A little background information to get started. We were a group of six ladies between the ages of 27 and 36, looking for a relaxing long weekend and to get away from the freezing cold and snow. Three of us had cruised before on NCL and other cruiselines, the other ladies were "cruise virgins".

We flew out of Buffalo and stayed in Miami the night before the cruise. We stayed at the Sonesta Bayfront Hotel in Coconut Grove....what a fantastic hotel! We got a very good deal on the room ($60 CDN) and it was amazing. Even for the full price of $224 USD per night, it would have been worth it. The hotel is in a great location...lively and safe, with lots of shops and restaurants. Very short walk to the marina and offered a great buffet breakfast. Would definitely stay there again. It was an approx. $25 cab ride from Miami International Airport. Not too sure how much to the Port of Miami (we rented a car) but it was only about a 15 minute drive.

Embarkation was the best and fastest that we have ever had on any cruise line. We arrived at the port around noon and were on the ship with champagne in hand by about 12:15pm. Our cabins were not ready until 2pm, so we enjoyed a drink and some lunch. we received our luggage by 4:45pm. Read more