We disregarded the suggested boarding time and arrived at Port Everglades at 11:15. We were onboard by noon, in time for our reservation at Giovanni's Table. Very good and plentiful Italian food at $15 per person. It was a calm way to start our exploration of the ship. We're very thankful for the tip from at least one Cruise Critic review. And so we pay it forward.

After lunch, we stopped by our room -- 14th deck, aft, outside balcony. Very well decorated and cunning storage spaces. I was surprised by the size of the balcony. Ever since springing for a balcony three cruises ago, we have never looked back. It adds one important dimension to your cruise -- a quiet place to enjoy the sea. I'm writing this passage from the balcony, which is roomier than the ones we've had on Celebrity and Carnival. 

We did our initial reconnaissance, discovering the "hidden" sun deck above the bridge. You get to it from the 14th deck, taking the port side stateroom hallway all the way to the front. It's a great spot for watching Fort Lauderdale glade past. We got the teenager her liability waiver and armband that allowed her to do all the risky sports onboard. While ere, we noticed no line at the zip line. My wife never ceases to amaze me. She is essentially a cautious person, but she steps right up to thrills like this. She had only flip-flops on, so she had to borrow my socks so that she could wear the zip line's loner shoes. I also zipped across, getting my first look at the Boardwalk eight decks below. Read more