Fort Lauderdale Hotel Recommendation

[LeeW]

I am looking at the Embassy Suites for next January. There is a $48 difference between the room rate and the Cruise Ft. Lauderdale rate, which includes shuttle from the airport to the hotel and shuttle for 2 people to the port the next day. Would you just do the cheaper rate and arrange your own transportation (airport to hotel and hotel to port) or do the $48 higher rate with the hotel transportation? Both rates include the other amenities (cooked to order breakfast, etc.).

 

Agree with Colo Cruiser. The rate is roughly a wash since it will be about $20 with tip to the hotel (Embassy and most hotels don't have free shuttles). We have gone out in the morning to get a cab and had the bellman put us on a shuttle that needed a few more passengers for $6 each. Lots of folks were waiting around for their later scheduled shuttle. For flexibility, avoid the cruise package. By the way, the breakfast lines can be very long, but there is a lot of seating in the atrium.

[Northender]

I am looking at the Embassy Suites for next January. There is a $48 difference between the room rate and the Cruise Ft. Lauderdale rate, which includes shuttle from the airport to the hotel and shuttle for 2 people to the port the next day. Would you just do the cheaper rate and arrange your own transportation (airport to hotel and hotel to port) or do the $48 higher rate with the hotel transportation? Both rates include the other amenities (cooked to order breakfast, etc.).

 

The taxi from Airport to hotel is about $20 + tip

Shuttle to Port is appx. $8.00pp

 

Make sure it is a refundable rate.:)

 

I am not sure, but if you have to call the hotel to let them know you are at the airport and have your luggage, you might have a wait, depending on where the shuttle might be. I would check this out. We waited one time for 45 minutes for a hotel shuttle (not E/S).

Edited February 19, 2016 by Northender
typos

[JEDMELK]

When we cruise out of Port Everglades, our preference is 17th Street area- in particular, we like the Embassy Suites but, that is only our preference.

 

The Harbor Shops is the shopping center located behind the Embassy and there is the Publix Supermarket along with Total Wine and several other stores and restaurants. Or, walk across to the other side of 17th St and have another huge selection of stores and restaurants.

 

There are many hotels in this area and are all pretty conveniently located to shopping and restaurants. All are just a short taxi ride from the airport and to the port.

 

When we were there in December, our taxi from airpot to Embassy was $16.60 (including $3 airport surcharge) and from hotel to ship was only $8.10.

 

Hopefully, this helps although there is plenty of this all over the Florida Departures section here.

 

Jed

[cruiseapril]

Embassy Suites and Holiday Inn Express on 17th St. are good and near each other. ES has more amenities- however HIEx has an airport shuttle.

[cheeseclan]

We were at the ES for our NYE cruise and it was awful. The staff was rude the the rooms are old and outdated. They need to do a major overhaul of the place. I will never stay there again. The only thing that was good about it was the location and the okay breakfast.

[Lionesss]

Another vote for Embassy suites.

 

Close to shopping and dinning venues.

 

Managers evening reception.

 

Awesome breakfast buffet has everything and I mean everything, free.

 

Offers a shuttle for a fee to port, but we do the cab.

 

Pretty pool

 

Enjoy

[PORT ROYAL]

We are cruise newbies and would appreciate help from the Cruise Critic population.

 

We are departing on our Princess Panama Canal cruise from Fort Lauderdale, FL. We would appreciate hotel recommendations. We will fly into Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise departs. We are not planning to sightsee while we are in town.

 

Primary considerations would include:

 

- Proximity to where the Coral Princess will be docked/ease of getting to the ship. Assume we would take taxi cab from hotel. Correct?

 

- Restaurant(s) within walking distance or hotel has restaurant.

 

- Shuttle availability from Ft. Lauderdale airport to hotel (not familiar with geography, so don't know distance involved or taxi fare).

 

- Though less important, proximity of a supermarket or similar type store in case we need to purchase any last-minute cruise necessities.

 

Recommendations?

 

The Pilars every time.

[cheeseclan]

Not sure why everyone thinks the managers reception is that great. It is some drinks and really bad snack food that has come out of a bag.

Used to be that it was great food but not now. IMHO not worth staying there if this is why.