Port Everglades Hotel suggestions needed

[WINTER]

Looking for hotel suggestions close to port with free breakfast, airport and cruise shuttle. Any suggestions? TIA Not all need to be free, just offered.

 

[OKW Lover]

There aren't any hotels that provide all three of those services for free. Some offer free breakfast. Some offer free airport shuttles. Not sure there are any that offer free port shuttles.

 

[Girl of the South]

Looks like the hotels that “provide” a shuttle to the port go through a 3rd party and all charge (what I consider) a ridiculously high per person fee considering the distance.

Port Canaveral hotel shuttles

 

[dreamer17555]

You are not likely going to find all 3. If a shuttle to port is a must you could look for a hotel with a free shuttle to and from the airport with free breakfast and in the morning return to the airport to pick up the DCL transportation from there (currently $29 per person each way). Uber is a much cheaper option but if a shuttle is a must due to car seats I would go with this plan

 

[erionm]

We will be staying at the Hyatt Place near the Fort Lauderdale Airport for our cruise on the Destiny next month. They have a free breakfast, free airport shuttle and Cruise Transfers are $15 per person each way. We will have our own vehicle and will be parking at the port during the cruise.

 

[Girl of the South]

It’s a 1.2 mile trip. The $15 is OK if you’re solo, but for a family of 4, $60 to go one mile seems excessive to me.

 

[Goofy1932]

Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport

 

[dreamer17555]

Holiday Inn Express Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport

Have you stayed there? The reviews are pretty bad and it did not offer shuttle to port included.

 

[YenSidTravel]

Hi there Winter - Chris Vorobek with Dreams Unlimited Travel and host of The DIS Unlimited's DCL Show.
There are a number of hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area. BE VERY careful of the shuttles -- some have a per-person charge - and the cost they charge per person is more than it would be to get a rideShare to the port. (Fort Lauderdale is generally VERY accessible -- no hour-long trek to the port.)
The DIS Unlimited's DCL Show will have part one of our Port Everglades Guide posted on Sunday - http://dclshow.com/YouTube or http://dclShow.com/Podcast - and a number of members of the team are on the Disney Dream next week. We are all staying at different hotels so we can offer our assessments for a future episode.

Some of the hotels that I've put recommended:

• The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, which is located approximately 5 miles (15-20 minutes) from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and 0.5 miles from the cruise terminal;
  • INSIGHTS - This hotel is quite close to the Disney Cruise Line terminal - from the front of the hotel, you may be able to see your Disney ship. It is located on the Stranahan River, which is essentially the Intercostal Waterway. The hotel does provide a shuttle to Fort Lauderdale beach - be sure to check the timing, and you find a stop for the Fort Lauderdale 'water taxi' right on the river, which is a fun way to check out Fort Lauderdale. (It is recommended you pre-purchase tickets.)
• The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, which is located about 6-miles (15-20 minutes) from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and about 2-miles (10-15 minutes) from the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades.
  • 4 Reasons to Add the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort to Your Disney Cruise Vacation - Cruising with Disney from Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale feels like a best-kept secret, especially when you include a stay at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort - via Dreams' content team at The DIS's DCLFan.com
  • MY INSIGHTS - This hotel tends to be more expensive than some other options, but it is an awesome alternative if you are planning a more extended stay pre- or post-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale. It sits right on the beach, has a lovely pool, and several restaurants. All of that gives it a 'resort' feel.
    • If you are literally just using the hotel as a bed before getting on the ship, there are less expensive options.
• OTHER HOTEL OPTIONShttps://www.boceanresort.com/
  • Omni Fort Lauderdale. which is located approximately 4.6-miles/15 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport... 30-miles/1-hour from the Miami International Airport... and it is literally located adjacent to the Port Everglade's Disney Cruise Line terminal. This is a new hotel (opening 2025) and, as I noted, it is located adjacent to the Disney Cruise Line terminal. I have not stayed here. It is scheduled to open in December 2025.
  • AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Airport, which is located less than 4-miles/11-minutes from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport -- the hotel has a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport - and 5-miles/15-minutes from the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Everglades – traffic permitting, I recommend approaching the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Everglades using SE 17th Street and turning on Eisenhower Boulevard. If you enter that way, not only do you get a better view – other entrances have a more industrial port feel – but you also do NOT have to go through Port security. If you enter other ways, you will need your identification – passport or whatever you are using and your Port Arrival Form. That being said, it is definitely worth checking traffic – if there are big events at the Broward County Convention Center, there could be significant traffic on Eisenhower Boulevard, so… check the Google map link for the area.
    • The hotel has two restaurants on site, but it is also located in an area where there are shops, restaurants and even a grocery store;
    • The hotel has a shuttle to the port if you want to use that, although in most cases, I think rideShare would generally be less expensive;

Looking for hotel suggestions close to port with free breakfast, airport and cruise shuttle. Any suggestions? TIA Not all need to be free, just offered.

