One last ?

[Vacationer17]

Our return flight out of Ft. Lauderdale isn't until 4pm, so how long can we really stay on the ship in the am...no need to hurry off, but when do they make us get off? Thanks

[cruisingrightalong]

Yikes don't know that answer but would ask for last "color tag time."

 

In FLL, unless things have changed.....you cannot "check in" until 2 hours before your flight and have to remain in the front area. They have a sign that flashes what time you are allowed into the waiting area. So, you tend to"camp" in the airport. You might want to take an excursion that takes you to the airport later in the day.

Lou

[TEXASMUNK]

10am

[cb at sea]

Don't plan on a leisurely last morning--it won't happen! They want the ship cleared by 10am at the very latest! You will probably be out of the port by 9am, so a dayroom at a hotel with a pool may be a good idea. Beats renting a car and driving aimlessly for hours, with no place to call "home"! Having a hotel room gives you a place to "be"--with restaurants, restrooms, and your own space!

[Sue L]

You have to be out of your actual cabin by 8 am and then hang out in one of the public areas. It is not a leisurely morning.

[veryhotred]

The Ft. Lauderdale airport is not a great place to wait either...I meant it is safe, that is not what I am talking about, I mean it is boring, there is not a lot there. It is not a bug airport with a lot to see/eat/do...so find something, anything to keep yourself busy before the airport as the airport is very boring ;).

[Gonzo70]

The last morning on the ship is not much fun. Your Sea Pass card is turned off and other than an early breakfast there are no activities (i.e. the bars are closed, shops are closed, casino closed, pool closed, etc.). You are not allowed to wait in your stateroom. There are a few designated areas to wait for your color tag to be called, but you basically just sit there with your luggage and wait.

 

See if there is an excursion you can shedule for that day. If so, you will be able to store your luggage during the excursion and most likely the bus used for the excursion will drive you to the airport afterwards. If no excursion is available, then the idea about going to a hotel for a few hours is probably the next best bet. One other idea is to see if there is an earlier flight that has seats available and try to get on it via stand-by.

 

Good luck and happy cruising! :)

[truffles2]

What no one has mentioned here is that there is virtually NO place to sit in the airport until you have gone through security and normally they will not let you go there until 2 hours before your flight. Almost any suggestion would be better than sitting on the floor with no diversions in the airport until 2 PM!

[cruisingrightalong]

If they have the luggage valet for FLL from your ship,you can do what we plan to this time.....do the luggage valet which I think if $20 a person....and means your luggage will go to your plane and see it at your home airport...and then grab a taxi to Bayside...at least you can people watch!

 

Lou

[hcat]

Bayside is far from the FLL airport(although close to the Miami port)

--If you can do the luggage valet then I would suggest getting to the area around Riverwalk in FLL(cab?) --it is very scenic with some cute restaurants--or a few blocks away is a great shopping area,,Las Olas. Then a cab back to FLLairport in plenty of time...

 

We have also taken the excursion that covers this area & includes a paddle boat ride as well or you could rent a car & tour around for awhile keeping luggage in the trunk...

 

We have also done the long airport wait once--the intial area has limited food & seats--really bad--

 

You need extra time at FLL but not as much as you will have once your are off the ship!

[BillOh]

If they have the luggage valet for FLL from your ship,you can do what we plan to this time.....do the luggage valet which I think if $20 a person....and means your luggage will go to your plane and see it at your home airport...and then grab a taxi to Bayside...at least you can people watch!

 

Lou

 

Tell me a little about Bayside. So far my latest flight home has been 1pm, so never more than 2 hours of waiting around which can be occupied with a book, but I'll be in FLL after my 09 cruise, this might be useful information.

[xpcdoojk]

Definitely book an excursion, and do that. There is nothing to do at FLL.

 

jc

[lori450]

I vote that you valet your luggage then grab an excursion or visit one of our very many activities, beaches, museums, etc. As others have mentioned, you have to be out of your cabin by 8am, breakfast is not a comfortable affair on the last day and is over by 8:30am. So, consider it another day added to your vacation.

 

Many people enjoy the airboat ride in the everglades. It's interesting, an environment that is quite unusual. The beaches are close to the port and airport. The marriot Harbor Beach is beautiful and you should be able to get a room for the day. It is a resort right on the beach. Lunch on Las Olas Blvd. and a stroll up and down the street is lovely. Our local paper is the Sun Sentinel. Perhaps you can access the special events section for the time you will be here.

[veryhotred]

Here is the info on Bayside but remember, you will be down in Miami and the FTL airport will take 45 min probably and if there is traffic, maybe longer so plan accordingly. I lived in Miami and took visitors to Bayside, it is nice. :)

 

http://www.baysidemarketplace.com/html/

[san4u2]

Thanks for the information because I do not want to sit in an airport for 6 hours... so I booked a tour. I will still be sitting but at least I will be looking at stuff.

[cruisingrightalong]

Bayside is also a people watcher place...by the time you walk around...poke your nose in the shops...eat lunch...have a drink and if you have time take one of the Harbor cruises...yes I know you just got off a ship! and cab to the airport...leaving enough time to get thru security...this is of course if you are not lugging your luggage around. Anyone know if the Holiday Inn across the street from Bayside has a day rate....????

Lou

[skandls]

When we flew out from FLL we had a 5pm flight. We took the 'Swamp' tour offered by the cruiseline. This gave us something to do for most of the day and we did not have to worry about what to do with our luggage. It is not the cheapest option but a cruiseline tour has a lot to offer if you have a lot of time before your flight. We met a couple from our table who had been hanging around the airport until their 6pm flight. They said they should have gone with us as there were too few seats and too many people waiting around.