Hi, Its been awhile since I've researched a trip on Fodor's and finding the new setup a bit confusing so I apologize if this question has been asked and answered elsewhere.

My husband and I will be moving from South Florida shortly and would like to get in a cruise to the Bahamas. Don't have the time or finances to do a longer trip so its been narrowed down to 3 days. Our only choices are out of Miami and are the;
Norwegian Sky
Carnival Imagination
Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas

We are in our mid thirties and really just want to relax-we've had a rough couple of years. Looking to cruise in October- around when we plan on leaving and our wedding anniversary (9yrs) so a combo Last Hurrah/goodbye to Florida and Anniversary celebration. We aren't interested in the shows, would like to know average drink prices-beer, wine (glass and bottle) and mixed drinks. Who has best food choices out of the three? Don't want to have to dress for dinner but would like a fairly nice dinner-will bring dressy clothes but don't want to have to get a tux/gown. Inside, oceanview or balcony/suite? -does it really matter on a short cruise? Best room location (eliminate noise from engine/anchor etc) and of the three cruise lines which would be best experience? Also, while nothing against children we don't want to be overwhelmed with kids-would that eliminate the Carnival line right away? Trying to get a handle on the expenses and right now the room charges look to be about $600 for an Ocean view regardless of cruise line. We are fairly easy going travelers and don't expect much but since this is our first cruise and that we'll be captive for three days would like to have a pleasant experience.

Any advice would be appreciated!

I would advise you to read members reviews on Cruisecritic.

Cost - go to cruisecompete website and they will send your cruise "out to bid" - I think you can do better than that price since that is what we paid for a 4 night cruise last spring. There are some incredible deals out there - sometimes longer cruises at the same price as shorter. Another site to check is vacationstogo - great deals on cruises 90 days or less in advance.

I have taken that exact cruise on RCCL and another cruise on NCL - I find the lines about comparable - never been on Carnival. I might pick on price.

Drinks. You pay for everything as an extra except tap water, coffee/tea at a meal or from buffet, and usually some sort of punch/lemonade/iced tea from buffet - that includes soda, bottled water, as well as alcohol. Soft drinks are about $3, beer, wine, mixed drinks in the $6-12 range.

Dress - shorter cruises are less dressy. I doubt many will have a tux or gown - a nice dress and jacket and tie will do it.

Other costs - besides drinks, tips are mandatory - usually added to your bill. There is nothing else you have to pay for and much you can pay extra for - that is how they make their money.

Cabin location. Midship, mid-deck is usually what people prefer and sometimes these cost a bit more. Unless you are prone to seasickness, for motion anywhere is fine. Check deck plan and make sure a dance floor, gym or theatre is not directly above you. When you shop for price, if you can afford a balcony, spring for one. It is incredibly relaxing to sit on your balcony and watch the sea, have coffee delivered in the AM. Certainly oceanview. I have never had inside cabin, others say they are OK, but it would make me claustrophobic.

I have been on cruises that have, because of school vacation, a large number of kids. Except perhaps on pool deck, they have been tolerable. If you pick a cruise with scheduled dinner seatings, pick the later one and there will be few kids. Another reason for a balcony. When ship is in port it is also an excellent time to enjoy a more empty ship.

You need a passport now - don't forget.

Thanks for the replies-sorry if this is a double post -my computer just hiccuped and threw me out.

Dayenu-I had been reading cruisecritic.com and other reviews on any travel site I could find and for every positive review there was a negative one so its been hard to get a handle on which line to go with. I was set on Royal Caribbean and then read Carnival was better, bigger rooms and food selections. But then was reading reviews that there were too many kids on Carnival and ship was small and crowded. I trust Fodors members as I used Fodors to plan my honeymoon to Italy and had a wonderful time. Posts here seem more to the point and somewhat less biased and emotional. More informative.

Gail- I went on Vacationstogo as well as cruise.com, all three ship websites, travelocity etc and got the same price on all-maybe fuel prices, etc causing higher price? Will try cruisecompete as well as seeing if I can find a travel agent around here and see if their prices are better. I do have a passport but lets see if I can find it.

Thank you for all the advice. My parents are big cruisers but usually take week or longer cruises and love to dress for dinner. They usually have three or more bags between them. My husband and I are light packers and can usually get away with one bag each. My parents don't drink so when I asked them about prices for alcohol they didn't know. They always get an inside cabin and while I see that the prices are less expensive there is no way I'm getting an inside for our first cruise. Would love to get a balcony-most of the ships I have to choose from only have inside, oceanview and then jump to suites as an option. The price doubles from the oceanview to suite (w/balcony)but they do seem much nicer.

I agree with cruise critic website - there is so much there that it can be overwhelming. If you are finding the same price everywhere then that is obviously what the price is - some cruiselines allow secondary sellers/travel agents to discount and some do not (think of it like some items you purchase - for example iPods cost the same no matter where you buy them). I just hoped one of these lines would discount - perhaps they do not.

As far as reviews - cruise critic is good for that sort of thing, but like any review take them for what they are. Some people find something to complain about in everything - I remember reading one review where some when spent a paragraph bitching about not having a certain brand of tea. Get over it! If you are getting room, meals, entertainment, activities for about $100 per day per person that strikes me as relatively economical and there are certain quality compromises you make. And if the ship's kitchen is cranking out thousands of meals/day, it is not going to be of the same quality as your local chef-owned bistro.

Have fun, relax, drink some silly drinks while basking in the warm air. Buy some cheesy designed knock-off (AKA counterfeit) purse in the Bahamas. Do something pointless like playing Bingo or watching a Mr. Sexy Legs contest. For me, that is the point of a cruise - and while I mostly enjoy more serious travel to interesting places, sometimes it is nice to just relax on a cruise. Don't try too hard to micromanage which one is "the best".

absolutley Royal Cribbean. best food and service out of the three. kids shouldn't be a problem since most will be in school.
go for the inside (cheapest and who cares on a Bahama cruise--keep the balcony for Alaska)
have a great time