Cruise Critic is indeed a great website. Have gone through the first timers section already.

Forget leaving from NYC. Leave from Florida and sail for Carribean.

I should have rephrased that we are looking for VALUE and not Bargain. I indeed like to stay in Hiltons and sometimes in Marriotts and Sheratons...Have done the Hilton Waikoloa and two Sheratons in Tahiti. I will occassionally do a Hampton Inn and really like using Hilton Point Stretchers. I will bid Priceline often and never bid less than a 3*. I avoid the Days Inn properties...you know, that chain with the new Trip Rewards points program.

After reading more it comes down to two cruise lines: Royal Carribean and Disney. Since Disney tends to be on the high end we will probably save it for some other time when the budget can afford it and try to combine it with a stay at Disney World...So Royal Carribean sounds like the cruise line we will be targeting....OK, now got to zero in on the ship and the itinerary and timeline...Anyone has had good experience with travel agents that you will happily recommend? I have not used on since one booked me on an "illegal" connection that left me stranded in JFK overnight many years ago!