Port Everglades, A Few Questions

[SomePixiedust]

We will be sailing out of Port Everglades for the first time this fall. A group of 10 adults over 45 with varying CC status. We are flying into FLL 2 days early. I'm thinking we will rent a car (or 2) to use for the 2 days before boarding. Any recommendations for a hotel near the port? If we do rent a car at the airport, would we have to return it to FLL or is there an agency that has an off airport site location? What is the best way to get to the port on embarkation day? I'm sure we will have various PATs due to our different CC status. We can either stagger our arrivals as per PAT or all arrive at the latest PAT, though the people with the earlier PAT may want to get the party started lol. For anyone that has sailed lately, how has embarkation been at PE? If I remember correctly, early reviews were not good. We will be flying home on disembarkation day late afternoon. Any suggestions for killing time before having to be at the airport at 1:00 (and how to navigate transportation with luggage since at that point we will not have a car.)

Appreciate any tips, suggestions, reviews etc. TIA

 

[auntlynne]

For seasoned DCL cruisers, Fort Lauderdale will be such a different experience than Port Canaveral. The port is so close to the airport and lodging.

And while not as (cruise passenger count) busy as Port Canaveral, the lodging prices reflect the high demand on hotels - high demand = high prices.

Look at lodging not so close to the port for better prices. Cruisers seem to be concentrated near the airport and in Dania Beach, or along the water (I think Disney uses the Hilton Marina). Actually, you could stay here Aug 1 for $142, tax incl, so it’s not always expensive.

Since you have a car, you are free to find something unique, boutique, or a great deal.

You could even rent a house through VRBO.

I realize I am giving you no specifics. You have an opportunity most of us don’t experience. Commonly, it’s couples and families, no car, one night. Just give us some place to sleep.

Are you wanting to be near a beach? (I stayed on Ft Lauderdale Beach. While the hotel was nice enough, the beach itself was appropriate for spring breakers, but was nothing I would run back to. I was an older adult.)

Dining important?

Squeezed close buildings or more space? (Why do I even ask; this stretch of Florida is congested. Even so, there might be an area that is more sand dunes than built-up).

[ have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania Beach, the Tru downtown, and the Bahia Mar Ft L Beach (Doubletree).]

 

[SomePixiedust]

For seasoned DCL cruisers, Fort Lauderdale will be such a different experience than Port Canaveral. The port is so close to the airport and lodging.

And while not as (cruise passenger count) busy as Port Canaveral, the lodging prices reflect the high demand on hotels - high demand = high prices.

Look at lodging not so close to the port for better prices. Cruisers seem to be concentrated near the airport and in Dania Beach, or along the water (I think Disney uses the Hilton Marina). Actually, you could stay here Aug 1 for $142, tax incl, so it’s not always expensive.

Since you have a car, you are free to find something unique, boutique, or a great deal.

You could even rent a house through VRBO.

I realize I am giving you no specifics. You have an opportunity most of us don’t experience. Commonly, it’s couples and families, no car, one night. Just give us some place to sleep.

Are you wanting to be near a beach? (I stayed on Ft Lauderdale Beach. While the hotel was nice enough, the beach itself was appropriate for spring breakers, but was nothing I would run back to. I was an older adult.)

Dining important?

Squeezed close buildings or more space? (Why do I even ask; this stretch of Florida is congested. Even so, there might be an area that is more sand dunes than built-up).

[ have stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania Beach, the Tru downtown, and the Bahia Mar Ft L Beach (Doubletree).]

Thank you, definitely some food for thought here. As New Yorkers we are used to congestion and beaches so I'm thinking maybe an area not so congested and I don't think we'll do a beach. The group can go either way with dining so good food, not necessarily breaking the bank though. Some may prefer a hotel where breakfast is included, but I don't feel this is a deal breaker. If we stay a bit further from the port, is there a car rental agency near the port to drop off a rental?

 

[JM_97]

With a quick Google search, there looks to be an Enterprise right near the port. The airport is also very close to the cruise terminal, so I wouldn't think dropping off a rental would be an issue (Enterprise is who I use for car rentals, but there are other options).

 

[JM_97]

Thank you, definitely some food for thought here. As New Yorkers we are used to congestion and beaches so I'm thinking maybe an area not so congested and I don't think we'll do a beach. The group can go either way with dining so good food, not necessarily breaking the bank though. Some may prefer a hotel where breakfast is included, but I don't feel this is a deal breaker. If we stay a bit further from the port, is there a car rental agency near the port to drop off a rental?

