We arrived in Fort Lauderdale the night before our cruise. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites. It was very nice. We took a taxi to the port in the morning. About the same price as a shuttle, but quicker and easier. $25
Embarkation was smooth. We were on by about 11am. Our room was ready at 1pm and our luggage was there shortly after.
The ship is nice, but the atrium areas where small and cramped.
The cabin was nice, but above the Bleu Galley, so was noisy late at night.
It had a nice balcony.
We walked around the free bird sancuary at the port. It was really nice and shaded and lots of different birds!