ScooterScott22

We belong to the beach club at this resort and frequent it often. If you can get a decent rate I would advise you to stay there and enjoy the resort experience and close proximity to the port. 

There are quite a few options and most are fine but would depend on your preferences.  How much do you want to spend, how long are you staying (when does your flight arrive, is it a short overnight), and do you belong to any loyalty programs are just a few thing to consider.  I have stayed at quite a few places there for work and once for a cruise so I’ll share a few thoughts.  
If you are doing just an overnight, and especially with a later arrival, the blue lagoon area mentioned above is a pretty good option.  It should be a little less $ than downtown, convenient to get to from the airport and has a few things like dining and shops nearby.  In the morning taxi or Uber down the expressway to the port.  The Hampton mentioned above is really decent and probably the best value compared to the others in the area.
Downtown is a better option if you have a full day or even maybe up to two days.  It is usually a little more but closer to the port and there are a few more things to do.  Bayside marketplace and the park are a very easy walk and there are some other options for sightseeing.  Most of the hotels in the downtown area have been around for a while.  They have been kept up pretty well but most are definitely not brand new builds.  More to the south of the port area, the intercontinental is probably the best choice, the Hyatt is a few blocks back and is another option as well as the JW.  North of the port area is a Hilton, Doubletree and Marriott.  Those three are actually all connected via a little mall (and a walkway from the Hilton).  They overlook the port and that little mall area has some dining and shops if you don’t want or need to venture out too far.
if you have more time or plan to stay for a while then Miami Beach or other areas might be more interesting and have more entertainment and dining options.
Happy planning. 

There are quite a few options and most are fine but would depend on your preferences.  How much do you want to spend, how long are you staying (when does your flight arrive, is it a short overnight), and do you belong to any loyalty programs are just a few thing to consider.  I have stayed at quite a few places there for work and once for a cruise so I’ll share a few thoughts.  
If you are doing just an overnight, and especially with a later arrival, the blue lagoon area mentioned above is a pretty good option.  It should be a little less $ than downtown, convenient to get to from the airport and has a few things like dining and shops nearby.  In the morning taxi or Uber down the expressway to the port.  The Hampton mentioned above is really decent and probably the best value compared to the others in the area.
Downtown is a better option if you have a full day or even maybe up to two days.  It is usually a little more but closer to the port and there are a few more things to do.  Bayside marketplace and the park are a very easy walk and there are some other options for sightseeing.  Most of the hotels in the downtown area have been around for a while.  They have been kept up pretty well but most are definitely not brand new builds.  More to the south of the port area, the intercontinental is probably the best choice, the Hyatt is a few blocks back and is another option as well as the JW.  North of the port area is a Hilton, Doubletree and Marriott.  Those three are actually all connected via a little mall (and a walkway from the Hilton).  They overlook the port and that little mall area has some dining and shops if you don’t want or need to venture out too far.
if you have more time or plan to stay for a while then Miami Beach or other areas might be more interesting and have more entertainment and dining options.
Happy planning. 

I know there is a recent second thread going about the FLL area hotels but this one was first and the one I have been following.  I think I stated have been in the area for work and at a number of different hotels.  The Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa is not one I am not familiar with, and really haven't seen much feedback.  Does anyone have anything they can share?  We found a decent rate so it is under consideration.  

Come on @Vancity Cruiser even us in Florida have to get out of the cold in January.  😂 
Seriously though, the cruise lines go there year round since the weather is pretty nice most all the time.  Depending on which port you might have a cool to cold day.  It is not unusual to have a front that brings cool weather even down at Port Canaveral, if you are using one of the more southern ports there are still cool fronts but usually not as bad.  Once out closer to the islands typically it will be warmer.  

It is pretty simple - Order food, eat food 😂 
YMMV but the staff at the Jamie’s (we have been at three different ones) usually allow a little variety with desserts and apps but typically will keep you to one entree.  We did get offered a chance to taste another that we were interested in, but that was while sailing star class so may not have been the norm.  Likely you will find one app, one entrée and one dessert should fill you so to best experience multiple things either a group and sharing or more than one visit seems like the best strategy.
Enjoy!

It is pretty simple - Order food, eat food 😂 
YMMV but the staff at the Jamie’s (we have been at three different ones) usually allow a little variety with desserts and apps but typically will keep you to one entree.  We did get offered a chance to taste another that we were interested in, but that was while sailing star class so may not have been the norm.  Likely you will find one app, one entrée and one dessert should fill you so to best experience multiple things either a group and sharing or more than one visit seems like the best strategy.
Enjoy!

It is pretty simple - Order food, eat food 😂 
YMMV but the staff at the Jamie’s (we have been at three different ones) usually allow a little variety with desserts and apps but typically will keep you to one entree.  We did get offered a chance to taste another that we were interested in, but that was while sailing star class so may not have been the norm.  Likely you will find one app, one entrée and one dessert should fill you so to best experience multiple things either a group and sharing or more than one visit seems like the best strategy.
Enjoy!

Nope. I usually ask for 3-4 sides and 2 apps and they always accommodate me. This as a solo cruiser, with others we have had a full table of food. 
At Chops the 1 entree yes, to the other options no you can get multiple sides, apps and desserts. I can't see why you would pay out of pocket for Playmakers, $20 get you a lot of food. Plus, you can ask to close out the tab and start a new one. Most specialty places will allow you to order as much as you want within reason. But keep in mind that specialty food is often much richer, so you are satisfied. 
The unlimited dining plan is always a steal if you don't want to dine in the MDR and the class of ship has at least 5 specialty restaurants and/either Playmakers or Johhny Rockets. 

