We want to have one night in FT Lauderdale before a cruise. Do you get a better rate if you book the hotel package with HAL than if you book it by yourself? And does HAL offer a good range of hotels for the budget traveler? They only show 2 hotels in their brochure and they are $150 to $250 per person (not per room).

That is probably all they have contracts with. Generally when you book their hotel it includes airport/hotel transfer. For FLL it probably is cheaper do hotels and transfers on your own.