Overall - an amazing time on Carnival Liberty!
Pre-Day 1 – Travel: I went on this cruise with a buddy. I flew in the night before (thank you, United airlines for the ability to spend $80 to upgrade to 1st Class) and we stayed at the River Park Hotel and Suites for a Hotels.com price of $159.00. The hotel is in shambles and it is not even remotely worth $65 much less $159, but this is Miami. The 'Free Continental Breakfast' is not. It is toast (only one 4-slot toaster working so the line is long), muffin, and frosted or unfrosted flakes and coffee.
Day 1 - Embarkation: We arranged a cab from the hotel to the cruise port for $18 for the both of us (rip-off considering the port is 1/3 of a mile away) but oh well.