Post Cruise Time to Kill

[meluvtogocruise]

Hi! It's getting close to cruise time.

:confused:

I have a dilemma.

 

We are flying out of Ft. Lauderdale after our BREEZE cruise. We have way too much time to kill at the Fort Lauderdale airport (that airport has virtually nothing to do).

 

Our flight home leaves FTL at 3:30. Planning on using SAS Transport for our shuttle from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. Does anyone know if they pick up anywhere besides the Port of Miami?

 

Also, would love any ideas for something to do.:)

 

Mel

[beachbum53]

Hi! It's getting close to cruise time.

:confused:

I have a dilemma.

 

We are flying out of Ft. Lauderdale after our BREEZE cruise. We have way too much time to kill at the Fort Lauderdale airport (that airport has virtually nothing to do).

 

Our flight home leaves FTL at 3:30. Planning on using SAS Transport for our shuttle from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. Does anyone know if they pick up anywhere besides the Port of Miami?

 

Also, would love any ideas for something to do.:)

 

Mel

 

1. Be among the last ones off of the ship (between 10:00 -10:30 a.m.). By the time you collect your luggage, go through customs, then head out front to board the shuttle, it'll be 11:30 (or after). That'll kill some of the time.

2. Be among the first to disembark. After you get to the FTL airport and check in your luggage, go grab a taxi or shuttle for a little sight-seeing, brief shopping, or some lunch. Just make sure you're back in time to go through security and head to your gate for boarding.

[momof4boys]

1. Be among the last ones off of the ship (between 10:00 -10:30 a.m.). By the time you collect your luggage, go through customs, then head out front to board the shuttle, it'll be 11:30 (or after). That'll kill some of the time.

2. Be among the first to disembark. After you get to the FTL airport and check in your luggage, go grab a taxi or shuttle for a little sight-seeing, brief shopping, or some lunch. Just make sure you're back in time to go through security and head to your gate for boarding.

 

 

We had a similar situation. Our flight was at 3:30 and on the Freedom we were some of the last to disembark (8:30ish) but with the new FTTF....where people can get to their rooms earlier...they are hustling people off the ship!!!

 

Most airlines do NOT let you check your luggage more than 2 1/2hours before your flight.

 

We flew Southwest and used CCL baggage express where they take your luggage from your hall on the ship the night before debarkation and then you pick it up when you land at home. There are at least 2-3 other airlines that, in conjunction with CCL, offer this service. Well worth the cost! Our friends did not do this and were up a creek with their luggage.

 

FLL airport is AWFUL!!! Security lines were awful and once inside...there is NOTHING to do and very FEW food options!! You may just have todo luggage express then take a cab somewhere.....eat at one of the lovely beach view restaurants in FLL.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[meluvtogocruise]

I gave some thought to renting a car, however, the time available seems a little TOO short to drive up to FTL and do anything fun without a lot of stress. I like your #2 suggestion and may do that. Can you recommend a nice place for lunch near the airport?

 

Thank you,

 

Mel

[meluvtogocruise]

FLL airport is AWFUL!!! Security lines were awful and once inside...there is NOTHING to do and very FEW food options!! You may just have todo luggage express then take a cab somewhere.....eat at one of the lovely beach view restaurants in FLL.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Thanks, that sounds like a great option. Any ideas on a restaurant?

[lovingretirement]

You can't check your luggage at FLL until two hours before your flight is to leave. This has been our experience every time we have checked in. It has always been a long boring wait.

[momof4boys]

We love Fort Lauderdale! (even though the airport is awful!)

 

Depending on the weather, we enjoy the Oasis Cafe..you can google it too!

 

It has some wonderful swinging tables and chairs outside that can help you pass the day away as you watch the action on the beach across the street!

 

If that doesn't look good, you can just walk up the street to see what looks good.

[MszKitty]

 

Depending on the weather, we enjoy the Oasis Cafe..you can google it too!

 

It has some wonderful swinging tables and chairs outside that can help you pass the day away as you watch the action on the beach across the street!

