Music City

First off, Thank You to all who post answers to those of us not familiar with FLL. We are heading to the Oasis this July and doing my homework on our rental car. I will be using Hertz and saw somewhere that they might not be part of the car rental shuttle between the airport and the port anymore. Anyone with current info? I also saw that there is a closer place than the airport that is authorized Hertz rentals too, Crown Plaza or something similar.

 

Paying a cab back to the airport for under $20 doesn't sound too bad unless there is a better alternative. Just need some local advice on getting to Hertz to pick up our car for the week after our cruise.

 

Thank in advance everyone!!! :)

I've only cruised out of Port Everglades 3 or 4 times, but I've never paid more than $12 for a taxi between FLL and the port.

I usually rent from Alamo at FLL and I usually drop at MIA to take a cruise out of the POM, so I don't know much about the Port Everglades shuttle, but there always seems to be conflicting information about it on this board.

When I am staying in the Ft Lauderdale area and picking up and dropping at FLL I will rent from Advantage Car Rentals most times. They are now a division of Hertz and are at an off airport location. They have a shuttle to their facility which is very near the Eller Drive entrance to the port. I'm not sure if they will shuttle you to the port, but if you call the local office and ask for Rommel he has all the answers.

Hi we are a group of 6. We disembark on a sunday and will be staying at Springhill suites for the night. Just wondering if there's anything (activities/tours/sights) that we can do there. I was told it's close to the airport but have no idea what's around it. None of us have ever been to FLL before.

Thanks in advance

Dania Beach is not far away. You could get there by bus, cab, rental car or maybe the hotel shuttle van.

http://daniabeachfl.gov/index.aspx?NID=124

You could have drinks and dinner on the beach and watch your ship go back out that evening...

http://www.beach-watch.com/

Water Taxi stop #7 is the Hilton Marina. How far is the walk there to the pier? Though we don't know exactly where the ship (Emerald Princess) will be -I'm sure the port area is huge.

Yes, it's huge and not realistically walkable. Taxi fare is only about $10-$12.

Just a few miles with taxi as best option ~ $18-20 each way

Huh?

It's more like $10-$15 depending on which way.

Yes, there will be a bus to meet us. You are right about the speed of all this happening - time does fly! Appreciate your suggestions.

The problem you might have with the bus is that most likely whoever is in charge made the booking for port pickup and delivery to the airport only for a flat charge. If you keep the bus and driver for several hours it's most likely going to cost more unless they are charging you a minimum of 4 hours anyway.

My suggestion is to get off the ship as quickly as possible (as you have already planned) and head north about 10 miles to 1 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale By the Sea, FL. Have the bus drop everyone off there and return to pick everyone up at 1:00 PM, which will get you back to the airport in plenty of time for your 3:00 PM departure.

From that spot you can walk straight onto the beach or sit on a bench under the pavillion overlooking the beach. You could walk out onto the fishing pier or choose from all kinds of unique restaurants like Aruba Beach Cafe or The Village Grille. You will be surrounded by all sorts of mom & pop shops for some last minute shopping or you can have an ice cream cone (probably a little later in the morning, though). LBTS has something for everyone all within a few short blocks.

http://www.lbts.com/

I am sorry to trouble you with this question as I am sure it has been asked many dozens of times... (you have so many posts!! Goodness me!) I am looking for a hotel in Ft Lauderdale that provides airport - hotel - pier - hotel - airport transfer? We will be staying for a couple of nights pre-cruise and then one after and am not sure where to start looking. Also we would like to find a hotel that is reasonable in price (and clean!) for the month of our cruise in April? Thank you for your time and help!

I'm not sure I completely understand what you're asking.

I understand the first part about hotels pre and post cruise, but are you looking for a place to stay the entire month of April?

What's there to do on the ship?

 

That's the time we disembark. I don't run the group...

 

Can anyone answer the question I ASKED?

I'm trying to help you, but what you are telling us makes no sense unless you are going to be the very first people off the ship doing a self-assist disembarkation because the ship usually assigns guests approximate times near the end of the cruise. I'm confused how you came up with such a precise, and very early diembarkation time.

I've arranged and planned a lot of group travel for a living and can help you, but you've got to help me help you. Trying to help you figure out how to pass the time I would have to first know if all 30 of you have a bus picking you up or what?

Group of 30 people have a flight out of FLL at 3 pm after cruise on Oasis in April. Any recommendations on what the group could do for a few hours? Disembarking about 8 am so it will be a long wait at the airport if we go directly there.

Why are you disembarking so early? What's the rush?

So, we are sailing out of FL on April 1st, but flying in on the evening of March 30th to spend a couple of days pre-cruise winding down and relaxing. We will be getting a room via priceline very soon, although not sure which part of town we are going to try for. I am curious ~ should we rent a car for the 2 days (Thursday and Friday) to get around town, go to the beach, etc. or rely on taxis and public transportation? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

A car rental over those two days is going to cost you about $125, so I would probably stay in one of the 17th Street hotels that has shuttles to the port/airport and spend the 31st on the Water Taxi.

