Need Advice After Cruise

[fredzy]

Our cruise returns to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday Feb 23 and our flight to Phoenix leaves at 2:55pm. Does anyone know of someplace we can go with our luggage and have a nice lunch before going to the airport. We cruised from Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago and went directly to the airport from the ship and it was a terrible experience as 6 or 7 ships had people going through the airport. We had to sit on the floor for hours as the airport was a circus.:eek:

Thanks for your suggestions.

Fred

[AZNative2000]

We did the HAL "Land and Sea" tour in FLL. It allowed us a nice day and got us to the airport in time for a quick lunch before our late afternoon flight to PHX. Not sure what the times are on it for 2013 though.

 

Cheers!

[Lisa63]

I like the idea of a post-cruise tour. Alternatively, you can arrange to be in the last group to leave the ship (which can usually be as late as 9:00/9:30) and there will be less of a zoo at the pier and at the airport. You can then check in and then enjoy a leisurely lunch at the airport before your flight starts to board around 2:25.

[FATJACK]

See if you can gain access to the airport lounge with the airline you are flying. With Delta Airline, you can get a day pass to their lounge. The Delta lounge is a real civilized place to spend you time, especially the one at the Fort Lauderdale airport.

[andyandsue]

Our cruise returns to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday Feb 23 and our flight to Phoenix leaves at 2:55pm. Does anyone know of someplace we can go with our luggage and have a nice lunch before going to the airport. We cruised from Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago and went directly to the airport from the ship and it was a terrible experience as 6 or 7 ships had people going through the airport. We had to sit on the floor for hours as the airport was a circus.:eek:

Thanks for your suggestions.

Fred

 

There was something in our stateroom about the post cruise tour of NY for those who were flying later in the day. They even hold on to your luggage during the tour. Since we are from the port area we didn't need this but it sounded like a great option for those with an entire day to kill.

[sail7seas]

Go to any of the nice hotels in FLL that are near Port Everglades (which also makes them near the airport) and the doorman will hold your bags while you have lunch. Some hotels may have nice patios where they serve lunch (Hyatt Pier 66) and you could enjoy the beautiful grounds and lunch and head to the airport when you are ready.

 

[alpal1993]

You could rent a car and drive to The Hard Rock on 441 and Stirling Lots of nice restaurants and shopping,you can also relax at the pool.Parking is free as well. Or drive to THe Sawgrass Mall and enjoy lunch and some shopping as well Sunrise and Flamingo Rds.

[alpal1993]

Our cruise returns to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday Feb 23 and our flight to Phoenix leaves at 2:55pm. Does anyone know of someplace we can go with our luggage and have a nice lunch before going to the airport. We cruised from Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago and went directly to the airport from the ship and it was a terrible experience as 6 or 7 ships had people going through the airport. We had to sit on the floor for hours as the airport was a circus.:eek:

Thanks for your suggestions.

Fred

 

What kind of food do you like?

[fredzy]

We would prefer seafood.:D

Thanks

[sail7seas]

There are plenty of restaurants near Port Everglades where you can eat seafood, however, you will be off the ship by 9:30 at about the latest.....

 

[alpal1993]

The Blue Point Grill is located in the Hard Rock Complex It serves seafood.

The Grand Lux is in The Sawgrass Oasis area.\

We like PF Changs they have a delicious Talapia dish and my favorite Shrimp with Candided Walnuts and melon.Yummy. Also The Cheesecake Factory is good as well.

[mllewis48]

If you can and it's offered do Luggage Direct then you are free to do what you choose without handling your luggage. Then you can do a post tour to kill the time.

 

Good luck

Mike

[chriscross]

I'm sorry you had that horrible airport experience, it can be like this from time to time, happened to me as well. Good that you learned from it now, and hopefully you'll have a great day this time!

[sapper1]

We have solved the Sunday zoo problem at the Fort Lauderdale airport in November by booking into a hotel for the night and taking a flight at leisure the following afternoon. Since our return will coincide with the American Thanksgiving weekend we felt we could do without that particular airport experience. :)

[sharks48]

I have also read - on Cruise Critic - that for a small fee, you can remain on the ship until well past the usual debark time. You might want to check with HAL about that. Evidently, they don't publicize this, but people on here have done it.

[sharks48]

I have also read - on Cruise Critic - that for a small fee, you can remain on the ship until well past the usual debark time. You might want to check with HAL about that. Evidently, they don't publicize this, but people on here have done it. You can't stay in your cabin, though.

[Tarpeian Rock]

Our cruise returns to Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday Feb 23 and our flight to Phoenix leaves at 2:55pm. Does anyone know of someplace we can go with our luggage and have a nice lunch before going to the airport. We cruised from Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago and went directly to the airport from the ship and it was a terrible experience as 6 or 7 ships had people going through the airport. We had to sit on the floor for hours as the airport was a circus.:eek:

Thanks for your suggestions.

Fred

 

 

 

This may not be your cup of tea, but we did the hours-and-hours waiting / multiple ships' passengers arriving at the airport thing at the Ft. Lauderdale airport last cruise, and vowed never again. In order to reduce post-cruise and debarkation stress, we got an inexpensive hotel room in Ft. Lauderdale for the day the ship docks, and an early flight home the following day. No worries about connections, about the purgatory that is that airport, other post-cruisers, etc. As I said, this may not interest you, but it's our answer to that craziness.

[sail7seas]

We have solved the Sunday zoo problem at the Fort Lauderdale airport in November by booking into a hotel for the night and taking a flight at leisure the following afternoon. Since our return will coincide with the American Thanksgiving weekend we felt we could do without that particular airport experience. :)

 

 

We almost never fly home the day we disembark. We don't want the rushing around and hassle and have been on ships that arrived back late.... late enough we definitely would have missed our flight. We stay over at least one night post cruise. It's so much more 'civilized' and lowers the stress levels.

[Watson's aunt]

just gpt off the Amsterdam last friday. Hal has dropped luggage direct. they have a new plan very expensive.

 

 

Mary

[mllewis48]

Watson,

 

So you are saying that HAL has stopped Luggage Direct from FLL? What is the new, "expensive" plan?

 

Thanks

[lazey1]

just gpt off the Amsterdam last friday. Hal has dropped luggage direct. they have a new plan very expensive.

 

 

Mary

 

 

Please tell us the details.