I don't know why, but this post inspired me to create this:

Right. Are there no ports for places like Panama or Costa Rica? Belize?

I think that's my major problem with the cruise. If I don't like the cruise experience (I've never really been too interested in cruising) then the port experiences had better be exciting. But, the line up just isn't thrilling for me.

It all depends on what you do with it. The people on our cruise that went into town or took the shopping tour came back to the ship very disappointed and bored. Whereas we found some fantastic things to do.

In Puerto we took a tequila factory tour that took us through the absolutely gorgeous jungles, visiting some dude's farm house where he also happened to distill tequila (best tequila we tasted that day as a matter of fact).

In Mazatlan we spent an afternoon kayaking on the ocean and picnicking on an island beach.

And in Cabo, we eschewed the overpriced snorkeling trips sold on-board, opting instead to get up early and head to the docks to fend for ourselves resulting in having an entire isolated beach to ourselves for an hour (along with the great story of the one-armed, non-English speaking guy who abandoned us there).

The couples that we shared our dinner table with were jealous of us after every port.

I will agree with you on one count: good company is important. If you're lucky, like we were, the folks you sit with for every meal can make for great people to hang out with. Otherwise, if you aren't traveling with people you know, it's important to make an effort early in the cruise to somehow meet people you wouldn't mind hanging out with for hours on end. We loved every minute we were at sea, relaxing, drinking, and having a blast with the people we'd just met (and, of course, retreating to our cabin like good honeymooners).

The price is starting to bug me - knowing that I could take essentially the same trip for half the cost - and in a suite. I hate having to arrange these things so far in advance, particularly when the "right" choice depends on how some personal things shake out between now and then. Grrr. I'll probably have to put a deposit on the Magic cruise and a cheaper one for January and see how things sort themselves out.

Oh, I certainly agree that a great time can be had anywhere, and the more open you are to leaving the beaten path the better the odds.

And that includes Cabo, Puert Vallarta, and Mazatlan.

That does not mean, though, that they have any inherent appeal as destinations. I'm sure it is possible to have a good time in Modesto, but I'm not going to pay through the nose to go there.

Now you're just talking crazy talk.

Pay through the nose? The Disney cruise 7-day is a little pricier than the same cruise on other carriers, but it's still about $200/day for lodging, 24 hour food, transportation between cities, and some entertainment.

And that is paying through the nose...for destinations I don't have any particular interest in.

If I wanted to go to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan, then no that wouldn't be terribly expensive (just slightly expensive compared to equivalent cruise lines).

I'm with you there, Alex. There are so many more places of interest in that general area. Belize, Costa Rica, Panama are all places I'd be interested in visiting sans cruise. I'm not sure the cruise aspect alone can override the destinations. But, I'm still thinking about it.

There are just so may places I want to go!

Belize!