Friday, January 7, 2011:

We got to FLL from Boston and took a shuttle (SAS Transportation) to the port of Miami. The cost was $15pp and I also gave the driver a few $$ as a tip. There were 4 others in the van who were sailing on the Carnival Imagination leaving the same day. When we got to the pier we had to fill out the medical form, show our passports, cruise e-docs and present a credit card. We also had to go through security and place our bags through a scanner as we elected to carry our luggage on-board. I packed a very small rum runner just to see if it would work, and it did! Don't worry my bar bill was still very high, especially for a 3 day cruise! We got there around 1:30 and our room was ready, so we dropped off our luggage and headed up to the top deck.

As we got to the pool deck, we were immediately bombarded by several bar waiters for "bar service" and we ordered a bucket of beers. You get to pick any 6 beers you want and they charge you for 5, the cost was $28 and change with the 15% auto-gratuity. My GF then got a mixed drink, be forewarned, they will automatically bring you any mixed drinks in the souvenir glass unless you specifically ask for a regular glass. Not only is the regular glass cheaper, but who wants to lug all the souvenir cups around all over the ship. We ate at the buffet (great outdoors) and the food wasn't bad (i.e. sandwiches, pizza). Read more