SaintTaris

We plan on taking a leisurely drive from Atlanta to Orlando 2 nights before our cruise.  In the past, we have stayed in Orlando and we have stayed in PC before boarding the cruise ship.  This time, I cannot for the life of me figure out where to stay. My wife doesn't care where we stay. We do not plan on going to any parks before the cruise, just hang out by a pool during the day and maybe going to Corona Cigar lounge at night.  Where would you stay, Orlando or Port Canaveral?

1 hour ago, FireEMT978 said:

That Sir,

I respect you for.

I concur. 

16 hours ago, luckyprincess said:

The issue really is that some people need emotional support dogs. There is real scientific evidence that it can help people like our vets with PTSD. Also one of my clients has a white fluffball that loves her sweaters and alerts her to seizures. Another I know always has her nails painted and alerts to glucose changes. You don't get to dismiss a dog as a service animal because it's small or fluffy or white or wears clothes. The point is all those that are super huffy about this have no real recourse. There is no certification. Also the law in NJ does not allow anyone to ask anything other than if it is a service dog and what it is trained for, not sure about other states.

To those crying about allergies well, you are the one with the medical issue. Bring allergy medication or don't  fly/sail.  If you are afraid of dogs as an adult then here is your chance to get out of a phobia and embarrassing issue. If you just plain don't like dogs - well to be honest I don't trust those that don't like dogs lol. 

You need your head examined. I don't trust people who personify pets. Keep fluffy to yourself.  A cruise is for people. I'm sure you can find a vacation centered around people wh enjoy kissing animals in the month. 

95% of the passengers don't need a judgmental lil b!+€h but here you are. 

95% of People don't need a judgmental lil b!+€h but here you are. 

I've been waiting for the announcement of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.  Last night, I booked the Deluxe Beverage package for $50 a day and booked two Refreshment packages for $15 for my wife and son.  Grand total of $295 for Deluxe Beverage and $88.50 ea. for the Refreshment Packages.  We are on the 5 night sailing of IotS over Christmas.

I was able to book a Deluxe for me and a Refreshment for my wife, she's not really a drinker. I'm more than willing to pay for the occasional glass of wine she will have while onboard. 

Hi,

I'm Taris.  I enjoyed reading your Blog.  I will stop by to say Merry Christmas during our cruise on December 24, 2018. 

We cruised Independence of the Seas for Christmas 2016 and we stayed at The Embassy Suites 17th Street for one night pre-cruise.  We enjoyed our stay and it is in walking distance to a water taxi stop.  We are cruising this Christmas and booked the Embassy Suites again.  We loved it so much, we are staying 2 nights pre-cruise instead of one.  We want to spend more time on the Water Taxi exploring more of Fort Lauderdale. 

We cruised Brillance OTS a few years ago. We were a large group of guys, 24 of us if I remember correctly. Throughout the crews there were women and couples asking if we're doing B2B cruises. We couldn't figure out why they asked until I talked to our room attendant. She informed me the following cruise was a swingers cruise. The horrible things she described about those cruises....

We recently booked another Holiday Cruise on Independence of the Seas. We last sailed her for Christmas in 2016 and we enjoyed ending the night at The Connoisseur's Club with a nice Cigar. Looks like The Connoisseur's Club has been replaced by a library.

I enjoy smoking cigars and having a nice bourbon while on vacation and I would like to do so in a location where I won't offend my fellow cruisemates. Does anyone know if there is a location on board Independence of the Seas where one can enjoy a cigar?

I'm scheduled to board Independence this morning. I checked my email this morning where I received an email from Royal Caribbean asking to report to PE at 2:30. We were at the Embassy Suites, waiting in the shuttle van while our bags were being loaded. We informed the driver of the email and he unloaded our bags.

He insisted we go to the port. We decided to check our bags at the Embassy Suites then took a taxi to Ft Lauderdale beach. We are currently at Fat Tuesdays having frozen mango daiquiris, chips and salsa.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes, upgrade steaks and lobster tails are included in the price. Booked on Ovation over NYE. Price is even more eye popping in Aussie $$s, but it's a special occasion

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If I can get the dry aged 20 oz Porterhouse, I would be happy.

Ohh, and I went ahead and paid for the Culinary Celebration.

The normal price for Chops Grille is ~$35. per person During the Christmas cruise on Independence of the Seas, they are offering Chops Grille: A Culinary Celebration for $75 per person. The only difference that I can see between the two is a glass of champagne and Amuse Bouche, Petits - Fours. I'm trying to wrap my head around the huge price difference.

Here's the description of the Culinary Celebration.

Ring in the holiday at Chops Grille with a merry mouthwatering fine-dining experience. Toast friends and family with a glass of champagne and an amuse-bouche. Then enjoy one of our signature main courses from the full menu including the most delectable steaks or a special holiday lobster tail. The meal is complete with a selection of petits fours - making your holiday a Specialty one.

Is this really worth $75 per person? I'm sure there will be a special meal served on Christmas night.

Thanks. Couldn't remember the proof (I was thinking 120) and just short handed over the char.

 

I probably like Knobb and Basil Hayden on that list, but I'm currently heavily into Breckinridge while dreaming of Pappy...

You have good taste my friend.

