Trying to nail it please

Question

I'm on extended trip to the US, Central America and Caribbean in May/June.

I have SNS nails which will need a revamp at some point. I usually manage at least 3 weeks but 6 wont do it.

I'm on a cruise with a day in Fort Lauderdale at the 3 week point with a trip to Everglades finishing around 1.

Is there somewhere nearby to the terminal that will be able to do a set for me please?

I'm assuming it could be very busy, so want to make an advance appointment

TIA

Answer

Short answer: yes — there are several honest, practical nail shops within a few minutes’ drive of Port Everglades (the cruise terminals are on SE 20th–30th Streets, and the SE 17th St area is the traditional “nail salon” strip). Book ahead if you can (especially in May/June cruise season) and tell them you have SNS (dip) nails so they reserve time for a proper soak-off + revamp.

Why this area? Port Everglades has a north entrance on SE 17th Street and a cluster of salons on SE 17th/St. to the south of the terminals, so travel time from the cruise terminals is short (a taxi/ride is typically under 10 minutes depending on traffic).

Below are several places that are close, reliable, and used by cruisers — I’ve listed salons that show online booking or contact details so you can make an appointment in advance. Where known I included street/address info so you can drop it into a rideshare.

Nail Port Beauty & Spa (Nail Port) — Fort Lauderdale (SE 17th St area). Known for affordable work and online booking; convenient to the port so ideal for a same-day or morning appointment. (Check their booking page and call ahead to request SNS removal + full set time).
Ultimate Nails Spa — 1515 SE 17th St #109 (33316). Advertises full-service appointments and online booking — very close to the cruise area and a good option if you want a proper revamp.
Harbor Nails / Harbor Nails & Hair — around 1501 SE 17th Street Causeway. Walk-in friendly but also takes appointments; convenient location for Port Everglades customers and often used by travellers.
Moon & Stars Spa Nails — 3085 E Commercial Blvd. (a short drive from the port). Advertises standard SNS/dip and manicure services; useful as a slightly larger salon option if the 17th St shops are full.
Other nearby options — there are many smaller salons and chains in the 33316 zip/SE 17th St strip (Yelp/Booksy listings show multiple SNS-friendly shops). If the three above are full, try searching “SNS nails 33316” or Booksy for live availability.

Practical tips for booking and timing:

Tell the salon upfront you have SNS/dip nails and need a revamp (soak-off + reapplication or full set). Removal + fresh SNS can take roughly 60–120 minutes depending on technician and complexity — ask them to reserve at least an hour. Many salons list soak-off / removal times or offer “soak off with service” as a specific option.
Make an appointment for late morning (after your Everglades trip finishes around 1pm) — allow for travel time back to the port and factor in traffic; a 2:30–3:00pm booking should be doable for a 1pm finish if your Everglades tour returns on time, but aim earlier if you want extra margin. If you must be back on the ship the same day, confirm the ship’s latest re-boarding time before scheduling.
If you’re worried about availability, call the salon the week before and ask if they accept cruise-day appointments; many are used to cruisers and will confirm how long the service will take. Online booking links (where present) are handy for securing a spot.
Ask about sanitation and SNS products so they’ll use the correct dip system (bring a photo of your current nails or the SNS brand name if you’re unsure). If your existing SNS is older/raised, a proper soak-off is important to avoid damage.
Plan transport: short taxi or rideshare from most terminals. If you prefer to stay very close to the terminals, ask your ship’s terminal staff or the port information desk for a recommended salon (they sometimes have local lists).

If you want, I can:

Check live availability for one or two of these salons and draft a short message you can call/text them (or an SMS template) asking specifically for an SNS soak-off + revamp appointment for your cruise date; or
Look up exact phone numbers and opening hours for any salon above and put them in order by distance from your specific cruise terminal (you can tell me which terminal number if you know it — Terminal 2, Terminal 18, etc.).

Trying to nail it please

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