capriccio

Hope you can help me.

 

We arrive in Fort Lauderdale on January 19th on Coral Princess and will be in port with Royal Princess. We are staying over that night and wish to view the "Ship Parade" as Royal among others depart.

 

It looks like all the beaches are associated with condos, so where is the best place to get up close and personal to view the departure.

 

We have friends departing on Royal that day and would love to be on the beach and wave good bye to them

 

Any information would be great. I have looked on Google Earth but all beaches seem to be almost inaccessible. Am I wrong (I hope)?

Post this on the Florida Departures board and you'll get lots of recommendations on how to view the departing ships.

Can someone please tell me what production shows are currently on the Coral Princess? thanks :)

I don't know what is on tap in the Princess theater but do not miss "On the Bayou" in the Universe Lounge. It was written especially for the Coral and Island Princesses' revolving stages in the Universe Lounge and is the best production show I've ever seen on Princess. On our Coral cruise in August 2012 t was only performed once; if they had done it a second night we would have seen it again.

 

I have read that there is luggage storage for a fee available at FLL -- you generally cannot check bags with your airline earlier than 4 hours before your flight.

 

Good luck! :)

Luggage storage at Bags to Go: http://www.bagstogo.net

Thanks again, Lois. Got it, Straight run through I-95 would be fine. Depending on the situation, we might take the scenic route (A1A) driving up from Fort Lauderdale to Cape Canaveral since it be during day time on Saturday. However, would definitely take the I-95 driving back to Fort Lauderdale after we are done touring the entire day at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, as we will be traveling in the evening.

Please realize that the speed limit on A1A (30 - 35 mph in Broward and Palm Beach Counties; don't know about further north) is less than half that of I-95 (usually 70 which means most folks go 80 :D) and there are stop lights on A1A. I don't mean to dissuade you - I love the drive from Hillsboro Beach in northern Broward to Palm Beach (haven't gone further north on A1A) with the beautiful houses and frequent sightings of the ocean - but the entire route on A1A would take hours longer; maybe just do a section of A1A?

We're sailing north right up the east coast of south Florida. The helicopter is still circling overhead. I think this was the cruise that a British documentary team was going to be on, so perhaps it's related to that.

Watching you all sail east from my condo in Pompano Beach (north of Fort Lauderdale) - can't wait for 'our turn' in December! Wishing all a wonderful cruise.

Are you talking about the Hilton at the airport or Hilton Marina? I have a reservation at the Marina and am wondering if I should change it.

 

Thank you!

The Airport Hilton is the one in the way of the new runway - the Marina Hilton is miles away.

 

Another question is about the Museum of Discovery and Science. We are looking at spending Friday there (we have a 9 y/o son) and wondering if it is worth a visit.

 

Thank you again for all replies!

My DH and I went to the Museum a couple of years ago when we had an extra day post cruise in Fort Lauderdale. We enjoyed it and it looked like all the kids loved it. It is full of hands on exhibits. Not sure it would take up your entire day (maybe you could do the water taxi too?) but it is certainly good for a couple of hours.

Just got notice from airline that our return flight home has been pushed back to 7:30pm. So looking for somewhere to spend day in Fort Lauderdale once we leave ship. Any thoughts or suggestions? Will be Saturday November 30th. Thanks for your help.

The Fort Lauderdale Tourism Department has an excellent website that includes a list of hotels noting whether they have shuttles and day rooms (based on availability): http://www.sunny.org/travel-trade/pr...otel-shuttles/. I would start there and make inquiries directly to the hotels listed. There is lots of other useful information on that site.

Our flight doesn't leave until 630pm, 4 adults, any suggestions??

 

Is there a place at the port to pay and be able to store luggage?

For luggage storage at the airport check out Bags to Go: http://www.bagstogo.net. As far as I know there is no storage at the port.

If your cruise ends on a Saturday or Sunday there is a free Sun Trolley route from the airport to the visitors center. Check out details (including pick up stops) at http://www.broward.org/Airport/Trans...unTrolley.aspx. According to the website, at the visitors center you can purchase Fort Lauderdale Excursion passes. "The pass includes admission to museums and historic properties, discounts at restaurants and shops, and all-day passage on the free Sun Trolley." If you've never been to Fort Lauderdale before, I'd recommend the water taxi (http://www.watertaxi.com).

If it is a weekday, check www.suntrolley.com for the stops on the regular routes.

For more info on what to do in Fort Lauderdale check out www.sunny.org.

We are traveling in November. We disembark in Miami and have SAS transport reserved to get to FLL. We were thinking of doing the Sun Trolley since our flight doesn't leave until 8:30pm. How easy is it to find at the airport? Any info about the Sun Trolley or what to see/do in Ft. Lauderdale would be appreciated?

Thanks in advance!!

As I understand it, the sun trolley operates out of the airport only on weekends (hope your cruise ends on a Saturday or Sunday!) when there is a free Sun Trolley route from the airport to the visitors center. Check out details (including pick up stops) at http://www.broward.org/Airport/Trans...unTrolley.aspx. According to the website, at the visitors center you can purchase Fort Lauderdale Excursion passes at the Welcome Center. "The pass includes admission to museums and historic properties, discounts at restaurants and shops, and all-day passage on the free Sun Trolley."

If it is a weekday, check http://www.suntrolley.com for the stops on the regular routes.

For more info on what to do in Fort Lauderdale check out http://www.sunny.org.

We used Odyssey Tours. Paddy's was fully booked and we thought we'd try Odyssesy. We were not disappointed! Their customer service was excellent and the tour guide informative, humorous and professional. They had two buses that day on the pier. They pick you up directly from the pier next to the ship and drop you off in plenty of time for sailaway. In our case we booked a tour to the Causeways. They had others from the ship who did the same, so we were placed in a large, clean and comfortable bus. The second bus was for a private group tour of 16. They were on the cruise together and arranged their own tour through Odyssesy. So they will work with you on what you want. Very reasonably priced. http://odysseycoachtours.co.uk/giants-causeway-tours/

Another vote for Odyssey Tours! Our roll call filled 2 16 person vans and a coach. We visited the Antrim coast including Giants Causeway and the Rope Bridge and then had a quick but incredibly informative tour of Belfast. Our guide was very knowledgeable and obviously loved his job and country.

We used them this past August. Our inbound flight arrived early but our driver was waiting. In Southampton our driver appeared at the exact time requested. Both to and from Southampton we had a very comfortable Mercedes station wagon. The drivers were personable and we thought the price was reasonable. In addition, the folks in their office were very prompt in responding to my questions and setting up our reservations.

Is the soot and exhaust problem with aft balconies on all Princess ships? We have booked an aft suite on Crown Princess for Jan., 2014. We usually just book a balcony cabin mid ship. Since we spent the extra money to splurge this time around, we would hate to have our cruise ruined.

 

Beth

We've had aft balconies on the Emerald, Sapphire and the old Royal (sister ship to the Ocean and Pacific) and never had an issue with soot. We have one on the new Royal (Dolphin deck) in December - it's an owners suite and if the balcony is uninhabitable I will be a very, very unhappy cruiser.

I'm trying to decide whether to do the Blarney Castle/Kinsale tour or stay in Cobh. Does anyone have a recommendation? Am I "missing something" by not going to Blarney Castle? Is Kinsale a must see?

We stayed in Cobh for the day. it is a lovely town to walk around. We visited the Cathedral, the Titanic museum (the White Star building the last passengers departed from) and the town museum (interesting exhibits on Irish immigration since Cobh - then Queenstown - was the major Irish port for immigration and on the sinkings of the Titanic and Luisitania).

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you are out on deck about 1/2 hour before the ship is due to leave. It seems like the entire town turns out to wave goodbye - the dock is full as is the harbor road. The town band played a variety of songs including 'Anchors Away' as we started to leave the dock. They continued to play until we were out of earshot. It was quite stirring.

The trolley on Saturday and Sunday goes to the airport and from there you could pick up SAS or another service you want.

 

During the week, you could take the trolley to one of the hotels that SAS will pick up from.

 

You just flag the trolley down and it stops. There aren't designated stops.

 

It is a city run service.

Check out their website: http://www.suntrolley.com for more info.

They rope off an area each evening pre-dinner for the cocktail of the day (discounted) and an amazing display of nibbles. Nice place to sit and mingle with other Elites. Last cruise UK in July 2013 on Caribbean P, cocktail of the day was $10 instead of $5 but still good value.

