Ft Lauderdale

[Sharon Mayberry]

First time sailing out of Ft Lauderdale , has anyone stayed in the last 2 months , at the Springhill suites airport and cruise port , in Dania Beach? They renovated the rooms a few months ago and wondered if anyone has stayed there. We are a family of 13 , trying to decide on the newly renovated suites at Springhill airport and cruise port or the Hyatt Place suites airport and cruise port. Thank you.

 

[snowwite]

First time sailing out of Ft Lauderdale , has anyone stayed in the last 2 months , at the Springhill suites airport and cruise port , in Dania Beach? They renovated the rooms a few months ago and wondered if anyone has stayed there. We are a family of 13 , trying to decide on the newly renovated suites at Springhill airport and cruise port or the Hyatt Place suites airport and cruise port. Thank you.

We didn’t see Springhill but we did do Hyatt place suites. It was ok. It needs an upgrade but it was ok. We did a day room at Rodeway on the way home since airport had signs warning you not to plan to wait there for hours. It was sketchy! Never doing that again.
There is a strip mall and shops across from the side of the hotel. We had dinner at a lovely Mexican place. There is also a Japanese, Chinese and a diner. It’s a quick walk and we are old. The line for shuttle was really long so we took a Lyft and it was like 5 mins and they were able to drop us right beside bag drop!

 

[Girl of the South]

The FLL airport has signs warning you not to plan on spending hours waiting there??

I do remember they were very strict (well, the Kiosk was strict) about checking in more than 4 hours before your flight. And I don’t remember anything much Pre-Security. Even when we were able to go Airside, it was crowded and not really welcoming.

I wonder what they expect Cruise passengers to do between exiting the ship and arriving at the airport . . .

MCO really is a very well designed airport.

FLL, maybe not.

 

[snowwite]

The FLL airport has signs warning you not to plan on spending hours waiting there??

I do remember they were very strict (well, the Kiosk was strict) about checking in more than 4 hours before your flight. And I don’t remember anything much Pre-Security. Even when we were able to go Airside, it was crowded and not really welcoming.

I wonder what they expect Cruise passengers to do between exiting the ship and arriving at the airport . . .

MCO really is a very well designed airport.

FLL, maybe not.

https://www.broward.org/Airport/passengers/Pages/CruisePassengers.aspx
Yeah. I guess they have too many people waiting. This is on the website.

 

[mmouse37]

We have sailed out Ft. Lauderdale a few times as well as flew out after the cruise. We never had any problems there with feeling not welcome (at the airport). We spent at least 3 plus hours there in July after our Dream cruise. We checked our bags as soon as we got to the airport. We left the ship around 9:30 and our flight was 2:00 pm.

As far as hotels I can't help with the 2 you mentioned but we have stayed at the Marriott Dania Pointe, the AC Hotel Dania Pointe (most recently in July) and the Hilton Marina All were fine pre or post cruise. Just booked the Hilton again for our January Destiny cruise (booked with Chase points and will use DCL transfers).

For our recent Dream cruise in July we had a group of 16 and booked private transportation from the Marriott Dania/AC Hotel (they share a pool) to take us to the port.

MJ

 

[snowwite]

We have sailed out Ft. Lauderdale a few times as well as flew out after the cruise. We never had any problems there with feeling not welcome. We spent at least 3 plus hours there in July after our Dream cruise. We checked our bags as soon as we got to the airport. We left the ship around 9:30 and our flight was 2:00 pm.

As far as hotels I can't help with the 2 you mentioned but we have stayed at the Marriott Dania Pointe, the AC Hotel Dania Pointe (most recently in July) and the Hilton Marina All were fine pre or post cruise. Just booked the Hilton again for our January Destiny cruise (booked with Chase points).

For our recent Dream cruise in July we had a group of 16 and booked private transportation from the Marriott Dania/AC Hotel (they share a pool) to take us to the port.