I'm a sucker for a hotel breakfast

 

[auntlynne]

From Cruise Critic (because their cruisers have been sailing from Port Everglades long before Disney’s arrival).

Here’s a recent thread to continue your search.

 

[auntlynne]

It may be easier to pick up vehicle at the airport and return it to the airport after dropping off the majority of the guests and all the luggage at the cruise port terminal.

Whoever is driving (+friend, perhaps) takes an Uber to the port.

When pricing your car rental, check to see the cost for keeping it until you return from cruise. Sometimes long-term rentals are not so much more than a few days.

I’m guessing you will need transportation back to the airport. Factor in that cost - along with ease of just getting between port and airport.

Parking at the port is $20 per 24-hour period.

If considering Avis mentioned in above post, consider there may be a limit on how many people can be accommodated. Again, dropping them and luggage off would make life easier.

I used to use Hertz, but switched to Avis for better discounts with USAA rates. Amazon Prime members do, too. Probably AARP, AAA, or any number of associations.

Rates drive my choice - but also the convenience of loyalty level afforded by USAA or Amex (I can’t remember how I got status). However, why, both of these mean I can walk in and skip the line to a waiting car. If you don’t have this option already, look into it. At Port Canaveral, it made the difference between a long line or just being handed keys.

You may be aware of all this, but someone new to travel may pick up a nugget or two. Some of the benefit of a forum. I hope.

 

[auntlynne]

Here’s info on Budget. Looks like Fastbreak is their program that offers speedier processing.

 

[auntlynne]

Killing time at FLL? A lot may be standing in lines.

We fly Delta.



We cruised from Port of Miami, but used FLL airport. So many people were from there that day. Luggage drop-off was limited to those departing within 3 hours (you could drop with Skycap before then, also a long line). Those without Pre were in a long line.

All I can come up with for entertainment would be skip ship breakfast and find a nice brunch. You’ll need to be at the airport by 10:30-11:30 (depending on your risk tolerance).

 

[SomePixiedust]

It may be easier to pick up vehicle at the airport and return it to the airport after dropping off the majority of the guests and all the luggage at the cruise port terminal.

Whoever is driving (+friend, perhaps) takes an Uber to the port.

When pricing your car rental, check to see the cost for keeping it until you return from cruise. Sometimes long-term rentals are not so much more than a few days.

I’m guessing you will need transportation back to the airport. Factor in that cost - along with ease of just getting between port and airport.

Parking at the port is $20 per 24-hour period.

If considering Avis mentioned in above post, consider there may be a limit on how many people can be accommodated. Again, dropping them and luggage off would make life easier.

I used to use Hertz, but switched to Avis for better discounts with USAA rates. Amazon Prime members do, too. Probably AARP, AAA, or any number of associations.

Rates drive my choice - but also the convenience of loyalty level afforded by USAA or Amex (I can’t remember how I got status). However, why, both of these mean I can walk in and skip the line to a waiting car. If you don’t have this option already, look into it. At Port Canaveral, it made the difference between a long line or just being handed keys.

You may be aware of all this, but someone new to travel may pick up a nugget or two. Some of the benefit of a forum. I hope.

Great ideas here. I will definitely look at prices to keep the car for a week and pay parking. Factoring in Ubers that would otherwise be needed and ease of not having to worry about getting shuttles to drop off at embarkation and pick up on disembarking, this might be worth it. We do have skip the line with Budget so that's an added bonus.

 

[SomePixiedust]

From Cruise Critic (because their cruisers have been sailing from Port Everglades long before Disney’s arrival).

Here’s a recent thread to continue your search.

View attachment 870332View attachment 870333View attachment 870334

Excellent, thank you!

 

[SomePixiedust]

Killing time at FLL? A lot may be standing in lines.

We fly Delta.

View attachment 870346

We cruised from Port of Miami, but used FLL airport. So many people were from there that day. Luggage drop-off was limited to those departing within 3 hours (you could drop with Skycap before then, also a long line). Those without Pre were in a long line.

All I can come up with for entertainment would be skip ship breakfast and find a nice brunch. You’ll need to be at the airport by 10:30-11:30 (depending on your risk tolerance).

Thank you! Fortunately we all have pre check. Some will be flying Delta, some JetBlue. So far the only booked flight is at 3:15 (not sure what some of the group is doing) so I was gearing for a 1:00 arrival to the airport.

