We woke up in Fort Lauderdale to warm sunshine and a wind strong enough to remind us that yes, Mother Nature can slap. Still, the beach looked gorgeous. We'd arrived the night before, stayed right by the water, and this morning the whole place felt like a postcard — if postcards included slightly jet-lagged humans wandering toward coffee.
Yesterday's flight was surprisingly delightful. First class on Delta means leg room, IPAs, and the newest Jurassic Park movie. Nothing like dinosaurs and beer to kick off vacation mode. 🦖🍺
The Beach Strip
We spent the morning walking the main beach strip, which was both beautiful and a bit windy — think "Instagram location" mixed with "hold onto your hat." Starbucks was… Starbucks. Drinkable.
We checked out the lifeguard towers, which looked exactly like the Floridian, pastel-tinted little beach huts I'd imagined. After adding five miles to the Garmin (hello, steps achievement), it was time for the next adventure: getting to the ship.
Florida Is Just Jamaica North
Our Lyft arrived, and we were greeted by our second Jamaican driver since we got here — apparently Florida is just Jamaica North, and honestly, I'm here for it. 🇯🇲 He navigated the madness of port traffic like a saint. With seven ships in port, it looked like every cruise line ever created decided to show up for a family reunion. But our guy stayed patient and got us there intact.
Check-in? Shockingly easy. We expected long lines and chaos but were instead whisked through like VIPs who obviously had no idea what was going on. Our room was already ready — score. Bags dropped, and off we went exploring a ship that felt oddly familiar… because we'd literally been on it before. 😂 Still fun though. Lots of food options, plenty to see, and — oh hello Heineken. Haven't seen you since college. Didn't expect to reunite on a floating hotel, but hey, life is wild. 🍻
The Mariners Club & the GM
We hit a Mariners Club event next: unlimited wine, fancy snacks, and meeting the ship's GM, who seemed far too calm for someone running a floating city. We chatted with other Mariners members and swapped travel stories — the usual cruise bonding ritual.
Dinner in the dining room was good. Our vegetarian meals showed up eventually — the kitchen is still learning our patterns, but hey, we're patient.
We had plans to grab some water afterward and maybe turn in early… but then the Crow's Nest happened.
The Crow's Nest Happened
Up at the top of the ship, we discovered what can only be described as a magnet for interesting humans. We ended up with amazing drinks and even better conversation: a lady from North Carolina, a guy from north of Miami, a few Dutch travelers, and some Norwegians for good measure. Basically the start of a small United Nations meeting. 🌎
By the end, we might have hit our 15-drink package limit. Maybe. Possibly. But we also acquired pro tips for how to maximize it — such as storing an extra Heineken in the fridge for "future us." Future us is very smart. 🍺😇
The 15-drink package is not a limit. It is a target, a daily quota to be approached with the seriousness of an athlete. Tonight's lesson — bank a Heineken in the cabin fridge for future-us — will compound across seventeen days into a genuine philosophy. We will be tested.
Back in the room, we put on the info channel about the private island we're visiting tomorrow. The weather has been wild — almost gale-force winds earlier — but it seems to be calming down. Fingers crossed we don't blow away while trying to enjoy a beach day.
Long day, lots of laughs, and now it's bedtime. Tomorrow: private island, sunshine (hopefully), and a whole lot of vacation chaos. 🌴