11/20/2023 1st sailing from Fort Lauderdale. They ready?

[Snowwhyt]

Is Port Canaveral the only dedicated Disney port?
Is one or both docs at Port Canaveral, a Disney only site or is the second but newest one shared?
Was there any noticeable delays or missing products or services that my also happen at Fort Lauderdale’s start up?
So were there floral items available the first week at the new ports, pre-order gift items ordered before the cruise unable to be delivered, things missing from the gift shop that were not able to be refilled?
The very first cruises coming from Fort Lauderdale are Very Merry Cruises. And I am considering FEs that I might give, like room, decorations, just in case there are not any available.
I’ve always felt that past performances is an indicator of future performance. I have no shade or mud on Disney. It’s a new business so things happen.
I’ll be on the ship a couple weeks after they open the new port dock and would like to think about giving decorations in case Disney didn’t have them for some reason.
Or have a problem like my first cruise, where I had to find a store at port that sold shampoo because H2O was sold out in the shops and the state room host said he was only allowed to give us one bottle for our 7 night cruise and my daughter and I both have hair to our waist.

 

[yowcruiser]

Yes, Port Canaveral is the only port right now with one terminal dedicated to Disney Cruise line. As part of their contract, they do have access to an overflow terminal when needed - something that may become more common once the Treasure joins the Wish and the Fantasy in Port Canaveral (and before the Fantasy potentially gets redeployed somewhere else).

Port Everglades will be the 2nd port with a dedicated DCL terminal. DCL was looking between MIA and FLL and ultimately, the conditions offered were better at Port Everglades. Although Port Everglades is a new port for DCL and refurbished terminal... it is really the Miami operations that are moving over there... and there is a 6-weeeks gap in between the last MIA departure and the first FLL departure... so probably fairly straightforward for DCL to move some inventory from one port to another if needed. There may indeed be operational issues at first...

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Google maps is showing it right next to Fort Lauderdale airport. Is this correct? I wonder if they will change the current hotels they suggest on the website. Interested since we will be on the magic out of this port in August plenty of time to work out the kinks

 

[SteveMouse]

Port Everglades will be the 2nd port with a dedicated DCL terminal. DCL was looking between MIA and FLL and ultimately, the conditions offered were better at Port Everglades. Although Port Everglades is a new port and terminal... it is really the Miami operations that are moving over there... and there is a 6-weeeks gap in between the last MIA departure and the first FLL departure... so probably fairly straightforward for DCL to move some inventory from one port to another if needed. There may indeed be operational issues at first...

Port Everglades has received passenger ships since 1931 or 1932, shortly after being designated a port of entry for the US. It has continuously served passenger vessels as well as provide commercial services.

Disney will be using a newly rebuilt passenger terminal at berth 4, which, itself, has been three for quite awhile. Port Everglades has numerous berths and can handle 6 or so passenger ships per day.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Yes, Port Canaveral is the only port right now with one terminal dedicated to Disney Cruise line. As part of their contract, they do have access to an overflow terminal when needed - something that may become more common once the Treasure joins the Wish and the Fantasy in Port Canaveral (and before the Fantasy potentially gets redeployed somewhere else).

Port Everglades will be the 2nd port with a dedicated DCL terminal. DCL was looking between MIA and FLL and ultimately, the conditions offered were better at Port Everglades. Although Port Everglades is a new port and terminal... it is really the Miami operations that are moving over there... and there is a 6-weeeks gap in between the last MIA departure and the first FLL departure... so probably fairly straightforward for DCL to move some inventory from one port to another if needed. There may indeed be operational issues at first...

Ohhh, I didn’t know they were moving. I thought it was an additional port and not a move. They are so close together though I guess it makes sense to move it and use Miami as an overflow when all the girls get together.

Google maps is showing it right next to Fort Lauderdale airport. Is this correct? I wonder if they will change the current hotels they suggest on the website. Interested since we will be on the magic out of this port in August plenty of time to work out the kinks

They had 2 hotels they offered me for our Dec 18 cruise. I normally would have taken them but I had 5 people and the rooms could only accommodate 4.

 

[bbn1122]

Great info.
My family only sailed out of Miami once. We stayed near the port and only hung out near our hotel for 30 hours prior to cruise. We did not visit Miami Beach or South Beach

I think FLL/Port Everglades maybe a good move. My family flew into FLL for the Miami cruise because the airfare was much cheaper than MIA. Plus, a tad closer to WDW! Lol

I look forward to maybe cruising out of the Port Everglades in the near future.

 

[Snowwhyt]

What can anyone recommend for transportation from a Fort Lauderdale hotel to the port? I have a scooter and wheelchair I need to bring. And 5 adults. Does Uber help with this?

 

[happycamper47]

You might want to contact the hotel and see if they can recommend someone, or even check with the city to see if there is an ADA bus that's on that route.

 

[SteveMouse]

Uber WAV is not offered in South Florida (or Orlando, for that matter).