 

[YenSidTravel]

We will be staying at the Hyatt Place near the Fort Lauderdale Airport for our cruise on the Destiny next month. They have a free breakfast, free airport shuttle and Cruise Transfers are $15 per person each way. We will have our own vehicle and will be parking at the port during the cruise.

DO NOT do $15.00/person -- take rideShare or something -- it is probably $15.00-$20.00 TOTAL.
CJV

 

[OKW Lover]

Hi there Winter - Chris Vorobek with Dreams Unlimited Travel and host of The DIS Unlimited's DCL Show.
There are a number of hotels in the Fort Lauderdale area. BE VERY careful of the shuttles -- some have a per-person charge - and the cost they charge per person is more than it would be to get a rideShare to the port. (Fort Lauderdale is generally VERY accessible -- no hour-long trek to the port.)
The DIS Unlimited's DCL Show will have part one of our Port Everglades Guide posted on Sunday - http://dclshow.com/YouTube or http://dclShow.com/Podcast - and a number of members of the team are on the Disney Dream next week. We are all staying at different hotels so we can offer our assessments for a future episode.

Some of the hotels that I've put recommended:

• The Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, which is located approximately 5 miles (15-20 minutes) from Fort Lauderdale International Airport and 0.5 miles from the cruise terminal;
  • INSIGHTS - This hotel is quite close to the Disney Cruise Line terminal - from the front of the hotel, you may be able to see your Disney ship. It is located on the Stranahan River, which is essentially the Intercostal Waterway. The hotel does provide a shuttle to Fort Lauderdale beach - be sure to check the timing, and you find a stop for the Fort Lauderdale 'water taxi' right on the river, which is a fun way to check out Fort Lauderdale. (It is recommended you pre-purchase tickets.)
• The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, which is located about 6-miles (15-20 minutes) from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and about 2-miles (10-15 minutes) from the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades.
  • 4 Reasons to Add the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort to Your Disney Cruise Vacation - Cruising with Disney from Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale feels like a best-kept secret, especially when you include a stay at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort - via Dreams' content team at The DIS's DCLFan.com
  • MY INSIGHTS - This hotel tends to be more expensive than some other options, but it is an awesome alternative if you are planning a more extended stay pre- or post-cruise stay in Fort Lauderdale. It sits right on the beach, has a lovely pool, and several restaurants. All of that gives it a 'resort' feel.
    • If you are literally just using the hotel as a bed before getting on the ship, there are less expensive options.
• OTHER HOTEL OPTIONShttps://www.boceanresort.com/
  • Omni Fort Lauderdale. which is located approximately 4.6-miles/15 minutes from the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport... 30-miles/1-hour from the Miami International Airport... and it is literally located adjacent to the Port Everglade's Disney Cruise Line terminal. This is a new hotel (opening 2025) and, as I noted, it is located adjacent to the Disney Cruise Line terminal. I have not stayed here. It is scheduled to open in December 2025.
  • AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Airport, which is located less than 4-miles/11-minutes from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport -- the hotel has a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport - and 5-miles/15-minutes from the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Everglades – traffic permitting, I recommend approaching the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Everglades using SE 17th Street and turning on Eisenhower Boulevard. If you enter that way, not only do you get a better view – other entrances have a more industrial port feel – but you also do NOT have to go through Port security. If you enter other ways, you will need your identification – passport or whatever you are using and your Port Arrival Form. That being said, it is definitely worth checking traffic – if there are big events at the Broward County Convention Center, there could be significant traffic on Eisenhower Boulevard, so… check the Google map link for the area.
    • The hotel has two restaurants on site, but it is also located in an area where there are shops, restaurants and even a grocery store;
    • The hotel has a shuttle to the port if you want to use that, although in most cases, I think rideShare would generally be less expensive;

Awesome and comprehensive info Chris!

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

As others have said, car share is for sure the best way to get to the port unless you have a car seat issue. It's close enough that it's an inexpensive ride and you can call it when you want rather than being beholden to a shuttle's schedule.

The Hyatt Place Airport has the free airport shuttle and free breakfast you're looking for. We stayed in April and they were no frills but clean and comfy. Sleep five, too, which is a bonus for some but a requirement for our family.

 

[mmouse37]

We have stayed at a few hotels pre cruise in FLL. All have pros and cons. We have stayed at Hilton Marina Fort Lauderdale, the Marriott Airport Hotel Fort Lauderdale in Dania Beach and the A/C Hotel Dania Beach which shares a pool with the Marriott. In July when we stayed at the A/C Hotel we were a group of 16 and hired a private shuttle service to take us all in one vehicle. It was cheaper per person that the shuttle the hotel used. When we stayed at the Marriott we used an Uber as it was just my husband and I. When we stayed at the Hilton Marina we had a rental car from Avis which we dropped off and planned on using the Avis shuttle to the port but it was packed so we just ordered an Uber from the Avis office.

