Can anyone recommend a short cruise (4 or 5 nights) from Fort Lauderdale. We know that cruise lines often use their older ships for the short cruises, so we would like to be recommended one.
We have been on cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral before, sailing on Carnival Glory, Triumph and Destiny. We have also been on RCCL Nordid Empress many years ago.
All these ships were good, but I believe the RCCL has the edge on Carnival.What is the Empress of the Seas like. Is it an older ship? Also is late April/early May a good time to go or not? No Spring break, but I believe there are air shows etc. around that time. Thanks for any advice.

Sorry, Enchantment of the Seas.

No bad time for cruising in my opinion. April/May is still considered high season.
Have been on Enchantment twice, Thanksgiving and Christmas week last year. It is a older ship but has been totally refurbished. It is a smaller ship but has most of the amenities including Chops.
We just got back from Cozumel on the Navigator on Monday and it is one of the larger ships with everything you can think of, including ice skating, 4 day trip. Opposite week does Cozumel and Belize I believe.
Can't help with the other cruise lines we only do RCCL.
Other short cruises include Key West from Ft. Lauderdale. Really depends on whether you prefer to be at sea and relax or in port.

Thanks FK. Does Navigator leave from Fort Lauderdale? I am about to start searching for info. but thought I would get opinions of the Fodorites first.!

We did Navigator from Ft.Lauderdale and got back last week. Leave, cruise, Cozumel, cruise, back to FFL. Did it 10/07 and people remembered us. I thought that was amazing!
Have done 5 RCCL cruises in less than two years, and loving them all!
Any specific questions?

We're also considering a short cruise. What were the food and entertainment like?

ttt

Food and entertainment is the same on all cruises, yet on smaller cruises a few less choices because less nights.
There are always choices on food. Something to please just about anyone, vegeterian, fish, chicken, beef, etc. If you are a meat eater, there is also the option of Chops which is really very good steak if you want to spend the extra $25 pp, including tip. You get more food than you can possibly eat and although not as good as Ruths Chris, we love it and go at least once on each cruise.
I am not much into the shows but I always hear that they are great and there is always something to do.
I have been on 8 day and 4 day cruises and the food is always the same. I don't have any complaints.

"although not as good as Ruths Chris"

I'm out.

Keith

marly528:

we are leaving tomorrow on the navigator of the seas.....we are so excited. I cruised on Carnival in early December and enjoyed it so I booked this one within a week of returning. I highly recommend this hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Marriott courtyard airport and cruise terminal. They had a free shuttle from the airport to hotel and then free shuttle from hotel to cruise terminal tomorrow. Free internet, free breakfast and very nice adequate facilities. For some reason, rates here are in the low 200$s but I feel a got a clever good deal. You can get a rate of 12,000 miles or points reward which is roughly equivalent to $120 so I used some frequent flyer miles to get this at $120/night rate. Believe it or not, that is cheap for a very decent place in Fort Lauderdale.

Feel excited for you ncounty. Love cruising don't you? Must say we have thoroughly enjoyed every cruise we have been on, but would like to try a RCCL this time.Also thanks for hotel recommendation, hoping to spend a couple of nights in FL pre-cruise. Have a great time.

I am just back from my cruise and will try to post a mini trip report separately. To sum it up, it was fantastic!!! The ship was gorgeous. Navigator rocks. I'll write more when I can later.

Hi Marly:

Just posted my trip report....hope it is of help. Just look it up under my name; it is called trip report 4 day navigator of the seas.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...nses=0&start=0