Is your wheelchair a fulll-sized, non-folding power wheelchair? Is your scooter full-sized, not collapsible (eg, doesn’t break down into several parts)? Does anyone in your party intend to sit in the wheelchair/on the scooter while using ground transportation? If so, you will need wheelchair accessible vehicles (and 2, or 2 trips) if both the wheelchair and scooter are full-size/non-foldable/collapsible.

Technically, any hotel that offers shuttle service is required under federal law to provide such services. Few do. The enforcement mechanism is to sue the hotel. Few do.

Yellow cab has about 4 wheelchair accessible cabs in the Fort Lauderdale area. You can make a reservation. Sometimes, services may be limited on holidays.

It is about 10 minutes from the hotels on 17th street to Port Everglades and a little less than 20 from downtown Fort Lauderdale (Riverside, etfc.) And that’s in most traffic.

 

[SteveMouse]

One of the better options getting off the ship is to purchase airport transfers or take a tour that ends at the airport. The cruise line then owns responsibility for accessible transportation. Be sure to book it as a wheelchair user.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Is your wheelchair a fulll-sized, non-folding power wheelchair? Is your scooter full-sized, not collapsible (eg, doesn’t break down into several parts)? Does anyone in your party intend to sit in the wheelchair/on the scooter while using ground transportation? If so, you will need wheelchair accessible vehicles (and 2, or 2 trips) if both the wheelchair and scooter are full-size/non-foldable/collapsible.

Technically, any hotel that offers shuttle service is required under federal law to provide such services. Few do. The enforcement mechanism is to sue the hotel. Few do.

Yellow cab has about 4 wheelchair accessible cabs in the Fort Lauderdale area. You can make a reservation. Sometimes, services may be limited on holidays.

It is about 10 minutes from the hotels on 17th street to Port Everglades and a little less than 20 from downtown Fort Lauderdale (Riverside, etfc.) And that’s in most traffic.

Well mom is going to have a collapsible wheelchair because I think it’s going to be too hard for me to have two collapsible scooters to travel with. I would consider renting from a company at Fort Lauderdale if I could get a hand control in a chair and not a bicycle style steering.

 

[SteveMouse]

Well mom is going to have a collapsible wheelchair because I think it’s going to be too hard for me to have two collapsible scooters to travel with. I would consider renting from a company at Fort Lauderdale if I could get a hand control in a chair and not a bicycle style steering.

While not exactly a scooter, you might look at the Whill. I believe either/both Special Needs at Sea or Scootaround offer them in Fort Lauderdale and will deliver to your ship/stateroom (and collect it at the end of your cruise).

 

[happycamper47]

Well mom is going to have a collapsible wheelchair because I think it’s going to be too hard for me to have two collapsible scooters to travel with. I would consider renting from a company at Fort Lauderdale if I could get a hand control in a chair and not a bicycle style steering.

As SteveMouse said, Special Needs At Sea does have power chairs for rent, as long as you have an ADA cabin, due to their width.

 

[SteveMouse]

As SteveMouse said, Special Needs At Sea does have power chairs for rent, as long as you have an ADA cabin, due to their width.

The Whill is a little differe

As SteveMouse said, Special Needs At Sea does have power chairs for rent, as long as you have an ADA cabin, due to their width.

The Whill is a little different than full sized power chairs. It’s listed at just under 22 inches wide, so may fit through regular cabin doors, albeit with not much to spare. The scooter is a separate issue with respect to cabin doors. On Disney ships, there are a couple of places to park them outside cabins overnight.

In general, if you don’t need the devices while you’re in a hotel, your life will be alot easier to rent them for delivery to your ship.

As to restaurants near hotels, there are a plentitude of very good choices within steps of the hotels on 17th Street and downtown Fort Lauderdale.

A very easy, and good, choice is to stay at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas and eat at the hotel’s Boat House restaurant, which is across the street from the entrance to the hotel (trust me). The restaurant is immediately on the New River.

If you are there the “right” Friday or Saturday in December, you can get a preview or the actual Winterfest boat parade. (usually the 2nd or 3rd weekend in December).

 

[SteveMouse]

OP, do you know where you are planning to stay?

 

[Snowwhyt]

OP, do you know where you are planning to stay?

Currently, Homewood suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale airport/cruise port. I have a refundable reservation for the five of us.

 

[SteveMouse]

The hotel is southwest of the airport. There are a few restaurants around, but you will want to go more than 100 or 150 feet, I expect (unless you ho to Wendy’s, which is next door).

It’s a little less than 15 minutes from the hotel to Port Everglades. Depending on the route the driver takes, there are virtually no retail establishments between the hotel and port (gtiffin road to 95 to 595 to Federal Highway to the south/west entrance to the port).

I don’t think the hotel shuttle is accessible. You probably want to call them. You may want to verify you and your gests can get into a passenger van and/ir minibus. whatever the hotel uses.

A taxi minivan might serve you well, if your scooter is collapsible. You may want both a sedzn and a minivan to accommodate people, equipment, and luggage.