It is a much nicer travel day when I get to drive to the port instead of flying. Today started off like any other day. I did my usual routine with a 2 mile walk and then breakfast before getting ready for the day.
Getting to Fort Lauderdale
After making sure I had everything on my packing list, my husband dropped me off at the Daytona Beach airport where I picked up a rental car.
I got a Volkswagen Jetta and was discouraged to find the USB plugs are the new kind and I don’t have an adaptor. At least I do have a power bank!
After getting my pro pass installed and adjusting seats and mirrors, I was off. After a couple of hours I stopped in Vero Beach for lunch and a break.
Then forged ahead for the rest of the drive which was uneventful but full of traffic.
Fort Lauderdale Afternoon and Evening
My brother, referred to as E, used Marriott Bonvoy points to book us a room at the Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport and Cruise Port location. I got checked in at 2:30 pm and set up a charging devices.
It was a very comfortable room with everything we needed even though the bathroom was basic and the tv was a little small.
There even was a nice balcony with a view of a zip line!
My brother’s flight is a little delayed so I have an hour before heading over to the airport’s cell lot. It was very easy to get to the lot and I found a spot near the exit. E called me when he had his luggage and I started over to terminal 2. The traffic at the terminals was very congested but I finally made it to the terminal and easily found him.
Now getting back to the hotel wasn’t as easy and I couldn’t do the navigation. We did get back (without getting on 95) but it was longer. E hadn’t eaten all day or smoked so our first stop was at a gas station so he could buy a lighter. After using it we headed to dinner at nearby Moonlite Diner.
When we were seated we remembered eating here before with our mom before another cruise. Can’t remember which one.
My brother had a milkshake and the country fried steak dinner. I went with the turkey dinner.
There’s an option to upgrade to include a side salad and dessert (or glass of wine) for $2.99 but I knew I had enough food already and the wine wouldn’t be that good.
I was able to navigate back to the hotel fine and it was lights out around 9 pm. Tomorrow we cruise!
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