Best Advice Needed!

[Shore>Mom]

We have a 2:45 flight out of FLL. Can't decide whether to stay on board as late as possible (we havee FTTF) or rent a car at hertz and drive up A1A to Lauderdale for lunch then on to the airport. We absolutely hate FLL so really don't want to hang there. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[therealfoxybrown]

I would stay on board as long as possible (have breakfast) and then head to airport. You may have a little bit of a wait but it won't be too bad. You also have the option for the Everglades Excursion.

[Littlebrookfarm]

If you're talking about the Hertz in Port of Miami, don't waste your time because they will waste yours. We rented from them last week and the lines were horrible, they were handing out pagers and folks were waiting upwards of 2 hours to get a car they'd reserved in advance. We have Hertz Gold and it was still almost an hour long process to get a car.

 

We once did a post-cruise excusion to the Everglades and it was a blast and they drop you off at the airport after...maybe consider something like that.

[Elaine515]

We have a 2:45 flight out of FLL. Can't decide whether to stay on board as late as possible (we havee FTTF) or rent a car at hertz and drive up A1A to Lauderdale for lunch then on to the airport. We absolutely hate FLL so really don't want to hang there. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Personally I would suggest going to breakfast 15 minutes before they close, enjoy a long drawn out breakfast, take your time getting off the ship, don't rush thru Security and then head to the Airport..

 

BTW, having FTTF has nothing to do with getting off the ship... only getting on sooner :)

 

 

 

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[l2f]

FTTF does provide debarkation benefits.

 

From Carnival...

 

Debarkation

We're always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late debarkation time upon arrival to your homeport.

Edited February 23, 2015 by l2f

[Elaine515]

FTTF does provide debarkation benefits.

 

From Carnival...

 

Debarkation

We're always sad to see you go. But when your cruise is over, you may choose an early or late debarkation time upon arrival to your homeport.

 

 

 

thanks I did not know that although.......... if you want late debarkation, just don't leave the ship !!! lol

[Rena921]

You will be told to get off the ship by 10:00 - 10:30 at the latest.

[cccer]

If you're talking about the Hertz in Port of Miami, don't waste your time because they will waste yours. We rented from them last week and the lines were horrible, they were handing out pagers and folks were waiting upwards of 2 hours to get a car they'd reserved in advance. We have Hertz Gold and it was still almost an hour long process to get a car.

 

We once did a post-cruise excusion to the Everglades and it was a blast and they drop you off at the airport after...maybe consider something like that.

 

Agree, the problem with renting a car after a cruise is that the rental agency is waiting for people going on the next cruise to drop their cars off. People get off the cruise around 9-10 but the ones dropping the cars off do not get there until 11-2 or so. This may not always be the case, but twice I have dropped off a car pre-cruise to see many people waiting and no cars on the lot.

[sandij]

they want you out of the cabins by 8:30 so you'll have to hang out somewhere else. Remember everyone has to be off the ship before they can let on the new people.

[Rochesterboatingdotcom]

Never had a problem renting after the cruise. We always rent Alamo or National, take their free shuttle to MIA. If you book in advance you can usually score a car for $35 or or so for a day incl taxes. We got a Mustang Convertible a few weeks back for $50.

[l2f]

thanks I did not know that although.......... if you want late debarkation, just don't leave the ship !!! lol

 

Glad it helped

[Shore>Mom]

Yikes! I get a great discount through USAA for Hertz. If I get off the ship at 9 am do you think I will have trouble getting a rental??? Don't want to wait to get a car. We hope to head up to Fort Lauderdale for brunch before flight.

[JohninDC]

Should not have any issues at the FLL airport location - they are set up for lots of customers there.

[Shore>Mom]

Thanks for the reply but we are trying to get info on post cruise hertz rental car wait time. Op's above posted about excessive wait time for cars. Trying to get feedback from others with the same or better experiences.

[JohninDC]

I rent often from FLL (usually Avis) and have never had an issue waiting for cars - sign up for their programs through USAA and your car should be waiting for you in a designated space with your name on the board and an email on your phone (if you rent through National they will allow you to choose any available car in your category - just pick the one you like from the correct aisle and go).

[Shore>Mom]

I am not renting at FLL I am renting at the hertz that the shuttle takes you to after I get off my cruise. I am dropping off at FLL

[BlueHerons]

We have a 2:45 flight out of FLL. Can't decide whether to stay on board as late as possible (we havee FTTF) or rent a car at hertz and drive up A1A to Lauderdale for lunch then on to the airport. We absolutely hate FLL so really don't want to hang there. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank God you won't have to spend any time in FLL.

 

By the time you get off the ship at 10:30, spend an hour getting your rental car, and it takes you an hour to get up to FLL, that puts you at 12:30 which is a good check in time for your flight.