Just got back from the Adventure of the Seas and LOVED it! This is my 10th cruise, 3rd with Royal Caribbean. The ship is beautiful!
We flew down a day early and stayed at the Howard Johnson for $120 (5 minutes from airport). This was only hotel available, and I was a little worried, but it turned out ok. Very clean hotel, not in the best neighborhood, great restaurant. Very close to Walgreen's (which was gated, now I knew it wasn't a great neighborhood) where we picked up snorkel gear and coke to bring onboard.
It was a 12 minute taxi ride to pier. We were among first 25 people in line. They let us check in after about 10 minutes of waiting. After checking in, we sat down and waited to get onboard. Royal Caribbean provided cookies and lemonade while we waited, which I thought was very nice. After about 45 minutes we were walking onboard!! It was before noon, so we had the whole day on the ship.