Which hotel in Ft.Lauderdale?

[lovinsea]

Hi, usually sail out of Miami, but next
cruise is out of ft.lauderdale, and am not
familar with hotels there. Probably would need
something for 2 nites around 3 star or 4.
Thanks.
ANN

[mrsfanci]

The HYATT Pier 66 and The Renissance are 4 star. Stayed at Pier 66 last year and will stay at the Renissance this year as it has better sleeping arrangement for my party. They are both a few minute cab ride from the Hotels.

[monibob]

Hi Ann,

We are staying in Ft Lauderdale in June for our cruise. We got a really good rate of $50 per night for the Marriot through priceline. I got the information on how to get a 3* or above hotel close to port through these boards.

This is how I did it, went to Priceline.com, put in a bid for Hotels only in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale and for 3* hotel. This is how a lot of people on our cruise did it. Good luck, I'm sure it will work for you too!!

Monica

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First cruise ever!! Century.....Western Caribbean!

[duke052]

Embassy Suites on SW17 St.[ there are 2 in FLL ]Five minutes from pier as the others are but has everything you need. Two great rest. across the street. THe pier 66 is nice as well but if you want to go to dinner you need to get a cab. Much larger rooms at Embassy as well.

05/16/04 Mariner of the Seas
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Britannis
Dreamwood
Century 3xs
Galaxy
Infinity
Granduer of the Seas
Millennium 2xs
Monarch of the Seas
Grand Princess
Adventure of the Seas
Constellation

[momrox1]

I've always used priceline as well, with great success. Just be sure to go to biddingfortravel.com for extremely useful information on how to bid. You can look at others successful bids and get a bidding strategy as well.

Judy -
Horizon
Zenith
Grandeur of Seas
Nordic Empress
Constellation
Zuiderdam
Millenium
Zaandam
Century- 5/22/04

[Fang]

We have stayed at the Lago Mar many times. It is very nice and resonable for being on the beach.

Some friends have stayed at the Pillars and love it.

We will be back in Fort Lauderdale next January and I am looking into the many bed and breakfasts that are in the area.

[JNLROSE]

Our last 3 cruises have had us in FLL the night before & we always stay at the Embassy on 17th st. It is VERY nice! There is a nice shopping center next door, one across the st & many nice restaurants all within walking distance. It is a 5 minute cab ($10) to the pier!

Rosie

E-mail me <a href="mailto:JNLROSE@AOL.COM">here</a href>

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CELEBRITY MERCURY HERE I COME!!!

[Kathleen P.]

Just stayed at the Pier 66, in a king ex suite in the tower, which is supposed to be their better rooms. I don't know about the other rooms, but I would not recommend it. It was a lot of money and not worth it. We chose it for the views of the ships, which was great. We saw the QM from the balcony, which was an amazing site to see. The pluses for the hotel are the 66 Grill - great food & service in a beautiful location. The Top of the Pier is fun for cocktails and an amazing view. The rooms while not dirty were just a bit run down. The rug felt damp all over and had a squishy feel when you walked on it. The seperating balcony fence outside on the balcony was not secured and made the loudest banging all night long. We did not sleep very well. We noticed this at when it was too late to change rooms, since it was just for 1 night, it was not worth changing. The post to secure it is completely rusted so it just hangs there and bangs around in the wind, which is constant high up in the tower.
They also no longer have a shutter to the pier, but the cab is only $10.

Next time I will stay at the Marriott.

[Giorgi-one]

A number of posters have suggested it but to make it very clear. There is absolutely no better way to book a precruise room than Priceline. In most instances, you will get a room for around $50-60 which would cost you at least $159 if you booked any other way. You can go to Biddingfortravel.com to get all the details on using Priceline and to see recent winning bids. In Fort Lauderdale, bid for a 3* Hotel downtown. You will usually get the Marriott Marina which is a beautiful hotel located on the inland waterway. In most cases, you can get a tower room which gives you a view of the ships in Port Everglades. It is conventiently located close to 17th street restaurants and shopping. There is a shopping center nearby where you can pick up your wine for the cruise.

[Bridge Maven]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JNLROSE:
Our last 3 cruises have had us in FLL the night before & we always stay at the Embassy on 17th st. It is VERY nice! There is a nice shopping center next door, one across the st & many nice restaurants all within walking distance. It is a 5 minute cab ($10) to the pier!

We have also stayed at the Embassy Suites and would recommend it, but I would like to add one thing. The hotel provides free shuttle service to the pier on the day of your cruise, but you have to make a reservation for it.

[corkpopr]

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we usually stay at the embassy suites and never use priceline we just call the hotel directly. have stayed at amerisuites as well twice.
fantastic liquor store behind chevron station across the street for contraband to bring aboard and nice publix market kittycorner to hotel as well.

Galaxy 10 day Rome Next
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[raudacruise]

We always stay at Embassy and book directly. Booking directly has always given us a view toward the piers. Yeah, its kind of a crummy industrial area between, but watching the ships come in is fun.

