Background: We are a family of four from Baltimore: myself (52), DW (51). DD (20) and DS (14). DD and DS are very active and love water sports. This is our 4th cruise: two with Carnival and two with RC. We sailed from Aug20-27, 2011.
Pre-cruise: We flew to Ft. Lauderdale the day before and stayed with Sheraton at Ft. Lauderdale beach. The taxi fare from airport to the hotel was about $20 and from the hotel to Port Everglade was about $15. The hotel is right on the beach and my stay was excellent. However, the hotel is kind of isolated and it takes about 20min to walk to Las Olas Blvd where lots of shops and restaurants are located.
Embarkation: We arrived at the cruise port at around 10:00am. Check-in was fast and we waited in the waiting area and were allowed to board the ship at 11:00am.
great balcony, mid-ship, convenient and quiet location.