Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ

[Pookeybear1966]

I have a groupon for 3030 and was curious if anyone knows if there is a dress code there? Also, should we make reservations? We'll be going on a Friday evening in March (night prior to our cruise leaving on Saturday).

[royalcruz]

I have a groupon for 3030 and was curious if anyone knows if there is a dress code there? Also, should we make reservations? We'll be going on a Friday evening in March (night prior to our cruise leaving on Saturday).

 

You should definitely make reservations a month in advance. I'm not sure there is an actual dress code anywhere is Fort Lauderdale anymore, but this is what I have observed...People dress anywhere from smart casual to nice dresses. For a woman a little black dress or even a sundress with pretty shoes would be perfect. Men rarely wear jackets or ties in Fort Lauderdale, so a nice pressed shirt would be appropriate. I've seen a few people in shorts but they look very out of place, as it is fine dining in an upscale setting.

[aeneas3]

we ended up getting the hyatt pier 66 for 114/n on hotwire. i started at 60 on priceline and got to 110 and then switched to hotwire since I knew what hotel it was.

I have three questions:

- are the poolside smoothies complimentary?

- Hoping to get an upgrade for free since I am hyatt gold - any tips on this?

- best transportation you think will be taxi? taxi from airport to hotel, hotel to pier and then pier to airport? the cost is per cab not per person usually, right? (we will have 4 adults 1 child from airport to hotel and then 6 adults 1 child the other two trips - probably need a few taxis)

Edited January 8, 2012 by aeneas3

[Pookeybear1966]

You should definitely make reservations a month in advance. I'm not sure there is an actual dress code anywhere is Fort Lauderdale anymore, but this is what I have observed...People dress anywhere from smart casual to nice dresses. For a woman a little black dress or even a sundress with pretty shoes would be perfect. Men rarely wear jackets or ties in Fort Lauderdale, so a nice pressed shirt would be appropriate. I've seen a few people in shorts but they look very out of place, as it is fine dining in an upscale setting.

 

Thanks!

[royalcruz]

we ended up getting the hyatt pier 66 for 114/n on hotwire. i started at 60 on priceline and got to 110 and then switched to hotwire since I knew what hotel it was.

I have three questions:

- are the poolside smoothies complimentary?

- Hoping to get an upgrade for free since I am hyatt gold - any tips on this?

- best transportation you think will be taxi? taxi from airport to hotel, hotel to pier and then pier to airport? the cost is per cab not per person usually, right? (we will have 4 adults 1 child from airport to hotel and then 6 adults 1 child the other two trips - probably need a few taxis)

Taxi, less than $20 per cab from airport and about $10 to ship.

[aeneas3]

Taxi, less than $20 per cab from airport and about $10 to ship.

 

sounds good thanks for the confirmation :)

[CarlaMasterson]

What is our cheapest transportation option from MIA to hotels in Fort Lauderdale. We fly into MIA Mar 8/12 and cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Mar 9/12. I am looking at the Sleep Inn in Dania as I think it has free transportation to the pier and continental breakfast, unless you would suggest something else. I need somewhere within walking distance to pick up some canned pop pre-cruise.

 

We would also need transportation from the pier back to MIA on Mar 17/12.

 

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

 

Carla

[royalcruz]

What is our cheapest transportation option from MIA to hotels in Fort Lauderdale. We fly into MIA Mar 8/12 and cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Mar 9/12. I am looking at the Sleep Inn in Dania as I think it has free transportation to the pier and continental breakfast, unless you would suggest something else. I need somewhere within walking distance to pick up some canned pop pre-cruise.

 

We would also need transportation from the pier back to MIA on Mar 17/12.

 

Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

 

Carla

Sleep Inn will be perfect for you. The lowest cost transport to the hotel would be to take the Supershuttle from MIA to FLL for $28pp, then get the free hotel shuttle. I say this because I'm not sure they go directly to Sleep Inn. If they do that would be even better but it might cost as much as a taxi. You can get the Supershuttle from the port to MIA for $30pp. Call Supershuttle for further details(888) 888-6025. A taxi would cost about $75 each way per taxi.

[CarlaMasterson]

Sleep Inn will be perfect for you. The lowest cost transport to the hotel would be to take the Supershuttle from MIA to FLL for $28pp, then get the free hotel shuttle. I say this because I'm not sure they go directly to Sleep Inn. If they do that would be even better but it might cost as much as a taxi. You can get the Supershuttle from the port to MIA for $30pp. Call Supershuttle for further details(888) 888-6025. A taxi would cost about $75 each way per taxi.