In January we are again staying at the Hilton Marina for our Destiny cruise and using DCL transfers from there at $21 pp to the port. I know it is more expensive than an Uber but we are three couples with all different Castaway statues and we all want an early boarding number. We all want convenience so going the DCL transfer route. This trip is convenience over cost. I was able to book the Hilton using points and just called DCL to arrange the transfers. You do not have to book with DCL for the Hilton in order to use the transfers....sometimes it is cheaper to book on your own or use points and sometimes booking through DCL is cheaper. All depends on the time you book the hotel and the month.

We checked the Marriott on the Beach mentioned in another post and it was over $600 for our pre cruise night in January. In the summer the price is much, much less.


MJ

 

[DCLMP]

We have stayed at a few hotels pre cruise in FLL. All have pros and cons. We have stayed at Hilton Marina Fort Lauderdale, the Marriott Airport Hotel Fort Lauderdale in Dania Beach and the A/C Hotel Dania Beach which shares a pool with the Marriott. In July when we stayed at the A/C Hotel we were a group of 16 and hired a private shuttle service to take us all in one vehicle. It was cheaper per person that the shuttle the hotel used. When we stayed at the Marriott we used an Uber as it was just my husband and I. When we stayed at the Hilton Marina we had a rental car from Avis which we dropped off and planned on using the Avis shuttle to the port but it was packed so we just ordered an Uber from the Avis office.

In January we are again staying at the Hilton Marina for our Destiny cruise and using DCL transfers from there at $21 pp to the port. I know it is more expensive than an Uber but we are three couples with all different Castaway statues and we all want an early boarding number. We all want convenience so going the DCL transfer route. This trip is convenience over cost. I was able to book the Hilton using points and just called DCL to arrange the transfers. You do not have to book with DCL for the Hilton in order to use the transfers....sometimes it is cheaper to book on your own or use points and sometimes booking through DCL is cheaper. All depends on the time you book the hotel and the month.

We checked the Marriott on the Beach mentioned in another post and it was over $600 for our pre cruise night in January. In the summer the price is much, much less.


MJ

Im confused. Do you get an earlier boarding time by taking a DCL transfer? If not I'm wondering how a Disney shuttle is more convenient than a Taxi or Uber.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Im confused. Do you get an earlier boarding time by taking a DCL transfer? If not I'm wondering how a Disney shuttle is more convenient than a Taxi or Uber.

Yes, folks with DCL transfers get the early boarding groups regardless of Castaway status.

 

[Goofy1932]

Have you stayed there? The reviews are pretty bad and it did not offer shuttle to port included.

No. I have not stayed there. Every review I have seen was a good one. And they do offer port shuttle service but it costs extra as do most places. There are some that offer it for free but not many.

 

[mmouse37]

Im confused. Do you get an earlier boarding time by taking a DCL transfer? If not I'm wondering how a Disney shuttle is more convenient than a Taxi or Uber.

Never guaranteed but with my experience (and many other reports) yes, you get an earlier boarding group number when you take DCL transfers. Not sure about FLL but I know for facts on several occasions when we check in for our cruise we were given a later PAT and higher boarding # but as soon as I added DCL transfers from the WDW resorts it dropped to one of the earliest PATs and a very low boarding group number. We usually always book last minute (except for this cruise in January) so we always have missed our online check it date so wind up with later PATs.....until we add transfers.

DCL Transfers are also more convenient as they handle your luggage as well.

MJ

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

Not sure about FLL

My Dream cruise from Everglades it's definitely the case. First time cruisers were getting 12pm-12:45pm but DCL transfers got 11:15, same as Pearl.

 

[DCLMP]

My Dream cruise from Everglades it's definitely the case. First time cruisers were getting 12pm-12:45pm but DCL transfers got 11:15, same as Pearl.

I guess that one way to get people to spend money on their transfers.

 

[DCLMP]

Never guaranteed but with my experience (and many other reports) yes, you get an earlier boarding group number when you take DCL transfers. Not sure about FLL but I know for facts on several occasions when we check in for our cruise we were given a later PAT and higher boarding # but as soon as I added DCL transfers from the WDW resorts it dropped to one of the earliest PATs and a very low boarding group number. We usually always book last minute (except for this cruise in January) so we always have missed our online check it date so wind up with later PATs.....until we add transfers.

DCL Transfers are also more convenient as they handle your luggage as well.

MJ

I've used their transfers a few times and it's mainly been a bad experience. 2 hour wait in London, same in Montreal, Mass chaos at Southhampton. In Copenhagen the Marriott was full of people waiting in the lobby for a transfer. We just jumped in a cab and went. MCO wasn't much better. FLL should be easy as long as the bus shows up on time and there is enough seats. Early pick up from WDW must be a new experience.

Going from the ship to WDW or MCO has been fine.