I guess this is the best place to put this...

My wife and I are looking at taking a cruise next year - probably in May or June - celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. (Even better, no kids - to Grandmother's house they go...) This will be our very first cruise ever, and we're really looking forward to it.

We live in Nor-Cal, and do not have the funds or the time to fly to the East Coast (otherwise this post would be in the Disney Cruise Line forum and I'd be asking which one - the Magic or the Wonder?) So we're looking for something that leaves from a California port, possibly S.F. but more likely L.A. (San Diego would be the last option - I'd like to avoid having to drive that much further.)

As far as destinations, I think we'd prefer Mexico ports of call. But there are so many different cruise lines to choose from. We don't drink, but we love good food. We don't gamble, but love good entertainment, and a good clean atmosphere. We also don't want to spend a fortune, and will probably go with the least expensive sleeping accomodations.

With all that in mind, any recommendations? Recent experiences? Things to look for or definitely avoid?

Many thanks in advance! :)

Any of the major cruise lines' Mexico cruises will suit your needs. I've personally been on Royal Caribbean's 3-Day Catalina/Baja cruise and Carnival's 7-Day Mexican Reviera. It sounds like RC will be more up your alley. Carnival caters to a younger more party oriented crowd. Lots of 20 somethings, lots of excuses to drink, lots of kids. RC is a little calmer, but still lots of fun.

My biggest recommendation is to choose your side trips carefully. If you like to do the shopping thing, look for city tours. If you want to avoid that shlock shops (note where my preferences lie), look for the more out of the way ones. Our favorite side trips were a kayaking tour in Mazatlan (took some muscle, but avoided the chincy shopping areas completely) and a Tequila factory tour in Puerto Vallarta (not for you, but you get the idea).

If you go to Cabo San Lucas, don't buy the side trips. Depending on the cruise line, the order of the itineray, and the speed of the ship, you may only have half a day in Cabo. If so, the cruise director will try to scare you into buying a side trip to get "priority" getting off the ship, because Cabo's harbor is too shallow to dock and you have take tenders in to shore. But we didn't get a side trip, had no trouble getting off the ship (we were on the first tender), and found the same types of tours on shore for half the price (which led to a fun story to tell involving a one armed motor boat driver who spoke no English and being stranded alone an isolated beach :D ).

Finally, if you are a AAA member, use it! They got us a fabulous deal. They had the best rates to begin with. Plus the agent managed to find two rebates that we could apply. We were initially barely going to be able to squeeze a lower deck inside stateroom into our budget. We ended up moving up 2 decks, getting a porthole, and paying LESS than would have for the other room.

Princess, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean all have Mexican cruises. Like Ghoulish Delight said, you should contact your AAA travel agent. They can help you compare prices and stuff. There are 3 day, 4 day, 7 day, and 10 day cruises. Having been on all three cruise lines, I would personally say that Princess is the best. I agree that Carnival has a younger crowd. One recommendation, try to get a newer ship. The older ones are just not as nice.

Thanks guys!

Never occurred to me to use AAA - it's just one of those cards you put in your wallet and forget you have it until you need it on the road. One forgets about all the benefits it really has, like the travel aspect! :)

Here are a few more questions from a Cruise "newbie" that I hope you guys can help with:

* I know that your food is covered, but what about drinks? Now I figure alcohol would cost, but what about soda, coffee, iced tea? Refills?

* On several cruise itineraries I've looked at, they mention "2 nights formal, 1 night informal, 3 nights casual..." Huh? I would assume that means dress, but why? And what are the differences? Do we need to pack a huge assortment of clothes?

* How is the seating for shows handled? If you get a small inside cabin, are you seated in the top balcony row with a view of a column?

* Tipping. I read some recommendations that say something like $3.50 per person per day for your steward AND waiter, plus $2.00 pp/pd for your assistant waiter. Wow! That's over $100+ for a 7-night cruise! Yipes! :) Are there any other gratuities we may end up needing to pay (so we can save up now...will they take water bottles full of pennies? ;)

* What other "hidden" costs should we be aware of. It looks like port charges (???) are something that's included, but what else may come up? Is the entertainment covered?

* What about shore excursions and/or tours - how much can those run?

* Passports. Do you need them to go on a Mexican cruise? Or are Drivers Licenses good enough?

Any other tips or hints that you might remember having to deal with on your first cruise that may help us would be greatly appreciated! As well as any online resources we might find useful regarding first-time cruising.

Thanks one and all! :)

Normally, the cruises I have been on, the seating for the shows are first come first serve. So you could have a cheap cabin with great seats for the show.

The first cruise I went on, drinks (non-alcoholic) were included, but all the others the drinks were extra. But at the Captain's Cocktail party (usually one night) all drinks are free.

Shore excursions can run from about $20 a person to more than $100 a person depending on what the excursion is.

You should pick up brochures for the cruise lines that you are interested in, and a lot of times, they have answers to your questions. Also, check out their websites for more info as well. Hope this helps.

On most crusies now juice, water, milk, iced tea are included. Soda is extra, but you can buy an unlimited "soda pass." I think it was like $25 for 7 days when we went.

There are 2 formal dinners. The Captains dinner (before which you can receive the only free alcohol you will get) and the last night. They probably won't refuse you service if you aren't dressed up, but you may feel a bit out of place. Dinners in general are casual/semi-formal. If you don't want to pack too much (as a guy) one suit, and a pair of pants you can wear with the suit's coat will probably be fine for the formal nights (although it's fun to go real classy). If you REALLY want to look good, most ships have tuxes available for rent.

Seating is indeed first come first serve for shows.

You are never required to tip. The tips are suggested only. They also suggest a tip for the "head waiter" who oversees your entire dining room. It is your discretion whether or not to do so.

No other costs that you are required to pay. However, there are things like the thousands of photos the official ships photographer takes (and charge way too much for). Gift shops. Gambling. etc. All optional.

Yes, you will need a passport to take a cruise to Mexico. You will be asked for it when you board the ship initially, and when you leave the ship at the end of the trip. You will also be filling out customs forms. You will not need to show your passport to get on or off the ship at the ports of call. Your room key/debit card acts as your ID (you scan it and it brings up a photo of you on a screen as ID, it's pretty nifty).

As DopeyWife mentioned, most of the individual cruise companies' websites will have a faq that can answer a lot of your questions. As can a travel agency.

Hope that helps!