 

[auntlynne]

Thank you! Fortunately we all have pre check. Some will be flying Delta, some JetBlue. So far the only booked flight is at 3:15 (not sure what some of the group is doing) so I was gearing for a 1:00 arrival to the airport.

The airport is a small enough campus that Terminals are separate, but not so far apart.

This website is a thorough set of info regarding FLL. I was looking at the layout of facilities, but also scrolled down to see that Budget is located in the Car Rental facility.

https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airports/fort-lauderdale-hollywood-fll-airport/

…I figured somebody was flying Jet Blue. Not an option for us. Those who are on Delta are in for a newly remodeled, somewhat compact (as in few gates, not necessarily tiny sq ft) terminal. Food lines can be long (as Shake Shack is not the fastest fast food). The Skylounge had a queue waiting for a space to open.

With that extra time, it sounds like an even longer brunch.

Brightline Train transferred us, via electric golf cart, from their station to our hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach. We went through a gentrified? Area of what was probably downtown (after passing modern, taller buildings). So different from Dania Beach or closer to the airport. There’s a river running through it.

 

[SomePixiedust]

The airport is a small enough campus that Terminals are separate, but not so far apart.

This website is a thorough set of info regarding FLL. I was looking at the layout of facilities, but also scrolled down to see that Budget is located in the Car Rental facility.

https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/airports/fort-lauderdale-hollywood-fll-airport/

…I figured somebody was flying Jet Blue. Not an option for us. Those who are on Delta are in for a newly remodeled, somewhat compact (as in few gates, not necessarily tiny sq ft) terminal. Food lines can be long (as Shake Shack is not the fastest fast food). The Skylounge had a queue waiting for a space to open.

With that extra time, it sounds like an even longer brunch.

Brightline Train transferred us, via electric golf cart, from their station to our hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach. We went through a gentrified? Area of what was probably downtown (after passing modern, taller buildings). So different from Dania Beach or closer to the airport. There’s a river running through it.

Great site, thank you!

 

[starvenger]

I like the VRBO/Airbnb suggestion as that could work out a lot cheaper than individual hotel rooms.

For hotels, if cost is a primary factor I would suggest looking at valuetrips dot com. The website looks dodgy, but people at CC have been using them for years and they have good rates at the Hyatt Place near the port.

Otherwise, you'll have a car, so you can definitely stay further out than most of us would. Use that to your advantage.

 

[Cfabar1]

If I had three days I wouldn’t spend it in Fort Lauderdale personally. You might want to consider going down to Miami or up to Palm Beach for that time and then just heading to PE the day of your cruise.

 

[SomePixiedust]

If I had three days I wouldn’t spend it in Fort Lauderdale personally. You might want to consider going down to Miami or up to Palm Beach for that time and then just heading to PE the day of your cruise.

Thanks. Definitely something to consider. It's hard being the planner for a group lol. I'm going to present them with all the options and see what the majority wants to do. Nothing says we can't split up over the 2 days but we'll see what they decide on once given the options.

 

[auntlynne]

The Venice of America, they have 165 mikes if waterways.

 

[auntlynne]

In a little over an hour, you could be at Biscayne National Park. For those who like to check off visits to NPs, this would be a good opportunity. They have boat trips to take you out.

I haven’t found the time to work it into a trip. And yet I have done a RT drive to Key West after disembarkation before an 8 pm flight from FLL.

Any place in the Keys could work. It is spectacular. For that matter, you could spend one night there. It’s like you have a blank canvas. Not like those of us who arrive in time to go to sleep and get up to board a ship.

I get excited at the idea of travel and finding what options exist out there. I did a lot of my travel before the internet. It was paper maps and AAA Guidebooks or Destination X on $25 a day.

 

[SomePixiedust]

In a little over an hour, you could be at Biscayne National Park. For those who like to check off visits to NPs, this would be a good opportunity. They have boat trips to take you out.

I haven’t found the time to work it into a trip. And yet I have done a RT drive to Key West after disembarkation before an 8 pm flight from FLL.

Any place in the Keys could work. It is spectacular. For that matter, you could spend one night there. It’s like you have a blank canvas. Not like those of us who arrive in time to go to sleep and get up to board a ship.

I get excited at the idea of travel and finding what options exist out there. I did a lot of my travel before the internet. It was paper maps and AAA Guidebooks or Destination X on $25 a day.

I love the water taxi idea, thanks so much!! As a AAA traveler I loved the days of trip-tiks and guide books