This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Post cruise we spent 3 nights in the Fort Lauderdale Ritz Carlton. They were very welcoming and we were granted early check-in (finally arrived there at about 11.30am or so) which was hugely appreciated. No “upgrade subject to availability, at time of check-in” (courtesy of Virtuoso), but we had booked a inter-coastal view Junior Suite which was a good room anyway (separate bedroom and living room, large bathroom, good view of inter-coastal waterway, although the noise on the balcony from the next door Marriott’s air-conditioning was not so welcome).
(Small (but completely separate) living area of Junior Suite)
(Bedroom was compact, but very nice. Full-sized cot against the edge of the bed)
It took us a day or so to settle in Fort Lauderdale – maybe a bit of culture shock after the cruise (where everything is very convenient). The best strategy, in the end, seemed to be breakfast in the hotel (included in our room rate), a walk along the beach (Fort Lauderdale Beach is beautifully quiet in the mornings), a swim in the hotel pool, followed by lunch by the pool, afternoon nap in the room (normally 2.5 to 3 hours), play on the beach in the afternoon, then a walk along the beach area and an early dinner either at the hotel or in one of the noisy, low-key cafes along the beachfront (the H2O Cafe was pretty good for this). Nothing too exciting, but a relaxing way to wind-down from the cruise.
(Breakfast at the Ritz Carlton)
(Fort Lauderdale Beach)
Our final night in the hotel was the 4th of July. The hotel was throwing a BBQ/Pool Party, but we didn’t go because it would have been too late for Jnr to eat (can’t stretch his dinner time that late). We did, however, keep him up and take him out to the pool to see the main Fort Lauderdale fireworks at 9pm. Jnr loved the fireworks, but we came in after about 15 minutes when he got a little bored and tired.
(Ritz pool area for 4th July celebrations)
(Fireworks from Ritz pool terrace
(Watching fireworks, dressed in PJs, in LittleLife backpack)
We were granted late (4pm) check-out, which suited us down to the ground: Jnr woke from his nap at 3.30pm, we were all ready to go, so just changed him, dressed him and checked out.
Reasonable drive to Miami airport to receive a nice surprise from Hertz. We drew into the “Rental Return” bay and husband just started unpacking the luggage from the car, when one of the Hertz supervisors told us to stop unpacking he would drive us to the terminal! Apparently, because we had a baby with us, they were happy to give us a lift. I was floored and – whilst we accepted – slightly worried that it might be something odd...! It wasn’t, we were dropped at the terminal, he helped us unload our luggage, we thanked him gratefully and gave him a generous tip. Have never heard of this service before.
Check-in for the flight home was fine. Husband and I agreed to eat at the airport and try to sleep as soon after take-off as possible. Sadly I let my husband choose the restaurant – Sbarro... rather greasy pizza! Oh well. The Club America Lounge was fairly mediocre and we spent quite a lot of time walking around the main departure lounge (letting Jnr use up a bit of energy).
The flight departed at 8.50pm. We gave Jnr his goodnight milk in the departure lounge. By the time we boarded he was pretty tired and didn’t fuss too much. Jnr was asleep about two minutes before take-off. Immediately after take-off the crew made-up husband’s suite into a bed, so we could lie Jnr in it and I crawled in next to him (then my seat was made into a bed for the husband). That was pretty much it for the next 7 hours. Jnr was very well behaved on descent and for landing (thanks to various books and me reading “Where’s Spot!” far too many times!). Popped into Virgin’s Revivals lounge for some breakfast (showering sounds like a good idea, but logistics too complicated with Jnr) and then an effortless departure thanks to the BAA Official Valet Parking.
(Room for two, just!)
Great trip. BAA Official Valet Parking worked very well. Virgin Upper Class worked very well (especially the Clubhouse with it’s Kids’ room, the Upper Class Suite having room for two and the various areas – bar and forward galley – where we could quietly entertain Jnr whilst other passengers slept). Hilton Marina Fort Lauderdale was good for one night pre-cruise. Cruise (with Royal Caribbean) worked REALLY well for the family. Travelling/cruising with the in-laws helped a lot: gave us a rest and allowed us to enjoy some meals and activities by ourselves. Fort Lauderdale was good for a few quiet days unwinding with a young toddler, but – as a family – there would be much more for us to do in Orlando or maybe Miami. Ritz Carlton Fort Lauderdale was a good hotel, but not sure it is of the same level of some of the other Ritz Carltons. We definitely had some problems with Hertz (and will need to research further rental bookings a lot better), but dropping us off at the terminal, in Miami, was very much appreciated.
and thought we'd never manage) for which were very grateful 
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Jr looks very comfortable in the UCS next to his mum 
