I am getting in from my cruise on a Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m.
Two questions:
How soon could I reasonably expect to get to the Vancouver airport?
Is there any air service, other than the major brands, that can get me back to Ft. Lauderdale that same day/night? United leaves at 11:00a.m., and I'm afraid I won't make that flight....not to mention it is $535. any suggestions?

The rule of thumb is not to plan flying out of YVR before noon on cruise days, especially given widespread confusion over the current US immigration/passport policy-of-the-day.

Because of flying time and time zones, getting to the east coast on the same day you leave the west coast, departing after noon, is quite difficult, hence the number of red-eye routes.

I think there's a Delta flight that leaves Vancouver around 1 PM that gets into FLL around midnight. You might check prices with them.

Thank you for your reply. We've decided to just bite the bullet and take the redeye at 7:30 at night. Our only dilemma now is what to do until then and what to do with our luggage....

Check your bags with the doormen of a hotel for the day.

Get a car and put the luggage in the boot.