Suggestions on what to do in Ft. Lauderdale after the crusie, late flight out

[Linda2433]

Any suggestions on what to do in Ft. Lauderdale after we get off the ship on Sat. Flight out is at 4:30. What can we do with all the luggage etc. in order to go do anything? Any help would be appreciated.

[AmyinGA]

We had a late flight out of FLL too. We were able to check in our bags as soon as we got to the airport (around 10:00 am). Then we took a cab to Las Olas Blvd. It's full of shops, retaurants, art galleries. We spent some time walking around, then we had lunch. In the afternoon we took a water tour on the Carrie B. It was great. We got see all of the multi-million dollar homes and learn about the area. The best part was the tour took us right by the port and we could get some great pics of the cruise ships. When the tour was over we headed back to the airport and it was time to go thru security.

[claroquesi]

They have a huge Dave and Busters in Lauderdale, if you are into high tech video games and pool. They also have a pretty good menu and tasty drinks, it`ll be just like you were back at the casino on the ship!

 

PS they will hold your luggage at the front desk for 1$ an item!

[cruisnfool]

What airline were you on? I was under the impression that post 911 you could not check bags until your flight time.

[doctrd]

My sister has a similar problem, and she booked a Cabana at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa on the oceanfront in Ft Lauderdale. I checked out the website, and it says you need to be a guest to reserve a cabana, but I guess they do it by availability for cruise passengers. Sounds like a good way to spend the day.

 

Here is what it says on the web site:

 

Cabana Rentals

For those looking for true tropical seclusion and the ultimate in outdoor pampering, our poolside cabanas fit the bill. Here, you can enjoy the refreshing pool, but in the privacy of a shaded cabana.

The cabanas include: TV, Mini-Fridge, Fresh Fruit platter, Cold Towel Service, and food and beverage service.

 

This is a link to the Cabana section:

 

http://www.diplomatresort.com/Getaways_and_Vacations/Poolside_Cabanas.aqf

 

I don't know the costs, I'll check with my sister if you are interested.

[sunnyv]

Fort Lauderdale has a 3 hour limit for luggage check-in. They enforced it in January and wouldn't let us check the luggage until 3 hours before our flight departure. Maybe if the airport isn't as busy they extend that some, but it isn't fun to be at the curb of the airport and not be able to check your luggage :(

[katisdale]

Once on the ship (not through the personalizer) you can reserve a Ft. Lauderdale shore excursion, either a tour through Ft. Lauderdale or a tour of the Everglades with air boat ride. Your luggage is loaded on the bus and you are taken to the airport after the excursion is over. I've not done either tour but you can read about the options on the Princess website under destinations.

[nschurr]

There is a tour of the Everglades provided by BC Express. He will pick you up at the dock and take you on a tour for however long you need and drop you off at the airport two hours before you flight. If you finish the Everglades tour, the driver will take you to be beach or anywhere (not home). He will take up to six people in his van, unlike the tours provided by the ship where they put you on a bus. I believe the cost is $55.00 pp. You can see his web site at bcsexpress.com

[Linda2433]

you have all given me some good ideas. I like the Idea of checking the bags. We have return transfers to the airport thru Princess. My Travel Agent told me to take the transfer to the airport, check the bags then maybe take a taxi to the beach or town or something. Sounds good but I can't check my bags that early? Flight out is 4:30 PM on United. So If I couldn't check the bags until 1:30, what do I do between 10 and 1:30. Plus I thought you have to be at airport 2 hours ahead is that still true, forgot to ask TA all these things when i picked up final documents today. Any other advise? Going to check out the bc express also. maybe that would work with the bags. Thanks.

[Linda2433]

Tryed to check on the cabanas and said you have to be a registered guest. Ask your sister how she did it and how much? How far from the port is it? Thanks

 

Linda

[Bonnie-Jean]

I understood that you can check you bags up to 6 hours before a flight. Maybe Fort Lauderdale have a different set of rules.

 

We also have a 4PM flight after our cruise so we decided to rent a car and see the sights of Fort Lauderdale. Actually rented an SUV to hold all the luggage I will probably be taking.:)

 

Bonnie

Sun Princess, March 19, 2005

[Linda2433]

Bonnie,

 

Just curious where did you rent an SUV thru. How much was it. ? There are 4 of us so we have alot of luggage that is my concern in hauling it around. Don't want to spend the day at the airport. Wonder if I can just rent something at the Port Everglades?

 

Linda

[bluehorizonlover123]

port everglades tour thru the ship or on your own. you can even pick up these tours from the airport if you want to check your bags to get rid of them

[LaurieSR]

Last year we rented a van at Dollar Car Rentals ( it was the least expensive at that time) for the day, and it held 4 people and all our luggage. We headed for the the Festival Flea Market on Sample Rd where we had lunch and strolled around. You could also go to Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise or to Las Olas Blvd, or check to see if there are any festivals in the area, or just go to the beach. I'm sure there are lots of other things you'd enjoy in Ft. Lauderdale. It's beats spending the day sitting at the airport.

Not only did it fill the time to do this, but we missed the huge crowds at the airport that you run into early on Sat. and Sun. when the cruise ships are in.

[Times Prince]

Party hard until the wee hours the last night of the cruise, then get up before 6:30 am for breakfast and immigration and waiting for disembarkation. Net effect? about 4 hours sleep. Nap in the airport or on a beach.

 

Took Everglades tour one time - it was fun to be on a big air boat, but we didn't see much. Whether that was luck of the draw for wildlife or par for the tour is unknown.

 

Best bet - make the MOST of your last night of the cruise.

[Linda2433]

car rentals, should we book this ahead of time? Or is their a place where we get off the ship at Ft. Lauderdale that we can just walk over to?

[doctrd]

Sorry have not gotten back to you on Cabana at Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, but just heard back from my sister that booked there...Here is her response:

 

"When I called the hotel to find out if we could use the facilities for the day I guess we were the first ones to ask this question. She said we were welcome to use the spa (and all the fees that go with it ) but would not have access to the pool. This is when she suggested I speak to Jeff the cabana person about renting a cabana. He did indicate that usually you would have to be guests of the hotel, but rules where meant to be broken. He is charging us 175.OO because we will not be there for the whole day but he is going to include a $50.00 credit for food and beverage plus all the other amenities such as 6 free sodas, iced tea, water, fruit platter plus the T.V., 2 chaise lounges, table 4 chairs, umbrella, fan, and best of all a cabana boy.

 

We just have to tell the bellman to hold our luggage and we are all set. He did not ask for any deposit and did e-mail me with a confirmation. So if you are splitting it with another couple (up to 6 people per cabana) it is a great idea. "

[Linda2433]

Thanks for the response about the cabanas. Ended up renting a mini van thru Thrifty for the day. $45.00 not bad and will pick us up at the Pier and can drop off at the Airport. Still don't know what I am going to doing for the day. Drive around and see what we can find. Just didn't want to spend 3-5 hours sitting in the airport. Would like to maybe stop at a beach but don't want to deal with wet bathing suits and stuff and getting on the plane at 4:30. Any other suggestions on where to go now that we have a car would be appreciated. Thanks.

[kryos]

Any other advise? Going to check out the bc express also. maybe that would work with the bags. Thanks.

How about a "day room" at one of the hotels close to the airport? I've heard of people doing this at their port of disembarkation when they had a late flight. I'm sure there are hotels in Fort Lauderdale that do it too. For a reasonable day rate, you would have a room for several hours, and could enjoy the hotel ammenities (pool, restaurants and other facilities), as well as have a safe place to stash all your luggage. Some of these hotels even have a free shuttle to take you to the airport when flight time rolls around.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita