Post Cruise - Westin Diplomat - Car vs. Taxi comparison

[masonpips]

I've done a lot of searching and think I have this down evaluation wise - please advise if you have any input correct/incorrect facts - thanks!

 

Taxi Option

1) Taxi from Port to Westin - $35-$40 + tip

2) Taxi from Westin to FLL - $31 + tip

 

Car Rental

1) Car Rental from either main FLL rental (take car rental bus from port to FLL rental car area) - Varies (and conflicting information re: Budget availability)

or 1a) Budget Quay location (free shuttle) - cost of rental

 

2) Valet parking at Westin $20 + tax + tip

 

 

So for a family of 4 planning to hang at the hotel, eat somewhere nearby that we can walk to and not really do anything else, we need to snag a car rental of $40 or less to make this worthwhile.

 

That buys us the ability to drive around a bit but costs us the time to get to the rental car place (going and coming) and then having to shuttle to the airport.

 

Is that basically the lowdown? We arrive back in port on a Saturday a.m. and our flight out on Sunday is at 9 a.m. So really, we're seeing this as a beach day to relax before we head home.

 

Thanks for any input

[sandancer]

Valet parking is $25 + tip. They expect you tip twice. Once on drop off and once on collection so at least $35. You could try Priceline for a good price on a rental car though so that would go part way to keeping costs down.

[DanJ]

The car rental bus back to FLL is for Alamo and National customers only. Others take a cab. What's your concern with Budget availability? I would think their airport location will have a better selection of cars than will the Quay Plaza location. I've also read the Quay Plaza location can have quite the line with people picking up and dropping off, and not a lot of staff there.

 

Also, there's nothing really around the Diplomat as far as dining goes, so unless you really like to walk, you'll pay a lot to eat at the hotel. Or offset part of the cost of the car by driving down Hallandale a bit, or north on Ocean and eating at a restaurant there. As well, what if it's not a nice beach day. Then what? Even though it's a gorgeous, big hotel, it will get pretty small and boring if the weather sucks. And don't forget that while you are off the ship nice and early, hotels generally don't start check-in until the afternoon. You need someplace to store luggage while you are doing whatever until the hotel is ready for you.

[eandj]

And don't forget that while you are off the ship nice and early, hotels generally don't start check-in until the afternoon. You need someplace to store luggage while you are doing whatever until the hotel is ready for you.

 

Hotels will check in your bags and hold them until the room is ready. So bags should not be an issue in the decision.

[Ontario cruise duo]

We checked in at 10:00 a.m. and had to wait no more than 45 minutes for a room. Just saying, that it's possible you may get into your room in the a.m.