katron

Hi, I have a question regarding a post-cruise excursion to the Everglades air boat ride. I signed up today through Royal Caribbean because we have a late flight from FLL the day we get off the ship-the system let me sign up my 3 year-old, but now I am wondering if 3 is too young to go on the airboat? I plan on holding him in my lap the duration of the ride, but do they give you lifejackets, etc? Is this kid-friendly? The description on the RC website did not mention any of this, so just wondering if anyone has taken a small child on it and felt safe? I think my son would love the ride and the alligator show!

You should have no problem taking your 3 year old on the air boat ride. When we lived in Ft Lauderdale, we took visitors of all ages out to the Everglades for the ride, from toddlers to my 97 year old grandmother. It was a highlight of their visit to South Florida----

It was in the Toronto Star newspaper today - Feb 14, 2013, in Florida anybody renting cars will need International Drivers Licence.

Our News station (in Florida) announced that the police will not enforce that law on Canadians.

Question:

 

We received an email today that our flight time departing FLL has changed from 11:20am to 10:20am. We will be on Oasis and trying to figure out if we can do the 10:20 with our 3 year old. Any thoughts?

 

Dave

Don't try it!! Oasis is a big ship and it will take time for passengers to depart, even with the early walk off choice.

If the ship's passenger departure is delayed because of immigration, you may miss your plane.

It also may take time to hail a cab; there may be a long line ahead of you-----

Why do you need a card with a magnetic strip? How does that work in the safe? Sorry, this seems totally foreign to me. Is that how it works on all ships, or just RCCL?

 

Thanks.

I usually pack an expired/worthless credit card or gift card for the safe.

If I damage it----no harm done-----

Does anyone have info about balcony cabins that are "built" around the worker staircases in the rear corners of the ship. The cabins have nice wide balconies, but I am concerned about possible noise problems. Has anyone been in these cabins, including other ships----?

Kathy

Hi All

 

I have read that we have to take toll roads--is this true? can't we just take I-95 down (and that isn't a toll road)? the last time we did this, we mostly took A1A, but this time we just want to get there faster.

 

Thanks for any help/advice

ML

Best way (I think) to travel from Orlando to FLL:

Take the FL turnpike south to Rt 60, which is Yeehaw Junction. Exit and drive East to I-95; then take I-95 to FLL. Follow signs to airport, or I-595 to port---

We used to take turnpike all the way, but we always hit a lot of construction. Turnpike is 2 lanes each way, while I-95 has several lanes most of the way. It's easier to catch I-95 from Rt 60 rather than going farther south to Ft Pierce--less expensive, also. Driving time from Yeehaw Junction to port is about 2 1/2

hours

Kathy

We will be driving to Ft Lauderdale in Feb and was wondering what is your opinion of the Park & Go for the cruise for $12.00 a day or can we just park at the airport Park & Go for $4.99 a day and catch a taxi to the Pier?

Would you know the approx cost of a taxi for the airport Park & Go to the Pier?

Thanks for all your help & advise it has been great.

I think the Park & Go lot is the same for both the airport and the cruise. It was a very large lot---. I suppose you could park there and take a shuttle back to the airport, and then take a taxi to the port. Then, at the end of the cruise, find a taxi to take you back to the airport and then find the shuttle to take you to the Park & Go lot. There are no taxis near the Park & Go lot.

It's in an out-of-the-way commercial area.

When we used the Lot, we were told where to park in the cruise parking area; the transport bus was right there, driver helped us to load our luggage, and took us to the terminal. When we departed the ship the transport bus was right outside, loaded us again, and brought us right to our car. it was worth $12.99 per day!!!! You can also get a senior discount or a AAA discount.

If you use the lot, bring a bunch of bananas and stop by the fence next to the entrance. There's a big family of Monkeys that live in the trees next to the lot. They will come down to the fence for food-----

Katron

It's a good restaurant, but tourist/business prices.

It would be a long, long walk from the hotels on 17th street.

You need to travel around a canal.

 

two great local FL restaurants for a large group---

Rustic Inn -- casual, specialize in blue crabs

Tropic Inn --Steak, prime rib, seafood, etc.

They do have private areas/rooms if you book ahead.

Both are cab trips away-----

 

Off 17th St---Bravo--good Italian restaurant

Oops Sorry --not Tropic Inn. I meant Tropical Acres.

