Hotel Shuttle from/to Airport and Cruise Port FLL

[Steamboat Billy]

Newbie first time cruiser out of Fort Lauderdale and was curious regarding a hotel that shuttle services the airport and the cruise terminal.  Prices for hotel: business travelers/ mid-rate is not cheap but not he Taj Mahal either. I plan to arrive a day prior to cruise then straight to airport at the conclusion of the cruise. Or has anyone had a good experience with some other form of transport? 

[Host Kat]

4 minutes ago, Steamboat Billy said:

Newbie first time cruiser out of Fort Lauderdale and was curious regarding a hotel that shuttle services the airport and the cruise terminal.  Prices for hotel: business travelers/ mid-rate is not cheap but not he Taj Mahal either. I plan to arrive a day prior to cruise then straight to airport at the conclusion of the cruise. Or has anyone had a good experience with some other form of transport? 

 

Howdy @Steamboat Billy!! Welcome to Cruise Critic and our message board!!  

 

Since your thread concerns hotels in a specific port of call, I have moved your thread to the Florida Departures forum where it will be on-topic. That's the spot for Florida hotel, transportation, dining & embarkation information.

 

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[capriccio]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! 

 

For tourist information including hotels, transportation, restaurants, etc., take a look at www.sunny.org (Fort Lauderdale tourist board).

 

Some general guidelines when looking for a hotel:

• Price varies greatly depending upon the time of the year.  Summer (hot, rainy and hurricane season) is relatively cheap; winter (Christmas through Easter more or less) is much more expensive because the weather is lovely and that is also the height of the cruising season. 
• Take a look at a map of Fort Lauderdale.  The airport and Port Everglades (the cruise and commercial port) are separated from each other only by a highway.  Folks at the airport can see the ships in port and ship passengers can watch the planes land/take off. 
• Many cruisers who fly in and just spend a night with no real time for sightseeing chose a hotel in the 17th Street area which is closest to Port Everglades.  There are lots of hotels and restaurants in that neighborhood.
• The other two neighborhoods for hotels and restaurants are the Beach and downtown/Las Olas Blvd areas.  Both are great areas if you have more that 1 night to stay.
• There are also reasonably priced hotels near the airport but transportation to the restaurants in the other areas will be more (if that is important) and, if the hotel doesn't offer shuttle service to the port, that transportation will also cost more.
• Regarding transportation:  if a hotel shuttle charges (some do), do the math because the charge is usually per person.  It might be cheaper to get an Uber/Lyft or taxi (usually a bit more expensive than Uber/Lyft but if you have a large group/lots of luggage you can get a van taxi for the same price as a sedan).
• When you disembark there are taxi stands outside each terminal or you can call for an Uber/Lyft.  Have you an idea of what time your flight home will depart?  I ask because in the pre-covid days, any flight after 11 am was considered safe.  I'm not sure anyone has any idea how disembarkation will be handled when cruising starts again.

If you have any questions, just ask.  There are lots of very helpful locals and frequent cruisers out of Florida on this board.

 

[dkjretired]

14 hours ago, Steamboat Billy said:

Newbie first time cruiser out of Fort Lauderdale and was curious regarding a hotel that shuttle services the airport and the cruise terminal.  Prices for hotel: business travelers/ mid-rate is not cheap but not he Taj Mahal either. I plan to arrive a day prior to cruise then straight to airport at the conclusion of the cruise. Or has anyone had a good experience with some other form of transport? 

 

Most cruisers in FLL just use taxi's or Uber for any of the stops in FLL unless there is a limiting reason such as a diability.. The hotels cruisers stay at, pier and airport are so close to each other it is really the best way to go because taxi's are readily available and only 15 to 20 dollars.  Hotel shuttles can give you a good alternative and be inexpensive.    I would not take the cruise lines shuttles as they very often will run around the city picking up other passengers before heading to the pier.

 

Many cruisers stay at the Embassy Suites on S. 17th. St., stayed there many times and it is a good choice.   

[bouhunter]

On 12/22/2020 at 2:07 PM, dkjretired said:

 

Most cruisers in FLL just use taxi's or Uber for any of the stops in FLL unless there is a limiting reason such as a diability.. The hotels cruisers stay at, pier and airport are so close to each other it is really the best way to go because taxi's are readily available and only 15 to 20 dollars.  Hotel shuttles can give you a good alternative and be inexpensive.    I would not take the cruise lines shuttles as they very often will run around the city picking up other passengers before heading to the pier.

 

Many cruisers stay at the Embassy Suites on S. 17th. St., stayed there many times and it is a good choice.   

Second the idea of taxi or uber.  Much more convenient and quick versus hanging out with other guests waiting to pile on a shuttle.  We also like Embassy Suites 17th, and Holiday Inn Express nearby.  There are other hotels in that vicinity too.  It's a good location to stay with a Publix, wine shop, and many restaurants within walking distance.

[Ashland]

Just to add another opinion....We used to stay at Embassy Suites...it has become very tired looking..We now opt for the Hyatt Place which is just behind the ES and next to the above mentioned Harbor Shopping Center...Publix market and restaurants...a favorite of our is Duffy's.

 

Agree completely...use a taxi or Uber for your transportation needs to the cruise port and back to the airport..

Hyatt Place offers a shuttle service from FLL to their hotel for $2.00 per room reservation. Very easy and dependable.

[dkjretired]

18 hours ago, Ashland said:

Just to add another opinion....We used to stay at Embassy Suites...it has become very tired looking..We now opt for the Hyatt Place which is just behind the ES and next to the above mentioned Harbor Shopping Center...Publix market and restaurants...a favorite of our is Duffy's.

 

Agree completely...use a taxi or Uber for your transportation needs to the cruise port and back to the airport..

Hyatt Place offers a shuttle service from FLL to their hotel for $2.00 per room reservation. Very easy and dependable.

Good to know thank you, also, if you use a shuttle from the hotel, check on it and get your name on the list as soon as you check in.  You might not be able to get a good time to go to the pier that meets your needs. 

[alcpa1]

There will be shuttle vans from the pier to the airport BUT in the past they stopped at a few central locations and not all terminals. A cab or Uber/Lyft is the most convenient transportation from door to door if you have luggage and don't want to cross the arrival traffic. 

Join the Roll Call for your cruise and you might just find others sailing on your journey at the same hotel who will arrange a shuttle that is more convenient. 

[Steamboat Billy]

All GREAT advice. Thanks so much. What a valuable resource there is here. Hope to meet some of you!

 

[LeeW]

An example - "hotel" shuttle (it is really a separate company) from 17th street Embassy to Port Everglades ran around $8pp last year and you do need to sign up early at the desk to get preferred time.  However these can sit for quite a while waiting for all the passengers that signed up and will drop off at several terminals.  A cab runs around $12 and takes only your group directly to your ship exactly when you want to leave.  For two people this is far better unless you have more people or luggage than will fit in a cab.  Uber can even be cheaper.

[BoozinCroozin]

If it were me, hotel shuttle from FLL is not bad. Hotel to cruise terminal I would use Uber or Lyft. Probably only about $10-$15 with tip. It is just your party and luggage. Not worth the time and hassle of going with a bunch of others, stopping at multiple terminals to unload.