We decide which cruise based on its itinerary, whether it is going to places we'd like to see and if going by boat make sense as opposed to land travel. A Caribbean cruise where all the ports look the same holds no appeal but Tahiti and Alaska were cruises we enjoyed.

Unless you really enjoy being on the boat sea days are wasted days filled with mind-numbing monotony. You may find the short time in ports frustrating as you only have a few hours there. Also a few thousand of people on your boat and perhaps others in port are also going to be disgorging at the same time so popular attractions may be crowded.

Cruising isn't for everyone and if you are a spontaneous traveler who prefers to set their own agenda the more rigid schedule of cruises may not be to your liking.