Flights. We flew out the day before the cruise, had to book a 6am with a layover, which meant leaving our in laws house at 330am. This was a bit rough but turned out to be a blessing in disguise since winter storms hit later that day. Kids were up for our flight Pittsburgh to Tampa and were as good as can be. Our flight was overbooked and we had a chance at a $1600 voucher but didn't put us in ft. Lauderdale until midnight and weather would have made us miss the cruise...tragedy averted.

We booked hotel ocean sky on Priceline. Three stars. Room was $160. I can't say this was the best option but had its plus and minuses. First, cab ride was $60 for the 8 mile ride from airport to hotel. Driver plopped us in standing traffic and luckily I had my smart phone to call him out and he turned around and took an alternate route. I later found out ride should have been 45 dollars....so that plus $40 shuttle to cruise port adds $100 to hotel cost as the Marriott and other reputable hotels near the portwould have been $250. Hotel was a bit dingy and food was not good. However, it was right on the beach and had a Winn Dixie, dunkin donuts, liquor store for my rum runners, and kid friendly pizza shop at a short walk....umbrella stroller came in handy w the 3 and 5 year old occasional meltdown.

Kids had an awesome time at the beach, and at the heated pool so they were pleased. I don't believe you would have the beach access at the nicer hotels near the cruise port so with the entire day to spend this actually worked out well. I do have to admit before we got lunch and were a bit on edge we seriously considered getting a room at the Marriott but we decided to make the most of ocean sky and it worked out. I would say it was more of a college spring break vibe than families going on a cruise but again we got the beach which kids absolutely loved...even had a wings shop we went to for beach toys, reminded me of myrtle beach! We were spent and asleep by 830. I was up at 430am embarkation day twiddling my thumbs! But I didn't mind the kids were rested and ready for cruise day 1. Read more