We are cruising on IotS over Christmas. I'm looking forward to your review.

I hate to enter the oldest whiskey argument in the United States, but Jack Daniels meets all of the legal requirements to be a bourbon. The legal definition is silent on charcoal filtration, so 51% corn, made in the US, aged in new charredoak barrels, etc.

 

It's ALSO a Tennessee whiskey as defined by Tennessee law...

 

(And believe me, if there was a sudden tax or financial advantage to being a bourbon, JD would be a bourbon.)

I'll also add the whiskey cannot enter the barrel at higher than 125 proof.

And Nothing can be added but water and only to lessen the proof when necessary. Other whiskeys can add color and flavor.

And my favorites in Royal Caribbean is Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden and Bulliet.

The problem with the ES transfer to the port is you are on their schedule and you have to go when they say so. I've seen other complaints here in the past about crowding and waiting, but I don't know anything from personal experience.

 

Again, you will probably be able to check into your room upon arrival, so make sure you check.

 

If you want to venture out away from the 17th Street area the Sun Trolley is a good way to do it.

http://www.suntrolley.com/routes-schedules-fares/

 

.

Lido Deck

$150 rate for room at Embassy Suites

$15=$20 for taxi/Uber from FLL to Hotel

$15 taxi to Cruise Terminal

is better than $190. You have a point.

What is most important to you?

 

Water Taxi?

 

Beach?

 

Shopping?

 

Nightlife?

 

Getting to the port is easy from all those locations so that should not be a big consideration in which hotel you choose unless you get a good price and it includes the transfers. A taxi with tip will cost you about $15-$20 and maybe a few dollars less with Uber. Both Bahia Mar and Hilton Marina have Water Taxi stops. The BM is close to the beach and the Embassy Suites is close to the Harbor Shops where there's a Publix Grocery Store, Total Wine and quite a few restaurants and shops.

Thanks Lido Deck.

I settled on the Embassy Suites. Traveling with 4 adults, I feel it's best to take as many options off of the table as possible. With the Embassy Suites, transfer from the hotel and to the terminal are all set. The only decisions we will have to make are what's for lunch and what's for dinner. With us having early flights, I do not anticipate any late night partying, especially after the Embassy Suites happy hour. I can envision walking to a restaurant near the Embassy Suites for lunch before checking in, then hanging around the hotel until happy hour. 1 day will not give us enough time to explore Ft Lauderdale. No need to schedule a bunch of activities.

Standby.

The more I research, the more times I change my mind. I will make a decision today and stick to that decision. The Embassy Suites 17th St has entered into the equation. They have a very attractive rate that includes transportation from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to the cruise terminal.

At this point, the least amount of coordination I have to do, the better. The Embassy Suites' rate will remove all transportation coordination from the equation.

Ughhhhh:o

Thanks again for the suggestions. After further research, I decided to cancel the hotel rooms at the Hilton Marina and book 2 rooms at the Bahia Mar DoubleTree hotel. Bahia Mar DoubleTree has an outstanding Cruise & Stay rate which includes transportation to the cruise terminal, breakfast and WiFi.

I also cancelled the rental car since we will be within walking distance to shopping, restaurants and a little nightlife. I may be up for a little day drinking since I am on vacation and I don't have to drive. :D

I asked myself that same question until I checked the difference in rates. Right now prices with Enterprise are almost double at FLL what they are at the hotel.

Again, price isn't much of an issue. However, I would like to get my money's worth.

I don't think the OP was necessarily concerned with saving a few $. Already stated that he knew the water taxi route cost more. And probably desires an SUV over regular size auto for 4 people plus luggage.

 

Uber from FLL to hotel and from port to FLL could be a reasonable option, assuming you get a larger sized Uber vehicle.

 

Granted the hop on-hop off trolley is a fine alternative to a water taxi or good for those wishing to save $ but the trolley has the same waiting/inconvenience/subject to weather as a water taxi.

 

So the question could be, why rent via Enterprise; or, why rent at the hotel versus the airport on arrival?

It's a lot cheaper to rent from the hotel than the airport, plus I can turn the car in at the hotel first thing in the morning before going to the cruise terminal.

:confused:

We are a Party of 4 adults who arriving at Fll in less than 2 weeks for our Christmas Cruise. Our flight lands at 9:30 AM, far to early to check in. We are staying at the Hilton Marina. I reserved an SUV at the Enterprise counter at the hotel for $80. I need help deciding should I keep the rental car or rely on The Water Taxi and Uber/Taxis to get around.

Here's what we have planned for Ft Lauderdale. Catch a taxi to the hotel from FLL, then check our bags at the Hilton Marina. Next we like to explore the town and have lunch preferably waterside. The ladies would like to do a little shopping either at the Galleria, Las Olas and/or at the Outlets before checking into the hotel. We will decide on Dinner later.

Budget isn't a primary concern. However, the cost for the water taxi for 4 is more expensive than the rental for 24 hours and it seems like we would be more restricted by relying solely on the Water Taxi. Based on everything I posted, what would you advise?

What an awesome video!!!!

Looks like you guys had a really good time.

How come no one has mentioned balcony club? 😱

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Forums mobile app

The first rule of balcony club is never ever talk about balcony club.