Return to the Caribbean

Michael and I flew from Denver to Ft Lauderdale, FL, Saturday, November 23, two days before the beginning of a  cruise on the Silver Spirit. The cruise was a last minute decision based upon a great offer from our cruise travel agent, Jim, and the prospect of seeing Michael's old friends Heinz and Ellen. We left Boulder just before the first real wintery weather set in. We stayed two nights at the W Hotel on Ft Lauderdale Beach before boarding the ship.

I last visited Ft Lauderdale about 25 years ago.  Many of the buildings are much newer and taller than they were then but the look is the same although the beach seems to have become much narrower than I remember.  I really appreciated the nearly 80 degree temperature.

View from the balcony at the W Hotel

The W Hotel was a hoot.  It is somewhat more upscale than Michael and I are used to and is aimed at a much younger and trendier crowd.  The Saturday night bar scene was an eye opener: twenty-something young women in extremely short glitzy dresses accompanied by young men in dress jeans and casual shirts. Who knew people really dress like models in magazine ads?  They were drinking strange cocktails at the blue lighted bar while a D.J. played loud music.  We took some pictures of the jellyfish in a large tank and retreated.

Our 22^nd floor room had a huge balcony overlooking the ocean and a glassed in shower separating the sleeping area from the rest of the bathroom.  Fortunately, Michael and I are used to each other although his desire for “sanctity of the bathroom” was sorely tested.  The big balcony did enable us to see the Silver Spirit arriving at Port Everglades as the sun rose Monday morning.

In two days, we had a great Jambalaya at Lulu’s, a wonderful brunch with Michael’s friend Neil at the Pelican Beach Resort, and an unexpectedly good evening meal at the Surf Sea and Sand Restaurant in the Hilton next to the W.  The great meals and lovely walks along the beach made for a relaxing start to our warm weather trip.

Ft Lauderdale Beach Looking North

Inter Coastal Waterway

Michael and I arrived at the cruise port late Monday morning.  After the usual delays, we were aboard ship in time to inspect our suite before having a late lunch.  Due to a number of circumstances over which we had no control but for which we are grateful, we had been upgraded to a “Silver Suite” on the topmost deck, right behind the forward Observation Lounge.  This suite was really a small apartment.  We had a living area, dining area and separate bedroom with a huge marble bathroom. 

Three Views of Our Palatial Suite

 After the mandatory late afternoon lifeboat drill, we settled on to our veranda with martinis, delivered by our butler, to watch the departure.  This was shaping up to be the ultimate in luxury cruises.

  

Michael's more ironic take on the cruise can be found at http://cbu-carib1311.blogspot.com