Most all of the crew houses in Fort Lauderdale are safe. There are some, though, that I don’t recommend because they also advertise themselves as hostels and therefore tend to attract people on the backpacking circuit. The following are recommended based on either my experience or referrals from current crew as of spring 2013:
| Housing Options | Description |
|---|---|
| The Neptune Group 417 SE 21st St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Tel: 1-954-763-1050 Website: www.theneptunegroup.com Owners: D.J. Parker and Captain Dwight Ledbetter | The Neptune Group gets my strong recommendation among crew house options in Fort Lauderdale. The properties are owned and managed by Captain Dwight Ledbetter, a former yacht captain with many years in the industry, and D.J. Parker, a well-known charter and yacht broker as well as past successful charter captain. Each property has been completely renovated, newly decorated, and extensively landscaped. Each house or apartment includes free Wi-Fi and DSL Broadband Internet, free cable TV/DVD, safes, all basic supplies, and professional cleaning services. All homes also come with BBQ/patio/private backyards. The Neptune Group places two or less people in a room, and they have lots of fully private apartments with queen-size beds available for couples. Due to the high demand for the Neptune Group’s properties, especially during peak season, they do operate from a registration system. You are wise to register early, which you can do by contacting them directly or filling out a form on their website. In order to get on Neptune Group’s waiting list without a prior history in the industry, you will have to go through an intensive screening process. Once you’ve submitted a registration form online, you will most likely be called and interviewed by Captain Dwight or his assistant manager, who will ask a lot of questions to confirm that you are career minded and that your heart is in the right place. He does reserve the right to turn you down if he feels that’s not the case. The Neptune Group also conducts interviews to best match you up with fellow residents who share your same goals or interests. It is well worth going through this screening process because both Captain Dwight and DJ Parker have the ability to help you with your job search, as both are very well connected throughout the industry and hear of job leads all the time. They recommend tenants whom they feel will make good crew. The Neptune Group also offers a first-class crew placement service known as Neptune Crew, part of an online service to match crew staying in their houses with day work opportunities and full-time positions. You can check this out by visiting their website. Accommodations: Two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes; and two-bedroom/two-bath and one-bedroom/one-bath apartments. |
| Cotton Crews Housing 4512 N Flagler Drive Suite 204 West Palm Beach, FL 33409 Tel: 1-561-310-3477 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cottoncrews.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/CottonCrews/ | Located near Fort Lauderdale, in sunny West Palm Beach, Cotton Management Company was founded out of a growing need for crew housing in the West Palm Beach yachting industry. They specialize in accommodating yachties through major refits or yard periods where they cannot live onboard. In addition to crew housing, they offer professional cleaning, property management, and realty services. Accommodations: One to six bedroom homes, as well as private or shared rooms in both West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale |
| Crew Castle (Call for address) Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Tel: 1-954-931-8945 Email: [email protected] www.americancrewhouses.webs.com Contact Person: Samantha (Chef Sam) | Another strong recommendation based on both my experience and the experience of many readers of my first edition: Crew Castle is run by Chef Sam, a former yachtie herself. Located close to U.S. 1 and 17th Street, Crew Castle is a top-notch facility, referred to by some as “the Hilton of crew houses.” Accommodations are clean, quiet, safe, and close to everything. The home features a huge kitchen, big screen TV in the den, individual TVs in each bedroom, wireless DSL Internet connections throughout the house, three decks, patio, outdoor BBQ, free airport pick-up with advance notice, and even a ladies’ library. This is not a party house; Chef Sam runs a tight ship, and she is looking for serious-minded job hunters. She is very selective. Accommodations: The Crew Castle is a million-dollar crew house with double occupancy bedrooms; one bathroom for every two bedrooms. |
| Mary’s Crew Houses 816 SE 12th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Tel: 1-954-242-1109 (Mary’s cell and 24-hour office) Email: [email protected] Website: www.maryscrewhouse.com Contact Person: Mary E. Gaudette | Mary’s crew houses are fully functional crew houses, which opened in September 2003. They provide accommodation to crewmembers both new and old to the yachting industry. Captains call Mary’s Crew House when they need day workers/crew, as they know she will send them reliable, hard-working individuals. Full free Internet and Wi-Fi access in all places, telephone for local United States calls, big screen cable TVs in every room, large community kitchen and living areas in both apartments, heated pool, BBQ, exercise equipment, free airport pick-up when you arrive in town, washing machine and dryer, personal lockers for valuables, and full bedrooms with plenty of personal space. Central air conditioning and many fans are provided. Accommodations: Three houses with shared accommodation, as well as private rooms, located right off 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale. |
| Palm Place Residences 1324 SW 31st St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 Tel: 1-954-655-8526 or 1-954-566-7182 www.palmplaceres.com Contact Person: Lisa | Newly renovated, tastefully decorated, and fully furnished in southern Florida motif, Palm Place Residence is a crew accommodation that features new appliances, cable TV with premium channels, DVD/VCR, complimentary local phone service, wireless internet access, and free laundry facilities. Both the house and the cottage are complimented with private gardens, decks, and lounging patios replete with BBQ. Accommodations: The main house features one shared and two private bedrooms, one with private bathroom. The property also has a separate cottage that is ideal for a couple that wants all the amenities in a quaint, quiet setting. |
| Smart Move Crew Accommodations & Property Management 716 SE 17th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Tel: 1-954-525-9559 Fax: 1-954-527-0595 Email: [email protected] www.smartmovecrew.com | Smart Move Crew has catered to the yachting industry since the business started over 20 years ago. Tenants of Smart Move Crew tend to return year after year, from entry-level crew who seek crew house-style living quarters or efficiencies to captains and entire crews who rent three- or four- bedroom houses. Smart Move’s headquarters is located on 17th Street Causeway, in the heart of the Fort Lauderdale yachting scene. All properties are fully furnished and all inclusive (including Wi-Fi, Cable TV, BBQ’s, laundry facilities) and are fully air-conditioned. Many have pools or Jacuzzis as well. Accommodations: Crew houses. Two-, three-, and four-bedroom crew house-style homes (to accommodate larger crews); one-bedroom/one-bath apartments; and studio/efficiencies. |
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