Another popular restaurant near Brava is Bimini Boat Yard

I will be getting off the Jewel March 7th and am not flying home until the 9th so I decided to use Priceline (after checking out better bidding, etc...) to book a 3* hotel in the beach zone and wound up with a hotel that had not been mentioned on the bidding assistance sites. It's the Ocean Sky Hotel & Resort on Galt Ocean Dr. It looks like it's out a little farther than I maybe wanted to be and I know it's a little older also, but it appears to actually be on the beach. My question is, we will be getting off the ship in Miami and need to get to Ft Lauderdale and then will be spending 2 days there so would it be better to use a shuttle to get from Miami to the hotel and not have a car or just rent a car in Miami and return it to FLL? We want to be able to get a couple of decent meals, maybe take the Jungle Queen cruise, check out Las Olas and then just hang out at the beach before returning to the cold, cold, North. Any input would be great! Thanks!

I think you would be much better off renting a car--just the cost to travel from Miami to FL can be expensive, and your "taxi travel" to your choices for thing to see can be costly. Rent a car!!!!! It will give you freedom of travel--

we are getting off the glory on march 14, 2010 and have all afternoon in fll after being dropped off at the airport. we are two moms (50ish) and two special olympian athletes (30) and don't have aflight till 5:45. figure we have time for a nice lunch or something for about 4 hours. any suggestions how to spend late morning, early afternoon?:confused:

Does the ship have a tour to the everglades, and an airboat ride??

It's a great experience and a highlight for visiting Ft Lauderdale.

Check websites to see if there are any private tours from the port-------

Your olympians would enjoy-----

Read this place is very good,

 

http://www.15streetfisheries.com/

It's a good restaurant, but tourist/business prices.

It would be a long, long walk from the hotels on 17th street.

You need to travel around a canal.

two great local FL restaurants for a large group---

Rustic Inn -- casual, specialize in blue crabs

Tropic Inn --Steak, prime rib, seafood, etc.

They do have private areas/rooms if you book ahead.

Both are cab trips away-----

Off 17th St---Bravo--good Italian restaurant

We are also staying at Embassy Suites. We would like to get down to see the beach if possible. How does the Sun Trolley work? Is is possible to walk? We have 4 children, the youngest will be 6 at the time. Thanks!

I don't know about the Sun Trolley, but it's a long, long walk from Embassy Suites to the Beach, including having to cross the drawbridge.

We will be cruising on the Royal Princess April 10th 2010 and returning on the 24th.This will coincide with at least 6 ships including the Oasis of the seas and about 20,000 passengers embarking and disembarking. Our flight out is around 2 P.M. Any idea about what to expect for traffic? We are on our own for transportation to the airport?:confused:

FLL is so close that taxis can run back and forth frequently. You should not have a problem finding one.

Suggestion--obtain a later exit from the ship. You will have plenty of time to taxi to the airport, and it won't be as congested outside-----

There may even be shuttles and people promoting transportation to the airport.

That worked for us when we disembarked in Bayonne, NJ., but not sure if it is allowed in FLL

Rustic Inn

Tropical Acres

Islamorada Fish Co.

Royal India

There is a restaurant in the hotel and one in the Sheraton across the street, but I don't know their hours.

Rustic Inn Is Great for fish--especially blue crab, which you crack yourself.

There is newspaper on the tables and a fun place to go.

Tropical Acres was one of our favorite restaurants when we lived in

Ft. Lauderdale area. They have great prime Rib and steaks, along with many other entrees.

we were able to upgrade during the one day sale to Empress deck 7372 from Upper deck 6315, any opinions?

Good for Carnival!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beware of upgrading with Celebrity!!!!!!!!!!!! I tried to upgrade the other day (for an Oct 5th sailing) when I saw reduced prices on their website, for all their balcony rooms, only to be told this was a special one day sale for new passengers only. Their website and all other cruise websites that I checked showed the price reduction. None stated it was a special sale---

I spoke with my TA, then reservations and a supervisor with Celebrity, followed by customer service and the resolutions dept at their corporate level, but was refused the upgrade at the advertised price by everyone. In order for ME, a prepaid customer, to upgrade, they would charge me an additional $700 per person over their reduced advertised price for a balcony of $1599-----

According to their website, passengers may upgrade at any time at prevailing rates------. Apparently, that's not true!!!!!!!

I'm very disappointed with Celebrity, and I haven't even cruised with them yet!

I did file a complaint with the Florida State Attorney's Office, because I believe they are using deceptive advertising practices.

Katron (Kathy)