TrentS

Trent, you are so valuable with your information on Fla. departures. Sailed Festivale (first cruise) 1984. I stayed on the QE2 in Boston Harbor many years ago. My company rented it for a convention. We sailed ncl Windward twice, but don't know what happed to her. Also sailed a 3 dayer on Seaward, don't know what happed to that ship either.

Thanks... NCL Windward was lengthened and renamed Norwegian Wind in 1998, then was transferred to to NCL's parent Star Cruises in 2007 and renamed SuperStar Aquarius. Seaward was renamed Norwegian Sea in 1997 and then in 2005 transferred to Star Cruises and renamed SuperStar Libra.

I miss the Canberra and QE2, they were like my 2nd homes back in the 80's and 90's. :(

The Hyatt Place is only $89. Do they provide free shuttles both from the airport and to the pier?

 

Anyone stayed there that can give their comments about the hotel itself and the immediate area? Is there a shop close enough to walk over and get my carryon wine?

Hyatt Place is in a far better location than that LaQuinta. Yes, they have shuttles, but a cab is a lot easier and it's so close to both the airport and port that it's a very cheap ride.

Hyatt Place was completely remodeled recently and is extremely popular on here, as are the rest of the SE17th Street area hotels. There is a Publix and Total Wine store a block away in Harbor Shops. There are dozens of restaurants and all types of other shops in the immediate area as well. It's the best location for cruisers to stay in if you don't have a rental car as there is so much within easy walking distance.

Curious....why do people choose to have the cruise lines book hotels for them? Are the prices too good to resist?

Normally it's the opposite, you can almost always do far better booking your own hotels. Same goes for air.

We need one night precruise in March. Prefer a room for 5 and Marriott for points. The 2 places we are looking at are: Fairfield Inn & Suites... a new one that opens in October or Springhill Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport. I know that neither is a high end place but as we get in at 7 at night and leave the next morning didnt want to spend a lot. But dont want to be in a dump either. Any advice?

Either would be okay for that, but are you going to want to go out to dinner? Springhill is fine, and across from a large strip mall with restaurants. It's a bit of a walk to them though.

The new Fairfield Inn isn't really within walking distance to any restaurants.

Another option in the same area, should be similarly priced, is a fairly new Marriott Courtyard... http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllht-courtyard-fort-lauderdale-airport-and-cruise-port/

It's next door to a nice restaurant if you'll want to go out to dinner... http://www.fishcompany.com/Page/Dania-Beach-Florida.aspx

Anyone know if we would need a rental car if we're staying at the Hyatt Pier 66 for 1 night pre-cruise? I know they have a free shuttle to the beach, but don't know if it would run at dinner time. Or are there reasonably priced places to eat within walking distance of the hotel? We are arriving Sat. at 3pm, and hading to MIA at about 11am Sun. We will need transportation to MIA anyway, but don't know if rental car is the best way to go (since we would have to pay $20 in parking at the hotel, and anywhere else we go downtown, and the time getting the car and dropping the car). Any opinions?

 

Renee

Other than the restaurants on the property there's really nothing to walk to from there unless you're an avid walker. You could walk across the SE17th Street bridge to the restaurants along that street. It's really not all that far, but could be a bit much for older people or those not in the best shape. A taxi to the SE17th Street restaurants would be very cheap.

I don't know the hours of their beach shuttle, but if you take it there are many restaurants along Ft Lauderdale Beach. If it's not running, or not running when you wanted to return, taxis are plentiful and it would be a very cheap ride between the beach area and Pier 66.

There is also the Water Taxi to either the beach area or to Las Olas Blvd. downtown where you'll find many nice shops and restaurants.

Water Taxi... http://www.watertaxi.com/

Las Olas Blvd... http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

any input on hotel offering day rates - or something to do while waiting for flight post cruise... we have 8+ hours to kill.....

 

THANKS!

I believe someone said they had gotten a day room at the Sleep Inn in Dania Beach. The availability of these seem to come and go however so it's probably best to check around for the date you need one.

Thanks for the info! Yes, I believe its the 'convention center'. Its the one that's listed as cruise/port.

 

bummer about the rock shrimp. We'll have to keep checking.

No, there are 2 Holiday Inn Express' in the area. The one that calls itself "Airport/Cruise Port" is not the one you want, it's not in a very good location.

