Does anyone know where I can store luggage in Ft. Lauderdale after getting off a early morning cruise?

Question

My cruise docks at 6:30 am. My flight doesn't leave until 11:30 pm.

Answer 1

You won't be able to disembark at exactly 6:30. Every deck or category get assigned a different time to leave the ship. Then you will need to go into the building to find and claim your luggage. Then you will need to find Your transportation to the airport. You will need to get to the airport as soon as you get off the ship to make it through security to make your flight. Remember a couple of thousand people are all trying to do the same thing. Luckily the cruiseport and airport are only about 10 minutes apart.

Answer 2

Are there any post-cruise excursions offered by your ship that you are interested in?  They store your luggage in the van while you are touring.

Answer 3

Generally speaking, the airlines won't accept your checked baggage until about 4 hours before your scheduled flight time.  You might want to check with the cruise line to see if they have any suggestions for you or if they provide any kind of luggage storage at the dock.

Answer 4

You can always take it to the airport and check it.  Also check to see if an earlier flight is available.

Answer 5

These are all great answers - It is true about reaching the airport asap.  I also like the answer about the luggage being returned to your destination.  And also about the car rental idea - although could be more time consuming.

Answer 6

My suggestion is to rent a car for the day.  Use the trunk to store your luggage and use the car to explore the city until it is time to board your return flight.  I have done this twice, once in Miami and once in Port Canaveral.  Both times it worked out great.

Answer 7

Cruise lines are now offering a program that will take your luggage directly from the ship to the airport - it is $25.00 per person.  We did this on our last cruise and it was fantastic.

However, only the major airlines are participating, American Airlines, and United.  

You simply put your luggage out the night before you arrive in Ft. Lauderdale, and you don't see it again until you arrive in your home city!  It was very hassle free.