Please keep in mind when reading this review that the only line we have ever sailed w/is Royal Caribbean. Therefore, that's our only way to judge the service and the trip. Also, we do not like the freestyle dining. I did not like having to stand in line and wait for my table. I like having the same waiter every night so that he/she knows what I like/don't like. I think the service is much more personable when you have a set waiter.
We arrived in Tampa on Friday night and spent the night @ Chase Suites Hotel. We had a 2BR townhouse style which was great for our party. We spent Saturday @ Busch Gardens and really enjoyed that. The shuttle leaving the hotel on Sunday morning was right on time and they were friendly.
EMBARKATION: This really went relatively easy and quick. We got there around 11 and were on the ship by approximately 12:30. We did have to wait for a little bit as the ship was not ready but it was no big deal. They gave you a number and began calling them so that boarding was an orderly process. Cabins were not ready when we boarded but we went to the buffet @ the pool and got a bite to eat. Cabins were ready w/in an hour.