Hotel in FLL—we got the Westin Beach Resort from Priceline. The hotel is going thru renovations but it had everything we needed and was right across the street from the beach. Service was impeccable and we had a great room on the top floor facing the beach.
Embarking—It was totally worth it going in the night before and showing up at the port at 11. We were on the ship before noon. The process was extremely smooth.
Cabin—Rolando, our steward, was extremely engaging and very cheerful and helpful. The cabin, however, was a HORRIBLE choice. It was an inside cabin at the front of the ship on the Caribe deck. Looking at the deck plan, it appeared it should have been quite since there were cabins both above and below it. However I neglected to notice the Princess theater was three levels below. We heard everything from the theater, including dress rehearsals! There was only one night where we went to bed early where it was an issue, but now I know not to book near the theater. (FYI, this was cabin C211). The size was not an issue since it was just the two of us.
Do not stay in C211 on the Ruby Princess. You will hear EVERYTHING from the Princess Theater. Unless you know you will not be in your cabin from noon (when they start rehersals) til midnight, you will hear everything that goes on in the theater.