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Ft. Lauderdale - Several hours post cruise

BlueCat1105

By BlueCat1105,
in Princess Cruises

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sackman

sackman

Posted
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I'm looking at booking a flight home at 8:15 PM, but then we'd have several hours with luggage in tow to kill. What would you suggest?

 

Take a ship's excursion, maybe to the Everglades. Either that, or rent a car and do your own thing for the afternoon/evening. There's lots to see and do in South Florida.

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Seal

Seal

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Earlier this year we checked our luggage with EZ Check from the ship to Long Beach, CA in FLL. Worked great--no bags to lug around and we could do as we pleased--as I remember they want you to not go through security until 2 hours before your flight--it can be done but a pain.

 

Nancy:D

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BobT172

BobT172

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You didn't mention what airline you are flying but see if they participate in EZ Check..you check your luggage on board ship and see it next at your final destination.

 

If you are flying Southwest, there are agents right outside the terminal who will take your luggage and give you your boarding pass for $10pp... better than "lugging the luggage" all around with you and you go right to security at any time.

 

And you can't check in before two hours at the airport so if you arrive early, you would have to sit and wait to check in...best be done with it and not worry about it.

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atlasali

atlasali

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Our daughter went to grad school in FLL (Davie). So we past thru several times on visiting her and on cruises. Rent a car.

Carrie B. - Cruise to see the waterfront homes of the rich and famous.

Flamingo Gardens - see all of Florida's wildlife in a small place.

Sawgrass Mills Mall - Enormous mall !!!

Lunch at Rendezvous - Shrimp Po Boy on a deck overlooking a marina.

Dinner or drinks at 15th Street Fisheries 5:00-6:00pm watch them feed the Tarpon (monster fish!).

Day pass at an ocean front hotel on Galt Drive with Tiki Bar...swim, drink (Ocean Manor I think) Or go to the beach, A1A and Broward is a parking garage with beach access, restaurants, and bars.

Ride the Water taxi.

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Toto2Kansas

Toto2Kansas

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With an 8:25 PM flight, you will have more than just a few hours to kill in FLL. You will be off the ship by 9:30 AM (no choice to stay onboard longer). Even the ships tours get you to the airport before 2:00. And unless thay have the EZ check for luggage, you won't be able to check in your luggage until a few hours before your flight, which means a lot of time sitting around with your bags.

 

I would definitely look into renting a car for the day, with that many hours to kill before you must be to the airport. Good luck!

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BlueCat1105

BlueCat1105

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You know, I think I'll just buy the one-way tickets to FLL, and keep shopping for the way home for awhile. As several of you have said, that's a bit late - and what we might save on a flight, we'd more than make up for by having to entertain ourselves for such a long time. Thanks for the answers!

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karinad

karinad

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Is there any ship tours that end around noon? Our flight is about 2PM. Last yr. we were off the ship early and it was quite boring waiting around FLL all morning and part of the afternoon. I never thought of doing a tour right off the ship after disembarktion. How does that work and how expensive are they? Thanks!

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Seal

Seal

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You know, I think I'll just buy the one-way tickets to FLL, and keep shopping for the way home for awhile. As several of you have said, that's a bit late - and what we might save on a flight, we'd more than make up for by having to entertain ourselves for such a long time. Thanks for the answers!

 

Since we fly Jet Blue--we can go to Miami for one way--if convenient

 

Nancy:D

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Toto2Kansas

Toto2Kansas

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Is there any ship tours that end around noon? Our flight is about 2PM. Last yr. we were off the ship early and it was quite boring waiting around FLL all morning and part of the afternoon. I never thought of doing a tour right off the ship after disembarktion. How does that work and how expensive are they? Thanks!

 

Here is the list of post cruise tours out of Fort Lauderdale, none are for flights any earlier than 1:00 PM.

 

2444718190046132864S600x600Q85.jpg

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CruzVinnieCruz

CruzVinnieCruz

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You didn't mention what airline you are flying but see if they participate in EZ Check..you check your luggage on board ship and see it next at your final destination.

 

If you are flying Southwest, there are agents right outside the terminal who will take your luggage and give you your boarding pass for $10pp... better than "lugging the luggage" all around with you and you go right to security at any time.

 

And you can't check in before two hours at the airport so if you arrive early, you would have to sit and wait to check in...best be done with it and not worry about it.

 

Just to be clear that if it's Southwest it's $10 per bag not per person.

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jrzebird

jrzebird

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We had the same flight you do and planned to rent a car and drive to Miami to visit my cousin (he's too old to drive). Otherwise we would have had to stand around the street corner in Ft. Lauderdale, with our luggage, until 6:30 p.m. Not acceptable. I think that the car rental was around $70.00. We had reservatins to pick it up near the pier and I think we were to leave it at the airport at no extra charge (that part is a bit hazy). Unfortunately we had to cancel that cruise a few weeks before when my travel companion had to have heart surgery.

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Seal

Seal

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It will be $20 plus any charges the airline might have for baggage.

 

That's true--but---didn't happen that way--I had 2 bags and with Jet blue only the first bag is free-----there wasn't any baggage charge--never saw the bags after leaving them in the hall until the next day in Long Beach--would do it again--I think that Jet Blue is charging $30 for 2nd bag now--might be $20 but I think they have gone to $30.

 

Nancy:D

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Seal

Seal

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It will be $20 plus any charges the airline might have for baggage.

 

That's correct but it wasn't what happened--with Jet Blue only the first bag is free--I had 2 bags and wasn't charged for the second--left the bags in the hall before dinner and found them the next evening in Long Beach--

 

Nancy:D

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juggles

juggles

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Is there any ship tours that end around noon? Our flight is about 2PM. Last yr. we were off the ship early and it was quite boring waiting around FLL all morning and part of the afternoon. I never thought of doing a tour right off the ship after disembarktion. How does that work and how expensive are they? Thanks!

 

we did an Everglades tour and then they take you to the airport. I can't remember the cost now only that at the time I thought it dirt cheap and wondered how they could do it for the price as we flew back from Miami too

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hcw80

hcw80

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Posted

Hollywood Beach is just a gem a few miles from the port/airport. It is very family friendly and has showers, bathrooms and a lovely broadwalk. There are a few outdoor bars right on the beach too. If you are beached out, we have an art museum and a family friendly science museum downtown with an IMAX theather. There are shops on Los Olas where you can stroll or have a drink or meal in a cafe. As mentioned, the Everglades are great. There is also the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood and a few other places with slots and gaming. I'm not much of a gambler, so my knowledge of that area is limited. There are also snorkle and diving boats that go out of Ft. Lauderdale Beach. The luggage is your big holdup. Try to check it before you go out and enjoy the day.

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