Fort Lauderdale Day Passes instead of rooms?

[Keith1010]

Just sent The Hard Rock a email. Will see what they say. Said we were 4 couples where the men would love to have the time to gamble and the women to use the pool and spa. The spa actually had better prices then the ship!!LOL I asked if there was a way to book a dayroom or a regular room with a early check in. I know one of the men has to pull with a few hotels in Las Vegas but he has never been here. Too bad I know many times you can get these things going through the casino host.

 

I get what you are saying about the dayrooms. This really is just an option because we are tired of doing the other options. If however there was someone that picked you up at the port, had several places to take you throughout the day and dropped you at the airport later then1:00PM more like 5:00, we would probably go that route. Someone in the private tour industry is just really missing the boat so to speak!!LOL

 

Have you looked at trip advisor? I am sure you can find someone who gives private tours.

 

But again I don't see this as something lucrative as most cruise ship passengers really don't want this.

 

Keith

[gracie65]

Have you looked at trip advisor? I am sure you can find someone who gives private tours.

 

But again I don't see this as something lucrative as most cruise ship passengers really don't want this.

 

Keith

 

In my research over the past several months you would be surprised at just the passengers asking about this here on cruise critic. If this makes up only 3 or 4% of cruise passengers no telling how many others are also looking for something to do with later flights. There are several things on fortlauderdaletours.net but nothing with a variety of things to do and no place for your luggage. Too bad Spirit doesn't participate in Princess EZ luggage that would make things much easier. I'm sure since it's not lucrative for them!!

[Keith1010]

gracie65,I am sure people ask but then when they would hear the price I suspect most wouldn't do it. Florida is not the Caribbean.

 

Anyway, I hope something works out for your group and I wish you all a terrific cruise.

 

Keith

[capriccio]

I'm not limiting this to dayrooms. Someone really should offer tours to have something besides the cruise lines tours as the only option. I know you can rent a car, we have gone that route too. I would rather have one more day not to have to worry about driving etc. I'm just looking at the dayroom option now because you can only go to The Everglades and The Mall so many times.

 

 

There are alternatives - or at least there was last winter. There was a special program combining Bags to Go, Sun Trolley and entrance fees to various attractions including the water taxi. I'd inquire to see if it is still being offered, and if so what days and prices.

 

Here is the press release from last winter:

 

Fort Lauderdale partnership combines airport Sun Trolley service and baggage storage

 

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Fort Lauderdale visitors can make every minute count, thanks to a new airport transportation and baggage storage service that aims to provide convenient access to area attractions and businesses.

 

With the Fort Lauderdale Excursion, visitors who have a few extra hours to spare can securely store their baggage at the airport and enjoy hassle-free transportation on the Sun Trolley or Water Taxi to explore the City's best cultural attractions, sites, dining, shopping and entertainment.

 

The service is ideal for tourists and business travelers who have a few hours to spare before scheduled departures.

 

The Fort Lauderdale Excursion includes luggage storage at Bags To Go Enterprises, located at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Sun Trolley transportation between the airport and downtown, an all-day ticket for the Sun Trolley and/or Water Taxi, sightseeing opportunities and an array of special offers and discounts.

 

The excursion is available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. The last departure from downtown is at 3:30 p.m. The downtown drop off and pick up point is located at the Fort Lauderdale History Center near area attractions and Las Olas Boulevard.

 

The price for the one day Sun Trolley excursion is $19.95 per person. A combo package that includes the Sun Trolley and Water Taxi is available for $29.95 per person.

 

The ticket price includes admission to several attractions, including the Historic Stranahan House, Fort Lauderdale History Center and the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale.

 

For more information, visit www.suntrolley.com or call 954-761-3543.

[gracie65]

There are alternatives - or at least there was last winter. There was a special program combining Bags to Go, Sun Trolley and entrance fees to various attractions including the water taxi. I'd inquire to see if it is still being offered, and if so what days and prices.

 

Here is the press release from last winter:

 

Fort Lauderdale partnership combines airport Sun Trolley service and baggage storage

 

 

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - Fort Lauderdale visitors can make every minute count, thanks to a new airport transportation and baggage storage service that aims to provide convenient access to area attractions and businesses.

 

With the Fort Lauderdale Excursion, visitors who have a few extra hours to spare can securely store their baggage at the airport and enjoy hassle-free transportation on the Sun Trolley or Water Taxi to explore the City's best cultural attractions, sites, dining, shopping and entertainment.

 

The service is ideal for tourists and business travelers who have a few hours to spare before scheduled departures.

