We have been on Radiance in 2006 and Freedom in 2007 which we sailed out of Miami. We stayed the night before in Hollywood and the hotel supplied a free shuttle to the Port the next day. We arrived to the Port at around 11 am. Port Everglades is much different: it lacked the carpeting, lighting and ambiance of Miami. However, the customer service, speed were superb. There was a slight delay in boarding as rumor had it that several travelers from the previous cruise had not gotten off the ship yet. However, later in the day, we did see a wedding that had taken place prior to our boarding.
We were on the ship by noon and promptly went to the Windjammer. The Windjammer was predictable as from our previous sailing on Freedom 2 years ago. Beautiful presentation, lots of choices: healthful or indulgent!!! One note to those future passengers- they have smoked salmon, but you need to ask the Chef by the Fruit area- and they are too generous with the amount- and they are generous with the sliced red onion and capers.
By the time we finished with our lunch, it was 1pm, and we took a chance by walking to our staterooms. Low and behold, they were ready and our luggage was outside our rooms (had adjoining balcony rooms). We met our lovely and attentive attendant, Iliana from Romania. We asked right away for the adjoining door to be opened- she asked if it was ok for it to be done a little later. I have no doubt if I said no, it would have been done. But it was opened before dinner as well as the balcony divider.
loved the balconies- wish there were more adjoing balcony rooms;if needed to call housekeeping- and the call didn't go through- the attendant must have their phone- could see where the call came from - and she was there asking how she could help.