Miami or F.Laudedale?
 

I am coming over from the UK to join a cruise ship from F.Lauderdale and I need somewhere to stay for 1 night pre-cruise and also 3 nights post-cruise and I don't know whether to stay at a Miami airport hotel for the 1st night and then have the 3 nights afterwards in Miami or f.Lauderdale or stay all of the nights in F.Lauderdale.<BR>Somebody must help me as I am coming over at the end of Septmber!

Emma - My personal choice would be to stay all nights in Fort Lauderdale. It offers more in the line of accomodations and restaurants that are easily accessable. The public beach in Ft. Lauderdale is GREAT. While there are less expensive places to stay, checkout http://www.lagomar.com

Emma,<BR>I assume you're flying into Miami. <BR>Suggest you get to Ft. Lauderdale...lots of great places to stay. If your budget can handle it, the Hyatt Pier 66 is a great property, a short cab ride from the cruise ship pier.<BR>Also, for yuks, you can have a really good dinner at Burt 'n Jack's...Burt Reynolds restaurant, right on the water.

Emma:<BR>I suggest that you either stay in Ft. Lauderdale the entire time or stay in Ft. Lauderdale the pre-cruise night and then in Miami Beach post-cruise. I wouldn't suggest the Miami airport area. There is nothing there but heavy traffic.

I also agree with others comments. I would also try and fly into Ft. Lauderdale. If you check the prices they are usually the lower fare versus Miami. Ft. Lauderdale is a great town, nice beach, shopping, and restaurants. If you want to stay on the beach try the Marriott Beach Towers. For less expensive, on the beach, somewhat older, try the Sheraton Yankee Clipper. You also won't need to rent a car. I believe both hotels have transportation to the cruise ships. Have fun!

Hey Emma~ Hope you have a great cruise! To make it a lot less stressful~ Go to Fort Lauderdale to get to the cruise ships. Check out rates at the Hyatt Pier 66 hotel (beautiful) or the Marriott Marina Bay. Both are close to the ports and very close to the ocean. There is also an Embassy Suites nearby (close to the seventeenth Street Causeway which is close to Port Everglades.) If you like Mexican food there is a great restaurant called Carlos and Pepe's and there is also an Outback Steakhouse very close to all of these hotels mentioned if you are looking for a place to eat once you get in! Enjoy yourselves!

emma:<BR><BR>You'd be happier in Fort Lauderdale. Way too much traffic and people in Miami vs Fort Lauderdale. The Port Everglade area is a very attractive place with excellent beaches, plenty of shopping around too for last minute items you might need for the cruise.

Depends on what you want. I think Ft Lauderdale is easier, but Miami is more interesting. Both have nice beaches, & restaurants. Miami has more things to see & do.

Burt & Jacks has closed. Stay right on the beach at Lago Mar or Marriott Harbor Beach-both are really nice and less than a mile from port everglades. Lago Mar has suites for great prices.

Emma- DEFINITELY stay in Ft.Lauderdale-<BR>We always stay at Hyatt Pier 66 which is on the Intracoastal Waterway-with views of Ocean and Intracoastal.<BR>If you are really dead after the flight over the pond,have dinner at the restaurant next door to the Hyatt-Calif.Cafe-they have outdoor dining on the Intracoastal-relaxing, romantic, good not great food- but close to hotel and hotel has a little jitney to drive you over and back for free if you are seriously dead from the plane flight...<BR>Also the pool at the Hyatt is beautiful and there is a band there during the day....

Thanks uys for your replies, I am booked the Fort Lauderdale Marina Marriott for the first night and I think I will book the Marriott Harbor Beach for the 3 nights after the cruise.<BR>Is there any decent websites about dining etc. in F.Lauderdale?

Emma, good choices. The Marriott Beach towers is very nice. Many fine restaurants. Take the river taxi up to the Riverfront. Go to Las Olas Blvd. For upscale dining, Charlie's Crab is very nice and excellent food. Have fun. Enjoy your cruise.

This is for Emma for your question on Fort Lauderdale restaurants. Try Burt & Jacks at Berth 23 in Port Everglades and try their New York Steak. Burt Reyonds use to own this joint, but its still good. Aruba Beach Club at 1 East Commercial Blvd in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. Great seafood and beautiful view of the ocean and everything else. Mark's Las Olas at 1032 East Blvd in Ft Lauderdale, expensive and you will remember this place for a long time. Old Florida Seafood House at 141 Northeast 26th St in Wilton Manors. Shirttail Charlies at 400 Southwest 3rd Ave in Ft Lauderdale, try the yellowtail snapper. Here is a website for all restaurants in the Ft Lauderdal area: http://fortlauderdale.citysearch.com...es=15&miles=15.

If you are flying into Miami then my suggestion would be to stay the pre-cruise night in Ft. Lauderdale (go to Los Olas, great restaurants, bars,etc.) since you will want to be near the ship. Then definitely stay in South Beach for the 3 nights after the cruise!!! I used to live in Miami Beach and I can't tell you how much fun you will have on the beach, walking Ocean Drive, eating, drinking and watching all of the beautiful people! Ft. Lauderdale is nice, but you will be bored senseless after a one evening. Whatever you do don't stay at the airport, although it's only 15 minutes from South Beach, it's a world away! You can find pretty good hotel deals in South Beach so good lunck and have fun.