Ft. Lauderdale Q&A/FAQ

[royalcruz]

Quick question...I know there are a bunch of shuttles at the port and trans to MIA won't be much of an issue just curious as to price for 2 adults. Thanks.

SAS seems to have the best prices. You need a reservation for these shuttles, or you will end up paying about $80 by taxi.

[Puffinater]

SAS seems to have the best prices. You need a reservation for these shuttles, or you will end up paying about $80 by taxi.

 

Are you saying that there are no shuttles waiting at the pier? If so when did that change?

[royalcruz]

Are you saying that there are no shuttles waiting at the pier? If so when did that change?

 

Maybe there are shuttles at the pier like they have at the airports that don't require reservations but I've never heard of them. Re: the above, I just remembered that SAS does not go to MIA. The price $15 that JohninDC posted above for SAS would be from FLL to POM.

Edited May 25, 2011 by royalcruz

[Puffinater]

Maybe there are shuttles at the pier like they have at the airports that don't require reservations but I've never heard of them. Re: the above, I just remembered that SAS does not go to MIA. The price $15 that JohninDC posted above for SAS would be from FLL to POM.

 

 

Thanks for providing the update. I will try to remember to report back what I find.

[PandasRUs]

Our cruise ends in Fort Lauderdale in mid-November. At this point we are planning to spend the night (Sunday), then taking the train to Orlando to visit Disney World. Any suggestions of

1 - where to stay

2 - what to do

3 - and transportation from pier to hotel and hotel to train.

 

Thank you

[royalcruz]

Our cruise ends in Fort Lauderdale in mid-November. At this point we are planning to spend the night (Sunday), then taking the train to Orlando to visit Disney World. Any suggestions of

1 - where to stay

2 - what to do

3 - and transportation from pier to hotel and hotel to train.

 

Thank you

 

You might look at Hampton Inn FLL South or Hyatt Place FLL South. They are close to both the port and Amtrak. They have free breakfast and they are a short walk to shopping, movies, and restaurants. They have free shuttles but you'd have to check to see if they pick up at the port and take you to the train. If not, taxis should be a total of less than $35 for both trips.

[lel5344]

We'll likely be staying at the Marriott Courtyard on Gulf Stream Way in Dania Beach the night before our next cruise.

 

2 questions:

 

Is there someplace within walking distance to buy a couple of bottles of wine?

 

How about places for dinner within walking distance?

 

Or, if neither of the above is really workable, how about a restaurant close to a liquor stoe that's an easy cab ride?

 

Thanks!

[wwinfl91]

If you are getting off the train in Kissimmee, which would probably be closer than Orlando, you should be able to get a taxi that could take you out to Disney. I don't know what it would cost but probably in the $20-30 range.

 

Have a great cruise and then visit to Disneyworld.

[royalcruz]

We'll likely be staying at the Marriott Courtyard on Gulf Stream Way in Dania Beach the night before our next cruise.

 

2 questions:

 

Is there someplace within walking distance to buy a couple of bottles of wine?

 

How about places for dinner within walking distance?

 

Or, if neither of the above is really workable, how about a restaurant close to a liquor stoe that's an easy cab ride?

 

Thanks!

The closest restaurant is Islamorada Fish Company, a seafood chain restaurant. It is very close, maybe a couple of blocks. The next closest are Tropical Acres and Rustic Inn, both about a mile away or just under. I don't know of any wine stores in that area. The closest one I can think of is about 3 miles away, Big Daddy's, on State Rd 84 at SW 9th Ave. There is a restaurant across the street, Old Heidelberg http://www.yelp.com/biz/old-heidelberg-restaurant-and-lounge-fort-lauderdale

[lel5344]

You are always a splendid source of information!

[JohninDC]

Are you saying that there are no shuttles waiting at the pier? If so when did that change?

 

There are shuttles "trolling" POM for customers, but prices tend to be higher than with QLS or SAS and service reports are just average to bad/scary. :eek: You are better off making a reservation and coordinating pick-up via cell phone as you depart the ship.

 

Have a good cruise! :)

[Tom_n_Sara]

Thinking about using a park and go lot for Port Everglades. We've used them for airports, but was wondering about the pick ups after the cruise. Do you just call when you are picking up luggage or do they have a van waiting and leave when full?

 

Any recommendations about which one to use (or not to use :eek: )?

[royalcruz]

:) Happy to help!

You are always a splendid source of information!

[powellzk]

We are staying at the Riverside pre-cruise; What's the best casual/seafood restaurant in the area, where can we get water/soda for the cruise? What's the best transportation to the port?

 

Thanks so much!

[royalcruz]

We are staying at the Riverside pre-cruise; What's the best casual/seafood restaurant in the area, where can we get water/soda for the cruise? What's the best transportation to the port?

 

Thanks so much!

 

CVS at US1 and Broward Blvd is 3 blocks away. Best transport is taxi, under $20-25. I can't think of any casual seafood restaurants in the area. You could take the water taxi to 15th St Fisheries (downstairs bar area is casual food) or Coconuts. There are lots of casual restaurants on Las Olas Blvd, including Big City Tavern, Noodles Panini, Cheesecake Factory, Floridian (diner), and Mangos. A half mile west you will find the Briney on the east side of Riverfront, and some casual restaurants just west of there on 2nd St.

[Jimbo]

Closet car rental agencies to Port Everglades or car rental agencies that have free transfer to the the port in Ft. Lauderdale?

 

Thinking of a one-way rental from Orlando Airport, to tack on a few days at Disney before cruising on Allure of the Seas in October.

 

Jimbo:)

Edited May 29, 2011 by Jimbo

[SandyW]

We fly standby/space available. The flights out of FLL are looking pretty full unless we can make it to the airport fairly early. At the moment, and things could change between now and when we fly, we'd like to try for one of the early flights out of FLL as our cruise returns to Port Everglades.

