If you're looking for something different,consider Star
Clippers Cruise Line. They have 3 different modern
clipper ships that really sail. No need to dress up but
they are upscale ships with all the modern amenities. Great
itineraries, the ability to go into smaller ports, an
international mix of guests and all in all, a fantastic
experience. I lean towards the Caribbean rather than a
Mexican route. Much better choice of ports to visit in my
opinion. Check out their web site www.starclippers.com.
We are going on our sixth trip in a month to Costa Rica.

Deanna

I would pick Caribbean over Mexico, and would go with itinerary instead of a ship. Usually I start with Expedia, it allows you to sort the list of cruises by whatever you want to see them in a certain month, compare the ports.

For first time cruisers, a mega boat offers more to do on sea day and more places to explore. It is a mini floatig city. You may not even need to get off the ship to have fun.

We equate the modern cruise ship to a moving hotel that takes you from place to place. And you only have to unpack once!

Pick the place you want to go, pick a main stream mega ship. Not to stero-type anyone, your best picks would be Celebrity/Princess, and then RCCL/Carnival. Anyone of those 4 cruise lines will work for you. Nothing is compulsar7y so you do not have to participate the pool side games. You can always be a spectator and watch the silliness.

If you have never been to Mexican Riveria, by all means, it would be a great trip. caribbean has lots to offer, West, East, South ... they are all different, and is considered more "exotic" than mexican Riveria.

Here is a recomemdnation. Take the Pricness western Caribeban cruise. They will have 3 ports plus one stop at their own priavte beach, 4 stops in all for a 7 day cruise.

For the other 3 ports, Grand Cayman offers decent shopping, sight seeing and beach activities. The subamrine ride is highly recommended but pricy. Corsumel offers beach, Mayan ruins, hiking sight seeing and many bargains on a flea market.
The third can be a number of palces and you can take your pick of activities.

There are 2 formal nights. ANy typically office/buisness attires would be fine, If you don't want to dress up, east elsewhere. They put table cloth on the buffet area and offer waiter service for the people who doesn't want to dress up for the formal days. Of course, you canalways have the buffet or just a pizza or pasta, burger by the pool or at the for fee restauarnts.

There are plenty of night life to choose from. You can do it quiet or do it loud. Night club, piano bar, jazz, big screen movies (outdoor), stage show (song/dance/comic), casino, library, spa. They are all available.

Good luck and welcome to the world of cruising. Once you have experienced it, you'll be hooked!

Congrats on your trip.

www.cruisecritic.com great info ship line reviews

NCL "freestyle" cruising might appeal to you great values

less formal than others...

www.vacationstogo.com

www.priceline.com

affording me best prices recently on Caribbean Cruises

picked up a balcony from under $500 pp like 70% off

on Priceline recently for a 1 week cruise...

So shop around...Eastern Carib generally works best

for first timers pretty islands great shopping

less dodgy than Western Carib and Mexico usually.

www.weather2travel.com keep in mind lots of rain in fall.

www.insuremytrip.com always wise...

Happy Hunting,

Thanks for the responses! I checked out vacationstogo and will likely book with them. I've still got a lot of research to do, but I appreciate the help. Thanks so much.