Disembarkation tours/killing time before an evening flight

[FawnRiver]

We have a 7pm flight out of FLL on April 12th so I booked us on a disembarkation tour, but it says it ends at 1pm, leaving us with 4 hours to wait to check in for our flight. :(

 

Do the tours typically end when the say they do, or are they prone to be early? I haven't had much time to look into the idea of booking a day room somewhere, although I have heard about it from other cruisers.

 

Is there a place to leave luggage at Terminal 2 and if so, what is the cost and what is nearby that we can do to kill time (we're not big shoppers)?

 

Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

[capriccio]

We have a 7pm flight out of FLL on April 12th so I booked us on a disembarkation tour, but it says it ends at 1pm, leaving us with 4 hours to wait to check in for our flight. :(

 

Do the tours typically end when the say they do, or are they prone to be early? I haven't had much time to look into the idea of booking a day room somewhere, although I have heard about it from other cruisers.

 

Is there a place to leave luggage at Terminal 2 and if so, what is the cost and what is nearby that we can do to kill time (we're not big shoppers)?

 

Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

 

With all that time I would rent a car for the day, throw your luggage in the trunk and go sightseeing - beaches, the Everglades (as long as it is the dry - Dec to April - season; not too hot and not buggy) . Check out Fort Lauderdale's tourism website at http://www.sunny.org for info on attractions and restaurants.

 

If you don't want to rent a car, there is baggage storage at each FLL terminal run by Bags to Go (http://www.bagstogo.net) and then you can taxi into Fort Lauderdale (the http://www.sunny.org also has transportation info) and maybe use the Sun Trolley (http://www.suntrolley.com) and/or the watertaxi (http://www.watertaxi.com).

 

Check out the Florida Departures Board http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495 for lots of info and recommendations (this post will probably be moved there).

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

OUr flight is at 8:30pm on the day we disembark. We originally planned to do one of the tours, but had the same problem as you. We decided to cancel the tour and rent a car. We are still planning on going to the everglades for an airboat ride, but we will also have the freedom to go to the beach, go shopping or anything else that we want. The rental car and airboat tickets cost less than the tour and not sitting in the airport for 6 hours is priceless, especially with our two kids coming on this trip.

[-Lew-]

You might want to consider using EZ Check if your airline is included in the service. With EZ Check, Princess will provide your boarding passes and your luggage will be transported to your flight after you put it out the evening prior to disembarkation.

 

Personally, I'd rent a car for the day. I believe Budget is one of the closest to pier 2...about a 20 minute walk or short taxi ride to their 17th Street Quay Plaza location. You could drop it off at FLL.

 

Lew

[Colo Cruiser]

I agree about renting a car...

 

These guys will p/u up at the pier and take you back to the airport, we have used them many times. Within 1 mile to the airport

 

http://goldcoastcruiseandflyparking.com/

[eandj]

Booking a tour to avoid extra time at the airport for an evening flight is a waste of time and money. Yes they will have you at the airport at 1:00 AT THE LATEST. They are best for people with 4:00 flights.

 

 

Do as the others say.

[FawnRiver]

Thanks to all for the info, I doubt we'll bother with renting a car, I'm sure DH doesn't want to end his vacation with the stress of having to drive around.