As noted, drinks in the evening, full breakfast in the morning, a lovely liquor/wine store just across the street and lots of restaraunts to choose from.

Does it cost more to do it this way than priceline, of course. Are we on vacation and really not going to worry about the difference, of course.

George & MaryBeth

[momrox1]

"Does it cost more to do it this way than priceline, of course. Are we on vacation and really not going to worry about the difference, of course"

Ahhhh, but there is something about getting a $100 a night room for around $35 that makes me smile I've stayed in many priceline hotels and payed 1/4 the price that others paid. Believe me though, it can get addictive. Something about the hunt.
[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]Judy

[MISSYLOU]

I would also recommend Priceline. I always try to use them unless I want to stay at a specific hotel. We always stay at Embassy Suites in FLL. It has everything we need. Nice rooms, free breakfast, free cocktail hour, beautiful pool, shuttle from airport and to cruiseport and close to shopping.

Regarding price I would rather pay Priceline $50 per night and have more money in my pocket than book a more expensive room. I like to vacation several times a year so saving on a hotel is important to me. Haven't had a bad hotel through Priceline yet.

Karen & Paul [email]kmbix56@wmconnect.com[/email]
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Galaxy B2B 10/04
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Mercury 03/04
Radiance 01/04
Summit 09/03, Infinity B2B Hawaii 03/03,Infinity 10/02,
Maasdam 07/02, Sun Princess 03/02,Maasdam 11/01,Statendam 07/01,Dolphin 1990?

[mhoffman55]

We have stayed the night before twice, both times at the Marriot Marina, 5 minutes from ships, you can see them all from your room. Very nice and we got an excellent deal on Hotwire. 59$ for a 200$ room. They will also shuttle you to the ship.

[ladysail2]

Just for my 2cents worth, have also stayed at LaQuinta Inn in Hollywood, FL (which is really FLL to me), free airport and cruise shuttle, free breakfast, fridge, microwave, coffemaker in room, big rooms, pool. A short walk to big box stores and to a Home Depot- [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img], restaurants. No liquor store in the area that I noticed.
Have stayed at the Embassy suites as well, and it was nice. We were lucky enough to have a room with the cruise ship view. Very nice to see in the morning. I found the sitting area room to be dark, though (minor complaint). Did enjoy the close-by shopping, and bank machine right beside the hotel. Got it through biddingfortravel (don't think Priceline works for Canadians) for a good price, $50.

[gregg4]

I;ll also add my two cents and say the Embassy Suites on 17th. For all the reasons already stated plus avery friendly and helpful staff. A very nice pool area and a koi pond. We always fly in the day before the ship leaves port and the ease of picking up the phone at the airport and having the free shuttle pick you up and the free shuttle to the port the next morning are worth the price of it. Not to mention free breakfast and free happy hour. We always book direct and get our Hilton Points as well.

Mercury 03/00
Infinity 03/01
Millennium 11/01
Summit 03/02
Constellation 12/02
Century 05/03
Mercury 12/03

[corkpopr]

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I couldn't agree with Gregg anymore. He said it all and covered all the positive points. I use them for business travel as well and always get air miles also.
Price is usually 79-99 depending on time of year and doesnt really matter to me. try hotels in London/Paris/Rome/Tokyo for some real price shockers!

Galaxy 10 day Rome Next
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[Deb C.]

Ladysail2:
What are big box stores? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]
Thanks!

[deb18]

What about hotels that you can leave your car at during the cruise in Ft. Lauderdale? thanks deb

[BurBunny]

Addressing several above posts:

Canadians can use Priceline, but you have to "adjust" your information a bit, and generally use a credit card other than Visa. Simply put in your address as usual up to the City. For State, input CA (California, but also Canada) and use 99999 for the zip.

"Big Box" stores are ones like Circuit City, Best Buy, etc which look like big boxes - large chain retailers.

For hotels you can leave your car at during the cruise, try Amerisuites, LaQuinta Airport and Springhill Suites. Amerisuites and LaQuinta are often available on Priceline and identifiable on Hotwire.

Hope that helps! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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[Deb C.]

Thanks, Burbunny! I had never heard the slang "Big Box Stores" before. Learn something new each day!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[capt65]

There is the "Bahia Mar" resort and marina, it is about 2 miles from the port and it is also right across the street from the beach. Their rates tend to be higher but what a view.

Capt. Matthew

[ladysail2]

The Embassy Suites on 17th will let you park your car at their hotel if you stay there. They do charge about $6 (don't quote me) a day.

The term Big Box Stores comes from the way the store looks, it is a big box, usually stand alone, just like BurBunny says. I thought the term originated in the US.

I haven't tried Priceline in Canada, but with your instructions, I might give it a try when I need it. There are definitely good prices there.

[deb18]

Burbunny or anyone: You mentioned that amerisuits and laquinta are identifiable on Hotwire. Pardon my ignorance, but I have never used hotwire and want to ensure I get one of those two places. How can I do that when it seems when I went to their site they do not tell you the places you are getting? I guess I need a bidding for dummies course lol. thanks deb