My wife and I retired last year after 40+ years of hard work and took our first cruise shortly thereafter. Before that we had never really taken a vacation of more than a couple of days. Being in the commercial real estate business really is a full time job. Since retiring we have taken a total of 6 cruises, the Carnival Triumph being our last.
We live in the West Palm Beach, Florida area so traveling to the Miami cruise terminal was just a short drive for us, less than an hour. Parking at the terminal was adequate but a little confusing getting to the terminal if its your first time (previously we sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, and Port Canaveral). You have to leave the major highways and drive on surface streets through the middle of town. But it is well signed and easy enough to find.
We were lucky and were treated to the expedited check-in and within 30 minutes of arriving at the terminal were in our cabin. It was lovely, clean and very inviting. My wife promptly announced her intention to remain there throughout the duration of the cruise and live off of room service. It only took me a minute to convince her that the Lido Deck, and a frozen Margarita, were calling her.