Hi
Can anyone suggest a hotel to stay in the day prior and after we do our cruise, leaving from Ft Lauderdale.
We are a family of 6, 4 teenagers *yikes* I know everytime I say it...I get more grey hairs!!
Thanks

If you want to find the closest ones and the best rates, Google 'Port Everglades Hotels' and it will bring up a great list with distances from the port. The best advice that I can give you is BOOK EARLY!!! Everyone else on the cruise ships have the same idea that you do arriving early. Learn from my recent experience...I tried to book about 1 month out and had a REALLY hard time!

Thanks so much for the advice
will do that tonite!!

We are staying at the Sheraton Yankee Trader prior to our cruise for spring break. Have never stayed there before but have heard good things about it. You can check it out!

By the way....we have 3 teenagers too....that is one reason we picked this hotel...looked like a good place for them on spring break!

We just stayed at the Sleep Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale. The rooms were clean and attractive and included breakfast in their self-serve breakfast room (similar to Hampton Inns). Also, there was a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to the pier the next morning.

Sandy

Like Sandy - we stayed at the Sleep Inn and Suites as well. The suites have two double beds and a fold out sofa. It could fit six people - but it would be close quarters.
The hotel is very accommodating. Free Breakfast and Shuttles also help out with cost.
Whichever you choose - Have a great trip!

Any of the hotels on 17th Street Causeway will be near the port. I can personally recommend the Renaissance and Hyatt Pier 66. ChucksOK likes Embassy Suites. Sheraton Yankee Trader is on A1A and would require a taxi or rental car to get to, they may have a shuttle from the airport, but not sure if they offer one from the hotel to the port. QueenofCruising stayed there before her cruise. Best wishes and have a great cruise!

Sorry hope you don't mind if hijack the thread, I'm in a bit of a similar problem however we're arriving in Fort Lauderdale after our cruise and intend staying 5 extra days.
I've been looking at this site here but I don't know what areas to avoid, what areas are good etc.
We're just looking for a "nice, clean" hotel. We do intend to do a bit of touring around the area. Is it a good idea go get something near the beach, or near the port or near shopping malls, if there is any.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the advice.
We booked into Sleep Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale
and they will keep our vehicle for half the price of leaving it at the port parking!!

325days and counting.....I can't wait!!!!!!!!

I have a group of 60 staying at the Ramada Airport/Cruiseport. I did a visit to the property before booking it and was very well pleased. It is an older property but in very good shape. Nice pool, good food in the resturant and they offer shuttle service and parking during a cruise. The down side it is in an area where there is nothing else around. You would have to take a cab or drive to shopping, resturants etc. It is a good fit for our group as we just want to get out of the cold of Ohio and into the sunshine, we'll shop and eat on the cruise. Also the rate was right in line with what my group wanted to pay. I'm sure there are other that are better but you may want to look into it.

I think you'll be happy with the Sleep Inn & Suites.We've stayed there on 2 seperate occasions before our cruises and will be staying there again before our next cruise in March. They have a nice breakfast, free airport/cruiseport shuttle, and there's a Walgreens next store for last minute needs. Have a wonderful cruise.