What to do in Fort Lauderdale for a day

[jonyboy]

We are on the Holland America Eastern Caribbean which returns to Fort Lauderdale on March 10 at about 8:00 AM.  Our flight home doesn't leave until 6:40 PM.  Anyone have any suggestions regarding how to spend that time and what to do with our luggage while we do it?  Thanks

[1025cruise]

You might want to ask on the Florida Departures board.

[paul929207]

Cruise lines usually offer an excursion that ends at the port.

[Hlitner]

An easy solution to both the travel and luggage issues are to simply rent a car for the day.  You can store your luggage in the car and then have freedom to do as you please for the day.  Many of the rental car companies provide shuttle service (some are free) between the port and the rental car center over at nearby FLL.  

 

Hank

[zqvol]

Get a day room at a hotel on the beach and spend the day at the beach.

[bakersdozen12]

When we had a late flight out of Ft Lauderdale we rented a car for the day. This gave us a place to store our luggage, as well as transportation to the airport. And we were able to go wherever we wanted to, on our own time. There are shuttles that will pick you up at port and drive you right to the rental agencies. 

[jonyboy]

Good ideas, thank you all

 

[jonyboy]

5 hours ago, paul929207 said:

Cruise lines usually offer an excursion that ends at the port.

There is one that goes from the ship to an everglades trip then transport to the airport.  Looks like we'd get to airport early afternoon.  Maybe a long lunch and a good book and call it a day

[Scrapnana]

I had a late flight on my way home from a HAL cruise last April.  I took a very enjoyable half day excursion that gave a good history of Fort Lauderdale as well as a lovely cruise through the canals and into the port area.  Bags were stowed under the bus and at the end you and your luggage were dropped off at the proper terminal at either FLL or MIA airport.

[angie7911922]

There's a turtle encounter in Ft. Lauderdale. I can't remember what it was called. But it was free, and it was really different from some of the other ones I've seen. We spent 4 hours there, even though we've been to others before. I'll try to remember the name and post it. 

[jonyboy]

11 hours ago, Scrapnana said:

I had a late flight on my way home from a HAL cruise last April.  I took a very enjoyable half day excursion that gave a good history of Fort Lauderdale as well as a lovely cruise through the canals and into the port area.  Bags were stowed under the bus and at the end you and your luggage were dropped off at the proper terminal at either FLL or MIA airport.

Do you know where you booked that?  It sounds interesting

[Harry and Lucille]

We have just gone the short distance to the Hilton Hotel. They hold our luggage for free. Walk a short distance and board the Hop on, Hop off water taxi. Inexpensive and several routes to choose from. Time permitting, you can take several of them. Check out their web site for maps etc. Back to the hotel, catch Uber or a cab for the short trip to the airport. Easy and enjoyable. Shopping, resturants, bars, etc.

 

[Scrapnana]

On 1/4/2019 at 12:22 PM, jonyboy said:

Do you know where you booked that?  It sounds interesting

I booked it onboard the ship.

[jonyboy]

On ‎1‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 4:39 PM, bakersdozen12 said:

When we had a late flight out of Ft Lauderdale we rented a car for the day. This gave us a place to store our luggage, as well as transportation to the airport. And we were able to go wherever we wanted to, on our own time. There are shuttles that will pick you up at port and drive you right to the rental agencies. 

I have reserved a rental car because our flight doesn't leave until 6:40 PM.  We were thinking of the everglades.  Anyone have any suggestions?

[cb at sea]

The Everglades can kill a bunch of time.  I'd prefer a hotel day room, so I could use the pool or beach..then shower and get ready for a flight!   I really hate trying to "kill time"...it's stressful, for me.

 

Compare the cost of excursion vs. hotel vs. taking an earlier flight.  Pick the least expensive!

[dkjretired]

Take the water taxi in Ft. Lauderdale the full route, very inexpensive and you'll see a variety of thing, great homes, yachts, etc.  Take the extension over to Margaritaville and have lunch. 

[Underwatr]

Rent a car, book an Everglades airboat your, have a nice late lunch on the beach and catch your flight home.

[KBS1607]

We did a Princess excursion to the Everglades and a wildlife area of some sort.  It was nice but our flight didn’t leave until 10:00 pm so we still had way too much time at the airport. 

 

Your flight is nicer.  I’m glad to know about the water taxi. 

[jonyboy]

Found a dayroom at a hotel, the B Ocean.  Looks nice, beach, pool, restaurants.  Nice place to relax and it's only $100

[Palmetto_state]

On ‎2‎/‎24‎/‎2019 at 5:53 PM, jonyboy said:

Found a dayroom at a hotel, the B Ocean.  Looks nice, beach, pool, restaurants.  Nice place to relax and it's only $100

The water taxi idea is good, like a cheap tour. The homes are Huge, very impressive and yep we are jealous. 

[Mike981]

On 2/18/2019 at 6:02 PM, cb at sea said:

 I really hate trying to "kill time"...it's stressful, for me.

 

I so agree.