I took my fiancé on our fourth cruise together (my 8th) to the Western Caribbean on the Carnival Valor October 3-10, 2015.

We drove down from Kentucky and spent the night pre-cruise in Orlando and had about an hour drive on embarkation day. We got to the port a little early and paid to park ($120) in the garage for 7 nights. A little steep, but I didn't mind, especially since my vehicle was in a garage.

Embarkation was slow, but it was because the ship had been about an hour late getting back into port after sailing around the hurricane and diverting it's course due to rough seas. It was the longest embarkation wait but once they started the lines moving it was quick. Read more