 

So if there is 3 of us it would be better off to get a Taxi than the Shuttle. I believe the transfer offered from Carnival is $ 30/pp as well. I have seen some limo services that would be similarily priced. Would you recommend any?

[royalcruz]

So if there is 3 of us it would be better off to get a Taxi than the Shuttle. I believe the transfer offered from Carnival is $ 30/pp as well. I have seen some limo services that would be similarily priced. Would you recommend any?

Larry's Limos has been recommended here but I haven't used them.

[BR47]

Royalcruz,

 

We are coming into Ft. Lauderdale a couple of days before our March cruise. What would you recommend we do/see in Ft. Lauderdale. Are the everglades worth seeing, and, if so, where do you go or who do you contact to do this. We are staying at the Airport/Hilton, but we are driving in, so distance is not a problem.

 

Also, you mention water taxis and this sounds like fun. Where do you go to get the water taxi?

 

Thanks.

[mustcruise1217]

We will be spending one night before and one night after our cruise in a local hotel. I would love something that is right on the beach, preferably with a pool. Shuttle would be nice be don't mind taking a cab if necessary.

 

Any recommendations?

 

Thanks!

[royalcruz]

Royalcruz,

 

We are coming into Ft. Lauderdale a couple of days before our March cruise. What would you recommend we do/see in Ft. Lauderdale. Are the everglades worth seeing, and, if so, where do you go or who do you contact to do this. We are staying at the Airport/Hilton, but we are driving in, so distance is not a problem.

 

Also, you mention water taxis and this sounds like fun. Where do you go to get the water taxi?

 

Thanks.

 

I've never seen the everglades, and have never met anyone who lives here who had done an everglades tour. I think that cruisers seem to like it. There are airboat tours you can find if you do a little search. Here are some ideas to look into:

Fort Lauderdale beach

Las Olas Blvd (evening is nicest)

Hollywood beach/broadwalk

Vizcaya (south Miami)

Bonnett House

Stranahan House

Broward Center for Performing Arts

Galleria Mall, Aventura Mall, Boca Town Center, Sawgrass Mills

Boomers (for kids)

Hard Rock Casino complex

Zoo Miami

 

on Tuesday nights The Field Irish Pub (really close to Hilton) has a great Beatles band

[royalcruz]

We will be spending one night before and one night after our cruise in a local hotel. I would love something that is right on the beach, preferably with a pool. Shuttle would be nice be don't mind taking a cab if necessary.

 

Any recommendations?

 

Thanks!

There are only a few hotels right on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. The others are across the street from the beach. No beach area hotels have shuttles. The hotels on the beach with good reviews are Lago Mar(closest to port), Pelican, Sheraton, Westin Diplomat Hollywood Beach, Hollywood Beach Marriott, and Marriott Harbor Beach. Some budget hotels at but not on the beach are Best Western Oceanside, Marriott Courtyard, Alhambra, and Bahia Mar Doubletree. Also across from the beach are Westin, W, Ritz Carlton, Atlantic, Marriott Beach Place. All of these hotels have swimming pools. It is rare to find a hotel without a pool.

Edited January 11, 2012 by royalcruz

[countrygirl16]

We are two adults staying for 2 nights pre cruise. We are looking at staying at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa or Bahia Mar. Not a big difference in price as we can get a government discount at Westin Resort. We won't have a car so are looking for a hotel on the beach with restaurants and things to do within walking distance. We would also like to spend sometime on Las Olas Blvd is this close to either hotel?

 

Thanks

Lill

[royalcruz]

We are two adults staying for 2 nights pre cruise. We are looking at staying at the Westin Beach Resort & Spa or Bahia Mar. Not a big difference in price as we can get a government discount at Westin Resort. We won't have a car so are looking for a hotel on the beach with restaurants and things to do within walking distance. We would also like to spend sometime on Las Olas Blvd is this close to either hotel?

 

Thanks

Lill

Both restaurants are across the street from the beach. Westin is more newly renovated and is a closer walk to the area where most of the restaurants are. Las Olas Blvd is less than a mile from either hotel, but the downtown area where you want to go starts about 1.5 miles from the beach, a very short taxi ride.

[aloisia]

Hi royalcruz,

We ended up booking 1 night stay at the Comfort Suites. Embassy Suites was sold out. Looks to be about a 15 minute walk to Total Wines from the hotel. Thought I may have read a posting that the area was not great??? I could be mistaken. :rolleyes: Are we ok walking over to the Harbor strip mall? or should be cab it?