The one in the great location that is a block from the port entrance on SE17th Street and has everything within safe, easy walking distance calls itself "Convention Center". This is the one in the great location... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/fllcc

Is there any word as what the Yankee Clipper is going to re-open as; there was a suggestion that perhaps as a Weston? We stayed there in January and were quite please with our room and the hotel's location.

Yankee Clipper will remain a Sheraton... http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=664

The sister property, the former Sheraton Yankee Trader has reopened as a Westin... http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3328

Thanks for the info

 

I asked my TA and the answer I got was the 3 hotels I listed (2 in Hollywood or the Westin). Looks like I will have to wait and see what we are allocated. I am just concerned that if we wait it will be too late to change to booking ourselves.

 

I would prefer a hotel nearer to shops. Because of luggage restrictions on our flights we will need to get lots of bits & pieces when we arrive.

 

Yes, it is a shame about the Pier 66 bar. Is there anywhere similar we can sit in FL, have a drink and overlook the cruise ships?

Can you cancel the hotel booking with HAL at this point? Then you can book the hotel you want in the location you want. It's almost always quite a bit less expensive to book your hotel yourself anyway.

Unfortunately no, if you're not staying in one of the rooms at Pier 66 or the Hilton Marina the only good view of Port Everglades is from the SE17th Street bridge.

Sorry I don't know which hotels HAL uses. Perhaps you could contact them or your travel agent if you used one, and get a definitive answer.

Hollywood Beach Marriott is about 5 minutes from a Publix & Walgreens on Sheridan Street & SE5th Ave., and about 15 minutes from Port Everglades. For clothing, it's about 15-20 minutes from Aventura Mall... http://www.aventuramall.com/

There's no Sheraton in Hollywood. The only Sheratons are either at the SW corner of the Ft Lauderdale airport, or a Sheraton Suites in Cypress Creek. There's a Sheraton on Ft Lauderdale Beach, but it's currently closed for a major renovation. It's suppose to reopen in January however.

Which Westin? There are 2 in Ft Lauderdale, one on the beach and one in Cypress Creek.

Yes, the bar on top of Hyatt Pier 66 is closed to the public. They rent the space out for special events now. Quite a shame really, that was a special place.

We'd like to stay at the Holiday Inn Express pre-cruise one night. Is it necessary to rent a car to get to nice resturants from there? Are they in walking distance?

 

Also, is there anywhere that's recommended to get rock shrimp? DH is jonsing to get some since they will be in season when we go mid-Oct.

 

Thanks!

Which Holiday Inn Express? If you mean Holiday Inn Express "Convention Center" on SE 17th Street, then no, you don't need a car. There are many many nice restaurants within walking distance.

I can't help you with rock shrimp in that area though.

What would be a ball park amount for a taxi from FLL to pier in Fort Lauderdale?

$15 or so, depends a bit on what part of Port Everglades your ship is docked, it's a massive port.

We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express - Convention Center on 17th. We will be coming in early and would like to go to Las Olas beach center (not sure what it's called). What would the best way be to get to the beach area from the hotel?

 

Thanks!

Not sure what you mean... Las Olas Blvd. where there are a lot of shops and restaurants is not on the beach, it's in downtown Ft Lauderdale... http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/

Beach Place is on Ft Lauderdale Beach, close to Las Olas Blvd & A1A, but not on Las Olas... http://www.galleryatbeachplace.com/

You can easily get to either by taxi, or Water Taxi... http://www.watertaxi.com/

I would highly recommend going to Las Olas Blvd. over Beach Place though, not all that much in Beach Place, Las Olas is a lot more interesting. The nearest Water Taxi stop is under the SE17th Street bridge by the Hilton Marina... http://www.watertaxi.com/FLLStop7.Asp.htm

I know that it is probally against the law but has anybody ever put a msg in a bottle and thrown it over board? If so have you ever found out where it went?

If you want to know what happens, here's a story about what happened to one bottle that was thrown overboard... http://www.usatoday.com/travel/cruises/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=68498607.blog

We are staying at the Renaissance on 17th in mid-Jan but it appears that the SunTrolley doesn't operate on 17th during the week. Is this correct?

Just Friday - Sunday on that route now.

