HELP!!!! Pre Cruise hotel in Fort Lauderdale

[SpideyHulk24]

Hey there. I have never cruised on the Freedom and have never left from Port Everglades. Can anyone tell me of any hotels close by to the port as well as Sawgrass Mills? There is a huge shopping center out there we would love to check out and not sure how close it is to the port.

 

Thanks in advance!

[megr1125]

it's 30-45 minutes from the port....are you going to have a car??

 

you might want to go to the Fla section of the east coast homeports board for lots of advice....

 

we'd need a budget and what you're looking for....shuttles, near beach, shopping etc...(to tell the truth, sawgrass is HUGE....you'd need a full day or more, and depending on where you're from, the bargains aren't that great..(sorry, been there, done that, spent 20 years in retail!:rolleyes:)

 

so check out the Fla board............and list as much info as you can...

[Payd]

Hey there. I have never cruised on the Freedom and have never left from Port Everglades. Can anyone tell me of any hotels close by to the port as well as Sawgrass Mills? There is a huge shopping center out there we would love to check out and not sure how close it is to the port.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

I agree with the other poster...Sawgrass Mills is a long drive and really not worth it IMO.

 

As for port hotels there are lots - we had a short stay 8 or 10 hours at the Extended Stay - very convenient and well located on the 17th St Causeway.

[Lv2Camp&Cruise]

We stayed at the Ft lauderdale Grand a couple of years ago. We could sit up in the bed and watch the casino ships and cruise ships come and go. The draw bridge was right in front of us and we were able to walk it and take great pics.

[SAAdds1]

You could check out Springhill Suites in Dania Beach. They offer a shuttle to the port.

[Cruisegal514]

We stayed at the Ft lauderdale Grand a couple of years ago. We could sit up in the bed and watch the casino ships and cruise ships come and go. The draw bridge was right in front of us and we were able to walk it and take great pics.

 

We just stayed there this past March, great hotel the FLL Grand is and yes, what a view.....Will stay there again for our next cruise out of FLL.

[tiggerman101]

I just booked Embassy Suites for my October Freedom cruise. It was $209 for a king suite with a balcony. It is right by the airport and a few blocks down from the port. It looks like it has a great pool area and a lot of stuff near it. Plus you get a free cooked to order breakfast in the morning.

[bonniemari]

We just stayed there this past March, great hotel the FLL Grand is and yes, what a view.....Will stay there again for our next cruise out of FLL.

 

Is this the same hotel that is now the Hilton Marina? I was looking at this hotel for our August 23 Freedom cruise and it said it was formerly the FLL Grand.

[crusnbee]

Stayed in the Holiday Inn Express on our last trip - so close to the port we could've walked if we hadn't had so much luggage. Free transfers from the airport, but had to pay for the shuttle to the ship - I can't remember the cost but it wasn't too much. Have also stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn - nice hotel too and they had free transfers to and from both the airport and the port.

CJ

[popcorngal]

Is this the same hotel that is now the Hilton Marina? I was looking at this hotel for our August 23 Freedom cruise and it said it was formerly the FLL Grand.

 

The hotel is now called the Fort Lauderdale Grande. Previously it was known as the Marina Marriott. We've stayed there twice and although it is very nice and offers great views, the prices can be really outrageous. We've also stayed at the Extended Stay on 17th, and this year at the Ramada Airport/Cruiseport. We loved it there and they offer the free airport and port shuttle, along with a nice free breakfast. And the rates are very reasonable.

[Thamsey]

I stayed at the Grand last October, love. love this hotel they had a special rate of 129 in January the same room was mid 300's. Check it out to see if special rates, lovely hotel and just outside of it you can catch the water taxis.

[royalcruz]

I just booked rodeway inn ft lauderdale. They pick u up at airport , free shuttle to cruise, and free breakfast. I have searched trip advisor dot com and there are nothing but rave reviews, and.. the price is only $79 for a king suite. Sawgrass is 4 miles from the rodeway, check it out, and for your peace of mind, check out the review at trip advisor.

 

This information is incorrect. Rodeway Inn FLL is 14 miles away from Sawgrass Mills. Cabfare would be quite high. Cheapest way is to rent a car if you stay there.

 

The Hampton Inn in Plantation provides free airport & cruiseport shuttles and is more like 4 miles away from Sawgrass Mills mall. It has been well reviewed by cruisecritic members and has several restaurants a block away. This may be just what you are looking for.

 

If you like shopping, you will love Sawgrass Mills...have a great trip!

