Cruise recommendations

[grumbler]

I've been on a cruise and liked it well enough, but wasn't tempted to go on another. 

Barbados is definitely worth seeing (one of the few places where tourists aren't separated from natives by barbed wire), and St Martin was beautiful, as were the US Islands.  Take a ship that sails from San juan so you have more time to spend in the Caribbean.  Get a ship small enough  to dock if you can; I wouldn't want to spend the time in lines for the boats i saw for the big ships.

[Barrister]

Holy shit - VCarter???

Cruises seem designed for old people.  I haven't had a ton of interest in going.

[Caliga]

  I was assuming we'd leave out of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, but that's a good idea, grumbles.

[Josquius]

Its like a normal holiday except you're trapped in the hotel grounds, only leaving for the occasional hotel organised day trip to a few places.

[jamesww]

Ok, this is sort of a followup to my "Destination Weddings" thread:

My brother wants to go on a cruise with his girlfriend this fall and wants me and Princesca to come along.  He's hinting at wanting to propose to his gf on the cruise.

I've never been on a cruise before, and neither has he.  I used to think it was kind of a stupid idea, but in looking over some of the typical Caribbean cruises, I'm intrigued as I see that a number of them go to multiple destinations I want to visit (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, St. Maarten, US Virgin Islands, etc.)

I need some recommendations and the like PLZ.

A co-worker of mine goes on cruises quite a bit and she recommended Princess and Norwegian to me.

Don't.

[Richard Hakluyt]

How about chartering a crewed yacht? That would be a lot more fun 

[Monoriu]

Despite my misgivings, I think it is a good idea to try it at least once in a lifetime.  It is a pretty unique experience and some people have good reasons to like it. 

[Barrister]

Despite my misgivings, I think it is a good idea to try it at least once in a lifetime.  It is a pretty unique experience and some people have good reasons to like it.

That would be old people.

[Valmy]

That would be old people.

Actually they are pretty good for young people and young families.  Pretty affordable especially if you live in a port city.  This is not a tour bus BB where did you get the idea they are for old people?

[Richard Hakluyt]

There are cultural cruises of Greece and the Aegean that have top lecturers from Britain's best universities on them. I'm hoping to give that a go when I'm another 10 years older.

[Josquius]

There are cultural cruises of Greece and the Aegean that have top lecturers from Britain's best universities on them. I'm hoping to give that a go when I'm another 10 years older.

Wow, how very odd. Sounds quite unreal.
There's enough demand for that sort of thing?

[Valmy]

There are cultural cruises of Greece and the Aegean that have top lecturers from Britain's best universities on them. I'm hoping to give that a go when I'm another 10 years older.

Ok now THAT sounds like it is for old people

[Richard Hakluyt]

Swan Hellenic are the main firm I'm aware of http://www.swanhellenic.com/

Quite expensive I believe; but the addition of guest lectures and expert guides captures my interest. Eating, drinking and lounging is fine for 20 hours a day...........but for the remaining 4 I like to at least pretend to have some higher interests 

[stjaba]

There are cruises designed for younger people(aka college age)- usually they feature all you can drink specials, and only go to 1 or 2 locations. I'm guessing that's not what you're looking for though.
.

[Richard Hakluyt]

I would imagine that the problem with a cruise is finding the right one. It would be lovely with the right people and ambience, but there is no escape if you have made a mistake and chosen the wrong cruise.