We are a family of 4 from Oregon. We brought my mother-in-law. We booked back to back cruises starting with the Carnival Sensation 3 day to the Bahamas then climbed aboard The Royal Caribbeans Freedom of the Seas!
Pre-cruise we stayed at the Renaissance Orlando Hotel at Sea world which I booked through priceline. It was great. We went to Seaworld one day and used our Southwest Airline membership # to receive 20% off the tickets. Its free to have the membership just sign up online at their website.
I found a limo service from the hotel to the port for $130 with payless transportation. They were on time (early) and it was a nice limo.
Very loud cabin! The engine was right under us. The cabin doors would bang all night! Bed was comfortable!