We left a day ahead of time as recommended by most seasoned cruisers on Cruise Critic. Flew on Southwest Airlines out of Phila. Int'l. Airport. Southwest doesn't have assigned seating and the flights we took only had 1 class of seating. Arriving in Ft. Lauderdale on time and ready to go!

A Tri-County Airport Express driver was waiting for us w/sign in hand to take us to the Holiday Inn Port of Miami hotel in a private town car. The ride was about 25 minutes, and the driver was most personable and informative of the few sights to be seen on the way.

Check in was a breeze at the Holiday Inn (I booked through Orbitz and got a great deal, about $100 for the night) and we were placed in a second floor room facing the Bayside Marketplace Mall. The room was standard; two beds, sofa by the window, desk, etc. Very clean, but a bit on the worn side, but not an issue for staying only 1 night. Read more