 

 

Oasis Cafe was going to be my suggestion too before I read through the posts and saw you beat me to it. :)

 

http://www.oasiscafefortlauderdalebeach.com/

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

Carnival offers some post cruise excursions like sightseeing in the everglades. I think you have to have a flight no earlier than 3:00 to do it.

[tulipcityfamily]

Carnival offers some post cruise excursions like sightseeing in the everglades. I think you have to have a flight no earlier than 3:00 to do it.

 

Do you know if there are other excurstions besides the everglades tour?

[beans79]

DH and I did a post cruise excursion with Carnival of sight seeing Miami and then shuttle transportaion to FLL airport. It was nice. We were the first few off the ship. They put us on a shuttle, gave us a tour of south beach and then dropped us off for 2 hours to sight see, shop and grab some lunch. Then they picked us up and brought us to the FLL airport in time for our flight.

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

Do you know if there are other excurstions besides the everglades tour?

Most of the ones they offer seem to be taking you back to Miami airport. There is a South Beach Experience for $46 per person, you get a tour and shoping, seems like a good alternative to waiting around the airport

[royalcruz]

If it's a windy/chilly day and you don't want to eat by the beach (Oasis Cafe), take a cab to Las Olas Blvd instead. You'll find something nice there and then you can take a nice stroll through the boutiques and galleries along the boulevard.

[meluvtogocruise]

Wow, Lots of great suggestions! Thank you all.

[SeaCruiser_1]

We live in Florida so we drive but last year our daughter and her fiancé had a later flight so we took them on the Fort Lauderdale water taxi. It was a great and interesting little trip for I think $20 per person. You cruise the intercostal and see some interesting yachts and homes. You can get on and off at any time!

[lone]

We have a similar situation. Arrive POM Dec @8:00AM, flight leaves FLL @6:00PM. We will call Hard Rock Shuttle 305 538 0078 before departure to reserve a shuttle from Holiday Inn Bayside POM to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. They will store our bags until we call for a taxi to the airport which is not far away. The shuttle leaves the Holiday Inn at 11:30 and costs $34.50 per person but they give you most of it back in food and slot play coupons. Bring money.

[meluvtogocruise]

That is awesome. I'm afraid that for us the window is too short as our flight leaves at 3:35.

 

Do you know if there is an earlier shuttle or is the 11:30 the only one?

[lone]

There may other companies that provide transportation, such as taxi. Do an online search. The 11:30 shuttle through Hard Rock Casino is the only one of the day.

[meluvtogocruise]

Thank you! I will continue to research my options. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

Mel

[tulipcityfamily]

 

We flew Southwest and used CCL baggage express where they take your luggage from your hall on the ship the night before debarkation and then you pick it up when you land at home. There are at least 2-3 other airlines that, in conjunction with CCL, offer this service. Well worth the cost! Our friends did not do this and were up a creek with their luggage.

 

 

What is the cost, per a bag, for the CCL baggage express? I'm thinking about doing this, as our plan doesn't leave until 5:30pm.

[smyemar]

We are in the same boat for Jan.12 as our flight departs FLL at 1720 and I was considering renting a room from priceline as cheaply as possible,(bid your own price) and then hopefully relaxing by the pool while our luggage sits in the room? Anyone have any suggestions as to nice hotel close to the airport? Am I crazy to think we might be able to sit by the pool in January?:rolleyes:

[miamiyogi]

Am I crazy to think we might be able to sit by the pool in January?:rolleyes:

 

Not necessarily, it will depend. We have very mild winters here. Right now its 81 degrees and very sunny.

 

We do get occasional cold snaps, the temps will dip down to 30s-40s overnight and it will remain cool (60s-70s) for a few days. Thats way too cold for me, but I have thin blood. My friends from Minnesota love to take me to the beach down here when the temps are in 50s-60s....BRRRRRR

 

So in a nut shell, its just going to be timing, you can check the weather the 3-4 days before and see if we are due for a cold front.