 

The Fort Lauderdale Excursion includes luggage storage at Bags To Go Enterprises, located at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Sun Trolley transportation between the airport and downtown, an all-day ticket for the Sun Trolley and/or Water Taxi, sightseeing opportunities and an array of special offers and discounts.

 

The excursion is available daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. The last departure from downtown is at 3:30 p.m. The downtown drop off and pick up point is located at the Fort Lauderdale History Center near area attractions and Las Olas Boulevard.

 

The price for the one day Sun Trolley excursion is $19.95 per person. A combo package that includes the Sun Trolley and Water Taxi is available for $29.95 per person.

 

The ticket price includes admission to several attractions, including the Historic Stranahan House, Fort Lauderdale History Center and the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale.

 

For more information, visit www.suntrolley.com or call 954-761-3543.

 

 

I don't think this is offered anymore. It was done with this site: http://bagstogo.net/services.php?lc=3

 

Then when you click the Sun Trolley link it goes here:

https://www.blacktie-southflorida.com/online_sales/rsvp_ticket_purchase.cfm?rsvpid=2068

[capriccio]

I don't think this is offered anymore. It was done with this site: http://bagstogo.net/services.php?lc=3

 

Then when you click the Sun Trolley link it goes here:

https://www.blacktie-southflorida.com/online_sales/rsvp_ticket_purchase.cfm?rsvpid=2068

 

BlueHerons just started a thread about a Saturday/Sunday free Sun Trolley route from the airport to the visitors center http://www.broward.org/Airport/Transportation/Pages/SunTrolley.aspx.

 

According to the website at the visitors center you can purchase

Fort Lauderdale Excursion passes at the Welcome Center. "The pass includes admission to museums and historic properties, discounts at restaurants and shops, and all-day passage on the free Sun Trolley." The kicker is that it is only good on Saturdays and Sundays (not sure what day you'll be disembarking).

 

I googled the excursion pass and it took me to http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/news/2013/pdf/fl_excursion.pdf (which is also the attachment on BlueHeron's thread).

[gracie65]

BlueHerons just started a thread about a Saturday/Sunday free Sun Trolley route from the airport to the visitors center http://www.broward.org/Airport/Transportation/Pages/SunTrolley.aspx.

 

According to the website at the visitors center you can purchase

Fort Lauderdale Excursion passes at the Welcome Center. "The pass includes admission to museums and historic properties, discounts at restaurants and shops, and all-day passage on the free Sun Trolley." The kicker is that it is only good on Saturdays and Sundays (not sure what day you'll be disembarking).

 

I googled the excursion pass and it took me to http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/news/2013/pdf/fl_excursion.pdf (which is also the attachment on BlueHeron's thread).

 

Yes, we will be there on a Sunday. Will have to check out this option too. Sounds like they have repackaged the version I posted above.

[MKESail]

I know you can rent a car, we have gone that route too. I would rather have one more day not to have to worry about driving etc. I'm just looking at the dayroom option now because you can only go to The Everglades and The Mall so many times.

 

I am sooo with you there! We just want to relax, be able to take a nap before the flight home (and ours is long this time).

 

You have to ask yourself what kind of fool waits two hours for a shuttle? Use a taxi.

 

I'm pretty sure their flight arrived late night, so taxi wasn't really an option for them (can't find that review now). Anyways, I do get your point, if I see that it's taking them forever - we will take a cab.

[CruiserDee]

I have encountered the same situation. We were looking for something to do (with my in-laws) post cruise but not too strenuous. (They eventually asked to see if we could get a room somewhere - they like to nap... A LOT! )

Ultimately we called around and to secure our plans we booked a hotel for 2 nights. This will ensure a place for everyone to rest, have use of a pool, retaurant, wifi, ect...

We really did not care where and just used priceline to get a cheapy hotel. When we called to confirm our reservation (the Monday after our winning bid), the hotel stated they are very familiar with this process.

If you have a location in mind, call them and see if you can book a room with early check in or book the night before with late check out. (I was told it was good to call the property directly when dealing with a chain. In house reservations always differs from what the general standards are...)

Good luck to you,

Keep us posted as we are always interested in how things work out!

D

[gracie65]

I have encountered the same situation. We were looking for something to do (with my in-laws) post cruise but not too strenuous. (They eventually asked to see if we could get a room somewhere - they like to nap... A LOT! )

 

Ultimately we called around and to secure our plans we booked a hotel for 2 nights. This will ensure a place for everyone to rest, have use of a pool, retaurant, wifi, ect...

 

We really did not care where and just used priceline to get a cheapy hotel. When we called to confirm our reservation (the Monday after our winning bid), the hotel stated they are very familiar with this process.

 

If you have a location in mind, call them and see if you can book a room with early check in or book the night before with late check out. (I was told it was good to call the property directly when dealing with a chain. In house reservations always differs from what the general standards are...)

 

Good luck to you,

Keep us posted as we are always interested in how things work out!

 

D

 

What property did you end up getting? I assume you really aren't checking in the first night but not till you get off the ship the next morning?

[Florissouri]

Gracie...

 

The term "Day Room" for all intents and purposes is a misnomer. It's just a hotel room that you aren't going to spend the night in. Most housekeeping staffs leave the hotel by 5:00 PM so they can't get the room cleaned up after you leave and re-rent it again for the night. It will just sit empty until the housekeeping staff returns in the morning. The reason hotels don't like to deal with them is they may not have a room ready for you if you show up at 10:00 AM and it's disruptive to the way they do business. Hotels that actively promote these so-called Day Rooms do so because they have a low occupancy rates, most times for negative reasons.

 

Just choose a hotel, make a traditional reservation, request an early check-in (if available) and show up. If they have a room ready they will check you in, if they don't, I'm sure they will store your luggage until they have one ready while you go relax at the pool.

[BlueHerons]

What property did you end up getting? I assume you really aren't checking in the first night but not till you get off the ship the next morning?

 

You must check in by phone the first night or they'll give your room away.

[CruiserDee]

We got the Universal Palms. The pics look nice but the reviews are mixed due to location (I guess a train runs by there at night disturbing sleep). Seeing that we will only be there through the day I don't see a problem with that. We got the rooms for $55 a night through Priceline so the price was right.

[gracie65]

We got the Universal Palms. The pics look nice but the reviews are mixed due to location (I guess a train runs by there at night disturbing sleep). Seeing that we will only be there through the day I don't see a problem with that. We got the rooms for $55 a night through Priceline so the price was right.

 

 

I hope your inlaws won't have any problems trying to nap!!LOL

[CruiserDee]

You must check in by phone the first night or they'll give your room away.

 

We have already called them and secured our room. We are going to call again the week before we go as the turnover in the hotel industry is rapid.

 

The woman at the front desk was very gracious and said that this was common and they would accommodate us when we arrived. No problem. We even asked for double rooms (which Priceline does not guarantee) and was told it would be accommodated! Totally impressed!

[CruiserDee]

I hope your inlaws won't have any problems trying to nap!!LOL

 

I don't think they will! Lol! One is quite deaf and the other will fall asleep with the TV on! It's kinda ideal really!

[BlueHerons]

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure their flight arrived late night, so taxi wasn't really an option for them (can't find that review now). Anyways, I do get your point, if I see that it's taking them forever - we will take a cab.

 

But that doesn't make sense since cabs run all night long. Shuttles usually stop by midnight.

[MKESail]

But that doesn't make sense since cabs run all night long. Shuttles usually stop by midnight.

 

Here's the review http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=17215793&postcount=18. Not sure what happened there.

 

Like I said it's an old review, so I don't know if that is still true 5 years later :confused:

[lovetocruise2020]

The W ft lauderdale has a pool party that is open to the public and free on Sundays, they also rent private cabanas starting at $150. The bellman holds your luggage. A good place to kill time if you do not mind the younger crowd or loud music. Nice place.

[gracie65]

After much searching and advise from here I now have a plan A and a Plan B.

We're friends with a couple here that do a lot of gambling junkets. They have some connections at Hard Rock. She is calling the Casino Host to see what she can get worked out. If Plan A fails Plan B will be to reserve a room at The Hilton Marina. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before until blueheron mentioned it but the thing is to rent a room for the 25th and request an early check in. I think I was really over thinking all this. Everytime we have flown into Fort Lauderdale we are on a flight where we land before 10:00am. Each time we go straight to the hotel and hope a room is ready early. We have stayed at The Embassy Suites 3 times, Hyatt House once and each time we were in a room by 10:30am. If not, like BlueHeron said they would have held our luggage.

I picked The Hilton Marina as plan b because I have enough Hilton Points to get one room for $50.00. They usually are also more accommodating on early check-ins for reward members. I also liked the fact it has it's own water taxi stop. Will make it easy if anyone wants to go shopping or Los Olas area.

My plans are almost set. Thanks for all the help!!