I was unexpectedly invited to a cruise by an acquaintance on the assumption that the second passenger is almost free (which I'll search for or post a question about in another thread; don't reply about that in this thread). Since I know nothing about cruises except that I have had little desire to go on one, I called a friend who goes on them regularly - not because she's fond of cruises, but because they go the places where she wants to take plankton samples. Her advice: you'll get pressured to pay for the "Free at Sea" package, but don't get it. In addition to all the alcohol you can drink it may get you in to their extra-fancy restaurant and give you unlimited internet. (Without it you may get 100 minutes for the whole voyage.) The thing is, you don't need the internet; that's not why you're going. If you do need it, every town has a cellular connection and the libraries have free internet. You'll have a fine time without the extra-fancy restaurant. And as for drinking, you'll probably enjoy yourself more if you're not pouring booze over your breakfast cereal.

Other advice she gave me: Unless you have kids and actually *want* the bumper cars and water slide, avoid the huge ships. The smaller the ship the better. My acquaintance wants to go to Alaska so the experienced friend recommended the Norwegian Joy, which carries 2000 passengers. Holland America used to have smaller vessels but unfortunately they sold them off. The friend also said to avoid the shops and the casino.

A lot of places (at least in Alaska) have gotten painfully touristy, but if you walk five blocks you'll get to the real town. Also, at least as far as Alaska goes, if you're particularly sensitive to seasickness you might prefer a vessel that sails up the Inland Passage. Your physician can prescribe you an anti-nausea patch.

Enjoy your trip!