DW and I, plus DS (10 years old), took the Valor on the western Caribbean itinerary, sailing on Nov. 11th. We traveled with several of DW's relatives (mostly cousins) from the east coast on the pretext of celebrating a cousin's 50th b-day. 28 people in our group total. Group arrangements were made thru Carnival. This is our 7th cruise (DS's 2nd) and 4th with Carnival.

We flew into Ft. Lauderdale from Phoenix the day before, meeting up with two cousins flying in from other parts of the country. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Airport North. Nice room, free hot breakfast, free shuttle from the airport. They also shuttled us (no charge) to a local restaurant for dinner that night. We like to arrive the day before, just in case. Last year, airline lost one of cousin's bags, but delivered it to our hotel in Long Beach around midnight that night, so they had their bag by the time we left to go to the port. Flying into FLL instead of MIA saved us more than the hotel, Sat. nite dinner, and port shuttle cost us. Plus, FLL airport is not so crowded and a little easier to get around in.

Sunday a.m., I had made reservations with Larry's Limos for a 15 passenger van (9 of us plus luggage travelling from FLL) to pick us up at the hotel and shuttle to Port of Miami. We also arranged for return transportation from the port to FLL airport the following Sunday. Cost was a flat fee, but R/T cost came out to about $35 per person, which included gratuity and port surcharges. Service was prompt and courteous. Driver picked us up about 11 and we were at the port waiting to get on the ship before noon. Read more