If you like to cruise and are comparing ships and companies, Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas should end up at or near the top of your list. After scores of cruises, my September 2011 Allure cruise tops my list.

The check in process was smooth. I got to the pier shortly after 11 am and was going to sit and wait for my travel companions. But Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is built to move people...quickly and efficiently. There was scant seating and no lines at security or check in; so before I knew it, I was walking up the ramp to the ship. I was on board in less than 30 minutes.

Understandably the cabins weren't going to be ready until 1 pm, but that gave me time to explore the awesome ship and have some lunch. And during the entire cruise, there were two lines I ever saw on the ship (a feat for such a massive ship)...the first was for the lunch buffet at the Windjammer on boarding day. But it didn't last long. Luggage was delivered promptly, too. RCCL made the boarding process seamless and deserves a solid "A" for embarkation. Read more