We flew into Ft. Lauderdale and stayed one night at the Hilton Marina hotel - very nice; best to get a room in the tower. Had a closeup view of Port Everglades. Breakfast buffet was WAY overpriced but there is a Starbucks in the lobby. My favorite FLL hotel is the Lago Mar, but for just an overnight the Hilton was half the price. Took a shuttle to Miami.

Embarkation line was quite long and slow, but we realized why when we got up to the desk - even though we signed and faxed the affidavit to Oceania ahead of time, they made everyone fill out another one. Then the clerk had to go file it and find our cruise card. Once on the ship we went to the Terrace Cafe (buffet) for lunch; couldn't get into our cabin until 2pm. I really prefer how Princess does it - no one gets to board until all the rooms are ready but then everyone can go there immediately.

Muster drill was a surprise....not only did everyone have to drag their life jacket with them to the meeting place and put it on, but we all had to file outside and stand underneath our lifeboat! We stood there (with no announcements from overhead or the crew) for 15 minutes in the 80+ heat! Read more