 

If we don't make that flight we should probably head to MIA where the flights look a little better. Most of what I've read about the shuttles seems to indicate that advance reservations need to be made. How can we do that if we aren't sure we'll need them? Would renting a car be cheaper than the $80 taxi ride? What do you suggest? Thanks!!

[aarep]

We fly standby/space available. The flights out of FLL are looking pretty full unless we can make it to the airport fairly early. At the moment, and things could change between now and when we fly, we'd like to try for one of the early flights out of FLL as our cruise returns to Port Everglades.

 

If we don't make that flight we should probably head to MIA where the flights look a little better. Most of what I've read about the shuttles seems to indicate that advance reservations need to be made. How can we do that if we aren't sure we'll need them? Would renting a car be cheaper than the $80 taxi ride? What do you suggest? Thanks!!

We nonrev also and cruise out of FLL a couple of times a year. Never had to go to MIA but I dont think it is necessary to have reservations to use a shuttle. Prices have been in the $18 to $22 per person range and are probably still about the same. I think a cab is your most expensive way. We have done the opposite a few times from MIA to FLL and the shuttles are not as cheap as to MIA. We have always had good luck in FLL if we arrive on a Saturday rather than a Sunday. In November we arrived on Sunday on the Solstice and didnt get out until Tuesday a.m. Good Luck!

[royalcruz]

We fly standby/space available. The flights out of FLL are looking pretty full unless we can make it to the airport fairly early. At the moment, and things could change between now and when we fly, we'd like to try for one of the early flights out of FLL as our cruise returns to Port Everglades.

 

If we don't make that flight we should probably head to MIA where the flights look a little better. Most of what I've read about the shuttles seems to indicate that advance reservations need to be made. How can we do that if we aren't sure we'll need them? Would renting a car be cheaper than the $80 taxi ride? What do you suggest? Thanks!!

 

I don't think you need reservations for shuttles from the airport. Last year, Supershuttle quoted me $64 from MIA to north Fort Lauderdale for 2, which was cheaper than a taxi. A rental car might be cheaper...I usually get the best car rental quotes through Costco.com and southwest.com.

[Boatman10]

Do you know if there is a shuttle that could get 2 of us from the Westin Beach Hotel to MIA?

Thanks

[royalcruz]

Do you know if there is a shuttle that could get 2 of us from the Westin Beach Hotel to MIA?

Thanks

 

I think Supershuttle will do this.

[SandyW]

AArep, thank you for responding to my post. We use to travel in the spring and fall, but three years ago I started taking care of our granddaughter whose mother is a teacher so I'm now limited to summer time. (Spring Break was a nightmare!) Our ship returns on a Sunday morning at 8AM. There is a FLL flight at 10:05 (the 10:30 having disappeared over the last month or so) that is yellow. The question is can we make that one in time or not. After that all the flights out of FLL are red. On the other hand, all the flights out of MIA are yellow. Should we try for the more desirable - in the hopes of getting home a little sooner - FLL flight, or should we head to MIA. Which would you choose?

 

Royalcruise, thank you so much for responding. You helped me remember what I learned when I used super shuttle for the first time in LA. I believe I was informed that you pay a little less with reservations than you do as a walk on.

 

I have a few more days before I need to decide....Thanks again!

[aarep]

AArep, thank you for responding to my post. We use to travel in the spring and fall, but three years ago I started taking care of our granddaughter whose mother is a teacher so I'm now limited to summer time. (Spring Break was a nightmare!) Our ship returns on a Sunday morning at 8AM. There is a FLL flight at 10:05 (the 10:30 having disappeared over the last month or so) that is yellow. The question is can we make that one in time or not. After that all the flights out of FLL are red. On the other hand, all the flights out of MIA are yellow. Should we try for the more desirable - in the hopes of getting home a little sooner - FLL flight, or should we head to MIA. Which would you choose?

 

Royalcruise, thank you so much for responding. You helped me remember what I learned when I used super shuttle for the first time in LA. I believe I was informed that you pay a little less with reservations than you do as a walk on.

 

I have a few more days before I need to decide....Thanks again!

Sandy, I dont think I would consider FLL. For one thing you could possibly make the 1005am flight but it would be risky. Also if you did make it, that means that revenue passengers who booked the later flight would make it also and decide to stand by for the earlier flight. This has happened to us several times when we have tried to leave FLL on the day our cruise arrived. Most of the time we now stay over until the next day and try for the first flight out. Personally I would just take a cab to FLL for $12 or $15 and then take GO Shuttle or one of the others to MIA for about $20 pp. Also you could check when you get off of the ship since there are always some shuttles that might take you from the pier for about the same price. Since there are more flights out of MIA to DFW I think your chances would be better. We used to go the day before our cruises but now have started going at least 2 and most of the times 3 days prior and then staying over one night. I mentioned that in Nov we made the mistake of trying to get out on a Sunday a.m. and really had a problem. Again, good luck with whatever you decide.

Edited May 31, 2011 by aarep

[nancyfancy40]

Could some of you florida specialist help me out.

 

I have been looking up the prices of FLL arrivals and they are very expensive :eek:and not all that great for time. Would we be better off going to another city and, if so is there some sort of shuttle that could take us there. Not sure we would save anythin, but was just thinking.

 

Nancy

[JohninDC]

Cruising from Port Everglades? Flying in at least one day early? You have lots of options.

 

Palm Beach (PBI) is just up the road, and Miami (MIA) is just south - although there are some shuttle options, renting a car will be your best bet (cheaper and more convenient).

 

Farther out, but still possible are Orlando (MCO) - about a 3.5 hour drive, and Tampa (TPA) - about a 5 hour drive.

 

Good luck! :)