SpideyHulk24 Posted April 20, 2009 #1 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megr1125 Posted April 20, 2009 #2 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payd Posted April 20, 2009 #3 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lv2Camp&Cruise Posted April 20, 2009 #4 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAAdds1 Posted April 20, 2009 #5 Share Posted April 20, 2009 You could check out Springhill Suites in Dania Beach. They offer a shuttle to the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisegal514 Posted April 20, 2009 #6 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiggerman101 Posted April 20, 2009 #7 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonniemari Posted April 20, 2009 #8 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusnbee Posted April 20, 2009 #9 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popcorngal Posted April 20, 2009 #10 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thamsey Posted April 20, 2009 #11 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalcruz Posted April 20, 2009 #12 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahornb Posted April 20, 2009 #13 Share Posted April 20, 2009 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsane2 Posted April 21, 2009 #14 Share Posted April 21, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahornb Posted April 21, 2009 #15 Share Posted April 21, 2009 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxmantoo Posted April 21, 2009 #16 Share Posted April 21, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpideyHulk24 Posted April 22, 2009 Author #17 Share Posted April 22, 2009 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmerelda Posted April 23, 2009 #18 Share Posted April 23, 2009 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royalcruz Posted April 23, 2009 #19 Share Posted April 23, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt95stang Posted April 23, 2009 #20 Share Posted April 23, 2009 If you haven't already seen it, check my post about the Hollywood Beach Marriott for $79/night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northender Posted April 25, 2009 #21 Share Posted April 25, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esmerelda Posted April 25, 2009 #22 Share Posted April 25, 2009 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! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pooh/tigger Posted April 25, 2009 #23 Share Posted April 25, 2009 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huxlemo Posted April 26, 2009 #24 Share Posted April 26, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonniemari Posted April 26, 2009 #25 Share Posted April 26, 2009 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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