This was our 4th cruise and our 1st w/o our daughter. We are in our early 50s and live about 5 1/2 hours from the Galveston port, from which all previous cruises (Norwegian, Royal Caribbean) have originated. We wanted to try something different relative to port, line, and destination.

PRE-CRUISE: Flying in a day before was a great idea. It gave us a chance to relax and enjoy the cruise port, something we hadn't been able to do previously. I checked out numerous hotels in Lauderdale relying heavily on comments left on this site as well as tripadvisor.com. I decided on AmeriSuites on 10th right off of 17th in Lauderdale. The price was right at $129.95 (through valuetrips.com) as were the locale and amenities...mainly free FLL and cruiseport shuttles as well as complimentary breakfast. This hotel is in a safe area and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and stop 7 of the water taxi (about a 15 minute walk down 17th towards the bridge by the Ft. Lauderdale Grande. At $11 PP (all day), if you only have time for one attraction. this is the best. We chose to stay onboard, but you may get off at any of the 11 stops and reboard. For more info, please go to: www.watertaxi.com/FortLauderdale/FLLHome.Asp We stocked up on Diet Pepsi at the Publix supermarket a couple blocks down 17th from our hotel. There is also a spirit store in this shopping center, and you will pass several drug stores on the walk to the water taxi.

EMBARKATION: Smooth as silk thanks to AmeriSuite's shuttle as well as the many Princess crew members directing us at every turn. Arriving at about 12:25 PM, we were in our cabin by 1:00. Don't let the lines scare you; you are constantly moving, and the registration by deck is a breeze providing you have all your docs filled out ahead of time. If you forgot to bring your docs with you, you will be provided with extras while in line. A health document is provided while in line, but I wonder how many people tell the truth about having flu-like symptoms a few days prior. You are there for goodness sake! The time to decide not to go was back at home. You can easily sidestep the photographer at the bottom of the gangplank and for the entire cruise, by the way. Read more