The day before the cruise we took Amtrak from Washington, DC to Newark International Airport and stayed at the Country Inn. We spent some of the evening across the street in Jersey Gardens Mall. Ate dinner there. I used the pool and fitness center.
Late on the next morning, we took a convenient but expensive Yellow Cab minivan to the dock. Would recommend using Independent Driver instead.
Boarding was fairly smooth except the part where there loaded us on a bus to go from the terminal to the ship. There was messy and uncoordinated, but it didn't really matter. This was a repositioning cruise and the ship was far from full. No issues ever about getting a lounge by the pool or a good seat in the theatre.
Too creaky, great in every other respect.