Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ

[royalcruz]

Thanks for that info Royalcruz. I had seen the tatoo parlors on google map, but I'm glad you've said the area is safe. (I joked with my friend that I was going to get a tatoo for my 50th birthday - maybe not so much of a joke now!!!) :p I wonder what DH will say if I come back from a vacation with a tatoo??? :confused:

 

Uh oh!!!:eek: Since you will have a car, I would suggest a plan to spend an evening on Las Olas Blvd downtown. It's about 2 miles west of the beach. Dress is smart casual or better and there are lots of restaurants, shops, and galleries to browse.

[Charleyann]

Looking for a hotel near Sawgrass Outlet Mall with shuttle service to Ft Lauderdale airport.

 

Thanks

 

Charleyann

Edited May 27, 2010 by Charleyann

[royalcruz]

Looking for a hotel near Sawgrass Outlet Mall with shuttle service to Ft Lauderdale airport.

 

Thanks

 

Charleyann

 

Try Hyatt Place, LaQuinta, and Hampton Inn in Plantation. I think they offer free airport shuttles and are only a few miles from the mall. Hampton might even offer free mall shuttle if available.

[OttawaCountess]

Uh oh!!!:eek: Since you will have a car, I would suggest a plan to spend an evening on Las Olas Blvd downtown. It's about 2 miles west of the beach. Dress is smart casual or better and there are lots of restaurants, shops, and galleries to browse.

 

Now that sounds like a wonderful idea! Is it easy to find parking? What would be your recommendation for a restaurant? and would we need reservations.

[cowprintrabbit]

We are trying to decide between the Embassy Suites Ft Lauderdale and the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina, both on 17th. We'll be using Hilton points from my husband's business travel to stay there the night before our cruise. The most important thing to us us walking distance to the entrance of the cruise terminal - they both claim to be close to the terminal itself. We're leaning toward the Hilton Marina?

[royalcruz]

We are trying to decide between the Embassy Suites Ft Lauderdale and the Hilton Ft Lauderdale Marina, both on 17th. We'll be using Hilton points from my husband's business travel to stay there the night before our cruise. The most important thing to us us walking distance to the entrance of the cruise terminal - they both claim to be close to the terminal itself. We're leaning toward the Hilton Marina?

 

Hilton Marina might be one block closer to the port entrance but ES is closer to lots of restaurants and stores and includes free happy hour and breakfast.

[royalcruz]

Now that sounds like a wonderful idea! Is it easy to find parking? What would be your recommendation for a restaurant? and would we need reservations.

 

Las Olas has street parking and lots of parking lots behind the main street on both sides (lots and garages). Some meters require quarters and some take credit cards. Some of the restaurants on the far west end have valet parking (Jackson's steakhouse, Yolo, maybe Samba Room). To get there, drive south on A1A, make a right on Las Olas Blvd and drive about 2 miles.

 

There are so many good restaurants, as you can see from this list. http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/new/dining.htm

If you just want something casual, try Mango's, Smith & Jones, Big City Tavern or Noodles Panini. There is a Cheesecake Factory, but it's a chain. If you want more gourmet upscale dining, I love Johnny V's. Samba Room, Solita, and Yolo have more of a nightclub atmosphere and are somewhat pricy, not my sort of places but you might enjoy it. The cool thing is that all of these places have outdoor dining. If you and your friends like Japanese Hibachi, Japanese Village Steakhouse is good (indoors only). Some places take reservations, or you can walk in and put your names down and then go shopping. A lot of places will call you on your cell phone when your table is ready.

[OttawaCountess]

Las Olas has street parking and lots of parking lots behind the main street on both sides (lots and garages). Some meters require quarters and some take credit cards. Some of the restaurants on the far west end have valet parking (Jackson's steakhouse, Yolo, maybe Samba Room). To get there, drive south on A1A, make a right on Las Olas Blvd and drive about 2 miles.

