This was our 12th cruise (all with RCCL, DW did do a Carnival 15+ years ago, but wasn't impressed, so we don't count it), we live on the East Coast of Florida, so Port Canaveral is out Port of Choice, although due to other commitments had to book on the Navigator out of Miami to be able to do the Eastern itinerary.

We left home around 8:00am Saturday morning for the 200 mile trip to Miami, traffic was good and we arrived at the port before 11:00am, followed the directions provided by RCCL in the ticket book, glad we did as the port is not very well sign posted. Once you are going over the bridge to the actual pier, then the signs are very good, but who needs them now, as the Navigator is so big, you could never miss it!!. Drove straight into the Drop Off Zone and unloaded bags, DW and DD, tipped the porter $5 for 3 suitcases and drove into the parking garage $12 per day ($84 for the week), pay as you leave, not as you enter like in Port Canaveral. Walked across the street, met back up with DW and DD and went into the terminal building.

We are Diamond Crown and Anchor Members, so missed out on the wait at the check in, although at this time, there were probably only 50 or so people in line, check in was a breeze, we had our set sail passes and passports ready, on the ship by 11:30, we were told at check in that our cabins could not be accessed until 1:00, so went straight, to Customer Relations to rent DECT phone, so we could keep track of our DD, she's only 10, but looks and acts 16 and likes the Cruise Adventure activities and hanging out with new found friends,were told that they did not have any phones for rent, although latter they were advertised on RCTV as being available, well never mind, off to the Windjammer for lunch, usual RCCL buffet,great selection, hot and plentiful, went out to the pool, laid in the sun until 1:30 and then went to check out our room on the 9th deck, inside cabin, exactly the same as the Mariner, met our room attendant, asked him to make a double bed and pull the left side pullman bed down for DD, not a problem, but this did mean that he would have to step onto our bed to make up the pullman each night, was this ok with us? Read more