Ft Laud RESSIE TIPS...AND HOW TO AVOID HUGE MISTAKES

[sharecruises]

Lois R, I don't know how I missed your reply to my post--I'm sorry! I am looking for a nice place (not really fancy, but not just a diner) to eat and also wanted to catch a comedy show. My husband is not into really crowded places, but does enjoy comedians. Didn't realize we were only gonna be a 15 minute cab ride away from the Hard Rock Cafe, so that might be good. Also, have heard that I should really do the water taxi just for the experience. I really don't want to go shopping (spending enough $$ on the cruise!) Any suggestions...we are open to just about anything but shopping!! And sorry again I missed your post, certainly wasn't being rude...must have been half awake today! Thanks for your input,Loralie

 

Hi...from your hotel the hard rock would be cheaper and easier by taxi JMO

 

It is great choice, especially for a couple.

 

 

If your hubby likes comedy this is a really good option

There are also many good restaurants there and the "dancing fountains" are fun, lots of places to have a drink, relax, etc or live it up, many choices

 

http://www.seminoleparadise.com/

 

http://www.improvftl.com/v2/

[we2cruisers]

Does anyone have any info on the Sheraton Yankee Clipper? The reviews that I have read have been good and bad. DH wanted to stay by the beach. Is it in a safe area? Are there good restaurants in the area? We will be staying there in December on the Saturday night before our cruise. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Bequia]

Sheraton Yankee Clipper....The area is safe. Located next to a public park. I haven't been in the property for a couple of years but at that time it was kind of worn and dated with a musty smell. I know the original owners sold a large portion of it to Sheraton. Hopefully they've put some money into refurbishing it. Have not heard if they have or read anything in the papers. The closest restaurant is the Oasis Cafe, basically bar food. You can hop on the Sun Trolley for 50 cents and head towards the many restaurants on Las Olas or on 17th Street. You can catch the water taxi across the street at the Bahia Mar as well.

 

http://www.suntrolley.com/bus_route-maps/convention.html

[we2cruisers]

Bequia,

Do you have any other suggestions of somewhere to stay that would be nice and on the beach (to keep DH happy)?

[Bequia]

Bequia,

Do you have any other suggestions of somewhere to stay that would be nice and on the beach (to keep DH happy)?

 

we2cruisers, I prefer Hollywood Beach just south of Port Everglades. A little more laid back, less crowds. The Hollywood Beach Marriott is a fine property with a terrrific oceanfront restaurant. If your determined to stay in Ft Lauderdale then the Lago Mar would be my first choice. The Marriott Harbor Beach is pretty nice as well.

 

Hollywood Beach Marriott

 

http://www.hollywoodbeachmarriott.com/

 

Lago Mar (very romantic ;) )

 

http://www.lagomar.com/about.html

 

Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

http://www.marriottharborbeach.com/

[we2cruisers]

Bequia, We do not have to stay in Ft. Lauderdale, just not familiar with the area. We live in northcentral FL and will be driving down, so transportation is no problem. I will check the Hollywood Beach Marriott and let you know. No crowds would be nice. Thanks so much for the info.

we2cruisers

[Drybridge170]

Hi...from your hotel the hard rock would be cheaper and easier by taxi JMO

 

It is great choice, especially for a couple.

 

 

If your hubby likes comedy this is a really good option

There are also many good restaurants there and the "dancing fountains" are fun, lots of places to have a drink, relax, etc or live it up, many choices

 

http://www.seminoleparadise.com/

 

http://www.improvftl.com/v2/

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Cheri, Thanks! Great links & I definitely think this is the place for us!! Appreciate your input!:D :) :cool:

[oma&opa]

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered!

We will have two days (not together) in FLL - while "living" on the ship.

All of this info is so helpful -- but I am "spatially challenged"! How far is it from the ship to the Water Taxi stop, the Trolley stop, the Shopping center near the Embassy Suites?

Is this walkable? for those of us of a certain age ??? I'm sure lots of taxis will be available at the pier, but what about coming back?

Thanks

[critterchick]

What a great thread! Here's my question: we are staying one night pre-cruise at the Atlantic, and we picked it fairly randomly from the Starwood Hotel website (we're using points for a "free" night). Reviews on Tripadvisor range from excellent to horrible. What's the local opinion? We're just there long enough for dinner, sleep & breakfast - any restaurant suggestions?

 

TIA.

[Bequia]

Critterchick, The Atlantic is a beautiful proprty. If you can get it with points by all means go for it. You must have dinner at the hotel restaurant, Trina, its fab. Have a Mojito in the Trina Lounge overlooking the ocean...mmmm, your gonna love it. ;)

[Bequia]

Sorry if this has already been asked and answered!

We will have two days (not together) in FLL - while "living" on the ship.

All of this info is so helpful -- but I am "spatially challenged"! How far is it from the ship to the Water Taxi stop, the Trolley stop, the Shopping center near the Embassy Suites?

Is this walkable? for those of us of a certain age ??? I'm sure lots of taxis will be available at the pier, but what about coming back?

