Hi, We have sailed from Port Everglades and loved Fort Lauderdale. We too had a long flight from UK though. We flew into Miami and hired a car and drove to Fort Lauderdale where we stayed in Lago Mar Beach Resort for 4 nights before our cruise. We had the kids with us and this was end of October early November. Had a great time. Personally find Miami just more "built up" but that's just my opinion. We have also sailed from Tampa, however, we had just driven there from staying in Orlando so didn't really experience the town but quite an easy port to use with easy car hire drop off at a hotel and then a shuttle bus to the port. We are sailing from Port Canaveral in September (can't wait!) so will see what that brings. Safe travels whatever you decide to do.
