We are a family of 4 (kids are 12 & 16). We took a red eye from Lax to Ft. Lauderdale the day before the cruise. We arrived around 6 a.m. Slept for a bit in the airport, ate some breakfast and headed to the port around 9:30. We decided not to book transfers since it was only $15 to take a cab to the port. RCL sent an email a day prior to our leaving not to arrive at the port before noon, we ignored this instruction. When we arrived there were 20-30 people waiting in line to check in. They started letting people check in at 10:30. They take you to a holding area; very nice with lots of seating. We boarded the ship by 11:30.

Upon check in, I had a travel iron in my luggage. They confiscated and it was returned to us at the end of the cruise. If you need to iron, forget it! You have to use their laundry service. We did not do this :)

The ship was gorgeous as soon as we entered; through the promenade. We found out our room would not be ready until 1 p.m. We loved our balcony stateroom. Read more