We flew into FLL the night before our cruise and stayed at the Hamptom Inn @ the cruise port/airport. They offered shuttle service to the port and we signed up for the 10:30 shuttle. We were the only ones onboard-which is crazy because there were 9 ships sailing that day!
Got to the port at 10:45 and got in line, we were about the 5th family from the door! The doors opened at 11:00! We were in zone 3 for boarding! We were onboard by 11:30 enjoying lunch in the Lido buffet!
FOOD: This was our 3rd Carnival cruise and the food in the DR was not as yummy as we remembered. There were a few nights that I did not finish my meal as it just was not very tasty. We had late dining in the Posh and service was VERY slow. We would be seated at 8:15 and sometimes not eat until 9:30. Our server was very busy he had 7 tables with 2 assistants (who were not very helpful). He was nice, but we never really got a chance to talk to him, to me this is part of the experience.
our cabin was 6271. It was WAY to noisy. It is just off the attrium and main elevator areas. Late nights and early mornings, people were so very loud. This would only be a last resort cabin choice!