Our cruise started on a very sour note. Due to winds and rough seas the ship didn’t dock at Palm Beach. Instead, it docked at Ft. Lauderdale. So after checking in at the Port of Palm Beach we were jammed onto buses for an hour ride south to Ft. Lauderdale. Then spent 2+ hours in line waiting to finish checking in which consisted of us getting our pictures taken and given our boarding cards, all the time schlepping our own luggage around. Really? They couldn't have done that all at the original port and then just bus us to the boat? Ugh!

Once on-board (still carrying our own luggage) you're given no written directions and very hurried oral directions from people who speak extremely poor English. They were running very late and so why not give the passengers the bum's rush?

We were starving but at least semi-excited to see our (just upgraded at the port) suite! Finally found the room. Yes, it was a suite. Yes, it was a nice size. Yes, it had a balcony. The problem was that directly in front of our balcony was a huge lifeboat, which effectively eliminates the view. Great... Read more