Flying Toronto to Fort Lauderdale and Cruise Out Of Miami - Hotel Ideas + Transfer to Miami Cruise Port

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

Sailing out of Miami next March but non stop flights Toronto to Miami are ridiculously high versus Toronto to Fort Lauderdale thus looking at flying in to FLL.

Has anyone stayed at the Hollywood Boutique Hotel in Hollywood Beach ? Pros & Cons.

Also looking for companies to use for transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Miami Cruise Port.

 

 

[LHT28]

I would  check out the Florida  forum 

lots of info there

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/386-florida-departures/

[3CanadianBears]

We have flown to both FLL and MIA for Miami cruise departures. We've chosen airport based on price and time of flights.  At least once, we flew in to FLL and then out of MIA with the same airline; just booked it as multi-city and no more expensive. Again, this was based on flight times. 

 

For transfers from FLL to MIA and also MIA to downtown Miami hotel we have used Larry's Limo 

Larrys Limo Services and would recommend them.  They have always been on time, super clean car, polite driver etc.   We even splurged the last few times and had the driver meet us at the luggage area. Again, on time, clearly holding a sign with our names and then took our luggage for us.  A real treat. 

We've also used them to pick us up at the cruise terminal. 

 

We have stayed in both Fort Lauderdale and Miami, though prefer Miami and being so close to the port on departure day, so can't help with your hotel question. 

 

 

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

3 hours ago, 3CanadianBears said:

We have flown to both FLL and MIA for Miami cruise departures. We've chosen airport based on price and time of flights.  At least once, we flew in to FLL and then out of MIA with the same airline; just booked it as multi-city and no more expensive. Again, this was based on flight times. 

 

For transfers from FLL to MIA and also MIA to downtown Miami hotel we have used Larry's Limo 

Larrys Limo Services and would recommend them.  They have always been on time, super clean car, polite driver etc.   We even splurged the last few times and had the driver meet us at the luggage area. Again, on time, clearly holding a sign with our names and then took our luggage for us.  A real treat. 

We've also used them to pick us up at the cruise terminal. 

 

We have stayed in both Fort Lauderdale and Miami, though prefer Miami and being so close to the port on departure day, so can't help with your hotel question. 

 

 

Thanks for the input. I did look at a multi trip flying into FLL and home from MIA but over $300 more and different airlines if I wanted similar times. I book non stop only when possible.

[Magicat]

We've stayed in a couple of places and Hollywood Beach is a fabulous place to stay.  To be honest I do not remember the boutique hotel we stayed at but it was just off the boardwalk.   For a shuttle service we us South Florida Shuttles.  They seem reasonably priced however we did have a large (8 pax) group going.  We also rented a car and drove it one way.

 

[abby1257]

We are also from Ontario, you don't need to tell me about air prices to Miami, ridiculous.. We are cruising out of Miami so we have booked a flight from Toronto Ft. Lauderdale the day before the cruise ($400.00 cheaper than flying into Miami) plus....air canada does no direct flights that will work with cruise times...ugh....We have booked SAS TRANSPORTATION from Ft. Lauderdale to our hotel in Miami, the day before...we will just grab a cab to the port...VERY VERY close to the port, Holiday Inn, Port of Miami, right across from Bayside Market ....lots of shops and restaurants....We have booked SAS for pick up at the Port of Miami to Ft. Lauderdale....You call their number when you are in the customs line up and they will tell you where they are parked outside the ship.  $15.00 each....each way....can't beat that...They come HIGHLY rated...Hope this helps.

Edited July 7, 2023 by abby1257

[LHT28]

Problem we have  is our Cell does not include  USA  so calling  SAS or MJS  shuttles  is a problem

[broberts]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

Problem we have  is our Cell does not include  USA  so calling  SAS or MJS  shuttles  is a problem

 

Buy a SIM card with US minutes. There are a couple of discussions in this area that discuss the subject. If you have a newer phone it may support eSIM.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

8 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Problem we have  is our Cell does not include  USA  so calling  SAS or MJS  shuttles  is a problem

Just pay for roaming for the day , yes it is a ripoff 

[Middleager]

We have stayed at Hollywood, and Miami hotels.  Whatever was cheaper at the time.

We have rented car, but that's getting expensive lately.  We had uber'ed, and it's not bad, cheaper than taxi.

 

We've used esim (airolo and others), and they've worked well in US.  Depending on how many G's of data you like and/or you like calling/texting, and how many days, you can spend less than US$15 for 10 days.

[abby1257]

On 7/7/2023 at 8:07 PM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Just pay for roaming for the day , yes it is a ripoff 

That's what I will have to do...I will have to pay roaming the day we get to Ft. Lauderdale and the day we get off the ship to call SAS TRANSPORTATION...still ALOT cheaper than the fare from Toronto to Miami

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

On 7/7/2023 at 8:07 PM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Just pay for roaming for the day , yes it is a ripoff 

I’d like to but my provider is Lucky Mobile and do not allow USA calls

[Shadow9612]

On 6/27/2023 at 2:26 PM, 3CanadianBears said:

For transfers from FLL to MIA and also MIA to downtown Miami hotel we have used Larry's Limo 

Larrys Limo Services and would recommend them

I have also used Larry's limo service and echo your comments.

[retird]

In February 2023, we flew Toronto to Fort Lauderdale , took a cab from airport to hampton Inn South Blue Lagoon Miami for $80.    Hotel had offsite shuttle to port in the morning.    After cruise we took cruiseline bus transfer back to Fort Lauderdale airport.   Even after cab and bus transfer we saved $300 on our airfare.   We chose taxi because local transfer companies did not pick up at fort lauderdale airport after 4 pm which was when our flight arrived.

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

On 7/24/2023 at 1:45 PM, retird said:

In February 2023, we flew Toronto to Fort Lauderdale , took a cab from airport to hampton Inn South Blue Lagoon Miami for $80.    Hotel had offsite shuttle to port in the morning.    After cruise we took cruiseline bus transfer back to Fort Lauderdale airport.   Even after cab and bus transfer we saved $300 on our airfare.   We chose taxi because local transfer companies did not pick up at fort lauderdale airport after 4 pm which was when our flight arrived.

$80 for a cab from FLL to Miami is a good price. Did you book ahead of time and if so with who or did you just take a cab outside departure area ?

[retird]

On 7/30/2023 at 10:58 AM, D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL said:

$80 for a cab from FLL to Miami is a good price. Did you book ahead of time and if so with who or did you just take a cab outside departure area ?

It was a sunday afternoon and on arrival we just walked outside and spoke to first taxi driver and told him which hotel i wanted to go to in Miami.  Asked him if he would go by meter,to which he said yes.   On arrival at hotel, his meter I believe was at $81.   I gave him a tip as well

[NateUpNorth]

We LOVE Hollywood Beach area. Usually stay at La Quinta a few big blocks from the location you mentioned. (La Quinta N26th Ave)

Pros - short drive from FLL, many of the hotels have airport shuttles, you can city bus to the beach, everything you need within a short distance (groceries, restaurants, last minute items, etc etc), Hollywood Beach broadwalk is magnificent to spend a day strolling around

Cons - some of the neighborhoods in the area might not be the safest, not ALL transfer companies will go to POM (however there are many that do)