Due to really bad flight times in and out of Ft. Lauderdale, we will need a place to stay for one night before and one night after our cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale in January. Have no idea where to stay! Anything reasonably priced ($100. per night range...or am I dreaming...) that would be convenient to the cruise lines, but in a location that would be walkable to restaurants, shopping, etc.? Thanks for any great suggestions!

If you are talking about between now and maybe December, you should have some luck. If after that -- yes, you are dreaming. All the below have nice choices of restaurants to walk to and are practically next door to the cruise terminal.

The Hyatt Pier 66, Renaissance, and Marriott Marina may even have specials now near that price range. All are practically across the street from the cruise ships.

Also look at Amerisuites 17th Street, Holiday Inn Express, Embassy Suites on 17th Street, Best Western Marina Inn, and Comfort Suites Convention Center. Oddly enough, while this last group sounds cheaper, those first three I mentioned often have specials that are even lower. You just have to check.

Can't believe I missed that word "JANUARY". All bets are off for then. But try anyway.

What about Lauderdale-By-The-Sea or Hollywood? Both Broward County.

www.Sunny.org

I suppose like most people, dmkujat feels that for one night it would be nice not to rent a car or have major taxi expense to a more distant hotel and then to the cruise ships. What is the advantage of saving $25 or $50 on a hotel room if you then spend more than that getting to and from it? Some of the hotels mentioned above may even provide free airport and/or cruise shuttle, or at least they are close to the airport for cheap transportation, and you can even walk to the cruise ship. Not so with places further away.

Patrick, thank you for your suggestions, and you are right...we just need a nice place to stay for a couple of nights, and if it were my choice, I would fly in and out the day my cruise leaves, but we are flying from northern Michigan and with the chance of bad weather combined with really bad flight times, we need to make the best of the situation. I will check out these hotels!

I stayed at the Marriott Marina last April. I paid $74 using Priceline (first time user) It was a $10 cab ride from the airport, right next to the cruise terminal and on the water taxi route which takes you to restaurants and shopping. I'd definitely recommend it.

thanks ah4sail!