[ahornb]

I'm confused. Isn't the Fort Lauderdale Grande on 17th street now the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina? I mean they're the same hotel, right?

[lsane2]

I'm confused. Isn't the Fort Lauderdale Grande on 17th street now the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina? I mean they're the same hotel, right?

 

Yes, they're the same hotel. We stayed there one night postcruise April 4. I think along with the name change came a price increase.:rolleyes: I kept checking Hilton's website because I really wanted the Embassy for that night, but they were booked up. When I noticed the name had changed, I checked availability, and the price had increased around $50 a night for April 4 for the same type room we had.

 

We stayed at the Embassy before our cruise and I would definitely stay there again! The Grande was ok, but I thought it was overpriced. And that was before the $3.50 Sprite my DD got by the pool.

[ahornb]

Yes, they're the same hotel. We stayed there one night postcruise April 4. I think along with the name change came a price increase.:rolleyes: I kept checking Hilton's website because I really wanted the Embassy for that night, but they were booked up. When I noticed the name had changed, I checked availability, and the price had increased around $50 a night for April 4 for the same type room we had.

 

We stayed at the Embassy before our cruise and I would definitely stay there again! The Grande was ok, but I thought it was overpriced. And that was before the $3.50 Sprite my DD got by the pool.

 

Thanks!

Is the Embassy Suites closer to port?

[taxmantoo]

Thanks!

Is the Embassy Suites closer to port?

 

The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina (or Grande) is directly across the street from the port.

 

The Embassy Suites are approximately 2-3 blocks away.

 

Either way, it is a very big port and a taxi or shuttle is still required.

[SpideyHulk24]

Thank you to all of you! We will have a car so that will not be a problem. We want to be close to the port and things to do in the area prior the cruise. Also, how much is parking at the port?

 

Thanks again!

[Esmerelda]

Our last time into Florida to cruise, we stayed at the Embassy Suites/FLL. It has a terrific view of the Port of Ft Lauderdale. The hotel was great, the room was huge and clean, free breakfast..drinks in the evenings. I really could come up with absolutely nothing bad about it.

 

We are cruising out of Miami again this August and we are already booked at the ES again in Ft Lauderdale. We got a great rate of $112 per night if you are a Hilton Honor member (check out HiltonfamilyMVP.com). We could see all the cruise ships from our balcony. It was really great.

 

http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/FLLSOES-Embassy-Suites-Fort-Lauderdale-th-Street-Florida/index.do;jsessionid=0AB07A9EDF4F1CF83BF3C21A6DD74996.etc63?brand_id=ES&brand_directory=/en/es/&xch=397128603,RBZVQ5RTYTLIYCSGBIWM22Q

 

Have a great cruise!

[royalcruz]

Thank you to all of you! We will have a car so that will not be a problem. We want to be close to the port and things to do in the area prior the cruise. Also, how much is parking at the port?

 

Thanks again!

 

parking prices are listed on the port everglades website

[gt95stang]

If you haven't already seen it, check my post about the Hollywood Beach Marriott for $79/night.

[Northender]

Esmerelda, I am probably too far out, but interested in ES for April, 2010.

Right now it shows over $300 including taxes for one night:eek:

 

There will be three or four ships sailing at the same time. How did you get the $112 rate????? Am I just too early?

 

Thanks

[Esmerelda]

If you are a Hilton Honor member, you can go to a special website;

 

http://www.hiltonfamilymvp.com

 

The rates on there now probably don't go into 2010 but it never hurts to check.

 

Good luck! :)

[pooh/tigger]

Regarding ES on 17th street, looking at making reservations for Nov, we have choice of city view or East view, I'm thinking East view would be best, correct? I was thinking East view would face the port.

 

Thanks

[huxlemo]

Regarding ES on 17th street, looking at making reservations for Nov, we have choice of city view or East view, I'm thinking East view would be best, correct? I was thinking East view would face the port.

 

Thanks

 

You are correct.

[bonniemari]

If you are a Hilton Honor member, you can go to a special website;

 

http://www.hiltonfamilymvp.com

 

The rates on there now probably don't go into 2010 but it never hurts to check.

 

Good luck! :)

 

 

Esmerelda-just wanted to say thanks. I had booked with ES using the senior rate and when I read your post I went back and checked the rate with at this website. I am an HH member and I just saved $60.00 on our 2 night pre cruise stay in August.

 

I owe you one and if we ever sail on the same sailing your drink of choice is on me.