MJ

This is good to know. We are taking another cruise in March and worried about needing a room again while we wait post cruise

 

[Girl of the South]

mmouse37 - Which airline? There are 4 Terminals at FLL. I was in Terminal 3 (American Airlines). And I won't say that I didn't feel welcome, BUT it really wasn't a particularly comfortable place to hang out. Have to give MCO (even with the crowds) credit for all the amenities available pre-Security.

I understand FLL wasn't expecting the Port to take off but seems like they could capitalize on the captive audience and do a makeover with a food court like MCO? Or get a local mall or shopping area to supply a free shuttle. There's a place to leave your luggage . . . I'd much rather go spend a couple hours somewhere rather than hang out at FLL pre-security.

Here are the Terminals and their airlines:

 

[snowwite]

mmouse37 - Which airline? There are 4 Terminals at FLL. I was in Terminal 3 (American Airlines). And I won't say that I didn't feel welcome, BUT it really wasn't a particularly comfortable place to hang out. Have to give MCO (even with the crowds) credit for all the amenities available pre-Security.

I understand FLL wasn't expecting the Port to take off but seems like they could capitalize on the captive audience and do a makeover with a food court like MCO? Or get a local mall or shopping area to supply a free shuttle. There's a place to leave your luggage . . . I'd much rather go spend a couple hours somewhere rather than hang out at FLL pre-security.

Here are the Terminals and their airlines:

View attachment 1002017

We were on Jet Blue but the sign was from the airport not the airline.
We are considering doing MCO and taking the train.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

First time sailing out of Ft Lauderdale , has anyone stayed in the last 2 months , at the Springhill suites airport and cruise port , in Dania Beach? They renovated the rooms a few months ago and wondered if anyone has stayed there. We are a family of 13 , trying to decide on the newly renovated suites at Springhill airport and cruise port or the Hyatt Place suites airport and cruise port. Thank you.

If you're talking about the Hyatt Place with an Italian restaurant and an Outback Steakhouse next door, then yes, we stayed there in April and again last week for a Labor Day weekend cruise.
It's been in dire need of an update and now it's finally getting one. We didn't get a new room but it was only for one night so we didn't care. One elevator has been commandeered by the construction crew and the coffee pots have been moved closer to the door. Breakfast was relatively smooth though around 8:30 am.
It's crazy close to the port. Our Uber was only $6.92 plus tip.

 

[Lesverts]

Yes FLL is one of the most strict airports I know of for check-in times. Usually 3-4 hours before departure before they let you in and almost no landside services or amenities. The updated Terminal 2 is very nice but when busy with a lot of stacked departures there isn't enough seating airside. I guess it is even worse now that a 3rd airline is sharing it compared to when it was just Delta and Air Canada. That being said, the general speed and low distances you travel to go landside to airside makes up for where the airport lacks.

We will see what Terminal 5 is like. But given MCO's T3 I wouldn't hold out much hope that the landside area will be much different.

 

[mmouse37]

mmouse37 - Which airline? There are 4 Terminals at FLL. I was in Terminal 3 (American Airlines). And I won't say that I didn't feel welcome, BUT it really wasn't a particularly comfortable place to hang out. Have to give MCO (even with the crowds) credit for all the amenities available pre-Security.

I understand FLL wasn't expecting the Port to take off but seems like they could capitalize on the captive audience and do a makeover with a food court like MCO? Or get a local mall or shopping area to supply a free shuttle. There's a place to leave your luggage . . . I'd much rather go spend a couple hours somewhere rather than hang out at FLL pre-security.

Here are the Terminals and their airlines:

View attachment 1002017

We were on United

 

[chamberlain]

We’ve also have had to kill time at FLL and have been frustrated by the lack of seating and food options before security. I had to walk to another terminal just to get a coffee. Would love to think of a few options to spend a few hours before a return flight for our next cruise but is hard with luggage.