Hello,

 

We're flying out from the West Coast on 1/1/10 for a cruise aboard the Oasis on 1/2/09. We're staying at the Renaissance, but don't get in until 5pm. Any suggestions for dinner on New Years Day? Preferably Italian and reasonable cost...

 

Thanks!

Bravo is reasonably priced Italian and just across the parking lot from the Renaissance... http://www.bravoitaliano.com/

You may want to confirm that they're open New Year's day though.

Can anyone tell my how far Lauderdale by the sea is from the Cheese Cake Factory? Also, we will not have a car so is there a bus that could take us there, we are staying a Lauderdale Beachside hotel. Thanks in advance for the help.:D

Cheesecake Factory is on Las Olas Blvd., on the ground floor of the Riverside Hotel's parking garage. It's about 20 minutes from where you're staying, but are you familiar with the hotel you have booked? It's not a very nice place, I'd look elsewhere if were you.

I definitely need help! We are flying into FLL day b4 cruise (Celebrity). Need:

1. Recommend a hotel near port that would provide shuttle from airport. Or alternative to travel to hotel.

2. Upon return, need to rent a car. How get from terminal to car rental - shuttle? which rental would be best

3. Will be returning the car to Vero Beach

 

Any and all suggestions!! thanks

Any of the the SE17th Street hotels. They're less than 10 minutes from FLL and just outside the entrance to Port Everglades with dozens of restaurants, shops, grocery, drug, & liquor stores, water taxi, Sun Trolley, all within easy walking distance.

Some have shuttles, but IMO they're far more trouble than they're worth. They're so close to the airport that a taxi is cheap, easy and much quicker.

Embassy Suites... http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/FLLSOES-Embassy-Suites-Fort-Lauderdale-th-Street-Florida/index.do

Renaissance... http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllbr-renaissance-fort-lauderdale-hotel/

Hilton Marina... http://www.fortlauderdalemarinahotel.com/

Holiday Inn Express Convention Center... http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hotel/fllcc

Extended Stay America... http://www.extendedstayamerica.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale-convention-center-marina.html

Hyatt Place... http://ftlauderdaleairport.place.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/place/index.jsp

All the major rental car companies are at the airport, which is adjacent to Port Everglades... When you return from your cruise just grab a taxi to the Rental Car Center at FLL... http://www.broward.org/airport/parking_transportation_rentals.htm

Thanks for the information on the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina, when you say OK clean, what does that mean. I need really clean! Ok so I am a little OCD... we are making a really long drive and I want somewhere that will be a nice place to relax the day prior to our cruise. Do you or anyone else out there have a better suggestion? I am really not that hard to please but do prefer nice CLEAN surroundings.

I know exactly what you mean by CLEAN, I'm the same way... The Hilton Marina was completely gutted to bare concrete and rebuilt a couple of years ago. It's a very nice place, among the "cleanest" you're going to find in that price range. The others along SE17th Street in that same class, Embassy Suites, Renaissance, are both very nice as well, but none of them are "perfect".

Personally though I tend to stick with Ritz-Carlton, Four Season, members of The Leading Hotels of the World as I find their standards are higher than most Hiltons, Hyatts, Marriotts, etc., but then again I'm extremely picky about where I sleep, shower, etc.

If you're really picky, then go with the Ritz-Carlton, it's on the beach, 10 minutes from Port Everglades... http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/FortLauderdale/Default.htm

i was told the shuttle for the train is right outside southwest gates...then bypass all the traffic and go straight to miami....that's it's a straight shot. is this not correct?

No, that is not correct. Tri-Rail is not a viable option for tourists. It is not AT or connected to the airports... You need to take a bus or taxi from MIA to the station, then you need to take another bus or taxi from the station in Ft. Lauderdale to the airport.

Tri-Rail is a commuter train, and not a very good one at that. It's frequently delayed and there is nowhere for luggage. It's not designed for tourist use, it's far more trouble than it's worth, by the time you get done with it you'll be exhausted and wishing you'd have just taken a shuttle or rented a car!

IMO driving in St. Maarten is no problem at all. Yes, traffic is heavy at times, but the roads are fine and it's easy to navigate.

Arthur's... http://www.arthurscarrental.com/

Do yourself a huge favor m steve and book something at the pier!

We too have used Best Deal, thought they were fine and found them much better to deal with than the branded companies... http://www.bestdealcarrentals.net/