Cherbeth, I am doing early research for our December cruise on the Miracle. I have never been to Ft. Lauderdale, but I have come up with 2 options for hotel so far:
Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port. This one is very close to the airport and the ship. It offers a free shuttle service to and from both. Looks like just a plain but decent hotel, and very convenient. (If you book this one online, click on the "Internet User's Rate" button, and you will save some money.
Granada Inn B&B. This looks like a lovely little place with lots of character. It is a block off the beach, and walking distance to a lot of nice resturaunts, etc. I am definitely leaning toward this one. The taxi would be about $20 from the airport, and then about $10 to the ship.
Please let me know what you end up choosing.