A late March snowstorm was a stern reminder that winter never goes down without a fight in Canada. As the snowbanks accumulated outside my office window, my thoughts drifted away to a sandy white beach. The freezing snow replaced by warm sand; the chilling winds by gentle tropical breezes.
As anyone who has ever been on a typical one week, ‘fly and flop’ vacation will attest to, it takes a few days to decompress and slow into the vacation frame of mind. When one finally forgets about work, turns off the internal clock and adjusts to “island time”, their days in paradise are numbered.
The Choice for a Pre-Cruise Destination in Fort Lauderdale
This is why the prospect of a ‘pre-vacation’ is so appealing to many – especially cruisers. Today Port Everglades cruise terminal located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is the one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Some 3 million people depart from the terminal annually, with 55 different cruise ships currently calling at the port.
Pre-cruise vacation packages in particular are popular both for logistical reasons (you don’t want to miss the boat due to an unforeseen travel delay) and for the reasons I mention above. That extra day or two of leisure before departure can certainly help in the attitude adjustment process and get you ready for your final vacation destination.
But what happens when your pre-cruise vacation offers a world-class travel experience in itself? The result is almost immediate relaxation that’s very difficult to leave on your departure day.
Before setting out on my very first cruise, I had the opportunity to spend a blissful 24 hours unwinding at the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale.
Stay
Resembling a classic ocean liner, this magnificent AAA certified 5 Diamond hostelry hugs a wide expanse of seafront property on Fort Lauderdale’s famous Atlantic beachfront. As the newest Ritz property on the east coast of North America, the hotel sits directly adjacent to the A1A strip that was once Spring Break central. While my visit coincided with both the end of Spring Break season and the 100th Anniversary of the city of Fort Lauderdale, wet t-shirt contests and beer funnels were a tough find on this now upmarket stretch of sand and pavement.
Sleep
Luxurious guest rooms offer stunning views of the glistening blue ocean, or the yacht and mansion strewn canals of the Intracoastal Waterway that meanders behind the hotel. Guest rooms are spacious and very easy on the eyes, providing ample rest and work space along with luxuriously-appointed marble bathrooms. While I’ve never found the need for a phone or television in my washroom at home, these extra additions were a nice discovery upon receiving our room.
High thread count linens perfectly compliment one of the most comfortable mattresses I’ve ever had the pleasure of sleeping on, but one would expect such a sound sleep at the Ritz-Carlton. Our ocean view balcony granted us an unbeatable view of the miles of busy beaches that line the Lauderdale coastline.
Wine and Dine
Wonderful Italian food is served up with welcoming and approachable ambiance at Via Luna Restaurant. The decor remains elegantly casual despite the glitzy reputation afforded to the Ritz-Carlton brand, but the quality of food on offer is savoury and upmarket.
Chef de Cuisine Jason Coperine specialities include a fork-tender Ossobuco with saffron risotto and his signature Spaghetti Pomodoro and jumbo 8 ounce meatball – a recipe passed down from his grandmother. Other Italian and chophouse favourites round out a comprehensive, but not overextended menu.
Affable sommelier Don Derocher has created one of Florida’s best wine programs at Via Luna, and his passion for grapes is infectious. The Wine Spectator recognized collection of 5,000 bottles is housed in a stunning, rich wood wine vault where all of Don’s treasures are kept at a perfect 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
While certainly friendly to the oenophile (rare California cult classics and pricey favourites like Cristal are available) the collection has a bottle or glass to meet all tastes and budgets. Private wine tastings can be arranged with Don in the wine cellar, where women are given a faux fur stole to stay toasty in the cool, atmospheric chamber.
VIP Cabanas
10 private cabanas are available for daily rental use or to celebrate life’s special occasions. Located just below the tropical pool deck – as if suspended above the beachfront below – the cabanas offer guests an exclusive area to soak up the sun’s rays.
Equipped with a flat screen TV, refrigerator, ipod docking station, magazines and more, you can make like a celebrity and sun yourself in seclusion, while an attendant is on hand to provide refreshments and towels.
Club Lounge Access
Even frequent travellers get excited when afforded access to a VIP airport lounge. The reprieve from the slow-moving lines and barking TSA officials makes the travel experience all the more enjoyable, and the Ritz Carlton borrows a similar concept and applies it to their wonderful properties.
Located on the 8th floor of the hotel, this spacious 2200 square foot lounge is tastefully decorated with turquoise accents, plush seating and provides unbeatable views of the surrounding area. Open from 7am to 10pm daily, guests can pop in for complementary snack and drinks, or to catch up on the news of the day. It is an absolute joy to have breakfast on the patio overlooking the mansions and yachts of the Intracoastal each morning.
Spa Treatments
Is there any better way to relax than a day at the spa? The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale offers an unparalleled spa experience with a menu of treatments that are 99% organic in make up.
The 8,500 square-foot spa is a truly tranquil setting in which to pamper yourself. Signature services include the Intuitive Ocean Treatment –a multi-sensory combination of aromatherapies with a body scrub, followed by an aromatic bath, a sensitive face mask, detoxifying skin brushing, polarity element massage, heated stone treatment and energy balancing.
Gentlemen can choose from a number of treatments, including: An invigorating deep tissue massage combined with aromatherapy; a hot towel facial; exfoliating Dead Sea mineral scrub; and a masculine mani or pedi.
Special Packages
The Bon Voyage package is perfect for cruisers and includes: Intracoastal view king room accommodations; daily American breakfast for two in the restaurant; transportation from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport to the hotel; and transportation from the hotel to Port Everglades cruise terminal from $385/night.
Access to the Club Lounge is included in all residential suite reservations or by booking the Club Experience package, which includes: Oceanfront king accommodations, complimentary valet parking, Club lounge access and in-room internet access from $379/night and up.
More information
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale offers an elegant and welcoming respite between the horrors of modern day air travel and the often tedious boarding processes of large cruise liners.
One should certainly consider the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale as their first “port-of-call” ahead of any cruise itinerary departing Port Everglades.
For more information, visit: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/FortLauderdale/Default.htm