We are HERE – Fort Lauderdale that is.

Bonaventure Resort and Spa - photo courtesy of hotel's website

For us the worst thing about travelling is flying.  Hands down!  We both commented how different flying is now than when we first flew.  Some things for the good and some things for the bad.  But it is the necessary evil to get on a ship out of Fort Lauderdale.

After a very very very restful night at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport we woke at 4 am for our 7 am flight.  So nice to leave the hotel at 5 and be at the check in counter at 5:05! 

United check in was smooth and effortless.  I think the biggest issue this entire day was dealing with many people ahead of us who were just not prepared.  If they ask for your passport out they mean they need your passport out.  When you are in line to check in, have your paper work out too.  Okay I have said my peace.

One nice thing about flying to the United States from Vancouver (and many Canadian airports) is as soon as you check in you have to go thru and drop your bags (noticed they take our pic of us when we do this, see more about this later).  We then go to thru security check point.  So happy to have Nexus which provides us with TSA pre screening and Global Entry.  Then you go thru US Customs right then.  One thing we screwed up on is we brought an orange and apple to eat while waiting for our flight, but you can’t bring fruit or vegetables into the United States.  So we threw those out. 

I wanted to mention that when we were with the Custom’s Agent when he scanned our Nexus cards two pictures appeared of us, one when we dropped our bags and another when we were doing our declaration.  They know we are going on a cruise, because all that info has been pre entered into our cruise personalizer and is linked to our passport.  He asked us what ports we would be visiting and I rambled  off the few off quickly – I am sure they ask this to see how easily you answer the question.  I guess someone who has no idea or stumbles would send up a flag, but hey you are talking to Vickie of Cruising Princess Cruiseline with Vickie.

We have about 30 minutes before our flight starts boarding and I need some caffeine to enter this body and I mean fast.  Thankfully I was able to fulfill that need easily along with a breakfast sandwich.

The flight to Houston was a little late leaving but they made up time in the air and after 4.5 hours we were in Houston.  I would love to give a shout out to the lovely couple I was sitting beside.  We must of spent two hours chatting about travel and I learned some new things and some new apps I need to check out.  Hope you enjoy your trip you two – cause I know you are going to be reading this.

We had a nice layover in Houston – 2.5 hours but after getting off the plane and changing concourse and getting a meal (with a drink) at Cat Coras (near gate E10) restaurant (highly recommend) we were ready to get on the next flight.

Thankfully the next flight is shorter – just over two hours.  But once again we were able to get some good winds at our back and we arrived early. 

Oh wanted to say.  When we were getting on Bernie recognized the head coach of the Vancouver White Caps Carl Robinson and President Bob Lenarduzzi.  They were on both our flights and we got a chance to chat with them briefly.  I told them how I remembered serving Bob and his family (the kids were very little) back in the mid 80s when I worked at the Spaghetti Factory.  They are heading down for the Super Draft Pick. 

A few things about United Airlines.  Their crew is outstanding and very friendly.  As I too work with the public I commend them on being so friendly and helpful for so long, I don’t think I could do it.  The first plane was great but the second one was much more crowded – and I mean with leg room.  How can the exact same plane type be so different (well the first plane was brand new).  Another thing about United is they have an APP that you download ahead of time to allow you to watch their entertainment.  I have been on 8 United flights in the past 12 months and on none of the flights was I able to access this entertainment!  And I wasn’t the only one.   So with regards to their entertainment it just plain sucks and they should scrap it and start again.  So if you are flying United be prepared and bring your own entertainment.

So we are at the airport in Fort Lauderdale… seems weird cause we were just here six weeks ago. 

This time we noticed a few changes (but I am sure there are more) since we were here last year.  First we noticed a Starbucks – yeah for us as this is our drug of choice – caffeine, besides wine.  There is a Starbucks on the arrival level near the baggage claim that is new.

Also while waiting for our bags to arrive the buzzer goes to announce the bags are coming and it is not the usually sound, it is a ship’s horn that sounds.  How cool and put a smile on my face.  The best thing is our bags were some of the first off. 

I had reserved a full size car with Alamo for two nights and we had our car within ten minutes – a lovely Nissan.  Within 30 minutes of touching down in Fort Lauderdale we were on the road heading to the hotel. 

