This was my first cruise. I am retired military and have traveled much, but never on a cruise ship. This was by far one of the best vacation trips I have ever done.
Arrival: I traveled by auto from Columbus, Georgia, to Tampa, Florida with a close friend. The port was easy to find. I dropped the bags off inside the port check-in, along with my friend, and then took the vehicle to the parking garage, which was close. It worked fine on the return trip, but if you are elderly, the walk to the parking garage would be work. However, there was assistance with the golf cart vehicles to help those who needed it.
Check-In: Check in was easy, and even though there was a line, it moved steady. There were plenty of clerks to do the check in, and as long as you were prepared, and had done your homework, you would breeze through this stage.