Sunny and Cool in Ft Lauderdale

Yesterday, we landed in Miami to sunny skies and 60 degree weather. Princess provided an SUV limo to take us to the Embassy Suites in Ft Lauderdale and we arrived there before 10am. The hotel was buzzing with fellow cruisers getting ready to leave for their cruise that day. The hotel offered to let us partake in their breakfast as our room wasn't ready. We had a light meal of fruit and yogurt as we were planning to each lunch at our favorite Bimini Boatyard restaurant down the road. We had dropped our bags off and headed out to do some exploring.

We received a call 40 minutes later and was able to check into our room. I wanted to make a note that this is the first time since we've been cruising that we were able to check in before 11am. Normally, it's after 3pm. Kudos to the Embassy Suites. We were glad to lighten our load and dump our backpacks.

Lunch at the Bimini Boatyard was fantastic, as expected. To start out we had Jamaican jerk wings and we dined on swordfish with jerk glaze sauce and various sides of veggies. I tried the sweet potato fries for the first time and really enjoyed them. I highly recommend this restaurant not only for their great food, but for the great outdoor patio dining experience right on the dock.

We ventured out on the 17 St Causeway and headed to bridge to see the many ships that were in Port Everglades. We saw at least 5 ships in port as well as the Crown Princess that we've sailed with before. We spent some time here watching various types of boats cruise under the bridge. We saw what looked like a manatee swim by.

We did some essential shopping: suntan lotion in 30 and 70 SPF, bottles of water, and juice. We also spent some time looking around Total Wines and found this place to be well stocked for the cruisers.

We ended up having dinner at Carlos & Pepe's where we ate lots of chips and salsa.

It was an early evening for us as we were suffering from lack of sleep for the last two days and I actually got too much sun (can you believe that?) The temperature did reach a cool 72 degrees. Ft Lauderdale is having a cold spell as some natives were telling me. Wow!!!!

I have been taking lots of pictures and will post some of them when I can find free wifi or it might be when we get on the ship.

Stay tuned!