We flew in from R.I. to FT. Lauderdale Southwest direct flight, was cheaper then going to Miami Airport. Rented a van from Alamo rental center. Had reservation at" Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland beach & Spa", near south beach. My son has GPS capability with his cell phone. It great just put in the address and the GPS will give you the shortest direction to the address if you go off course or miss a turn the GPS will recalculate and get you back on track. Nothing like modern technology, in the old days of reading a map when you got lost and had to stop and ask and hope you get it right. The hotel offer free shuttle south beach broad walks, good day in Miami. Alamo offers free shuttle service to the port of Miami for people who rent; bring a lot one dollar bills for tipping. The only problem is you have to drop off the vehicle at Alamo rental center near Miami Airport. Again the GPS make it easy.
This is our first cruise; my son 23 Daughter 19 and my wife. We got two balcony cabins, I am glad we sent the extra money for balcony great view nothing like sitting on your own private balcony or standing watching the waves, as we pull in to port in the morning or gazing out at the night before bed. Our cabin had an inside door this work great for us as would gather in one room to discuss what we wanted to do for the up coming day. It can get hard to get every body to agree on things I make a suggestion then step back, the girls convince my son, and my daughter make the announcementAnd I agree.
I would like to make a suggestion about the cabin there is a inside curtain on the side of the bed it only pull out about two feet it would nice if the curtain went to the end of the bed for little added privacy. One can watch TV while the other sleeps.