 

There are so many good restaurants, as you can see from this list. http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/new/dining.htm

If you just want something casual, try Mango's, Smith & Jones, Big City Tavern or Noodles Panini. There is a Cheesecake Factory, but it's a chain. If you want more gourmet upscale dining, I love Johnny V's. Samba Room, Solita, and Yolo have more of a nightclub atmosphere and are somewhat pricy, not my sort of places but you might enjoy it. The cool thing is that all of these places have outdoor dining. If you and your friends like Japanese Hibachi, Japanese Village Steakhouse is good (indoors only). Some places take reservations, or you can walk in and put your names down and then go shopping. A lot of places will call you on your cell phone when your table is ready.

 

Thank you again Royalcruz - I think we will be more interested in the casual dining and I love that these places have outside dining. (In November we can't eat outside here - brrrrrr!) :D Thanks for the info on parking too. You have been a great help to our group.

[NoWhiners]

Hi royalcruz (and anyone else who might know)

 

We are taking a HAL cruise that departs Port Everglades on April 15, 2011 (tax day!!). I have read about hotel rates being high in winter and into spring. Can you speculate on whether this time will fall into "high" season or not? Just trying to budget and get my bidding strategy together for PL.

 

Also, we are going to fly into Orlando a few days early and go do some of our favorite things there pre-cruise (Disney, Universal Harry Potter, visit Orlando Ale house often, etc). We will rent a cat thru PL and drive to FLL to meet up with the rest of the gang going with us on the cruise. I know we can get decent hotels further away from the cruiseport and was wondering if you have suggestions about other PL areas to bid in--maybe some are closer or too far away, even with a car, parking fees at the hotels, just stuff like that. Since we will bid for rooms on PL and don't care about what hotel we get, as long it is at least 3.5 stars, we don't need specific recommendations, just insights.

 

Any advantage in bidding now for our room for 1 night? I understand the no refund PL policy.

 

Thanks for the help!

Mary Lynn

[cowprintrabbit]

Hilton Marina might be one block closer to the port entrance but ES is closer to lots of restaurants and stores and includes free happy hour and breakfast.

 

Thanks for the info! For one night, I don't think we'll be venturing out of the hotel; and that one block makes a huge difference when I have a 22" pullman, a spinner garment bag, a carryon and my camera bag :o

[texkan]

Hi royalcruz (and anyone else who might know)

 

We are taking a HAL cruise that departs Port Everglades on April 15, 2011 (tax day!!). I have read about hotel rates being high in winter and into spring. Can you speculate on whether this time will fall into "high" season or not? Just trying to budget and get my bidding strategy together for PL.

 

Also, we are going to fly into Orlando a few days early and go do some of our favorite things there pre-cruise (Disney, Universal Harry Potter, visit Orlando Ale house often, etc). We will rent a cat thru PL and drive to FLL to meet up with the rest of the gang going with us on the cruise. I know we can get decent hotels further away from the cruiseport and was wondering if you have suggestions about other PL areas to bid in--maybe some are closer or too far away, even with a car, parking fees at the hotels, just stuff like that. Since we will bid for rooms on PL and don't care about what hotel we get, as long it is at least 3.5 stars, we don't need specific recommendations, just insights.

 

Any advantage in bidding now for our room for 1 night? I understand the no refund PL policy.

 

Thanks for the help!

 

Mary Lynn

 

We cruised from Fort Lauderdale this past April 18, 10. IMO the rates drop April 1 thru

Oct 31.

 

We are cruising March, 2011, and in my research the rates will be in high season.

[royalcruz]

Hi royalcruz (and anyone else who might know)

 

We are taking a HAL cruise that departs Port Everglades on April 15, 2011 (tax day!!). I have read about hotel rates being high in winter and into spring. Can you speculate on whether this time will fall into "high" season or not? Just trying to budget and get my bidding strategy together for PL.

