My family and I just got back from our cruise on the Carnival Fantasy.
Embarkation:
You can get to the port early. Make sure you check in your bags first. They must be tagged and checked in prior to parking your car. Parking is $15 per day $90 in total. Once you park your car you will catch a shuttle bus that will take you to check in. There they will issue your sign & sail card and you can enter the ship.