Fort Lauderdale hotel recommendations? (near port)

[disneyholic family]

Sadly, i had to cancel our reservation on the podcast oasis of the seas cruise (conflicted with my nephew's wedding), but we're thinking of coming in a week early for the wedding and jumping on board the allure of the seas (the week before the podcast cruise).
This is assuming we can get a good rate on two staterooms after final payment (yes, i'm gambling on the prices going down after final payment - we have an alternative - the freedom of the seas sails on the same day out of PC, so we could sail her as well. Or alternatively, just spend a week at WDW. Also a viable solution).

Anyway, my question is regarding a hotel in fort lauderdale the night before the cruise.

does anyone know of a good hotel that's near the port and is relatively inexpensive?
Like a Courtyard or something like that.

Thanks!!

 

[mikelan6]

There are several nice hotels in the area. Look for hotels near Ft Lauderdale airport. There is a new Crowne Plaza near the port. There is also a Hyatt Place by I-95.

If you will have a car, you can be much more flexible in your choices.

 

[disneyholic family]

thanks!
not sure about the car.
we'll rent a car when we get to orlando, where we'll be for a few days - and i think we'll drive it down to ft lauderdale (there's no drop off fee, so may as well), but i guess we'll get rid of it at the airport when we get there and then take a taxi to the port.

i'll have to figure out the logistics of it. I'm not familiar with ft lauderdale at all

 

[mikelan6]

i'll have to figure out the logistics of it. I'm not familiar with ft lauderdale at all

Ft Lauderdale is a very easy airport to get around. The Car Rental Center is in a structure between two of the terminals. Having a rental car will also allow you to go shopping or to nearby restaurants.

 

[disneyholic family]

is the airport near the port?
if i drop off the car in the morning at the airport, is it easy to get from the airport to the port?

or maybe i'll drop everyone off at the port and then drop the car?

hmmmm....learning new tricks...

 

[mikelan6]

is the airport near the port?
if i drop off the car in the morning at the airport, is it easy to get from the airport to the port?

or maybe i'll drop everyone off at the port and then drop the car?

hmmmm....learning new tricks...

Terminal 18 in Port Everglades is exactly 4 miles from the airport. It's very close. How you do it will depend on how many people you have in your party and how much luggage you have.

 

[disneyholic family]

Terminal 18 in Port Everglades is exactly 4 miles from the airport. It's very close. How you do it will depend on how many people you have in your party and how much luggage you have.

that's REALLY close!! good point about luggage - there will be 4 of us (most likely) and probably a lot of luggage since we're headed to a wedding after the cruise - which means this will be the first cruise DH is on where he'll have a suit with him. But he still won't wear it on the cruise - have to save it for the wedding