We are both in our sixties, and this was our sixth HAL cruise, the second on the Maasdam. We only have a five and a half hour drive from home to Port Everglades. But, we spend the night before the cruise at Disney's excellent Vero Beach Resort in order to begin our cruise in a already relaxed mood.

We parked at the pier side covered parking as it is the most convenient location for departures and arrivals. Within fifteen minutes of locking the car we were sitting in the boarding lounge waiting for our number to be called.

After boarding, we checked our carry on bags into the convenient check in area located port side forward by the pool on the Lido deck. Read more