Pre-cruise: We flew into Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise and stayed at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites Airport South in Dania Beach. They provide a complimentary shuttle from the airport. If you're coming in late and looking for dinner or a late night snack, there are several fast food restaurants within walking distance and a small hotel cafe with a very modest menu across the way at their sister hotel. Alert: the hotel reception clerk also doubled as the late night cook! The accommodations were clean, modern, and well maintained at very reasonable rates. There is an independently-operated shuttle service to Port Everglades that charges $8 per person and takes about 10 minutes.

Embarkation: We got to the Princess cruise terminal shortly before 11 a.m. and only had to wait about 30 minutes before being allowed to board the ship. The embarkation process was efficient, but nearly as good as past Princess cruises we've been on.

Ambience: The Crown Princess was decorated for the December holidays, which made the entire experience more magical. Public areas were decked out with holiday wreaths and lighting, fully-adorned Christmas trees, and other decorations to bring in the spirit of the season. The Piazza was especially festive and alluring. We were amazed to hear that it only took four hours to decorate the ship and that a second group would come on board after our cruise to complete the decorations for the next cruise that includes Christmas day. It was always nice to stroll leisurely through the public areas, especially late evenings after the crowds had dispersed. Read more