will definitely be arriving a day early...fun to party with everyone the night before getting on the ship anyhow!

 

I would never risk arriving the same day -- especially not from California.  You just never know what can happen with your flight.  I had a friend who was on a flight that had to turn around due to a medical emergency and they ended up missing the first 2 days of their cruise and having to pay to fly to the first port of call.  We're lucky, we have family near Fort Lauderdale we can stay with.  But if you search through tripadvisor or google it's possible to find an inexpensive hotel, if that's a factor.

Alison

By the way A3rd lots of great info for visitors. I'm sure many will take advantage of your advice. 

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I have done both and would recommend a day early if possible.  That way you do have time to relax and get to have some fun the night before.  I live in upstate NY and the weather is always a factor.  So my advice is come early and enjoy yourself for as long as you can!  My group has not booked a room yet but we do have our flight taken care of.  

I live in Ft Laud. It's a great place to go. There will be a pre- party TBA ( I know where) make yourself familar with an area called Wilton Manors, it is an all gay community in Ft. Lauderdale. There is much to do. New Moon is the local girl bar. If you like a good drag show, the DQ's at LIPS are a definate plus! It is a dinner/ show, a little pricey but the food is good and the show is amazing. Bring lots of dollars to tip. Flip Flops is on the water, gay owned/friendly. Aruba's at the Pier is nice, has a pig roast on Thurs nights and live music. There is a free jazz concert the first Sunday of every month on the River at Los Olas, very gay friendly. The Depot is a gay bar on Fedral that has a pool and poker/ karaoke, cheap drinks, good food. You will find almost all the bars are girl friendly, even if considered a boy bar. Make sure you make it down to the Board Walk at Hollywood Beach. Great atmosphere, but is more family oriented. Most every where you go you will not have an issue being with your partner. There are water taxi's that can take you all the way to Miami, and plenty of Kyaking, beautiful beaches. You will fall in love with this place and have a great time. The weather will be wonderful!

We are getting in on the 31st and then not leaving until the 11th. The last time we went on an Olivia cruise we flew in the morning of the cruise and left the day the cruise returned to port. This time we actually wanted to see Ft. Lauderdale. We booked a bed and breakfast a few blocks from Ft. Lauderdale beach and are looking forward to taking the time to unwind and play tourists before the cruise.

This is my third cruise with Olivia and there are a afair amount of individuals that arrive a day or two earlier. The party the night before we sail is great way to connect with individuals before you get on the ship.

Abbi

We decided to go a day early since flights on Alaska Airlines from Seattle only go at night..which means we'll get in *early* on Saturday. Also decided to stay at the Hyatt to make things simple on Saturday night and Sunday morning...although now Olivia is saying the launch party will be off site. I did find out on the hotel website that there is a free shuttle to the beach which is up the waterway a bit--yea!

Hi,

I am flying in on the 1st Feb and staying at the Hyatt, as it is winter for me here in Spain, I must go shopping for summer clothes on the Saturday at Sawgrass Mills, if anyone else wants to come and join me?

Lesley

We get in on Sat., 7am so we've booked our hotel for Friday & Sat. so we can go check in when we land...We're staying at the same hotel Rhonda & Rhonda....It will be nice to meet you....Ketch & Candy

We are also ... it's nice to get accumulated to the beautiful weather and start relaxing! We're flying in from Maryland (probably go out of Philadelphia) The pre-host party is just a taste of what's to come! We're staying at the Hyatt - Friday & Saturday.

 Looking forward to meeting fellow Cruiser's,

Janine & Maureen

We are getting in on Friday -- staying at the Hyatt...

 

Rhonda & Rhonda 

Many do go early...usually the host hotel and many hotels around the area do sell out.
We always go at least one day early...mostly just in case there are any flight delays...and it's also nice to start the cruise totally relaxed.

 

Hi ladies,

I'm wondering how many actually get there a day early to stay at the recommended hotel and go to the pre-party?  I would be flying in from California and my wife will be flying in from Delaware. 

Is it worth it to go a day early?

Thanks,

Monique