Fort Lauderdale Hotel Recommendation

[rjohn40787]

We are cruise newbies and would appreciate help from the Cruise Critic population.

 

We are departing on our Princess Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL. We would appreciate hotel recommendations. We will fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise departs. We are not planning to sightsee while we are in town.

 

Primary considerations would include:

 

- Proximity to where the Coral Princess will be docked/ease of getting to the ship. Assume we would take taxi cab from hotel. Correct?

 

- Restaurant(s) within walking distance or hotel has restaurant.

 

- Shuttle availability from Ft. Lauderdale airport to hotel (not familiar with geography, so don't know distance involved or taxi fare).

 

- Though less important, proximity of a supermarket or similar type store in case we need to purchase any last-minute cruise necessities.

 

Recommendations?

[Colo Cruiser]

We are cruise newbies and would appreciate help from the Cruise Critic population.

 

We are departing on our Princess Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL. We would appreciate hotel recommendations. We will fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise departs. We are not planning to sightsee while we are in town.

 

Primary considerations would include:

 

- Proximity to where the Coral Princess will be docked/ease of getting to the ship. Assume we would take taxi cab from hotel. Correct?

 

- Restaurant(s) within walking distance or hotel has restaurant.

 

- Shuttle availability from Ft. Lauderdale airport to hotel (not familiar with geography, so don't know distance involved or taxi fare).

 

- Though less important, proximity of a supermarket or similar type store in case we need to purchase any last-minute cruise necessities.

 

Recommendations?

 

 

In order for us,

 

 

Hyatt Place on 10th St next to the Embassy Suites and Outback Steakhouse.

 

Embassy Suites on 17th St 2-3 long blocks to the port, lots of shops right behind it. Restaurants nearby.

 

Renaissance on 17th St, right across the street from the port.

Edited February 19, 2016 by Colo Cruiser

[CruiserBruce]

If you look on the Florida Departures board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

 

you will find dozens of threads on your topics. The Mods might even move it there. You will find taxis are cheap and plentiful- Uber is even cheaper. Many good hotels recommended.

Edited February 19, 2016 by CruiserBruce

[sminfiddle]

We switched to the Embassy Suites from another hotel and did not regret it.

Winn-Dixie supermarket nearby, and the water taxis are walking distance. There's a great seafood shack and a diner close by, and we also enjoyed the hotel's restaurant. I can't remember if the hotel had a free shuttle but the port and airport are both ridiculously close by taxi.

[CATGUY7]

Another vote for Embassy Suites. Walk to Outback, Carrabbas, Publix, Total Wine, shopping, etc.

[davekathy]

We are cruise newbies and would appreciate help from the Cruise Critic population.

 

We are departing on our Princess Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL. We would appreciate hotel recommendations. We will fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise departs. We are not planning to sightsee while we are in town.

 

Primary considerations would include:

 

- Proximity to where the Coral Princess will be docked/ease of getting to the ship. Assume we would take taxi cab from hotel. Correct?

 

- Restaurant(s) within walking distance or hotel has restaurant.

 

- Shuttle availability from Ft. Lauderdale airport to hotel (not familiar with geography, so don't know distance involved or taxi fare).

 

- Though less important, proximity of a supermarket or similar type store in case we need to purchase any last-minute cruise necessities.

 

Recommendations?

 

Another is Hampton Inn Airport North. Fits all your criteria.

[cruisequeen4ever]

We loved the Ft. Lauderdale Hilton Marina. It has a gorgeous view of the port and is just across from the port. We took a taxi from the airport. You can book a cruise package that includes breakfast buffet and shuttle tickets to the port. We did it, and it worked well. The Embassy Suites is also recommended often on here, and they offer a cruise package that includes a shuttle from the airport to the hotel and the shuttle to the port the next day, as well as their standard free breakfast. It's very close to the port, too.

[Northender]

Another vote for Embassy Suites.

 

Managers Reception early evening

Shuttle to Port - Around $8pp - sign up with concierge after checking in

Cooked to Order Breakfast

 

Grab a cab from the airport. About $20.00

[riclop]

We prefer to stay in Dania beach, Hyatt place and Cambria suites etc. It's cheaper and we like it better.

[schittenden]

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza right outside the port. They have a free shuttle from the airport, free wifi, a decent restaurant, and a shuttle to the port. If you have more than a couple people, you can uber from the hotel to the port got about $12, which is less than the shuttle and easier.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[johnatsis]

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza right outside the port. They have a free shuttle from the airport, free wifi, a decent restaurant, and a shuttle to the port. If you have more than a couple people, you can uber from the hotel to the port got about $12, which is less than the shuttle and easier.

 

 

We also like the Crowne Plaza, good location and a great local restaurant a block away - Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, In addition to the pizza, we enjoy a variety of “Italian Soul Food” items, Coal Oven Roasted Chicken Wings and great salads...

