Transport to/from Fort Lauderdale and Miami port?

[SurroBear]

This is our first Disney cruise and only our 2nd cruise ever (first was on Carnival in January 2007). We're flying in the night before and leaving the afternoon the ship returns. What would be the easiest way to get to/from the ship. I assumed they'd have a shuttle but they only have a shuttle from Miami airport. I'm assuming a cab? We're a family of 5 so we'd either need 2 cars or a van I'd assume. Is this going to be the best way to get from one point to the other or is there an easier way?

 

[Capt_BJ]

correct, DCL only shuttles from MIA, and even then only 'same day of cruise' so you are on your own. There are a number of shuttle services and these charge per person .... a taxi will charge per vehicle so the question becomes how much luggage will you have. If you can fit in to one taxi that will probably be your best price - there are minivan and SUV types available.

this site will show you that a shared shuttle is $25 per person while a taxi is $76 to POM .... Lauderdale taxi are all metered so your cost to a hotel near the port should be similar http://www.broward.org/Airport/Transportation/Pages/Default.aspx

OR seek out a private car service . . . .

 

[lizabu]

We're planning to save a little money and fly into FLL. We're going to spend the night before the cruise in Fort Lauderdale and I read a recommendation on this board for SAS shuttle company. I found their website and I can see they charge $15 per person per way. They pick up at FLL and a number of Fort Lauderdale area hotels which are listed on their website.

 

[anricat]

We are also booked with SAS. Now if I could just get them to answer me regarding car seats. Since it isn't a bus or something, aren't kids required to have car seats? Anyone gone with SAS and can pipe up about car seats?

 

[darwinsrule]

Used SAS on a few trips now. Thankfully however the kids have been old enough that it wasn't and issue. SAS has no car seats. They use primarily 15 seat passenger vans. If Florida is anything like Ontario that technically gives them an exemption. Assuming you are bringing your own seat for the plane you may want to look at something like GO Airport Shuttle for a private town-car/SUV. Then in theory you could just pop the seat in to the SUV. GO however will run you a bit more. Last time we used them it was $90 to our hotel in Miami.

 

[anricat]

Thanks for the update. My daughter is a very tiny 7 year old (just barely 40 lbs now) and still uses a high back booster. She's almost heavy enough for backless. Almost. Sheesh. Tiny kids. I have mega car seat envy whenever I see people casually wandering the airport with one of those backless numbers.

I guess I need to take a seat. How irritating.

 

[darwinsrule]

Thanks for the update. My daughter is a very tiny 7 year old (just barely 40 lbs now) and still uses a high back booster. She's almost heavy enough for backless. Almost. Sheesh. Tiny kids. I have mega car seat envy whenever I see people casually wandering the airport with one of those backless numbers.

I guess I need to take a seat. How irritating.

Wow. And I thought DD7 was small. Little over 7 and is 45 lbs. Just having a booster would make it easier. Something to consider, check out the CARES child restraint system. Used it on the plane to avoid having to do the big car seat. Doesn't help with the car transportation however.

 

[anricat]

We used to have a CARES but she's too tall now. She outgrew the height. I think she's 46 inches at this point and I'm pretty sure 40" is the max height. It was great though when we did use it. Held its value too. I was able to sell it for almost what I paid.