Originally Posted by Badenoch

Balance the above off with long lines for a TSA-like experience every time you get on and off the boat during which you will be searched for illicit booze like a high school teenager at a sock hop.

Being disgorged with 4 or 5 thousand of your new found friends on a remote local population whose primary objective is to part you with your money legally or otherwise.

Constantly clock watching on shore and having to pass on a delightful looking restaurant because the boat will leave without you if you don't make it back in time.

Keeping a weather eye if you have the slightest predisposition toward motion sickness.

Being lulled into an environment that encourages over-consumption only to be presented with a eye-popping invoice upon departure.

There are times when a major market cruise makes some sense: Difficult to access locations like the Marquesas or Easter Island, a Mediterranean cruise to quickly visit a variety countries that you might like visit one day or if you've embraced the "cruise culture" and it's trappings.

Having cruised in the past my advice is to know what you want from the holiday and whether a cruise is the best way to achieve your objective, understand the drawbacks and ALWAYS get a cabin with a balcony no matter how much more it costs.