My husband and I want to take a cruise in Caribbean next March ('03). Never been to Caribbean or on a cruise. Any suggestions on which cruise line, which package, places we must see?

Hi Tina,<BR><BR>I think it would be best to visit a travel agency. A travel agent can match you to a cruise depending on your lifestyle, age and budget. Also places that may be if interest to you.<BR><BR>Paul

Or you could come to a website like this and get the information that you asked for instead of the "see a travel agent". What really troubles me, Paul, is that you are a travel agent and yet you refuse to give people like Tina any advice. You'll give anyone else advice about anything else but yet nothing when you get these posts. Why is that?<BR><BR>Tina - you've got the timing and the general area for your cruise. My first advice is to go to a site like cruisecritic.com a visit the big five cruise line pages - Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Holland America. Read thru the posts that talk about their experiences and where they went. There is also a spot on that board where cruisers can post a review of their cruise. This should get you down to an itinerary and a couple of ships. Come back to this board with those and we'll try to give you some help.<BR>

Peter's advice is pretty good. You may also want to read the reviews at www.cruise-addicts.com - their review section is a little better organized than cruise critic's site. It's also difficult for any of us to answer such a general question unless you give us some information about yourself, your likes and dislikes, your budget, etc.

Tina, your question is too broad. The Caribbean is big(duh), it will take you several cruises(East,West,South,Panama Canal) to see it all and decide what you like best.<BR><BR>My advise take a quality ship (that depends on everyone's opinion) with a mix of sea days and ports. Get a giudebook and read-we can't make your decision for you.<BR><BR>You have to do some homework.

Four answers - two basically tell Tina that she has asked a stupid question and the other two offer advice. Why do you suppose Tina came to Fodors.com and the cruise forum in the first place? Because she wanted some advice! Paul and maryann, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Its little wonder that this forum gets the heat it gets from the other travel boards.

Hi Tina!<BR>1. Go to a travel agent.<BR>2.

Most often when I ask for someone's advice, I'm asking for a generalization based on their experiences. I understand my question is broad, but I anticipated people sharing some specific experiences (good, bad, fair...). Ok Peter, Paul and Mary, since your band broke up, what cruises have you been on (Ha). Celebrity, Holland, RCCL, Carnival... Which regions are your favorites. Thanks for the other sites you did give me. I'll check those out too.

Tina,<BR><BR>There are so many islands. I like the 10 day Southern routes the best. St. Lucia, Barbados,Curacao are some of the islands I realy like.<BR>I did the West once, Cozumel, Grand Caymen, Jamaica and it was just ok. <BR>Peoples opinions vary. You have to figure out what you want to do on a cruise. Site see, beaches, water sports etc.<BR>Go to Barnes & Nobel there are a couple of good books that have all the island info. <BR>Your age may mean alot when it comes to picking a cruise line. Carnival, RCI for the younger crowd, Celebrity,Hal for the over 50.

Tina - There are so many factors that will help you decide which line and which intinerary are right for you. Are you taking kids? How old are you? Do you like water sports such as kayaking, snorkeling, diving and sailing? Are you more interested in what the ship has to offer or the ports? Are you a gourmet diner? Is good bargain shopping a priority? Is price a big issue? Once you start filling in all these blanks, it will be much easier to narrow down some choices for you.

Tina<BR>I like Caribbean cruises.I like Eastern or Western itinerary.I like a few days of just cruising.I do NOT like island hopping as you get in the SouthernCaribbean.The only "cruising" you do is at night.I like being in a mixed age crowd.I like sitting at a large table in the dining room soz i can meet other travellers from other parts of the country/world.I like working with a TravelAgent.These are some of the things I like about cruising and I think anybody who is considering a cruise needs to do before booking one.Like making out a shopping list.<BR>Jason

Our first cruise was a four day cruise out of Miami. I wouldn't recommend such a short cruise because the experience is limited by time. Our second cruise was on RCCL. We visited the Southern Carribean and I selected that itinerary because it had the most island stops. I usually travel with kids, teens now, so I take into consideration what they like to do. Last year we sailed Celebrity's Galaxy out of San Juan to the Southern Carribean.because the price was right. It was a wonderful cruise and my 14 year son loved it too, even though many people think of Celebrity as more geared for adults. We have sailed the Voyager, which is a mega ship and there were plenty of activities to keep any one busy. Next year we will sail the Explorer, again, the Western Carribean because of fewer days at sea. Visit cruisecritic.com and there are great reviews, comments and an opportunity for lots of questions and answers.