This is just too good to be true.  Early flight, bags right away – no damage to any bag, easy car pick up and no problem finding hotel.  Very different from last year’s adventure (which you can read by clicking here).

We arrive at the Bonaventure Resort and Spa in Weston 15 minutes later (note this is with very little traffic, easily double it during prime time). 

As soon as we enter the stunning lobby we are greeted by Rafael at the front desk who welcomes us.  You know there is nothing better than feeling welcomed when you arrive somewhere.  It is nice to feel like they are glad to see you and are happy to help you.  Trust me this doesn’t always happen.  But Rafael greeted us, asked us how our trip was, asked what he could do to make our stay enjoyable.  We asked for a quiet room and he checked the system and ensured we had a quiet area in the hotel for the next two nights.  I asked about printer and he directed us to the business center, but added if I had a memory stick he could print it right now.  Since it is my luggage tags for the cruise I need to print out I will have to come back later.  He gave us details on the pool, spa and the Wi-Fi access. 

Ahhh… so we proceed to our building and our room feeling more relaxed than when we arrived.  Our room is spacious with two queen sized beds with a small kitchen and a large bathroom.  The view from our balcony is out to the water but at this hour we can’t see much.  Will take photo in daylight.

The room is lovely and it will do.  I will say that the resort is older (I am guessing built in the 80s) but it is well maintained but some areas do show their age.  Rooms are well appointed and clean with the obvious signs of wear and tear you will find anywhere.  

We decide to just stay in for the night.  Both of us are so tired and I still have an ear ache (although it is considerably better than it was Wednesday).  We watch some tv and I read and we are both asleep just after 10 pm.

Jan 15 Travel Day

Our flight on United was at 7:30 so this gave us enough time to head down and check in and then grab a bit to eat.  With one quick stop in Houston for an hour and a half and then on to Fort Lauderdale.

All flights were on time; however we did run into an issue.

When we got our bags we noticed one had been ripped open at the seam. Looks like one of the machines got a hold of it and it tore.  So we took the bag to baggage services and right away they filled out a claim form, taped it up for us and told us to present it at the counter in Vancouver for a list of places that can fix it.  We are not sure if they will fix or give us money but at least they are going to fix.  

The bags are just under three years old and we do travel a lot with them but it is disappointing but we always say it could be worse.  It could have been totally ripped open with all my items strolling down the luggage carousel.  Trust me I have seen this.  We will pick up some duck tape in Florida so we can use the bags and for our flight home we will get them to put suitcase in bag to ensure nothing more happens.

We then proceeded to the rental car counter.  We had arranged a reservation thru Advantage Rental Cars ahead of time.  We noticed prices were crazy this weekend, and not surprising with so many ships in this weekend and it being a long weekend in the States we settled on Advantage.  I had read on line ahead of time many issues people had with Advantage, especially with all the added charges. Now we are use to the added charges like added fees for location, taxes, etc.  But boy oh boy was this check in ever a pain.  

The guy tried to sell us everything, we kept telling him no.  No to insurance, no again to added insurance, no to gas, no to replacement, no!  He just didn’t want to take no for an answer and kept warning us of what “could” happen.  Sure we got a great deal ($111 for three night for a full size) but we are wondering if maybe we should of went with one of the big names and paid two and a half times? 

We did get a nice car and we walked around and made very detailed notes of any previous marks and even video tapped the entire walk around to ensure we did not miss anything.  Note we also video the walk around after we return the car to make sure they don’t try and ding us for something we didn’t do.  And something tells me with this rental car company I may be glad I did. 

After leaving the airport we were on our way to the hotel.  We booked a hotel near Sawgrass Mills Mall.  We knew with having a car we could go further out and away from the port.  Plus hotels near the port were CRAZY expensive.  

Hotels we normally stayed at for no more than $75-$100 a night are going for $200 - $250 a night.  So we booked the Double Tree By HiltonSunrise at Sawgrass Mills and the price was right.  They also include free parking (I believe they also have the option of leaving your car while you cruise but you are such a distance from the port, not sure it would be a good option). 

