Wow, the FT community always comes through, your posts have been so helpful and, hopefully, this thread can be used by more FTers who are thinking about going on their first cruise.

I have been reading more on cruisecritic.com and have been subscribed to the vacationstogo.com email newsletter, along with bookmarking the Royal Caribbean website and checking their "Hot Deals" Sections.

I think we are targeting Royal Caribbean's "Voyager" (...of the Seas) line of ships because they are large and newer. This line includes: Explorer of the Seas, Adventure OFS, Mariner OFS,Navigator OFS, and Voyager OFS. I am sure the rest of the ships are nice too but, for the 1st cruise, we want to go for the biggest and newest. I am sure all of these ships are very similar correct? Keeping the "Value" in mind, is there anyone that stands out or anything else that we should know about them?

I have many other questions, these are as "dumb" as you can get from a cruise newbie:

-I see all these prices advertised. What should I be counting on paying on top of them? Do these prices reflect port fees? I did go through the RC hot deal reservation process just to see what's added and I saw they added about $250 dollars in taxes on top of the advertised prices...Is it normal to assume about $250 in taxes for a cruise between 5 to 7 nights in the Caribbean (or maybe Bermuda too)?

-A draw on cruises is that they are supposed to be all inclusive. Why do they stick you with drinks? Do they also make you pay for water and coffee? Milk for the kids? Should we bring our own bottled water bottles along? Are there water drinking fountains around the ship? Thankfully, we do not drink pop or alcohol.

-A fellow FTer posted to assume about $40 per day in tips. That sounds fine I guess. This means that we do not have to tip the waiters EVERY single time they serve us, right?

-For air flights seating there is seatguru.com. Is there anything similar for cabins in each ship...ones to avoid, ones highly desirable, etc.?

-I read of free style dining and formal dining. What does this mean exactly? Do we have to dress up formally for dinner?? I hope not, we are on vacation for pete's sake. Does this also mean we only eat at prescribed times? Are there buffets throughout the day we can munch on if we get hungry? If it's formal dress, I hope it's at most business casual because I refuse to wear suit and tie on vacations

-RC hot deals is now advertising a 5 night cruise on the Voyager of the Seas
to Bermuda leaving from New Jersey. This sounds good for us since we can visit relatives in New York who will likely drop us off and pick us up. Only two port stops maximizing our time on the ship which we like to do on our first cruise. $494 if we leave on Oct. 16 for inside room, total for all four of us after taxes $2,250. Would you say this is a good "deal" or pass for something better to come along? On a trip like this how much will trip insurance cost about?

-Is there free internet access on the ship or do they stick you with exhorbitant rates? If they charge, how much does it cost about?

-Actual newspapers on board at all or just computer printout summaries?

I know lots of questions, I would appreciate some help.

Thank you so much!