This is our 3rd cruise, 1st time on Princess. Other two were Carnival Triumph and a Norwegian Cruise Line.
We left very early same day for Ft. Lauderdale. Traveled with wife and two kid's age 8 & 10. Wife is late 30's; I'm in my 40's.
Exit from airport was good and we simply took a cab out front over to Port Everglades terminal. Only about 4 miles. Make sure you have your ID with you if you take a cab and your cruise ship boarding info as you will need it at the gates you drive through before the port. Cab ride was around $14 gave driver a $20. We were very early (around 9:30am-10am) since we had early flight. Ship porter took the bags and loaded them in the luggage racks destined for ship. Gave him a few $$ as well.