dread_pirate

I took the Princess transfer from Vancouver to Seattle. Things went very smoothly and we arrive at SeaTac in reasonable time.

Of course, there were a number of passengers who booked flights much earlier than Princess recommended, and they were scrambling! But it wasn't the driver's fault or Princess's either; it was their own. Never did find out if they made it.

I hope Ariel is still on the ship in May - he made my trip last year!

There was another piano player last year who did lots of scales and flourishes - is that Eric Lilly?

Hate to bring up a sticky issue, but . . . was there any noro on the ship? I have a friend who got off the Ruby at about the same time as you did, and he said there was an outbreak there.

For me it's worth it because I ordered a mocktail or a smoothie in every venue I sat in. There was a wonderful fruit smoothie in the International Cafe that was so good and so refreshing. Everyone around me wanted one and I could have ordered as many as I wanted. It really pays for someone like me to buy the Ultimate Drink Package, they make no money off of me!

Do you remember what the smoothie was? I'd love to try it on my trip!

If you only want soda once in a while, you may be better off bringing on a six pack or eight pack of your preferred soft drink. You will have a 'fridge in your cabin.

 

The 20 oz bottles work well because you can drink some and close it up again for later. If you will not have time to go shopping prior to embarkation, pack them in your (airline) checked bag and they should be fine. Wrap in a trash bag just in case but should be okay.

While it may be cheaper to bring your own, I find it to be a pain in the neck to have to go back to my cabin to get a drink! I find it much more convenient and still cheaper than the soda card simply to buy individual sodas.

You are so funny Bob! Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary to me and DH today...we'll be celebrating soon on the Caribbean.

Happy anniversary!

We're staying at the Hyatt Place in Dania Beach. Is it possible to get a cab that will take 3 adults plus luggage, without ordering a car service in advance? Do they have cabs that big?

It depends on how much luggage you have.:D

Three adults, assume 3 carry-ons and 3 suitcases. (It may only be 2; my DH can pack light!)

I'll also consider the shuttle, thanks.

We're staying at the Hyatt Place in Dania Beach. Is it possible to get a cab that will take 3 adults plus luggage, without ordering a car service in advance? Do they have cabs that big?

Let us know how much it ended up being, and how you enjoyed it. We're Jewish, too (already visited the synagogue), and a lot of it sounds terrific. We're not there until February.

Thanks.

We will be in Ft Lauderdale for a 5 hour layover on a Monday next April with our 2-year old. What's the best way for us to spend our time? We fly in at noon. We need to get our luggage from our Jetblue flight, and our Southwest flight leaves at 5pm. Thanks for your help!

Sorry to be a wet blanket but . . .

You will be leaving the plane, going to baggage claim, getting your luggage - in my experience it takes at least 30 minutes - going up to Southwest, checking your luggage in there except for your carry-on - say at least 15 minutes more. So now you're looking at having 4:15.

Then you'll need to be at the airport at 4 PM, at the latest, so we're now talking 3 hours, 15 minutes at best.

Now let's say it takes 20 minutes to get to the beach (I really don't know how long it takes, but I can't imagine it would take less than 20 minutes to get in the cab & get to the beach). That's now slightly less than 3 hours. Another 20 minutes to get back. Now we're talking 2 1/2 hours at the best.

Do you really want to go through all that for 2 1/2 hours at the beach, not even counting the time spent wrestling with a 2 year old?

I'd just let the kid run around the airport for a while!

I'm thinking they probably have a lot of availability on that cruise at those prices! :P

But at least the tax rate is good! :p

I stopped in at Oakwood Plaza in Dania/Hollywood today and I realized that I haven't been there on a weekend for years...I can't believe how busy that place gets!!!!!!!!!!!

Is that the one across from Hyatt Plaza Airport & Cruise Port? (I think that's Hyatt Plaza South?)

Are there rental car companies around the port? We're thinking of renting a car after we get off our cruise, and returning it to the airport the next day. Is this possible? Charges for dropping off the car at a different point than pick up?

Thanks.

How about any advice on the Hyatt Place South? For my time frame, it's about $30 cheaper, and it's near a BJs (we're members, so it's a great place to pick up wine).