Just because it went into a pocket doesn’t mean it wasn’t pooled.  
 
At the casino bar on Harmony the pooled tips were in a bucket, in a cabinet under the back counter. Saw the bartender put some tips in there when he had a moment.  My guess was since it didn’t appear to be easy to access he pocketed tips until a lull.  When I asked to break a 20 at one point they brought out the bucket and made the switch.

Kids drink vouchers can also be used for smoothies at the vitality cafe or promenade cafe, bottles of water, or specialty coffees. My kids are pretty young, so they maybe had 1 sugary drink a day, so my husband and I used the kids vouchers for our morning iced espresso drinks and save the adult drinks for alcohol! Any extra vouchers at the end of the day we used to stock the room with bottles of water.

Worked from the ship, with varying degrees of success.

With regards to the multiple devices question.  It is possible to switch devices pretty easily as mentioned before.  The issue might be timing.  If you are solo that might be an issue if the timeframe for the code entry is really short.  But if you are traveling with someone you can use their device access for a short switch.  Just make sure that “borrowed” code is not the one you plan on utilizing for the actual meeting, because when they log back in it will kick you off.  
 
As far as real success to do everything it might be a little tricky.  Slow speeds were felt at times.  I found it was easier to do as much as possible off-line and wait to sign in and then link and do everything that requires a connection.  You can connect and let the outbox work while you go get lunch or a drink, LOL.  On Teams if you can do without sharing your camera, that also helps.  I found that Teams on the phone (iPhone) actually did better compared to the laptop.  

Worked from the ship, with varying degrees of success.

With regards to the multiple devices question.  It is possible to switch devices pretty easily as mentioned before.  The issue might be timing.  If you are solo that might be an issue if the timeframe for the code entry is really short.  But if you are traveling with someone you can use their device access for a short switch.  Just make sure that “borrowed” code is not the one you plan on utilizing for the actual meeting, because when they log back in it will kick you off.  
 
As far as real success to do everything it might be a little tricky.  Slow speeds were felt at times.  I found it was easier to do as much as possible off-line and wait to sign in and then link and do everything that requires a connection.  You can connect and let the outbox work while you go get lunch or a drink, LOL.  On Teams if you can do without sharing your camera, that also helps.  I found that Teams on the phone (iPhone) actually did better compared to the laptop.  

I’ll be following this since we will be bringing my parents down from the Midwest for our September cruise.  We have not stayed in the area for a cruise but I have been at a number of the hotels for work stays.  
 
Since it was mentioned so just adding that I have been to the restaurant at Bass Pro on a couple of occasions.  It was decent, more of a convenient thing on the second and third times.  If you are in the area or shopping there it is an acceptable option but there are some better options if you want a fancier meal.  It seems to be on par with a little bit nicer chain restaurant.  There was a dish or two, I think it was a smoked fish dip app that was pretty tasty, but don’t quote me on that.
edit:  Yes to the Rustic Inn.  If I recall the food was good but parking seemed to be an issue around there.

84 & 9th: Old Heidelberg. Excellent place and highly recommended. 

At the interchange of Griffin Rd., and I-95 there is several popular hotels, Hilton, Marriot, a couple others, they are the "Airport Hotels.  There is also a Bass Pro with a good, I've heard, we don't do much seafood, restaurant.  Also, just a mile or so west on Griffin Road is Tropical Acres Steak House.  This place puts Chops' Steaks to shame.  Anyway, they all have transportation to the port available, not complementary the last time I checked.  
Disclaimer:  I grew up within a mile of there.  It didn't look anything like it does now.
https://www.tropicalacres.com/menus/
Also, just down the street is the Rustic Inn.  If you like Crab, Frog Legs, Alligator, and a bunch of other critters, this is the place:
https://www.rusticinn.com/
 

Check out the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas which might be perfect for you. Anywhere in DT Fort Lauderdale is basically 15 min or less to the port. I am local so please let me know if you have any other questions regarding dining suggestions exc. 

@dustfsu the situation you described sounds closer to the description of the Ovation more than the Quantum.  We were on the Ovation’s inaugural Alaska sailing in 2019 (and so was the member above) and there were no issues with signage even though Ovation had been predominantly sailing Asia based itineraries prior.  The only item that was noticeable was they were still working on changing one of the quick counter services near the pool to the fish and chips restaurant.

Cruise ship sushi for the masses is never going to be authentic. They have to cater to the California Roll crowd.

@dustfsu the situation you described sounds closer to the description of the Ovation more than the Quantum.  We were on the Ovation’s inaugural Alaska sailing in 2019 (and so was the member above) and there were no issues with signage even though Ovation had been predominantly sailing Asia based itineraries prior.  The only item that was noticeable was they were still working on changing one of the quick counter services near the pool to the fish and chips restaurant.

Yes, heated and I’ll add that we swam at both the “indoor” pool and outdoor pool while sailing in Alaska.  On one of the cooler days and we tried both and the outdoor actually felt warmer.  Not sure if they can adjust the amount of warm water they send to each or if it was another factor in pool temp controls, or simply our perception.  YMMV but check each pool to find the one that’s “just right”.