 

Also, we are going to fly into Orlando a few days early and go do some of our favorite things there pre-cruise (Disney, Universal Harry Potter, visit Orlando Ale house often, etc). We will rent a cat thru PL and drive to FLL to meet up with the rest of the gang going with us on the cruise. I know we can get decent hotels further away from the cruiseport and was wondering if you have suggestions about other PL areas to bid in--maybe some are closer or too far away, even with a car, parking fees at the hotels, just stuff like that. Since we will bid for rooms on PL and don't care about what hotel we get, as long it is at least 3.5 stars, we don't need specific recommendations, just insights.

 

Any advantage in bidding now for our room for 1 night? I understand the no refund PL policy.

 

Thanks for the help!

Mary Lynn

 

Hotel season ends May 1st, so April is usually more expensive.

As long as you are bidding Pricelin 3.5* and up, try Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale north and Fort Lauderdale Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale airport zones. Many of the 3 and 4 star hotels have parking fees. Avoid Fort Lauderdale west, as you could end up in Westin/Bonaventure which is pretty far west.

[royalcruz]

Thanks for the info! For one night, I don't think we'll be venturing out of the hotel; and that one block makes a huge difference when I have a 22" pullman, a spinner garment bag, a carryon and my camera bag :o

 

Make sure that your ship is going to be in the first 3 piers if you are going to walk. Even that is almost a half a mile and that's a lot of schlepping. 99% of people take a taxi.

[marcyjane]

Hyatt Place FLL north (Publix, Winn Dixie)

Holiday Inn Express Convention Center (same as above, might not have free cruisport shuttle but it's under $15 in cab fare)

Hampton Inn airport north on 12th ave (Winn Dixie, Big Lots)

Hampton Inn Stirling Road in Hollywood (Kmart and BJs)

 

royalcruz & other cruise critic members

 

What do you think?

 

After looking and price checking and talking with the cruise lines we can get the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel for less than hotel's website price & a little over 1/2 price for the Hyatt Place if we book with the cruise lines. Also it has free shuttle pickup at the airport and free shuttle to port everglades (tip driver of course).

 

We talked about the Hyatt Place you and others suggested because it looks so nice and near publix to pick up soda's but, since we are only going to be there for about

4 hours or less before bed time and then couple of hours before boarding shuttle to port we think the difference in price will save us money to spend elsewhere.

 

Hope you think this will be ok and work for us. Just hope that maybe we can find a mini mart near by for soda's before boarding ship. If not we will pick some up in first port.

 

We will be calling the cruise line back this week-end to add hotel but, would like your opinion on this as well. Just happen to think with the Holiday week-end you might be out and about and not be reading or posting to the boards. If that's the case we can wait and call them one day next week cause we still have plenty of time.

 

Thank you so much for your help and posting information on here for all of us cruisers.

[NoWhiners]

Thanks TexKan and Royalcruz--just what I needed!

 

It's just one night, so I guess I will just be prepared to pay a bit more. great to know what areas to avoid! I was thinking Boca was too far away so this is also a good tip.

 

thanks again and enjoy the holiday weekend

ML

[jspirit]

royalcruz & other cruise critic members

 

What do you think?

 

After looking and price checking and talking with the cruise lines we can get the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel for less than hotel's website price & a little over 1/2 price for the Hyatt Place if we book with the cruise lines. Also it has free shuttle pickup at the airport and free shuttle to port everglades (tip driver of course).

 

We talked about the Hyatt Place you and others suggested because it looks so nice and near publix to pick up soda's but, since we are only going to be there for about

4 hours or less before bed time and then couple of hours before boarding shuttle to port we think the difference in price will save us money to spend elsewhere.

 

Hope you think this will be ok and work for us. Just hope that maybe we can find a mini mart near by for soda's before boarding ship. If not we will pick some up in first port.

