Anyone who knows me knows I love my cruises, and I'm not a fan of Northern winters. That combination means I'm often sailing the Caribbean in the colder months, and most of those cruises depart from Fort Lauderdale or Miami. I always tell my clients to fly in at least one day prior to their cruise. There's too much uncertainty with travel these days, and you don't want to risk missing your ship. But that raises a question I've spent years answering for myself: where do you stay before your cruise?
I've tried several areas around Fort Lauderdale, and the Dania Pointe area has become my personal favorite. It's remarkably close to the airport, with most hotels offering airport shuttles. But the real draw is everything within easy walking distance. Shopping, dining, entertainment, all without the price tag that comes with staying right on the beach or beside the cruise port.
On one trip, we were staying after our cruise. We got off the ship, grabbed an Uber to the hotel, dropped our luggage at nine in the morning (too early to check in, of course), and headed out to explore. When it started to rain, we ducked into the movie theater and caught a film. By the time we finished, the hotel called to say our room was ready. That kind of flexibility makes all the difference when you're trying to extend the vacation feeling without overcomplicating things.
We've gone bowling at Lucky Strike, which was only open in the evenings when we visited but made for a fun way to spend time before a later dinner. There's an improv comedy club I haven't checked out yet, but it's definitely on my list. And there's a lovely little park plaza where they host activities and live music. Every time I return, something new has been added to the area. It keeps growing, which makes each visit feel fresh.
What I didn't expect was the variety of dining. You've got everything from fast food options to fast casual spots like BurgerFi and Firehouse Subs. But the real standouts are the sit-down restaurants. Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurant gave us a memorable dinner with excellent wine pairings. Firebird Woodfire Grill does authentic wood-fired steaks and pastas. First Watch has become a go-to for breakfast. And Rob, my husband, insists we eat at Rodizio, the Brazilian steakhouse, every single time we're in the area. It's become a must-visit for us. We've also tried Saito's Japanese Steakhouse for a Hibachi style dinner. I haven't even listed all the places we've tried, but every meal has been within a short and easy walk from the hotels.
If you're looking to shop, the options are solid. There's a BrandsMart USA, a Nike Clearance Store, a Sephora, Hobby Lobby, a luggage and flip-flop store (perfect if you forgot something for the cruise), and even a Tipsy Salon Bar if you want a little pampering. Everything is walkable, which makes the whole experience laid back and stress-free.
Some afternoons, I don't feel like wandering at all. I've spent time by the hotel pool, ordered food and drinks through a delivery app, and just enjoyed extending that vacation mindset without going anywhere. It's the best of both worlds: plenty to do when you want it, total relaxation when you don't.
Dania Pointe is ideal for cruisers who want to spend time near the Fort Lauderdale airport without paying beach-adjacent prices. You're still close to the ship, close to the airport, but the pricing is more reasonable and it's not quite as busy. It's a great fit for travelers who want options without feeling overwhelmed.
I have a Christmas and New Year's cruise planned this December, and I'm flying in a few days early to spend time in Dania Pointe before we sail. That's how much I believe in this spot. If you're looking to make sure your pre-cruise or post-cruise time feels like part of the vacation, not just logistics, this is the destination I keep coming back to.