Embarkation: Fort Lauderdale has this down .... Catering to the cruise industry the Airport has improved dramatically since we first started cruising 10 years ago. On Cruise Critic board recommendations, we stayed at the Renaissance Plantation Hotel in Hollywood. With cruiser pricing incentives and free transport to the ship (not from the airport .... $35 cab ride), this is a small, beautiful hotel with good service, nice rooms and an attentive staff. Nice hotel restaurant and bar - a little pricey but this is a tough market and that they have a decent hotel eatery is unusual. I'd call this a budget Ritz-Carlton experience ... if this is your thing, save about 400 bucks per day here. We arrive a day early (Saturday for a Sunday Departure) and relax, make our own hotel and transfer arrangements and carry a few "Fives" to tip doormen, bellmen and baggage handlers .... not having to lift bags is something we like and have found its easier and more relaxing to make our own arrangements than take ship transfers.

Celebrity, in my opinion, leads the industry in embarkation efficiency. We usually arrive 2 hours after earliest boarding time and avoid crowds. From car to cabin took about 10 minutes. Organize your embarkation materials, complete on-line forms and keep stuff accessible with passport/ticket holders around your neck. All of this helps to avoid the stress that accompanies any kind of traveling.

Ship ...... spectacular. If you understand the state of the art engineering that is contained within the steel of this ship, you will agree. A big ship that has the intimate feel of the Century class Celebrity ships, it is without peer as a cruiser, all things considered. The dEcor is tasteful and nautical with dark color schemes where they are appropriate and bright ones where these fit best. It is, without question, a work of art in and of itself. Worth cruising aboard her just to appreciate what has been built. Read more