As cruise veterans my wife and I were looking forward to a restful week at sea. Port intensity and variety was not our main concern on this trip. We wanted to visit family in South Florida and then have a relaxing week at sea before returning to L.A. As West Coasters, we chose Celebrity because of its' more upscale image. We have traveled on other large, mid-size and small ships before and were not expecting Oceania levels of service/cuisine but were hoping for a better than average experience.
We stayed pre-cruise at the Westin Fort Lauderdale. This hotel was adequate for our needs, but quite ordinary. Please note that the hotel is a distance from Fort Lauderdale attractions and a car or taxi would be necessary if exploring the area.
Embarkation, as reported elsewhere, is semi-chaotic, but understandable given the state of the world and necessity for security. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes in various lines. Online check-in does not appear to expedite the process. There are no escorts from gangway to room.