This is a long review with a lot of info...I am trying to hit on all the points I had questions about before this cruise.
HOTEL: Arrived the day before at Fort Lauderdale. We were the last to be picked up on the shuttle...about a 1/2 hour wait. Stayed at Holiday Inn Express on State Rd 84. A strip mall across the road had a grocery and liquor store and fast food plus some shopping. The room was as you would expect for this chain. The outdoor pool was too cold to swim in and there are no hot tubs. Took a taxi to Blue Moon Fish Company for waterfront dining. A great meal: expect to pay $200 with wine. On the taxi ride we realised we should have stayed closer to downtown for walking and nightlife...maybe around Los Olas Blvd. Breakfast the next morning (Included at hotel) was usual fare..nothing special. Shuttle to the ship was fast and efficient. Celebrity boarding was fast and easy and we had a quick lunch in the buffet.
ROOM: we had a balcony room over the lifeboats. The bathroom was bigger than other ships and a good size shower and lots of storage. The cupboard over the bed is tricky to get to but there are few drawers so you need it.The bed is the usual 2 twins pushed together but comfy nonetheless. Balcony is wider that RCL and Carnival: nice chairs. Be sure to take advantage of free movies on the in room flat screen TV. They are recent and a great way to relax before or after dinner.