What to do for a few hours post-cruise in FLL

[FOURunderFOUR]

(I x-posted this in the East Coast Departure Forum too. Hope that is ok)

 

We are cruising in late January on the MSC Orchestra. Not sure what time we will actually return to the port and disembark, but our flight home does not leave FLL until 5:45. I know after our RCI cruise last January, we were at the airport by 10am! There will be 4 adults and 5 children (ages 4mos to 5 1/2 years). I can not envision us spending all that time at the airport, especially with the kids. If it were just DH and I we could easily sit somewhere in a lounge with a good book and enjoy some last minutes of solitude. The "early" flights were all too early too book (6am, 9am departures), so there aren't really any other options to try and get out sooner. But other than renting a car for the day and spending a few hours somewhere in FLL, I am not sure what to do. We will have all of our luggage with us as well (including car seats/strollers). Any suggestions? Even if you do not have any recommendations specific to Fort Lauderdale, do you have any advice for dealing with the luggage and the extra time with the kids?

 

TIA!

 

J

[crusinmama06]

I am in the same boat, so to speak, but we'll be in Port Canaveral. I did recently read a post about what to do in FLL....I'll post it here.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=812181

 

Pretty much we are going to rent a car and use it to go sight seeing for the day. From the port to airport in FLL is about 3 miles. So you could go anywhere around the port area and be relativly close to the airport.

[FOURunderFOUR]

Thanks for the link, Michele. Any ideas what to do with luggage if we don't rent a car? There will be 9 of us (incl 5 car seats) so we would need a HUGE van or two cars to fit us all. not sure that would be worth it for 5-6 hours.

 

J

[crusinmama06]

Thanks for the link, Michele. Any ideas what to do with luggage if we don't rent a car? There will be 9 of us (incl 5 car seats) so we would need a HUGE van or two cars to fit us all. not sure that would be worth it for 5-6 hours.

 

J

 

No idea...that's why I rented the car - to hold the luggage...lol.

 

I know on RCCL they have a luggage valet program but we'll be on Disney and you'll be on MSC. The luggage valet program is when the cruiseline takes your luggage to the airport for you.