We have about a 4-5 hour wait between the time our ship docks in port (or when we're expected to get off the ship) to when our flight leaves from Fort Lauderdale in mid-November. Does anyone have any advice about what we can do without a car? We really don't want to sit around the airport. We're heading back to cold weather and want to enjoy the Florida sunshine as long as we can. Thanks!
We have about a 4-5 hour wait between the time our ship docks in port (or when we're expected to get off the ship) to when our flight leaves from Fort Lauderdale in mid-November. Does anyone have any advice about what we can do without a car? We really don't want to sit around the airport. We're heading back to cold weather and want to enjoy the Florida sunshine as long as we can. Thanks!
Which is it? Docking time or expected disembarkation? Either, 4-5 hours really isn't a lot of time to kill. Don't forget you have to consider getting to the airport minimum 1- 1 1/2 hours ahead for check-in/security and be in the gate area. The airport is only a couple of miles from Port Everglades. But you still have to consider transporting times with traffic. You also have your luggage to consider. The ship may offer a checked luggage program. If not, then you have the luggage to deal with.
The earliest flights from FLL that the cruise lines recommend are 11:30am or later. So for a 7am arrival in port that is 4.5 hours difference. When is your flight? At best, the first passengers won't be leaving the ship until 8am. Also consider that boarding usually starts at least 20 minutes prior to scheduled departure time.
If you really have time to kill, you could take the water taxi to Las Olas Boulevard and check out the shops there. You'd need to get your bags to the airport first, they have a baggage check area, then you'd need to take a taxi back to Pier 66 or the Grand to catch the water taxi. Another option might be a post cruise excursion. As Cruise Fanatic and Dave said, you probably won't have that much time, though. I know how sad that is.
Thanks for your suggestions! I guess a lot will depend on when we can get off the ship. The last cruise we were on, the Customs people were late by about 2 hours and held everything up! Our flight leaves FLL at 4:00 in the afternoon.
Sometimes the cruise lines will have a debarkation excursion in which they'll take your luggage to the airport. I did this on Carnival several years ago at San Juan and visited the rain forest because I had a late flight.
What I do is do a little research before I go, and have an hotel in mind, in your case I would choose the Sheraton. I take a taxi to the hotel, check my bags with doorman, tip in hand, enjoy the pool and take advantage of the free shuttle to the airport with plenty of time to spare. My mother and I did this on our last trip, and I have done it several times on my own. A couple of money tips, and a nap is easy to take after a long cruise, and early disembarking morning. More realxing than an airport.
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peggy46168 - I believe there is a very nice harbor tour of Ft. Lauderdale, available thru the cruiselines. They pick you up with your baggage, take you to a tour both by bus and on a riverboat, and drop you at the airport. It is not very expensive, runs only a few hours and solves some logistics problems. Check with the tours offered by your cruiseline! It is very relaxing and fun - I have done it and had a great orientaion as to Ft.Lauderdale!
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