5-hour drive which included a stop for dinner. Went down to Fort Lauderdale one day early and stayed at a very nice hotel for the night. First time ever to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Spent the night and enjoyed Halloween celebration at the bar in the hotel. Sheraton Suites was located close to the port so we can relax now that we are here for our adventure of cruising. Our suite at the Sheraton.
Atrium in center of the hotel.
Halloween Celebrations, our candy......Trick or Treat.
ON our way this morning to the Port of Fort Lauderdale. When we arrived at the port we had no idea where to go and park. Followed the signs for parking that said to park at North Port. After driving around the circle still did not know where to find North Port parking garage. We stopped and asked and they told us to go back around and there we would find parking in a garage. Went back around again and again to no avail still no parking garage in sight. Stopped again and finally, this guy told us to leave our luggage with him and he would tag it and put it in our room on board the ship. Wow, finally we feel like we are getting somewhere. He also told us we needed to go outside the fenced-in area of the port because the parking garage is next door. Park and go to the 2nd floor and there we will find the entry to customs and be given our sea card and will get on ship. He told us to not worry about luggage it will be in our room.
As we boarded the ship we decided since we could not go to our rooms yet we would do some exploring. The first thing we spot is the Martini bar. The first thing he asked for was our sea card which has our room number on it. Our card had the drink package on it but not the premium so we had to pay $3 which was charged onto the room. Our drink package pays for drinks up to $9, martini's are $12. Marlon got a bloody mary which was delicious.
Took our drinks and to the next room where a big porthole was and sat there and enjoyed our beverages.
Bon Voyage
The captain of the ship announced we could go to our rooms now. Loved all the glass elevators which we took from floor 2 to floor 9. Found our room which was 9080. When we opened our cabin door our mouths dropped to the floor. Wow, its very nice and there were lots of storage for our clothes. Lots of hangers and drawers :-)
Loved, Loved the balcony.
The tugboat is ready to help this big ship get out of the port and start our journey to Key West. Escorted out of the port by the Coast Guard which a guy was standing guard at the front of their boat with A m60 machine gun.
Suitcases are unpacked and the boat is moving and so are we. Walked up to deck 10 and sat on some lounge chairs and watched as we cruised along. Life is good. Found the spa area which some parts of it were free to Aqua class which we are in. Went back to the cabin to take advantage of this and put on our bathing suits on.
View as we are pulling away from the port.
Back up to floor 10 and enjoyed the Persian Garden. We were given slippers and robes to enter. We loved the aromatic steam room which had steam infused herbal smells. Ah, so nice to be pampered. Next into the Finnish sauna which was a hot and dry Nordic cedar lined and heated by a hidden stove. Cooled off with a shower that featured a stimulating shower with six water jets, an overhead spray with a blue fiber optic light inside. One button had a tropical rain shower infused with a great aromatherapy smell. I really enjoyed sitting on this heated seat, this felt great on my back and down my legs. Helped with the pain from my sciatica. RELAXING AWE, so nice.
Back to the room where we decided to have a Coke Zero over ice and watch the sun go down. Marlon is feeling tense even though we have taken Dramamine. He is saying he doesn't feel nauseous but feels like he is going to get Vertigo. So it makes him tense and not feel good. We will be getting off the boat tomorrow at Key West hopefully this feeling will go away.
Sun going down for the evening. So beautiful.
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The bathroom had an awesome Hansgrohe shower panel- if you've never experienced this, trust me, you'll love it. I stayed longer in the shower just so I could enjoy the nice relaxing spray. LOL Yeah, I'm out of the shower and finally dressed for the evening. Going to take advantage of the Aqua Class Blu restaurant tonight.
The Concierge at the door asked for our cabin number and had our names memorized from that day till we left the ship. Very impressed with her and team of people that waited on us. I felt like royalty, really everyone was so kind, and wanted to please us. The food was so tasty and the presentation was awesome. Enjoyed meeting other people as we chatted with people that sat around us.
Back to the cabin for a good nights sleep. Marlon is still not feeling to well.