On the Caribbean Princess British Isles cruise in mid/late August 2013, the cocktail of the day was $5 (not $10).

How do I find posting 2965?

On the cruise critic main menu go to Roll Calls>Princess Roll Calls>Caribbean Princess>August 16, 2013 British Isles or just look at the thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1594858. That posting (all of them are numbered sequentially) is near the end of the thread.

We just did the BI cruise on the Caribbean Princess this August - it was fantastic! We had an extremely active roll call (August 16th sailing) and lots of private excursions were organized. Take a look at posting number 2965 that has the entire listing of them. If you want more info on any of the actual excursions, the applicable post number is listed right after the leader's name.

You can also do a search British Isles reviews in this forum. Tina-Ann did one this summer - as did others - and DeloreanGirl wrote the definitive :D review last year.

Alphen - try the Broward County Transit website: http://www.broward.org/BCT/VisitorInfo/Pages/VisitorInformation.aspx. I bet the hotel could also give you info. Enjoy your visit and cruise!

Hello,

 

First time cruiser here, and first time going to Ft. Lauderdale. I've spent the last hour trying to read the posts but didn't see the answer to my question.

 

We're booked for Allure of the Seas on November 10 and are looking to come in to Ft. Lauderdale 1 - 2 days before. We are looking for a hotel (price range $130 or under) that is in between the port/airport and Sawgrass Mills.

 

We are also debating on whether we should rent a car to get to Sawgrass Mills, or if taking a cab is worth it. We're looking for the most cost efficient method for us.

 

I appreciate any and all suggestions! Thanks so much!

Determine your hotel first (check out those in Plantation) and whether they provide shuttles from the airport and to the port. A rental car would give you more flexibility and potentially save you money, especially if the hotel doesn't have shuttles. For example, Sawgrass Mills is about 15 miles west of the airport or Port Everglades -- that could be close to a $50 cab ride one way.

I believe the first of the season Princess cruises out of FLL start in October. If the contracts/agreements with the airlines are seasonal (which would make business sense), the OP may need to wait until reports come back from actual passengers.

We are staying for 2 nights after our cruise at the Riverside hotel in FLL. If we stay 3 nights our air will be less yet will need to pay for the hotel. What I wonder is if their is enough to do and see in FLL for 3 nights or 2 is perfect. We don't swim or go to the beach. We like to see all the sights and attractions. My felling is that 2 nights is what I need to do yet I love Cruise Critics point of view. Also would you recommend any trip for the 3rd day, out side of FLL? Thanks

Check out the Fort Lauderdale website: http://www.sunny.org for lots of ideas. If you are okay with renting a car on the 3rd day, I'd go to the Everglades National Park (either Shark Valley or Royal Palm) - assuming your cruise is in the winter (it is too hot and buggy in the summer).

You will be even more surprised on your next Princess cruise as the position of sommelier is being eliminated (again) by Princess.

Caribbean Princess had a sommelier on board last week. We didn't use him or attend the wine tastings but he was very handy :D acting as the mc for the culinary demonstration and introducing a singing waiter (who was wonderful) during two different dinners.

Others have reported that there is a table set up by Horizon Court on embarkation day that handles sales of the wine package and other things.

That's where it was on our just completed Caribbean Princess cruise - it wasn't advertised anywhere and no one mentioned it in the MDR at embarkation lunch. We felt it was well worth it. We purchased the 10 day Gold package for our 12 day cruise and were very happy with the red wines we chose and the money we saved with the package.

Hi - A few photos of an aft suite partially covered balcony:

 

 

 

Thank you! We have an Owners Suite on Dolphin deck in December and are looking forward to the balcony. My only concern is the table is smaller than the suite balcony tables on other Princess ships and only has 2 chairs. Since room service delivers all the courses at once for dinner orders I'm not sure that table top is sufficient. We'll also be entertaining my brother and sister-in-law (in the premium deluxe balcony cabin next door) at times and it would have been nice to have 4 chairs around the table. I guess they'll just have to shlep the chairs from their balcony :D. But if those are my only complaints, I'll be a very happy cruiser :p.