Thank you!

[TOMMYCRUISER]

Hi royalcruz,

We ended up booking 1 night stay at the Comfort Suites. Embassy Suites was sold out. Looks to be about a 15 minute walk to Total Wines from the hotel. Thought I may have read a posting that the area was not great??? I could be mistaken. :rolleyes: Are we ok walking over to the Harbor strip mall? or should be cab it?

Thank you!

 

We stayed at that hotel before it's a easy and safe walk I thought if you stay on 17th street and walk down to the mall there are back roads that are faster behind the hotel that we did during the day but I wouldn't recommend it at night but royalcruz might have more update info we were there a few years back. 17th street is a block up I believe it's a snyders or cvs on the corner of 17th there turn right head down about 5 or 6 blocks I believe and you will see the mall to your right just pass the embassy suites I recall

 

Here is a map the mall is on cordova a block off 17th street (which is well light up)

 

click on the map and and get a closer look you can see cordova

 

http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-fort_lauderdale-florida-FL250/Hotel-Map?maphotel=FL250&country=US&sid=xC6xRi.n-S99g14ni.22&&sarea=&sname=&slon=-80.136314&slat=26.09861&schain=&scountry=&sstate=&type=&sradius=&sstate_country=&scity=

Edited January 12, 2012 by TOMMYCRUISER

[TOMMYCRUISER]

Royalcruz am I correct with the above info just don't want to steer anyone wrong

 

Tom

[royalcruz]

I totally agree, Tom. It doesn't look like a good neighborhood but it isn't really high crime. The neighborhood is a step down from 17th St and there are often homeless people wandering around US1. I wouldn't go walking on back rds behind any shopping center at night.

[aloisia]

Tommycruise & Royalcruz,

Thanks so much for your replies!

[beffiegirl]

I think I need some help, since there are so many hotels. Can anyone give me their opinion on a place to stay. We are going to be in town 2 full days before our cruise. I have three kids (11,7,2). Looking for a place thats clean, somewhat newer, and has a great pool. The kids love to swim. I would like there to be kid friendly restaurants in walking distance. It would be extra great if there was some lively shopping area nearby as well. We like to get out and about , don't want to have to stay at the hotel all day. Thanks soooo much!!

[diskris]

Hello!

 

We will be staying one night before our Allure cruise in August. We won't be getting to the hotel until around 5. Looking for some place close to port. It will be our honeymoon so some place nice. Not looking to swim. We would really like some place that has a shuttle to the port and a good restaurant inside/right beside it. We are just looking to relax, eat dinner, and get to the port cheap and fast.

 

TIA!

[futureAG]

I’m sure this question has been asked a thousand time…. But I need to ask again!

We (my DH & I) are planning on flying into FLL (cheaper then MIA by A LOT!!) I need advice on hotels & transportation to & from the Miami port. So my question is should we book a FLL or a MIA hotel? And, what would be the best way to get there & to the port & then back to the FLL airport. We would like a nice/clean hotel somewhere within walking distance to restaurants & grocery store that sells wine. I’m okay with a Hilton Double tree type hotel as well as the Holiday Inns & Comfort Inns etc. My DH would like to stay somewhere with a free hot breakfast. :D

I’ve read several good things about SAS transportation. I’m thinking about having them take us to a Miami hotel, but I don’t know what to do about getting to the port or back to the airport! Thanks!!

[beffiegirl]

I’m sure this question has been asked a thousand time…. But I need to ask again!

We (my DH & I) are planning on flying into FLL (cheaper then MIA by A LOT!!) I need advice on hotels & transportation to & from the Miami port. So my question is should we book a FLL or a MIA hotel? And, what would be the best way to get there & to the port & then back to the FLL airport. We would like a nice/clean hotel somewhere within walking distance to restaurants & grocery store that sells wine. I’m okay with a Hilton Double tree type hotel as well as the Holiday Inns & Comfort Inns etc. My DH would like to stay somewhere with a free hot breakfast. :D

I’ve read several good things about SAS transportation. I’m thinking about having them take us to a Miami hotel, but I don’t know what to do about getting to the port or back to the airport! Thanks!!

 

We did this for our first cruise. We paid around $75 for shuttle(sure its more) and we stayed at the Holiday inn at mia port. Across the street is the bayside market. That place was fun. Alot of places to eat and look at shops. Reminds me of downtown disney alittle bit. And we got to see our ship in the morning.