we are leaving on our cruise nov.7 & plan to leave a day early & spend one night in a fort lauderdale motel. has anyone ever used priceline.com for this purpose?

Tons of times!

This website will help you - it is especially for Priceline and Hotwire for cruisers:

http://www.biddingfun.com/page3.html

and if you haven't looked at www.biddingfortravel.com - make sure you do that also.

Everytime I have bid in FLL - I end up with Embassy Suites.

I just completed a successful bid on Priceline for a room in Ft Lauderdale for 2 days next February before a Princess cruise. After being rejected 4 times last week, I had a 4 star bid accepted this week. They make you wait for 72 hours before trying again after that many bids. I ended up with the Renaissance for less than 1/2 of their suggested (figure in red)"normal" rate.
I am just estatic about the hotel I got.

I've used them 3 times before for stays in other cities- and have always bid for 3 star. I've never been dissatisfied. I have used Hotwire about 7 or 8 times, and have had great luck there also- but not this good. In some localities using Hotwire, you can guess which hotel it is, without seeing the name- just by its amenities etc. Ft Lauderdale had great prices for near the airport but not so great in Feb. near the beach or on 17th causeway etc. where I wanted to be.

Priceline is tons of fun, I think. I love great surprises like the Renaissance.

Theresa is right--biddingfortravel.com is a must before you bid. You can also try betterbidding.com.

When you know what you're likely to get, Priceline can be pretty great. (Got a resort property in San Juan for $65 + tax...)

If you bid 3* Downtown Ft Lauderdale you will get a good room for a good price (usually either Embassy Suites that has a free breakfast or Marina Marriott that is next door to one of the Water Taxi stops.) 4* Downtown FLL will get you The Renaissance for a few more $$. On the beach side, you'll get the Hyatt Pier 66 using a 4* Beach FLL request and this is a very nice hotel also on the Water Taxi route. While the Hyatt Pier 66 is not actually ON the beach, you can take the Water Taxi or a shortcab ride to the beach (or walk if that is what you enjoy doing.) In November, you might be able to bid on the RESORT Beach category and get the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort which is never a disappointment (parking is expensive, so just take a cab or water taxi everywhere.) Many people even get a room the day they return to FLL and leave a day or two later because they want to enjoy FLL a little longer.

If I can be of more assistance, feel free to email me at [email protected], I'd be more than happy to answer any of your questions. I don't check the cruise website very often and might miss a reply to this post.

Enjoy your cruise!