Thanks

 

The port is not designed for pedestrian traffic outside of the cruise terminals. Many container ships, fuel tankers, etc., off load resulting in a tremendous amount of tractor trailer traffic. It's a busy port to say the least. You can grab a taxi to the Ft Lauderdale Grande to catch the water taxi or take the cab to the Harbor Shops to catch the Sun Trolley. Getting back to the ship won't be a problem you can catch a cab anywhere. ;)

//////////////////////

[SheltieLady]

The Hard Rock is five miles from your hotel, cab ride should be $12-$15.

There are no restaurants or shops within walking distance from your hotel.

 

Thanks for the information I think we will be spending the evening at the Hard Rock bets hanging out at our hotel.

 

Christine

[critterchick]

Thanks, Bequia, just what I wanted to hear! Would you believe I have never had a Mojito, so I guess I'll start in style!

[Bequia]

Thanks for the information I think we will be spending the evening at the Hard Rock bets hanging out at our hotel.

 

Christine

 

Christine, You'll have a hard time seeing everything at the complex in one day ( a little exaggeration :p ) it is big and it has a lot to offer and see. Some excellent restaurants within my favorite being Tequila Ranch, I love Mexican food! Perhaps you'll hit a jackpot on the slots that will pay for your entire vacation. You may be lucky enough to hit a good show. Check out their website and see if anyones scheduled for when your visiting. Grab tickets fast the venues sell out quick.

http://www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/

[SheltieLady]

Thanks for the website link, checked it out I think that's a great place to send the evening. How hard is it going to be for us to get taxi to go back and forth between the two hotels?

 

Christine

[Lois R]

Thanks for the website link, checked it out I think that's a great place to send the evening. How hard is it going to be for us to get taxi to go back and forth between the two hotels?

 

Christine

 

Hi Christine:) I haven't stayed at that Hardrock but in my travels

I will tell you cabs are very easy to find. Especially for such

a large hotel with a lot of tourists.

You should not have a problem getting back and forth:)

[CaribbeanCrazy]

What area's do you consider bad? I mean in regards to crime and drugs etc.

 

CaribbeanCrazy

[Bequia]

What area's do you consider bad? I mean in regards to crime and drugs etc.

 

CaribbeanCrazy

 

In Ft Lauderdale, anything on State Road 84 aka SR 84. ;)

[RoofingPrincess]

My friends are staying at the Sheraton Yankee Clipper, but that's a little too expensive for me; I wanted to stay fairly nearby so we can all get together the night before we board, so I ended up at the Holiday Inn Express - Convention Ctr on SE 17th. (Thanks to this board & TripAdvisor, I knew to stay away from SR 84). Are we within walking distance of each other?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us!

[98Charlie]

Don't think you are within walking distance, but I'm from Ohio and have just visited the FLL area several times for cruises and really like staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Close walk to the water taxi stand where you can get a great ride to many areas of FLL to hook up to friends staying in other areas of FLL.

 

The water taxi ride is an excursion in itself, floating you by some of the most expensive yahts owned by people you have only heard about but never seen in person.

 

Dianne

[Bequia]

My friends are staying at the Sheraton Yankee Clipper, I ended up at the Holiday Inn Express - Convention Ctr on SE 17th. Are we within walking distance of each other?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us!

 

If your a walker or jogger it's a nice walk/jog, pedestrian friendly. Getting over the causeway bridge will be a hump but the views are outstanding. Go either first thing in the morning or early evening, a mere 1.6 miles apart. Otherwise try the Sun Trolley, at 50 cents it's quite a bargain.

 

Sun Trolley route:

http://www.suntrolley.com/bus_route-maps/convention.html

[RoofingPrincess]

thank you, Bequia! also 98Charlie!

[Bequia]

Anytime Cindy, enjoy Ft Lauderdale and have a great cruise.

[me@sea]

I'm planning our 'land' portion of our Panama Cruise and we will be spending a total of four days in Fort Lauderdale pre & post cruise. So far, I've decided on a day on a tour of the Everglades and a 1/2 day at the swap meet and a mini-activity trying segways (something I can't wait to try)!

 

Could someone recommend a tour (land or water) of the various sites - shopping, Bonnet House, Edison-Ford House, Stranahan House, etc?

 

Lisa

[Bequia]

Lisa, One of the nicest self guided tours is the Water Taxi. For $10 you can traverse the intracoastal for the day getting on and off as many times as you wish. The taxi "captains" will point out the interesting sites as well as the homes of the rich and famous.

 

http://www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLMap.Asp

 

The Swap Shop is always interesting. So many scour it looking for unique items to sell on eBay. It's a lot of fun. At night it becomes a 12 screen drive-in movie theater, if you have a car your set.

 

http://www.floridaswapshop.com/

 

The Saw Grass Mills shouldn't be missed either. Some say it's the most popular destination in Florida after Disney. I wouldn't doubt it. You can certainly shop till you drop.

 

http://www.sawgrassmillsmall.com/static/node784.jsp;jsessionid=a8Ts9Jl2oH2b6Etdc4

 

Another spot not to miss is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, plenty of shopping, restaurants galore and a great tiki bar, what more can you ask for. ;)

http://www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/