Ft Lauderdale Taxi Rip-Off?

[marbleman]

This is kinda of a rant...if you don't like to read it don't but I am just stating my opinion...

 

<rant>

I went on Royal Carribean Oasis of the Seas a month ago. My rant is that the taxi cabs charge a big time fee going to the port and then back from port to Airport? I been to a bunch of places in the US and I never seen more ruder people than Florida cab drivers?

 

Sure, the cab drivers in Ft. Lauderdale need to make money but to scam people who are here helping the Florida economy? 45 bucks is not a whole lot from my hotel - Hyatt Hotel to the Port but if you get a regular taxi it would cost 10 bucks but I guess they charge per head LOL.

 

On the way back to the Airport, was my worst experience I had with a cab driver in my whole life and I have been to South America, Asia, North America. He was so rude to us and almost wanted to fight us! Then, charging 45 bucks for the trip (5 people) to the Airport! I was so pissed that I took two pictures (one of the guy and one of his license plate) and was about to report him but I decided I didn't want him fired....

 

Don't get me wrong the cruise was excellent, my first one but based on this scam in Ft. Lauderdale. I will not be visiting Florida ever again! I will be spending my money elsewhere in the world. I wanted to go back for Disney World but I given up on Florida and told my friends about this experience. I was planning to go on the Allure next year but nope.

 

</rant>

[Alrana Eris]

Stuff happens on vacation. I remember getting scammed even by one local cab company in my town. Doesn't mean I'm not going to stop taking cabs. Cabs here are metered and sometimes they don't think I don't notice them taking the long way to my house. I know exactly what it costs. I usually call the cab dispatcher and complain. Will the driver get fired no- if the same driver picks me up next time he knows better, or I tell them not to send him.

Don't let stuff like this bother you- life is too short. angry- frustrating yes But don't let one thing stop you from going back or ruining your vacation- not worth time and energy. Relax its over your home safe.

 

 

Alrana

[donaldsc]

I took a cab from the cruise port to the airport. The driver was friendly and professional and I felt that the fare was about right.

 

There are bad cabbies everywhere.

 

DON

[househunter]

We paid $15 from the pier to the airport and our driver was great! The cabs are metered. Not sure how you could possibly rack up a $45 charge???

[marbleman]

Yeah, I agree that it shouldn't stop me from going on Vacation.

 

There are millions of places out there that want peoples money just like the tour operator in St. Thomas said, our lively hood depends on tourists dollar. I have scratched out Florida permanently from my list, since I am planning to goto Cuba later this year and I will see Florida from the air but thats it.

 

 

We paid $15 from the pier to the airport and our driver was great! The cabs are metered. Not sure how you could possibly rack up a $45 charge???

 

The meter was not running probably a personal company, was a Hybrid Ford Escape with a big dude. 5 people X 9 dollars thats what the guy said is "Standard". I guess we could have ordered two taxis instead of a SUV and the ride would have been less stressful LOL.

[CynLovesCrusing]

I don't know where the $45 came from. There were 3 of us and we paid $5 per person plus $1 tip each. The airport is located very close to the cruise port.

 

That being said, you are refusing to go anywhere in the state of Florida....... because of one incident......... with one cab driver...... in one place? Really? I don't usually comment on posts such as this, but REALLY? That's about the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

[John Henry on CC]

I don't know where the $45 came from. There were 3 of us and we paid $5 per person plus $1 tip each. The airport is located very close to the cruise port.

 

That being said, you are refusing to go anywhere in the state of Florida....... because of one incident......... with one cab driver...... in one place? Really? I don't usually comment on posts such as this, but REALLY? That's about the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

Ever hear the phrase, "Cutting off your nose to spite your face?" ;) :D

[marbleman]

I don't know where the $45 came from. There were 3 of us and we paid $5 per person plus $1 tip each. The airport is located very close to the cruise port.

 

That being said, you are refusing to go anywhere in the state of Florida....... because of one incident......... with one cab driver...... in one place? Really? I don't usually comment on posts such as this, but REALLY? That's about the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

 

Sorry, probably wasn't clear on my first post. But, it was almost everybody we interacted with during our two days before the cruise and the day after in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

Everybody wanted to scam us even the Hotel, I guess its because of the recession and Florida/Las Vegas is getting hit hard but... maybe I am overreacting but Florida hub is where I was are touristy areas which are probably likely to be scammed.. so if were to goto Disney World I probably get scammed :)

 

I was about to say this but maybe someone will have a good laugh at this....

 

There was this guy cab driver who we got in from the Hard Rock Casino, he looked like he was a race car driver and blew through two just turned red lights on the way back to the Hotel and then demanded double price for the speed LOL. It took him less than 10 minutes which roughly was about a 25 minute drive normally. My parents almost got a heart attack (70s/60s) from it...

[pharaoh]

Uh, if you're really going to allow one incident during one short visit through Florida permanently turn you off to the state for the future, all I have to say is don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

High-strung much?

[chef_christoph]

There has to be more to the story than the OP lets on.

 

According to http://www.fortlauderdaleinternationalairport.com/airport-shuttle-taxi-rates.htm up to five passengers can ride in the cab for the same rate as one person.

 

Sorry OP, I'm not buying what you're selling.

 

Happy sailing.

[marbleman]

Uh, if you're really going to allow one incident during one short visit through Florida permanently turn you off to the state for the future, all I have to say is don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

High-strung much?

 

<Edited>

 

I was about to reply something nasty but nah not worth it.

[Icruzthere4Iam]

I don't like canadian bacon but I still went to canada and had a great time, maybe I'm just lucky that way:D

[SunFunCruiser]

wow, seriously?? I have encountered rude people all over the wrold, but it doesn't stop me from visiting places I want to visit.

 

I think this is kind of an overreaction. BTW, did you report the cab driver or ask the company why it was so much?

[xxbrowns]

It has happened to us as well in Ft. Lauderdale. We stayed after our cruise at the Hyatt Pier 88 (I forgot the correct way to say that). Since we were a family of 6, the porters called a van for us and for a 10 minute ride to our hotel it was around 50 (including tip). Same "standard" fare to the airport the next day.

 

It hasn't stopped us from going to Florida, we now try to find hotels with shuttle service or arrange for transportation ahead of time.

[loudbmw]

Ran into the same thing on the Oasis to FLL airport last month. Taxi driver said it was $20 "flat fee" to the airport. I have taken the same ride many times and knew it was a lot less. I demanded he turn on the meter. He did and it was about $12. He moaned about only making about $5 for the fare when the meter was on. Then he tried to make nice for the hope of a tip.

 

Had he been honest right away he would have gotten a lot bigger tip than I gave him. My advise is confirm that the meter will be turned on or don't get into the cab. Beside trying to cheat us, he was likely ripping off the cab company too.

 

Don't get me started about the FLL hotels - some refuse to call you a cab and will only let you use either their shuttle or one they get a kickback from. While the $9 a head they charge isn't bad for 2 people, if you have 4 or 5 you are getting stiffed.

 

Lou

[marci22]

When you book the multiple occupancy vehicles, they charge pp. Ask up front how much it will be.

 

A regular cab using a meter should run about $12 from FLL to the port if there is no traffic. When you are stopped in traffic, the meter keeps ticking and you may pay more like $16-18 for the same trip. (and you have to add a tip to that number)

[Mark_K]

I don't like canadian bacon but I still went to canada and had a great time, maybe I'm just lucky that way:D

That's because once you get to Canada it's no longer Canadian Bacon, it's just bacon, so there was nothing to bother you. ;)