 

[Girl of the South]

I understand that people's experience at FLL are not airline dependent but they do depend on which Terminal you are in - which is determined by your airline. Sounds like Terminal 2 has been updated. Terminal 3 had very little, if anything that I can remember, pre-security.

I remember being at MDW (Chicago Midway) too early. My niece and I sat on the floor (only option) and she ordered a PIZZA! Nice Chicago Deep Dish, which we ate - because there were only a few seats (all taken) and I think a vending machine. Transferred over from ORD after a long haul flight.

Just saw something called "Resort Pass" (ResortPass.com) mentioned on a Reddit post. You can just pay for the pool area or a day room - from 11 to 5. I looked at the Wyndham Garden Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port (but therer are lots of options) and it was $89 for the room. You'd have to get an Uber there and back, I think? Not sure if they have a shuttle but worth checking out. Oh, one review mentions a free shuttle TO the Airport.

 

[bbn1122]

I will be flying to FLL for the first time this Saturday on United. Staying at the Embassy Suites on Hilton Points. I cruise out on Monday on the Dream.

I decided to fly in Saturday night and have a relaxing full day before my cruise. I am not a morning person. LOL

I am going directly from ship to airport on the return. My flight home is at 11:10am and everyone has assured me that I will have plently of time by walking off the ship early.

I see unlike PC and MCO, the airport is so close to the cruise terminal.

I cruised out of Miami once. I am interested to see the difference.

Happy cruising everyone!

 

[princesscinderella]

As a local and FLL being my home airport I love how it’s set up with the different terminals. I have never waited more than 10 minutes for TSA security checks as each terminal has their own screening area. That said it has absolutely zero food options other some drink or vending machines in any of the terminals while waiting in the various terminals prior to going through TSA. They have expanded the airport a lot over the last 15 years including adding a new runway to accommodate the extra traffic. MIA is even worse and we hate to fly out of there.

Sawgrass mills mall is a place to hang out if you have a later evening flight. They also have a Disney Character premier store with the discounted merchandise from all the parks and cruise line. It’s very common to see people pulling luggage through that mall so no one would bat an eye at you. It opens at 10am though so I’d linger as much on the ship as you can and then uber to the mall. It is considered out west near the edge of the Everglades but not far off of I 595 which runs east - west and connects to the airport. It’s about a 15 minute drive if there is no traffic and could be 45 minutes typical with traffic.

 

[bbn1122]

As a local and FLL being my home airport I love how it’s set up with the different terminals. I have never waited more than 10 minutes for TSA security checks as each terminal has their own screening area. That said it has absolutely zero food options other some drink or vending machines in any of the terminals while waiting in the various terminals prior to going through TSA. They have expanded the airport a lot over the last 15 years including adding a new runway to accommodate the extra traffic. MIA is even worse and we hate to fly out of there.

Sawgrass mills mall is a place to hang out if you have a later evening flight. They also have a Disney Character premier store with the discounted merchandise from all the parks and cruise line. It’s very common to see people pulling luggage through that mall so no one would bat an eye at you. It opens at 10am though so I’d linger as much on the ship as you can and then uber to the mall. It is considered out west near the edge of the Everglades but not far off of I 595 which runs east - west and connects to the airport. It’s about a 15 minute drive if there is no traffic and could be 45 minutes typical with traffic.

Thanks for the information.

I am getting in about 6:30pm there, this Saturday night and I was thinking I would grab a bite before heading over to my hotel.
It sound like I am better off eating at Hotel.

I am flying out of Newark and there are tons of food options.

 

[princesscinderella]

Thanks for the information.

I am getting in about 6:30pm there, this Saturday night and I was thinking I would grab a bite before heading over to my hotel.
It sound like I am better off eating at Hotel.

I am flying out of Newark and there are tons of food options.

Definitely better off eating at your hotel, SF has a ton of great restaurants. There’s always uber eats too.