If you are reading this, you are probably going to read other reviews too so Ill try to include info on things that were not already listed in other people's reviews. I have been on a few other cruise ships that range from Celebrity to Big Red Boat (if you can remember that cruise line)

Embarkation:

Embarkation was a breeze if you time everything right. My party drove in from Atlanta early in the morning and made it to Jacksonville port about 10 minutes to 11:00. We chose to park at the port which cost $15 per day. You must pay for it as you arrive. A porter came up to the car imdedently after you parked to help us with our luggage. Make sure you tip your porter with cash. That's important, you don't want your luggage dropped into the ocean. We gave them about $5 a bag. There are very optimal times to show up. I would not show up before 10:45 or you will be waiting for the passengers from the last cruise to get off. I would not show up between 12:00 and 1:30 as the lines are usually quite horrible. If you show up in that sweet spot, you'll walk right on board, Trust me. After we made it through another of many security checkpoints we were able to walk right up to the check-in desk. We had already checked in online, so all they had to do is take our photos, scan our passports and print out our sail and sign cards, for the 5 of us, it took about 10 minutes. We were showed seats, handed a zone card and waited to be board. They started boarding the ship at 11:30 and we were on board by 11:40. Usually on this class of ship, you board a ramp and enter on the main lobby (deck 7). However JAX port did have that capability and you board on deck 3 forward. We did not do the FTTF pass, and quite frankly I don't think it was necessary. If you think you would show up between 12:00 and 1:30, then I would do it. Those people were only on the boat about 10 minutes before we were. The rooms aren't ready until 12:30, so pretty much everybody goes up to the lido deck for lunch. I read a review saying the MDR was open for lunch and found that to be false. The Buffet was open and serving Italian food as well as the Burger Joint, Rotisserie Grill and Asian Station on the deck. Ill talk about the food in a minute. Read more