

- variable price

 

thanks again

Edited January 3, 2012 by aeneas3

[aeneas3]

hi guys

happy new year!

 

thanks again

 

maybe I should have created a thread :)

 

anyway, I am thinking that the best way to do it is to get a hotel with a shuttle from the airport and then get a quick cab ride to the port. The only thing that might put a wrench in my gears is if the taxi fare from the port to the airport will be high.

any advice on that? should we just book a transfer company to grab us at the hotel and then pick us up after the cruise? thanks again.

[royalcruz]

Can you get to the Bonnet House museum and gardens from the water taxi or trolley?

 

The trolley Ft Lauderdale beach line runs from Harbor Shops on SE 17th St to the Galleria Mall on weekends. Bonnet House is on that route. The closest water taxi stop to Bonnet House is at Gallery One...it is a few blocks from there.

[royalcruz]

How is the Avalon hotel in ft lauderdale?

 

Bequia hasn't been on this website for a long time.

 

The Avalon gets mostly very bad reviews and it is not in the best area of the beach to walk to things (it's not a bad neighborhood...there just isn't anything there but hotels).

[royalcruz]

hi guys

happy new year!

 

We are looking into booking our carnival miracle out of FLL leaving March 25. We will be flying in on Southwest March 24th and then flying out the day the ship gets back. We are looking for a hotel the night prior to the cruise with:

1. free shuttle to and from airport

2. free shuttle to port (or no port shuttle and we pay for transportation to and from port)

3. safe with decent reviews

4. pool if possible

 

Also, any advice on getting from the port back to the airport the day the cruise returns?

I will continue to read more.

The hotel that seems good is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise though it seems a little $.

 

hotels I am thinking of:

holiday inn express airport/cruise

- seems $

- realized that the airport shuttle is great but even if we take the port shuttle to the docks we have to find our way to the airport since we are going from the docks to the airport

 

Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center-Cruise

- good reviews

- no shuttle for the docks but cheap cab ride

- variable price

 

thanks again

 

Also look at the 2 airport Hampton Inns and Sleep Inn in Dania for everything you want, plus free breakfast and close to stores and restaurants.

 

If you are asking about port everglades to fll airport, just get in the cab line and take a $15 taxi to the airport. No need to arrange shuttles.

[BobKat406]

Royalcruz - do you have any info/opinions on Bistro 17 at the Renaissance hotel or Sportz Zone 84 Bar and Grill? We have some restaurant certs for lunch an dinner and looking at these for the day pre-cruise.

 

Also looking at 3030 Ocean, Michael's Italian restaurant, or Eduardo de San Angel.

 

Looking for clean, good food, nice atmosphere to relax and get ready for our cruise.

[royalcruz]

Royalcruz - do you have any info/opinions on Bistro 17 at the Renaissance hotel or Sportz Zone 84 Bar and Grill? We have some restaurant certs for lunch an dinner and looking at these for the day pre-cruise.

 

Also looking at 3030 Ocean, Michael's Italian restaurant, or Eduardo de San Angel.

 

Looking for clean, good food, nice atmosphere to relax and get ready for our cruise.

Bistro 17: I haven't eaten there in about 10 yrs and don't know anyone who eats there. It was pretty good back then but I think it's a new chef.

Sports Zone: no experience there

3030 Ocean: awesome food and nice place, service sometimes spotty, we go there on special occasions

Michael's: no experience there

Eduardo de San Angel: This is one of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. It's not near the port or airport, so it will cost a lot of cabfare if you don't have a car. If you are using restaurant.com look at the terms, as I know they certain days of the week at Eduardo.

[aeneas3]

Also look at the 2 airport Hampton Inns and Sleep Inn in Dania for everything you want, plus free breakfast and close to stores and restaurants.

 

If you are asking about port everglades to fll airport, just get in the cab line and take a $15 taxi to the airport. No need to arrange shuttles.

thanks for your help :)

hoping to book the cruise today ;)

[PINEVIEW01]

I am thinking that the best way to do it is to get a hotel with a shuttle from the airport and then get a quick cab ride to the port. The only thing that might put a wrench in my gears is if the taxi fare from the port to the airport will be high.

any advice on that? should we just book a transfer company to grab us at the hotel and then pick us up after the cruise? thanks again.

I just got off the Liberty OTS a couple weeks ago. There where taxis/vans at the port. A guy asked if we wanted a ride for $11pp. We went up to them and along with six other people off to FLL we went. Easy, breezy. This WASN"T a metered taxi. I do believe a taxi could have been less BUT if there is a clitch in traffice the meter can get high fast. It seems every time I take the "$15" taxi ride it ends up being $25 or more.

[aeneas3]

I just got off the Liberty OTS a couple weeks ago. There where taxis/vans at the port. A guy asked if we wanted a ride for $11pp. We went up to them and along with six other people off to FLL we went. Easy, breezy. This WASN"T a metered taxi. I do believe a taxi could have been less BUT if there is a clitch in traffice the meter can get high fast. It seems every time I take the "$15" taxi ride it ends up being $25 or more.

 

thanks :)

[rsohn65820]

I've tried to do a search to find this info but didn't have any success. I'm trying to find an answer for a friend they are taking Princess on an eastern caribbean cruise and they arrive back in port after the cruise at 7:00 am their two flight choices out of FLL are 11:35 am and 2:05 pm would if be possible to make the 11:35 am flight without a problem or would they be better off with the 2:05 pm? they don't want to have to spend a lot of time sitting around the airport if they don't need to, but also don't want to take the chance of not being able to make their flight. It is on a Saturday. I'm not sure how far away the airport is from the port. Thanks for any help.

[aeneas3]

I've tried to do a search to find this info but didn't have any success. I'm trying to find an answer for a friend they are taking Princess on an eastern caribbean cruise and they arrive back in port after the cruise at 7:00 am their two flight choices out of FLL are 11:35 am and 2:05 pm would if be possible to make the 11:35 am flight without a problem or would they be better off with the 2:05 pm? they don't want to have to spend a lot of time sitting around the airport if they don't need to, but also don't want to take the chance of not being able to make their flight. It is on a Saturday. I'm not sure how far away the airport is from the port. Thanks for any help.

 

 

the airport is very close to the port. the problem is getting off the boat, getting your luggage, and getting to the port. I would *think* that 11:30 would be fine if you could get right thru security at the airport. All things considered, I think a 2:05 is the safest bet due to all the places that you could get hung up at.