My husband and I had wanted to try the Epic for a while and we decided to go when we knew most children would be in school which also made this cruise more reasonably priced!
We flew in the day before and stayed at the La Quinta Miami East hotel near the airport. Nothing special but a good deal and fine for a pre-cruise hotel with free shuttle service to the airport. The staff was very nice and you get free breakfast.
We took the 10am shuttle to the port and within an hour or so were on the Epic!