growinassets

Just thought we'd share this as we're looking at driving and then staying in the Lauderdale area after the cruise. The hotels north of the port that offer free parking while on the cruise seem to be a little higher priced. The Hilton Garden Inn in Dania has the free parking along with shuttle service to the port.

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=FLLFHGI

There are plenty of other choices too, but thought we'd provide this for anyone driving and looking at good parking options. If anyone has any other options close to the port we'd appreciate hearing about them.

We just returned from the NCL Dawn cruise to St. Kitts. Even though we've heard about the monkey scam that locals pull, we were surprised to learn of how organized they've become at the game...

It starts usually with the eye contact and watching you look at the little monkeys. One local with a diapered monkey approaches you and then another local with a monkey will have the monkey jump on your shoulder. While they talk very fast and intentionally non-understandably, one will tell you that they'll use your camera to take a picture, then if they get their hands on your camera they'll snap off three or four pictures. While you might refuse, they will continue and then demand $20 (or more). Typically, they will not negotiate a price and you never knew how much they were going to 'charge' until after they've taken the pictures. You won't get your camera back until they see the cash. AND in one case the monkey even gets involved with distracting you while the local takes a look in your pockets.

This scam took place with more than 15 cruisers on our ship and every case was inside the shopping area right at the port. A couple of folks even said that the security guard was in on the scam because they approached them and told them that they had a 'verbal contract' and that they were obligated to pay up or face arrest. The cruise lines didn't seem to have a comment on this scam and most people were not aware that they did this in St. Kitts.

SO, BEWARE OF THE DIAPERED MONKEYS!!!