Where is the closest liquor/wine by the Springhill Suites?

 

Also, is the bus free to get to the water taxi?

 

Thanks for any help.

Across Stirling Road at either K-Mart or BJ's Wholesale Club. I've been told you do not have to have a BJ's membership to buy alcohol.

Hi Royalcruz! Can you please tell me your thoughts about these two hotels? Is one "nicer" than the other? I know they both have free breakfast, and I know that Springhill also has a free shuttle to the port...but how do they compare strictly on an accommodations level? Thanks!

Embassy Suites has nicer rooms, but they are usually overpriced and they charge for parking.

Any idea how far the Sawgrass outlets are from the hyatt summerfield suites and a ball park idea on taxi fare. Thanks

That's quite a hike all the way out to Sunrise. A rental car would be less expensive than a one way taxi fare.

Music City, I think you are confusing me with someone else. We are staying for three nights, and there are only 4 of us????? That was indicated in my original post. After that post you mentioned the condo.

Never mind...

I was thinking you were the couple with 7 kids. You're the two couples driving and flying. You might be able to work a deal including cleaning charges that would make sense for a three day stay if she has the dates available. I promise you that you will absolutely love staying in Lauderdale By the Sea with plenty to do and never have to move your car after you get there.

The email was regarding the condo that you included in your PP. Actually, I am pretty used to doing all of our travel reservations. I have traveled out of the country and within the country a lot, having done most everything myself. I do, however, use a TA when making cruise reservations. I generally check on Trip Advisor for ratings. I didn't email any hotel directly, only that condo place that was suggested for a three night stay. I have never cruised out of FL, so I am seeing a lot of conflicting information....just trying to sort it all out. In addition, I checked some things on Hotwire and needed clarification on those as well. Just not sure if we want to park elsewhere, or just do a hotel that includes parking. Since we have extra time, we thought we would stay somewhere by the beach and it seems that most of them don't include long term parking. Thanks for the help.

 

L

I thought you meant you sent an email to the Hyatt.

Unless you are staying for at least a minimum of 3 or 4 nights it would not be worth it to stay in the condo because of cleaning charges and it's really not configured for 9 people. You would also have to have a rental van in order to get to Lauderdale By the Sea.

Thanks Music City! That looks like a great option....have you ever stayed there? I sent an email to see if the dates are available. Also, regarding the parking, have you ever used this parking facility? Actually, I have it saved in my favorites because I found it before. However, after reading so many posts about "sketchy" parking options, I was thinking we would just park at the pier and suck it up. Our friends have a new car, and I would hate for something b ad to happen at a place I suggested....

I stayed at the Summerfield Suites shortly after it opened last April, so it is a relatively new property. I don't understand, though, why you would send an email when you could go directly to hyatt.com and make a reservation online. This will allow you to see all the rates for the different types of rooms for your date. This leads me to believe you're pretty new at planning travel and making reservations. Don't worry, royalcruz and I will take good care of you.

I think you misunderstand about the parking link. Global Airport Parking is a third party broker (much like Expedia or Orbitz) for discount parking at airport and cruise ports around the country.

And don't listen to a certain alarmist on this board about parking in Ft Lauderdale. She seems to have a problem discerning the difference between Miami/Dade County and Ft Lauderdale/Broward County.

I really need some advice/help regarding hotels, parking, etc. for an upcoming cruise out of Fort Lauderdale.

 

We are flying, and our friends are driving. We originally thought about trying to get a hotel which would provide parking and shuttles.

Then, we thought maybe we should do a priceline/hotwire, try for a beach hotel to enjoy for a few days, and just take the savings and pay for parking at the pier.

 

We are 2 couples in our fifties. We have a few days prior to cruising to beach, shop, etc. We enjoy doing all kinds of stuff.

 

I found two four star hotels (one at FL beach, and one at Hollywood Beach) for $89. a night. Seems like a pretty good deal considering the hotels that provide parking cost in the 120-130 range. We can just park at the port and pay.

 

Suggestions???

If you're going to stay at least 3 or 4 days prior to your cruise, how about a 2 BR/2 BA condo in Lauderdale By the Sea? I've stayed in this condo and it's one block to Publix Grocery store and 3 blocks to the beach. There are some really great restaurants and shops and the pier only about 4 blocks away. Once you arrive you could leave the car parked and walk everywhere. In this particular condo the owner, Barbara, usually stays there through March so it won't be available until April, but there are plenty others on the same web site.

