Cruise Day 1: Boarding, Orientation My sister worked on a cruise ship in Hawaii, so she is a cruise expert.  This was my mother's first cruise, though.  We took the December 20, 2010, 4-night sailing of the Carnival Imagination.  Price was $440 each (including taxes and tips but not including shore excursions or airfare). Our LaQuinta's breakfast was the most crowded I've ever seen anywhere.  Offerings included orange juice, apple juice, bagels, tea, coffee, apples, waffles, Yoplait yogurt, sliced bread (for toast), Frosted Flakes, raisin bran, hard-boiled eggs, milk, and instant oatmeal. During breakfast, we got the wifi to work a little, so we researched rental bikes on Key West. We caught the included 10 am shuttle to the port.  The charter bus was old and smelly (smelled like sewage, not smoke), but we were taken right to the ship. We had a buffet lunch while waiting for sail away. It was fun to see the ship sail away.  It completely turned around! The view of the sunset from the ship was spectacular! To Miami Day 1 of Cruise Key West Cozumel Day at Sea Around Miami