[G&T Cruisers]

We stayed at the Hilton Marina on our last cruise and found that it was a waste of money and would have preferred staying at a much better hotel at a far better rate.

[Italy52]

We stayed at the Hilton Marina for two days pre-cruise before our New Year's cruise on the Regal. While the hotel was nice, many downsides:

 

1. Very crowded lobby when groups of people were arriving

2. Food service near the pool was almost non existence due to large crowds occupying the tables

3. Maid did not provide room service in the AM came by later in the evening instead --- we were out of our room by 8:30 AM but guess that wasn't early enough for her.

4. We needed to pick up a few items before boarding the ship --- drugstore and supermarket was a long hike from the hotel.

[Gallivanting Souls]

I booked the Hyatt Place through Valuetrips. This hotel is mentioned over and over.

[Marlster]

Being Canadian we found the hotels very expensive (with the exchange) We absolutely love the Embassy Suites, but was a bit high for our budget. We are booked into the Extended Stay, it was recommended here on cruise critic, free shuttle from airport and I believe there is a charge from hotel to port, will be checking on the taxi fare also to port. I understand it is near shopping also from what I have read .

Marlster

[Keith1010]

Be sure to check out the Florida Departures Board.

 

With that said I would recommend Embassy Suites.

 

Nice hotel with a terrific breakfast.

 

In walking distance of restaurants and shopping.

 

A short taxi ride from airport and to port.

 

Keith

[navis navis]

We too would recommend The Embassy Suits.

 

Good location not far from the port .

 

Outback Steakhouse just round the corner.

 

Kellys Landing fish restaurant .

 

Mark

Edited February 19, 2016 by navis navis

[Grego]

We would make the journey every year and have stayed in the Embassy Suites, and the Renaissance when the price was right. Another suggestion would be the Holiday Inn which is next to the Embassy Suites and across 17th St. from the Renaissance. The great location of these hotels give easy walking access to the Bimini Boatyard restaurant and to the stores in the Cordova shopping plaza for your liquid refreshments (Total Wine) or food items (Publix) and other restaruants. Another great restaurant is the 15th Street Fisheries which is two blocks north of the hotels.

If you get a room high enough in the hotel and facing east you will see your ship when you awake. Another advantage of this location is that it is an easy walk to the drawbridge over the Intracostal for great views of the ships in port that day.

[Treven]

My vote goes to the Marriott Renaissance on 17th St. Close to restaurants, a Wallgreens right across the street for munchies or forgotten toiletries and the entrance to the port is a short cab ride away. I liked their cooked to order breakfast and liked their clean modern rooms.

[Princess Rhonda]

I am looking at the Embassy Suites for next January. There is a $48 difference between the room rate and the Cruise Ft. Lauderdale rate, which includes shuttle from the airport to the hotel and shuttle for 2 people to the port the next day. Would you just do the cheaper rate and arrange your own transportation (airport to hotel and hotel to port) or do the $48 higher rate with the hotel transportation? Both rates include the other amenities (cooked to order breakfast, etc.).

[Colo Cruiser]

I am looking at the Embassy Suites for next January. There is a $48 difference between the room rate and the Cruise Ft. Lauderdale rate, which includes shuttle from the airport to the hotel and shuttle for 2 people to the port the next day. Would you just do the cheaper rate and arrange your own transportation (airport to hotel and hotel to port) or do the $48 higher rate with the hotel transportation? Both rates include the other amenities (cooked to order breakfast, etc.).

 

 

Its maybe a $10-$12 cab ride if that to the port.

I want to go on my schedule not waiting for a shuttle.

[mmckm]

We always stay at the Holiday inn express on 17th. Close to grocery and wine store. Free airport shuttle and a cab to the pier is about $12.00

[Princess Rhonda]

Its maybe a $10-$12 cab ride if that to the port.

I want to go on my schedule not waiting for a shuttle.

 

I'm thinking the same now. I don't see a $48 benefit in buying the "cruise package." Thanks!

[BlueHerons]

We stayed at the Hilton Marina for two days pre-cruise before our New Year's cruise on the Regal. While the hotel was nice, many downsides:

 

1. Very crowded lobby when groups of people were arriving

2. Food service near the pool was almost non existence due to large crowds occupying the tables

3. Maid did not provide room service in the AM came by later in the evening instead --- we were out of our room by 8:30 AM but guess that wasn't early enough for her.

4. We needed to pick up a few items before boarding the ship --- drugstore and supermarket was a long hike from the hotel.

 

I don't doubt it was massively crowded due to the busy week.

 

If you stay there again, there is a Walgreens almost across the street from the Hilton Marina.

Edited February 19, 2016 by BlueHerons

[davekathy]

Its maybe a $10-$12 cab ride if that to the port.

I want to go on my schedule not waiting for a shuttle.

 

Agree. We never use the Cruise Lines or hotel shuttles to get over to any Cruise port.