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/57630.html

Parking at the port is $15 per day, but I would suggest use the link to below to book off-site parking at a discount.

http://www.globalairportparking.com/

got the summerfield suites on hotwire for a good price (72.00) there are 12 of us traveling together. just wondering about things to do the day we get there. can we get to the beach via taxi or bus etc to just walk around? Are there shops worth looking at near the beach? is there enough to do on los olas blvd for the whole day? any casual resturants near by for dinner- a chain is fine- like olive garden etc (need something that everyone can find something they like)? any help appreciated thanks so much also how is this hotel?

I'm sure that is a studio room/suite and not a 1 or 2 bedroom suite. I hope you booked several rooms.

Nearby on the same side of Stirling Road is Chipotle and Burger King. Across Stirling Road is Mickey D's and Taco Bell and on into Oakwood Plaza is Moonlite Diner, Wendy's, Hollywood Ale House, Dave and Buster's, TGI Fridays, Sal's Italian Restorante, Sweet Tomatoes and Red Lobster.

We need a very reasonable hotel for 2 adults and 7 children. We don't want more than two rooms due to price. Any ideas? It would be great to have a complimentary breakfast and airport/cruise port shuttle. If no shuttle, then not too far from either one due to transportation costs.

 

I know, probably asking the impossible!

In addition to RC's suggestions I would add the Hyatt Summerfield Suites-FLL South. They have a 2 BR/2 BA Trio (with full kitchen) that has a king in one bedroom and 2 queens in the other. Depending on how old these kids are you could put 3 in the king bed and 2 each in the 2 queen beds. Now, I'm sure you can guess who gets to sleep on the sofa sleeper.

They have a good breakfast and free airport shuttle and a port shuttle for $8 per person.

Your hotel is about 10 miles north of the airport. I'm not sure which shopping center is Dailland but it must be really small. I think there may be a bar/convenience store on Cypress Creek Rd within walking distance but there are no nice wine stores.

The closest I can think of:

Publix on Dixie Hwy/E Commercial Blvd

67 Wine and Spirits

ABC wine/liquor on Copans Rd

Other than the hotel bar there is not much on Cypress Creek Road for a country mile (or 2...or 3)

I am pretty sure that Springhill Suites near Stirling Rd in the airport area has free shuttles and breakfast and is the only one that does. Maybe 2 couples can share a suite. Courtyard on the beach is nice and is close to the port and airport and restaurants. The Bahia Mar is 2 blocks away and would be cheaper for your friends. Miramar is too far, as is Ft Laud east. There are 2 Renaissances, one is right by the port and one is further out in Plantation.

The two couples would have to be pretty comfortable with each other because the suites don't have a separate, closed bedroom, so there would not be any privacy. They're more like a Hyatt Place room/suite and one couple would have to sleep on the sofa sleeper.

They do have free breakfast and of course they have free airport shuttles as well as a free shuttle to Port Everglades, but you would have to pay $8 per person for the shuttle from the port to the hotel.

.

We are cruising with a large group of people in May.

 

I have done some looking around at hotels myself and so far we are debating between the Cambria Suites and Springhill Suites. I am leaning toward Springhill because it appears to be walking distance to more shopping and restaurants than Cambria. I am wondering about the safety of the area around those two hotels.

 

Any ideas and advice would be helpful. Thanks!

The area around SpringHill Suites is plenty safe. The Cambria is located on the wrong side of I-95. That does not mean it's not safe, it's just not as good as a location as the SpringHill Suites which is close to the mall and restaurants.

The best closest grocery store would be Publix on Dania Beach Blvd east of US1. Publix has a nice wine selection. It's about 2 miles away. There is also a Kmart, BJs and Big Lots right across Stirling Rd in Oakwood Plaza.

 

The easiest Victoria's Secret to get to along the way is on Glades Rd in Boca Raton, one mile west of I95 in Boca Town Center mall. It's a really nice store and mall and is about 45 minutes north of the hotel. Closer to the hotel is Galleria Mall 3 miles east of I95 on E. Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. It's a smaller store but it is nice. Victoria's Secret is in the far east end of the mall. In Galleria Mall, you can get your nails done at Aveda Spa at Macy's or Red Door Spa, but I'm sure you can find a better priced mani if you do a search in the Hollywood area near your hotel.

Victoria's Secret??

I need to check in more often. I must be missing some interesting conversations.

I have read that bed bugs have become in hotels in the last few years. Has there been any reports on NCL ships?

No, bed bugs are not becoming.

Maybe these cabins are usually empty or filled with Europeons.

Anyone...anyone...anyone...Buehler?

There is a center row of inside cabins between two rows of inside cabins in the center of Caravaggio Deck. They are cabin numbers 6287, 6289, 6291, 6293, 6295, 6297, 6299, 6301, 6303, 6305 and 6307, which appear to be larger than the other inside cabins. One person has told me they are the same square footage as other insides, but they are just not as long and more square.

Does anyone know anything about them?

I'm booked in 6303 for the transatlantic repositioning cruise on May 4th and looking for information. I booked a great rate of $449, so it's not like I'm that particular, just curious about the difference.