FLL logistics

[maggieworkman]

We are cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale for the first time. Can you tell me how it works? How far is the airport? Should we stay near the airport or the cruise terminal? We will have no car so what is the best way to get from airport to hotel and from hotel to cruise terminal?

 

Thank you,

Maggie

[racnwdow]

We just booked at the Ramada Inn Fort Laduerdale Airport/Cruise port. The cost is $72 for a king size/no smoking room. Do not ask for the cruise special. The Remada has free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and also free shuttle from the hotel to the cruise docks. They also have free breakfast buffet (not sure if that is really better than a continental breakfast or if it is just wording). There number is 1-800-2-ramada or 954-584-4000.

[Bequia]

We just booked at the Ramada Inn Fort Laduerdale Airport/Cruise port. The cost is $72 for a king size/no smoking room. Do not ask for the cruise special. The Remada has free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and also free shuttle from the hotel to the cruise docks. They also have free breakfast buffet (not sure if that is really better than a continental breakfast or if it is just wording). .

 

Big mistake.

 

Run, don't walk, run far, far, away from this property.

Do a search on these boards, it is NOT the place to stay. :eek:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=103119&highlight=ramada

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=213804&highlight=ramada

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=204755&highlight=ramada

[TrentS]

Jenny... RUN!!!

 

Maggie, the airport and Port Everglades are adjacent. The "best" area for a pre-cruise night (especially if you don't have a car) is SE 17th Street. There are several nice hotels on SE 17th Street that I'll list below... They're less than 10 minutes from the airport and just outside the entrance to Port Everglades. Unlike where Jenny is staying, SE 17th Street is a safe area, and there are many many shops, restaurants, grocery/drug/liquor stores within easy walking distance. Everything you could possibly want is right there. Some of the hotels have shuttles, some don't, but it's only a $10 cab ride from the airport, and less than that into Port Everglades.

 

Renaissance... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLBR

 

Embassy Suites... http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLSOES

 

Marina Marriott... http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/FLLFL

 

Holiday Inn Express... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/fllcc

 

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

 

AmeriSuites... http://amerisuites.com/reservations/locationdetail.asp?facid=3929

AmeriSuites is cheaper on Valuetrips... http://www.valuetrips.com/AMS/FL/F17.htm

[maggieworkman]

Thank you. I had read other posts listing those hotels. I thought they were near the cruise terminal. I didn't realize the were also near the airport.

 

So, if I pick any of those you listed, I could easily get to it from airport (either shuttle or short/cheap cab ride) and then easily get to the cruise terminal from there via a shuttle or cheap cab ride???

 

Thanks.

 

Maggie

[TrentS]

Yes, the ones I listed are all less than 10 minutes from the airport and just outside the entrance to Port Everglades.

[The Cruisers]

We are booked at the Holiday Inn Express on SE 17th. Will it be easy to get a cab to go to the pier the morning we leave for the cruise? We cabs be waiting outside or will we have to ask someone to call a cab for us?

[TrentS]

You'll probably have to call one, but cabs are quite plentiful in the SE 17th Street area. It won't take long to get one there.

[kenandlaura06]

You'll probably have to call one, but cabs are quite plentiful in the SE 17th Street area. It won't take long to get one there.

 

Good to know. Thanks.

[DanJ]

Just wanted to add my opinion to Jenny to change her hotel booking. It's been 4 years since we stayed in that less than satisfactory hotel, and I haven't seen anything in reviews here since to say it's any better. As Trent says, there are plenty of hotels close to the airport and pier, and since he lives in the area, I'd take his advice on areas to avoid.

[The Cruisers]

You'll probably have to call one, but cabs are quite plentiful in the SE 17th Street area. It won't take long to get one there.

 

Thanks.

[pbrady]

Just a suggestion but when I call the hotels I always ask about the shuttles. Depending on how many of you travel together, the cabs or pay per person shuttles can get expensive. Many hotels tells us they have a shuttle & it may be free from the airport but it is $10 or $15 per person to the cruise port. We travel in a group of 6 to 8 people and find that if we have to pay $80 to $120 to get to the cruise port, another more expensive hotel with a free shuttle is well worth it. One hotel I never see mentioned (and we find very nice) is the La Quinta Ft Lauderdale Airport. Rates are very reasonable, free shuttle each direction (watch hours of operation though) and very nice free breakfast. We've stayed there many times and have always been satisfied. I realize though everyone has different requirements of their hotel so happy looking. One other suggestion, one of the first few hotels you talk to ask what is going on in the area at that time esp if it is a Fri thru Mon. I found the prices inflated for our last cruise and kept waiting only to find them going higher. I found out that was the weekend of several conventions and I'd better take what I could get.

Good Luck ...

[jasgkinsey]

I can verify that La Quinta is a nice place to stay. We weren't on a cruise when we stayed there but I heard people in the lobby lining up shuttles to the cruise port. There is a nice shopping area within a reasonable walking distance that has a couple of good restaurants and a movie theater and La Quinta does have a good free breakfast.

 

Century (wonderful, but our first cruise so...)

Galaxy (real nice)

Millenium (the cruise I have liked best so far)

Grand Princess (beautiful ship, but staff??? not so hot)

Maasdam (nice folks but just a so so cruise)

Imagination (I liked it, my wife didn't)

 

Infinity 12/10