Killing time before cruise embarkation: Suggestions?

[justasec]

Greetings,

 

We will be taking a cruise that leaves Port Everglades at 5 PM. Our flight into FLL (Fort Lauderdale) airport arrives in the morning at 11 AM.

 

Any suggestions for how to kill time before cruise embarkation begins? (In fact, what time does check-in typically begin for a 5 PM departure?)

 

We are traveling with small children so we can pretty much forget the option of just going straight from the airport to the terminal, and waiting a few hours before check-in, with a good book to read.

 

I am thinking that the biggest burden is our luggage. If there was some way to drop it off ahead of time at the cruise terminal, then it would give us more liberty to travel around for those few hours before check-in.

 

Or even better, if there was some place that we can go with our luggage, this would avoid the back-and-forth of either leaving the luggage at the airport and having to go back and get it, or needing to go the the pier simply to drop off the luggage before traveling around.

 

Looking forward to any advice you can give!

 

Regards,

 

justasec

[asylum575]

If the ship departs at 5PM, I'm guessing it gets in around 8am that morning. 11am flight is perfect for collecting luggage and being at the port by noon. Boarding usually begins between 1130am and 1pm for a 5pm departure. Just go straight to the port without rushing and once onboard, enjoy lunch.

Don't forget to keep your swimsuits with you in a small bag, as your luggage will be checked in at arrival to the port. You can then enjoy the pool, while your cabin is cleaned. Cabins are normally available between 1pm and 2pm.

 

Have fun

[justasec]

Wonderful, thanks!

[Marie51]

If your flight arrives at 11am, by the time you get off the plane and collect your luggage, it will be noon and the perfect time to go to the ship. Usually boarding will have started and you can get on the ship and eat lunch. Bring bathing suits in your carryon so you can go to the pool if that's your thing as your luggage probably will not be delivered to your cabin til later that afternoon.

[eandj]

With kids, you might have a few carry ons. When you board, locate your room and see if you can find your room steward in the area and ask him/her if you can put you carry ons in the room.. even if it's not ready to be occupied. (the rooms usually are announced "open" sometime after 1:00 or so.) Otherwise you need to carry them with you. Be sure not to leave passports and other valuables in the carry ons if the room is not ready for occupying. Lock those in the safe. The stewards leave doors unlocked while they clean/prepare them.

 

Happy cruising!