Thanks haven't decided yet...but there is 5 of us...so most likely I will do the shuttle from the motel cause they only charge $10 and that would be saved $25....I have to save any way I can on things that don't matter since I am mom paying for all this it is a christmas present to all my grown children to take a vacation together again. It was hard to pull together this when I was dealing with 3 different states coming in.

The way it looks on mapquest don't see many restaurants around there?

Are you sure that the shuttle isn't $10 per person? Most shuttles are priced per person. If so, even taking 2 taxis would likely be cheaper ($30 v $50). And most people tip the shuttle driver as well.

We're flying in on Saturday, February 23rd for a cruise the following day. The hotel prices for that day are much higher than current prices. Should I wait before purchasing or is this a supply/demand effect of everyone fleeing the approaching winter?

 

We're looking for a clean room that's convenient to picking up wine/sodas and has easy travel from the airport and to the dock.

President's Day is the Monday of that week (Feb. 18), so it's the last overnight of February vacation for many of the schools in the Northeast, with many folks leaving on Sunday. That's more likely what's causing the supply/demand effect. It's a bad week.

Effective October 1, the Amsterdam Manor will be only renting chairs & palapas at their MVC Eagle Beach sister resort's beach.

They'll have some sort of bar service on the beach, chair rental, palapas, and the bathrooms and food will be across the street at their restaurant Tulip.

 

Please excuse me, but what are palapas?

It says on their website that the Hyatt Place discount is not valid for our dates, 2/22-2/24. Boo. :(

Wonder what is going on down there that weekend? I googled, but nothing jumped out at me.

It's the end of February vacation for many school districts (President's Day is the 18th).

No....the one that is off of 17th street has this address:

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center

1851 SE 10th Ave (Harbor Shops Drive West)

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA

 

the one you booked at is over by the airport in Dania....you'd probably like the Convention Center better...

 

OOPS seems Royal and I were posting at the same time!!

Thanks (both to you and Royal!). The thing is that the Convention Center hotel is more expensive. Is there any reason not to stay at the one I've booked? We'll be coming in late (probably after 8 PM) and just need the hotel for the one night pre-cruise.

Thanks again.

I am writing this now from the Hyatt Place Ft. Lauderdale Cruise Port and Airport Hotel. It is located in Dania Beach, Fl./Hollywood. you will not go wrong choosing this hotel. Very convenient location to all sorts of stores, restaurants - you can walk across the street to the mall area. It has a cute pool and nice free breakfast. Also, you can order mixed drinks, wine and beer here. Food can be ordered also. The place is very nicely decorated and the rooms are spotless as well. I recommend you check out the prices here for any pre/post cruise stay. you will not be disappointed. I would also recommend the Hyatt House which is right next door - a bit larger - also they are all suites but this is just what we needed for our visit to our daughter here in the Hollywood area. Good luck.

Thanks for that - a lot of people are recommending the other Hyatt Place (Convention Center), but for our date that one's $30 more. Since we need it only for one night and we're coming in late, I'd rather not spend that $30 if I don't have to!

My first choice naturally would be a beach hotel, however for a moderately priced hotel I would prefer the 17th. st area Hyatt Place North. Close to restaurants, shops,grocery store and total wine store. About a $12 dollar ride to the port. Also offers a free shuttle from the airport.

Is that the Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port at 91 SW 18th Ave? I ask because there's another Hyatt Place on 17th; I booked the former and hope I booked the right one!

The one on SW 18th is also within walking distance of a Kmart and BJ's - if you're a member, they're a great place to pick up some reasonably placed wine.

I'm looking at either Hyatt Plaza or Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Both have shuttles from the airport. Both are the same price.

What are the differences between them?

Are either near a store at which we can pick up some wine to take on board?

Thanks.

AltWired, do you have a location for the Hard Rock gift shop near the port. If you google it only the cafe shows up. Thanks

I'd like to know too, just so I can buy a pin for a collector! I don't like the HRC at all - too loud for me!

Princess offers it with "unlimited brewed coffee" which, I have gathered from the Princess boards, is a major reason people purchase the card - the coffee that's offered for free is made from a concentrate.

NCL's coffee is brewed, and pretty good. A coffee card is less necessary.

I just returned from Alaska, and we went with Orca Enterprises. We saw so many whales! There were only about 20 people on board, and everyone was able to see everything! Very sweet people. One whale came so close to the boat that even Captain Larry came out to see it! We could see the entire animal just under the surface - amazing!