Arrived in Miami early and thought I would have to wait forever to board the ship! Not so! I was on the ship by 11:45 a.m. and it couldn't have gone smoother.

What took me by surprise on the Pearl as I entered the ship was the huge floor to ceiling screen which later televised NFL Sunday football. Too bad my husband wasn't with me!

Had a bite to eat at ship's most upper deck buffet, and was able to gain entrance to my balcony room around 1:30. Room was adequate and seemed to be the same size as that of the Dawn. Read more