Years ago.... I took a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas on the cruise line "The Big Red Boat". ( In 2000 Disney Cruises took over the company and the boats got bigger.) Nothing big about it compared to the other ships that we docked with. We looked like the tug boat but it was SPECTACULAR. It was a Blues Music cruise on Halloween weekend.
So many performers (Kenny Wayne Shephard) were there. It was geared to the people who loved to stay up all night and listen to music. It was Awsome. Even though it was a smaller boat we were treated just the same as you would be on a larger boat. Loved my little guy who came in and cleaned up the room everyday. Wanted to bring him home. The wine guy was my best friend. (forgot what they are called) I don't care where I was on that boat it seemed my drink guy was waiting 2 steps away everytime my drink got low.
We didn't splurge on a room because we knew we would never be in it
Too busy partying. Remember, I said this was years ago, so I had the stamina then.
You signed up for whatever excursion you wanted to take during the day and if you didn't want to you could just lay on the deck and relax.
My Mom and Dad have taken several curises on
http://www.princess.com/. I don't know how fancy you want to go but this is the top of the line. Too fancy for me. There favorite so far has been Alaska. They have been twice. The Hawaiin cruise was nice once you got there but Mama said it was too many days out at Sea. They went to Mexico and said that was nice but not their cup of tea. They are not the party animals that enjoy the activities on the ship so they got the huge room. They loved to relax on the balcony and enjoy their quiet time.
Their food was the best they have ever tasted and the amenaties were to die for.
That is my only experience with cruises.