My mom and I took a weekend cruise (19th-21st May) to the Bahamas. We arrive a couple of days prior and stayed in North Miami Beach. We rented a car from Thrifty and when we returned it at the Miami Airport, we took the free shuttle to the port.
EMBARKATION: It took about 30 minutes from the time we got off the shuttle and opening the door of our cabin. In other words very quick.
CABIN: Very small, 2 per cabin is quite enough, I don't know how people can get 4 in one cabin. We had an inside cabin, if you're a little claustrophobic, I suggest one with an oceanview.