First time cruise - last minute surprise organized by daughter and we traveled with a 6-year-old. We flew to Fort Lauderdale the day before (because of fly-in/sail out times) and stayed in Pompano Beach!! Too far from the airport/port of debarkation - We only found a shuttle by accident that was MUCH less expensive than the taxi!
Hotel (listed as a resort) was old but cleanish and sufficed for our overnight stays (one in and one out). Great beach.
Getting through customs etc and getting on the ship took some time but really not bad considering I had no passport- what a job to find a birth certificate/marriage license) at the last minute!!