jfishe

Hi - we always fly into Orlando (from Seattle) and then drive to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. It's a 200 mile drive and fairly simple (I95 to the Ft. Lauderdale airport, drop the car and have them shuttle us to the pier terminal). We've driven it on late Friday night (around 7ish) and it was LOOONNNGGGGG, and then crashed at a hotel. We've driven it on a Saturday morning (left Orlando @ 10:00am) and it was a breeze. I think it just depends on how you want to spend your Saturday morning. I love Ft. Lauderdale, but if you have some extra time in Orlando, and then be able to pack up Friday night, sometimes that's easier. If you leave Friday night, you have to pack, unpack and repack again before you get on the ship !

Both times we've been on the Zuiderdam, this hasn't been a problem. Our son always requests a baked potato and just plain salad (lettuce and italian dressing) after 2 days of this... the dining steward didn't even ask :) He just brought the entree with the potato, and the salad always came out with just lettuce and dressing ! However, in the Pinnacle grill, he was told nope to the salad request :(

The Windstar coffee place on the Zuiderdam makes the BEST peach smoothies ! Yes, they're an extra charge ($2.25) but soooo worth it !

And also, on the 3rd deck (i think) is the walking deck, but it's great to sit in the lounge chairs and read a book (it's quiet and shady !).

Using ship's services 1-800 number and booking shore excursions online before the cruise was great... soda sticker was in the room, and shore excursion tickets were there too !