Just returned from the Miracle on 4/15 and had an excellent time.

Pre-Cruise: We flew down on Sunday (a day early) for our Monday sail date and stayed at the Comfort Inn/Suites Airport/Cruise port at 1800 Federal Blvd. The hotel had mixed reviews but the price and the free shuttle for airport and cruise port persuaded us to give it a try. With a 50/50 good/bad rating we decided to see for ourselves. The hotel was very convenient to numerous restaurants, a Publix, and the Total Wine and More Store. The latter being very important. Expected arrival in Fort Lauderdale approx. 6:30Pm. Plenty of time for shopping.

Our best laid plans of course went awry when high winds in Boston delayed our flight leaving Bangor. We left two hours late which caused us to miss our first connection but Delta was very good about rebooking us for a slightly later one. After arriving in Boston we found the new flight was pushed back another hour. Approx time in Fort Lauderdale now 8:45. We had time to get something to eat in Boston and then went to check our flight again. Again delayed. Expected arrival in FLL, now 10:00 pm. Not going shopping tonight but OK. Sat down to wait awhile since everything seems to close early at Logan. Flight again pushed back and expected arrival is now midnight. This is why we fly early!. Finally off the ground and arrive in FLL at 1:15am. Call a cab for the hotel as the expected shuttle does not run after midnight. Ten bucks and some change for cab not counting tip. Hotel clerk is very friendly and has us checked in very quickly. We signed up for the 2pm shuttle as that was the only slot left. We figure we can call a cab if we change our minds. Hotel is clean and room is very nice. Bathroom clean (a must!) and bed is fairly comfortable. Straight to bed with an early wake up call as we figure we can sleep later in the week. Early up and down for the breakfast buffet. The buffet is OK but it is a total mob scene! Seems everyone at the hotel is headed for a cruise and wants an early start. We eat little and head out to the wine store. It is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel and really does seem like the 'home depot' of wine stores. Anything we want. Pick up our purchases and head back to do a little re-pack. Read more