As a professional in the travel industry, it’s never lost on me how much gets packed into trips out of town.

I spent a couple of days in Fort Lauderdale earlier this month at a cruise convention. In addition to three full days of seminars, meetings, trade shows and workshops, I met travel advisors, cruising executives and other business leaders celebrating in the incredible recovery and trajectory of the cruising industry.

After the pandemic and a shaky start to the decade, cruising is now full steam ahead with record-breaking occupancy, strong margins and high levels of onboard spending. The industry is on fire, and more than 40 ships are currently on order over the next 12 years! If you’ve ever wanted to take that dream cruise or perhaps get your sea legs under you for your first cruise, now is most certainly the time.

Each night after the convention, I was welcomed by Hotel Maren in Fort Lauderdale. Located directly on Las Olas Beach, Hotel Maren was an ideal spot to rest and recuperate after a busy day of networking and note taking.

Part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, Hotel Maren offers stunning views. Seriously, book a balcony. It’s worth it! The hotel features an easy-going, upscale vibe within walking distance of numerous restaurants and shops. Seeing so many smiles on the faces of multiple employees caused me to relax and let my hair down a bit. One night I enjoyed an Italian feast at the hotel’s Riviera restaurant.

I started with Angus beef meatballs, tomato sugo and ricotta as an appetizer, then Frutti de Mari with mussels, clams, calamari and shrimp with lobster butter as my main course. For dessert, it was the light-and-lovely limoncello cake with berries and white chocolate, making the entire meal a true delight.

The next evening I took a walk on the beach and then walked across the street for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Coconuts.

Coconuts features an appetizer called “Scoobies.” Made of blue crab soaked in garlic butter and pepper spices, these delicacies can be accompanied by a simple slice of white bread or savored completely on their own.

Having visited Coconuts before, I’m a fan of the Scoobies, and these did not disappoint. I loved the crab flavor alongside a glass of chardonnay, shrimp ceviche and the most ridiculously massive piece of coconut cheesecake I have ever seen (eaten over two seatings).

As I said, travel peeps know how to jam-pack plenty of experiences into a short time period. I’ll be back in Fort Lauderdale in the coming months … those new adventures are sure to offer even more delicious and inviting opportunities to come.

— Carrie Cox, account executive