How is embarkation in FLL.

[Caliber1]

Just wondering how early people have boarded ship. What is the parking like, is there valet? Have only cruised from Port Canaveral and Tampa, so was just curious what people thought of Ft Lauderdale.

[Maya-Tucker]

We just sailed out of FLL port last month. Very easy to pull up and unload your luggage and then park in the garage. I don't however remember seeing any valet parking but I could have missed it. As far as how early you can board all depends on what time your ship got into port and disembarked everyone and remember they have to clean the rooms.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Caliber1]

Maya-Tucker, thanks for the info. I'll need to bring a wrench to remove my CB antenna if it's a garage.

[GloriaF]

Parking at Port Everglades is as Maya described. It is a multi-story parking garage inside the security perimeter of the port. The cost last time I checked was $12/day.

 

Another option for parking:

Our last cruise (11/30-12/10) we chose to stay at the LaQuinta in Hollywood, just minutes south of the port. If you make reservations online at 123stay.com, you can get a room and parking for up to 14 nights for the bargain price of $129 or $139/night. The reason I mention two prices is that when I made our reservation, the amount quoted was $139 + tax and fee = $154. But when we actually checked in, the rate was $129 + tax + $143. You can park your car in their lot anywhere you choose, so we picked out a spot near the lobby entrance and next to a curb. Our car was fine when we returned. And they have free shuttle to the port for departure. You must get a taxi back to pick up your car upon returning, which was about $25.

[GloriaF]

Parking at Port Everglades is as Maya described. It is a multi-story parking garage inside the security perimeter of the port. The cost last time I checked was $12/day. It is very close to Pier 2 where Princess usually departs from.

 

Another option for parking:

Our last cruise (11/30-12/10) we chose to stay at the LaQuinta in Hollywood, just minutes south of the port. If you make reservations online at 123stay.com, you can get a room and parking for up to 14 nights for the bargain price of $129 or $139/night. The reason I mention two prices is that when I made our reservation, the amount quoted was $139 + tax and fee = $154. But when we actually checked in, the rate was $129 + tax = $143. You can park your car in their lot anywhere you choose, so we picked out a spot near the lobby entrance and next to a curb. Our car was fine when we returned. And they have free shuttle to the port for departure. You must get a taxi back to pick up your car upon returning, which was about $25.

[Caliber1]

Thanks for the info GloriaF. We are driving down that morning, so we'll just park at the port. I guess they are all pretty much $12 a day now.

[Doug&Suzy-Q]

Hi there Jess......

We are in the same situation....I think we will drive down Very early that morning........and from reading the posts, will park at the port parking.

We are in Clermont....from Groveland how far is it to the parking facility...realistically.......we go Marsh Road to Apopka Freeway, then to the turnpike...

How much time should we allow? We have never been to Ft. Lauderdale. Wish we had more time but my DH only gets one week off....:(

[Caliber1]

Hi there Jess......

We are in the same situation....I think we will drive down Very early that morning........and from reading the posts' date=' will park at the port parking.[/color']

 

We are in Clermont....from Groveland how far is it to the parking facility...realistically.......we go Marsh Road to Apopka Freeway, then to the turnpike...

 

How much time should we allow? We have never been to Ft. Lauderdale. Wish we had more time but my DH only gets one week off....:(

 

Lucy'smom, Groveland is just to the west of Clermont, maybe 5 minutes. My wife has an Ice Cream shop in Clermont.:D I figured it to be about 4 hours to Ft. Lauderdale, doing about the speed limit of course. We plan to leave about 7 AM to get there around 11 or so. Might try mapquest for an exact distance. If I find out I'll post it here.

[Caliber1]

Lucy'smom, mapquest says 239 miles, but I wouldn't follow their directions. They send you down 95 instead of the turnpike, no way. Been both ways, take the turnpike.

[Bequia]

Turnpike is the way to go. From your neck of the woods to Port Everglades is easily doable in under 3 hours. It takes us less then 4 hours to get to Ocala from Ft Lauderdale. ;)

[Host Star]

we were on radiance last week, sailing from ft. lauderdale.. boarding started a little before 11:30

[Caliber1]

Turnpike is the way to go. From your neck of the woods to Port Everglades is easily doable in under 3 hours. It takes us less then 4 hours to get to Ocala from Ft Lauderdale. ;)

 

kinda what I thought, considering what the speed limit is on the turnpike. If you actually do the limit.:D And Ocala is about 45 minutes from here.

 

Thanks Host Star, was wondering that too, as soon as we step foot on the ship, vacation starts.:D

[Doug&Suzy-Q]

This is great....thanks everyone...I really don't want to spend Friday night in FLL......However..sometime between now and sail time we will take a long weekend & do the grand tour of the area......

My vacation starts the minute the garage door closes and we pull out of the driveway:D

[Caliber1]

It's great having so many ports to cruise from within 3 hours of home. Have fun on your cruise Lucy'smom.