Luxury Pre-Cruise Stay at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach & Sailing on Oasis of the Seas

Our long weekend began at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, and it immediately set the tone for what turned into an unforgettable birthday getaway. By leveraging my VIP status at the property, we were upgraded to the two-story Poolside Villa, an absolutely incredible space and easily one of the most impressive hotel rooms I have ever stayed in. The suite was massive, honestly bigger than our house, and felt like the perfect way to kick off a celebratory trip.

The bed in the villa delivered one of the best nights of sleep I have ever had in a hotel. It was the perfect way to relax before an action-packed two-night cruise.

Dining

Because the room itself was such a highlight, we decided to lean into the experience and enjoy in-room dining rather than heading out. We set up dinner at the large dining table and ordered a Wagyu ribeye along with a 10oz Black Angus cheeseburger, using our $100 food and beverage credit toward the meal. While we were slightly disappointed that the TVs in the suite did not offer smart or streaming capabilities, everything else, from the food quality to the service, was excellent and well worth the tradeoff.

The following morning, we took advantage of our additional $60 VIP food and beverage credit and enjoyed breakfast at Takato. Sitting oceanside with cool breezes, coffee in hand, and the excitement of sailing day ahead was the perfect transition from hotel relaxation to cruise energy.

Takeaway

From start to finish, the Conrad exceeded expectations. The staff, service, amenities, and overall atmosphere made it an ideal pre-cruise luxury stay that truly set the tone for the rest of the trip. This is a property I will absolutely return to in the future.

Oasis of the Seas

From there, we headed to Port Everglades to board Oasis of the Seas for a two-night birthday cruise. Once onboard, the pace shifted immediately to nonstop fun. We were traveling with a group of eight, and by linking our reservations in advance, communication, dining coordination, and show reservations were seamless. This made traveling as a group incredibly easy and allowed us to focus on spending time together.

We also chose to upgrade to a Junior Suite, our first time sailing in a suite category. The additional living space, larger balcony, walk-in closet, and bathtub made a noticeable difference, even on a short sailing. Evening turndown service added a thoughtful and elevated touch that enhanced the overall experience.

During our sailing, the focus was on entertainment, energy, and enjoying everything Oasis of the Seas is known for. The ship delivered with large-scale shows, lively nightlife, and an upbeat atmosphere throughout the weekend. If this had been our first time on an Oasis Class ship, it may have felt overwhelming, but for a two-night getaway it was the perfect introduction and left us wanting more.

In sum

This combination of a luxury pre-cruise hotel stay followed by a short sailing is ideal for birthday celebrations, friend trips, or bachelor and bachelorette weekends. Adding time in Fort Lauderdale or Miami before or after the cruise creates a well-balanced getaway that feels far more substantial than a typical weekend trip.

• The Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach is an excellent pre-cruise hotel option due to its proximity to Port Everglades, all-suite layout, and consistently high service standards.

• VIP partner benefits make a noticeable difference, especially when it comes to room upgrades, daily breakfast, and food and beverage credits.

• The Poolside Villas are perfect for celebrations and special occasions and offer a true wow-factor stay before sailing.

• Junior Suites on Oasis of the Seas are worth considering even for short cruises thanks to the extra space, larger balconies, and added service touches.

• Linking reservations when traveling with a group allows for shared dining plans and entertainment reservations and significantly improves the group experience.

• This style of sailing attracts a younger, energetic crowd and works especially well for birthdays, friend trips, and bachelor or bachelorette celebrations.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Fort Lauderdale page.