 

We will be calling the cruise line back this week-end to add hotel but, would like your opinion on this as well. Just happen to think with the Holiday week-end you might be out and about and not be reading or posting to the boards. If that's the case we can wait and call them one day next week cause we still have plenty of time.

 

Thank you so much for your help and posting information on here for all of us cruisers.

 

Just want to mention that the cruiseline usually posts pre and post cruise hotel prices per person. Make sure you are comparing the right prices. The hotel website prices you see online are mostly per room, based on double occupancy.

[marcyjane]

You are right and I will double check that right now.

Thanks so much!

Marcy

[marcyjane]

jspirt,

Just doubled checked it is cheaper with the cruise line even at per person. I would have thought not after you reminded me to check but it was not a big lot but any money saved on one cruise helps.

Thanks again so much;)

Marcy

[royalcruz]

royalcruz & other cruise critic members

 

What do you think?

 

After looking and price checking and talking with the cruise lines we can get the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port Hotel for less than hotel's website price & a little over 1/2 price for the Hyatt Place if we book with the cruise lines. Also it has free shuttle pickup at the airport and free shuttle to port everglades (tip driver of course).

 

We talked about the Hyatt Place you and others suggested because it looks so nice and near publix to pick up soda's but, since we are only going to be there for about

4 hours or less before bed time and then couple of hours before boarding shuttle to port we think the difference in price will save us money to spend elsewhere.

 

Hope you think this will be ok and work for us. Just hope that maybe we can find a mini mart near by for soda's before boarding ship. If not we will pick some up in first port.

 

We will be calling the cruise line back this week-end to add hotel but, would like your opinion on this as well. Just happen to think with the Holiday week-end you might be out and about and not be reading or posting to the boards. If that's the case we can wait and call them one day next week cause we still have plenty of time.

 

Thank you so much for your help and posting information on here for all of us cruisers.

 

I think the hotel will be fine and there is a restaurant next door, Islamorada Fish Co (it's not great, like Red Lobster, but it's fine). I'm not sure if there is a store or a gas station near there to buy soda, as there isn't much on Griffin Rd, so I would suggest calling the hotel directly to ask this.

[royalcruz]

Thanks TexKan and Royalcruz--just what I needed!

 

It's just one night, so I guess I will just be prepared to pay a bit more. great to know what areas to avoid! I was thinking Boca was too far away so this is also a good tip.

 

thanks again and enjoy the holiday weekend

ML

 

Most Boca RatonDeerfield locations are within 45 minutes of the cruiseport, mostly highway, and it is a very nice city, safe with lots of shopping and restaurants. It's on the way down from Orlando (turnpike or I95).

Edited May 29, 2010 by royalcruz

[jspirit]

jspirt,

 

Just doubled checked it is cheaper with the cruise line even at per person. I would have thought not after you reminded me to check but it was not a big lot but any money saved on one cruise helps.

 

Thanks again so much;)

Marcy

 

You're welcome. Glad it will work out for you!

[Nana G]

HELP!!! Trying to decide between Comfort Inn on Stirling or Comfort Suites on Federal Highway. We won't have a car and would like dinner to not be a far walk(more than 3 blocks), Also would like to get beer to take on ship. Which would you say is best?

Thanks

[urbanhawk]

Any info about the Seminole Casino, or the Seminole Hard Rock Cafe/Casino? Specifically, the area/neighborhood.... Looks like they are very close to each other. They look fairly close by cab from one of the hotels Nana G was asking about-the Comfort Inn on Stirling....Thanks.

[marcyjane]

urbanhawk,

Just wanted to say I love your cruise ship with date in your signature. Where did you get that.

Thanks,

Marcy

[urbanhawk]

urbanhawk,

Just wanted to say I love your cruise ship with date in your signature. Where did you get that.

 

Thanks,

Marcy

 

Marcy-It is cool!:cool: Some folks on our roll call had it as part of their sigs, so I just copied and pasted it!:D Steve