This was the third cruise that we have taken with Carnival and the second to the Eastern Caribbean.
We arrived the afternoon of the day before the cruise to ensure that we wouldn't have a problem if a flight was delayed. We stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel at the Miami airport. Courteous service and clean rooms.
The travel to the airport was very efficient and the driver was excellent and helpful. It was very unclear from the documents we received from Carnival as to what time we should arrive to board. We were told that we couldn't board before 2pm, but we arrived early at the dock -- 1:15. It was apparent from the long lines that many had the same problem as we did, and that boarding actually started between 12 and 12:15.