Unfortunately our GPS had other ideas and kept sending us South towards Miami and I knew that was not the right way so after about a half hour of arguing with it (yes I did have a few words with Tom Tom you piece of ……!)  I decided to go with my instincts and my amazing sense of direction! Yeah I do have a great sense of direction and know my way around quite easily one trait I was born with, why do you think I am bus driver by trade.  So we overrode the GPS and headed North West and found the hotel with no real problems.

So this was number three of frustrating things, suitcase tear, rental car and now GPS.  When we walked into the hotel we met with Denise Miller the night manager that day and we breathed a big sigh and she quickly made our night brighter.   The hotel is full and we were given room 414 which seemed like a great room but we were concerned with all the noise that would come with being so close to the elevators and ice machine and housekeeping closet.  But tonight it will do just fine. 

Denise made us even happier when she gave us two free drinks in the lounge… I really like this hotel!  And also two coupons for 20% off in the restaurant. 

We took advantage of that complimentary drink right away and met a lovely couple from England who is sailing on a Blue Jazz cruise on Sunday. 

And around 11:30 we were tucked into bed and quickly feel asleep, well Bernie did, I was restless.  I kept hearing all the sounds from the elevator, and guest out in the halls.  Also new surroundings kept me tossing and turning but in the end I did get some sleep, but I think we will need to change rooms for the next two nights.

Trip to South America - Florida

With the trip coming up I wanted to let you know a bit about our pre cruise information and details.  I decided to write this blog before we left so I can link the hotel website, car rental, port details etc.

First we should start with the fact we are flying to Florida from Vancouver, yeah!!!  I can't remember the last time we flew from Vancouver to Florida.  Well I can remember it was when Princess use to do our air and they would put us up in a hotel the night prior for free.  That was like our 1st, 2nd and 3rd Princess cruise, and that was a long time ago.  But back then when Princess organized the flights we use to have to fly East to Toronto or Montreal then South to Florida.  We hated that itinerary, we encountered flight delays and missed connections because of this routing.  Soon we started planning our own flights and with that it was always more economical to fly out of Seattle.

So back to this trip.  

Quite a few months ago we booked this air with United.  We leave at 6:24 am and get into Fort Lauderdale around 5:30 pm, which is really 2:30 our time.  We have a one hour connection in Houston.

We decided to rent a car in Fort Lauderdale cause there are so many trips in port leaving that weekend that hotels were very expensive.  Hotels that we normally pay around $75 a night were asking over $200 a night.  I don't think so....  

So we booked a car for $15 a day thru Priceline and got Alamo, we decided to upgrade to a full size vehicle for a nominal fee since we will spend the next day with our friend Barb and Craig.  

We finally got a hotel that we were able to book thru Priceline about two months ago.  We knew because we had a car we could look further afield.

We won a bid at the Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek.  It is about a 12 minute drive from the pier.  We got it for $90 a night and that includes Wifi, and free parking and the rooms are very large with numerous amenities.

We have never stayed at this hotel before and I am sure it will do the trick for the two nights we are in Fort Lauderdale.

The next day Craig found an Everglades tour for just the four of us.  Everglades Safari Park is the company and we are going on a one hour private air boat ride for $250 total.

After the tour we will get some lunch and then head to a local Target to pick up some sundries that we will need for the long voyage.  We decided to not pack so many of the toilitries, but to buy then when we get there.  The list includes; moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, hair mousse, bars of soap, wine and whatever else we feel the need we can't live without.

A nap will probably be in order and then evening will be a lovely night out with our friends to celebrate a wonderful Valentines Day.  Don't know yet where we are going but will post where we end up.

For embarkation day we will probably head to the pier and drop off our bags then head back out to meet up with a friend who is a comedian on board and will be getting off the Crown and then getting on the Ruby (sad we won't see him perform) but glad we will get to see him.  

We may look at trying to fit in a pedicure too this day.

We will take the car back to the airport and then catch Alamo's free shuttle back to the pier.  We are not in a rush to get on, I am okay with waiting till 2 or 3 to board.  Plus we will have 49 days to be on board so we can wait.

I hope you stay tuned to follow our adventures.  

And check out my Facebook Fan Page for more details and personal answers to your questions.  Cruising Princess Cruiseline With Vickie Page