This was my 6th RCI cruise. I've never cruised another line. Since my first trip on Monarch a few years ago, I've definitely caught the cruise bug.

We're budget travelers but somehow always spend a bit more than planned. We always take off-season cruises because of my line of work and that's when it's most convenient for me to be away from the office. I also like to cruise when kids are in school. I only have so much patience and even on this cruise with few children I still encountered a giggling group of British kids pressing all floors of the elevator - where are the parents. Anyway, this cruise we invited my sister and her boyfriend. It's always more fun with more friends and family along. So it was the four of us and we had a blast.

We flew in the day ahead and left the morning after. From now on this is how I'm doing it. No stress from arriving on the day of departure and having a day to relax before heading back home. We stayed at the Westin, Ft. Lauderdale Beach both there and back, a beautiful hotel with the signature Heavenly Beds. We arrived at the port bright and early at 9:30am and happily waited in line. We were the first to board that was not suite or special class. Once on board I followed my tradition of a cocktail and an immediate soak in the hot tub (before it fills with people.) Then once relaxed we worked our way to the Windjammer and eventually to our cabins. Read more