Stay in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami ???

[Bahama_Bound]

My husband and I are flying into Ft. Lauderdale on Jan. 7 at 1:20 p.m. Our cruise is departing from Port of Miami the next day. Do you suggest we stay at a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale or Miami? I've never been to either city. I'm a southern Ohio country girl and I would rather be in the less busiest of the cities. We'll be using shuttles and/or Taxi's and want our hotel to be in walking distances to shopping and/or beach's. Any advice on hotels or areas?

[Caribbean Sunsets]

Welcome to CC! There is tons of great information on these boards. You should also join your roll call which are people taking the same cruise as you. You'll also get some nice recommendations from fellow roll call members.

 

I would stay in Miami and be closer to the port you are embarking from. Depending on your budget, there are lots of hotels to choose from but I would suggest booking one asap as it's busy season. You can click on the search feature and you'll get lots of threads discussing hotels.

 

If you need transportation from FLL to your MIA hotel (if you go that way), try SAS (ridesas.com). They are a great company and very reasonable.

 

Good luck to you and enjoy your cruise!!:)

[Bahama_Bound]

Thanks for the info, I had heard about SAS and I'm pretty sure we'll use them.

[LunaSeaRetreat]

I had the same dilemma and finally decided on staying in FLL. We booked Hyatt Place on priceline. The Miami hotels were just to expensive. SAS is picking us up at the Hyatt at 11:00 am the next day. We're traveling in March.

 

Here is my post on the priceline thread at the top of the Florida Departures page.

 

Just won Hyatt Place North FLL

$70 March 8

 

I had been trying for a downtown Miami hotel since I'm cruising from POM but flying into FLL but I had bid up to $125 without success. I didn't want to wait any longer so decided to try for the same hotel I had already booked for our return on March 21 in FLL.

 

I bid $60 since I had won at $70 before but was told I could bid $17 more and get a hotel. I just logged out and went back on and bid the $70 and was accepted. Now all I must do is book a shuttle.

I'm very pleased. Thanks to all who continue to post here.

Cynthia

Good luck.

[Bahama_Bound]

We're not planning on renting a car, are there things to do within walking distance to where you're staying?

[royalcruz]

We're not planning on renting a car, are there things to do within walking distance to where you're staying?

 

You can go out to eat, go to the grocery or liquor store, or go shopping at Ross Dress for Less. You can take the water taxi (about 4 blocks away) or go to the beach by trolley.